Rumors of buttons on the side is a deal breaker. Anyone else?

[SpookDroid]

This was my thought on the buttons. I picked up my current phone (S6) and my index finger does rest on the back, but nowhere near where the buttons on the G4 would be. I would have to move it to reach the buttons and could see it getting annoying after awhile.

Exactly! I had to reach up or down with my INDEX finger too much. After a few days, my finger started hurting. It just didn't feel right for me, and couldn't see why people said their fingers 'rest' there naturally. Maybe I just hold my phones differently (If I forced my 'grip' on the phone to make the finger rest there naturally, I had to hold the phone in a very uncomfortable and what felt like a very unsafe way (again, for me).

 

[AlphaVictor87]

Just saw this article. Few case "leaks" on amazon showing the side volume buttons with dual camera and fingerprint scanner on the back. I'd be ok with this design, however last dual camera phone I owned (M8) I hated how it took pictures....

http://www.droid-life.com/2016/01/23/this-could-be-the-lg-g5-in-a-dummy-box/

 

[TdotsFinest39]

The screen size going to 5.3", the battery becoming smaller AND the buttons being moved from back to the side would keep me away from the G5. I have a Nexus 6P and cannot for the life of me get "re-used" to the buttons being on the side. Thank God for the fingerprint scanner being on the back.

It was one of those things that took a couple of days to get used to and now everything else feels completely unintuitive.

Hoping the next version of the V10 makes its way up here to Canada and retains the design elements.

 

[SpookDroid]

The screen size going to 5.3", the battery becoming smaller AND the buttons being moved from back to the side would keep me away from the G5. I have a Nexus 6P and cannot for the life of me get "re-used" to the buttons being on the side. Thank God for the fingerprint scanner being on the back.

It was one of those things that took a couple of days to get used to and now everything else feels completely unintuitive.

Hoping the next version of the V10 makes its way up here to Canada and retains the design elements.

Fingerprint reader on the back... try unlocking the phone when it's on a dashboard cradle while driving (or, for the sake of safety, while the car is stopped at a red light or parked). And yes, I know you can set trusted places, but if you're in a situation like mine (and many are), having your corporate e-mail on your phone means certain security measures get enforced, including mandatory secure lockscreens (fingerprint or password are the only two my company's server will take) and trusted places do nothing.

 

[getbretweir]

Which is why probably they'd go with another brand. If the defining characteristic of the G4 were the backbuttons and, at least in my opinion, it didn't really trump any other phone in performance and definitely not in interface design, then yeah, it makes sense to just go with a phone that 'does it better'. Sure, the camera was top notch too, but so did a handful of other phones.

I guess I underestimated the number of people that choose to go with LG for the rear buttons. I always assumed it was more for the removable battery and SD slot and the rear buttons were something people just got used to. Personally the rumored side buttons make the G5 more attractive to me, and if they do keep the removable battery and SD slot is strongly consider it. I can picture them ditching the removable battery though, but as long as the battery is larger (3400+ mAh or thereabout) I'd still consider it. Ultimately it'll come down to software though. I do like some of its features, like knock to wake, but in my brief experience with the G4 I just didn't like their skin. I'm not one of those Nexus fans that want to see every phone run stock, but I prefer Sense, Sony, Moto and even TW to LG's software. I'm anxious to see what improvements they might've made.

 

[getbretweir]

Fingerprint reader on the back... try unlocking the phone when it's on a dashboard cradle while driving (or, for the sake of safety, while the car is stopped at a red light or parked). And yes, I know you can set trusted places, but if you're in a situation like mine (and many are), having your corporate e-mail on your phone means certain security measures get enforced, including mandatory secure lockscreens (fingerprint or password are the only two my company's server will take) and trusted places do nothing.

don't have to use just the fingerprint sensor to unlock. can use the pattern instead which is perfect if it's on a car dock or lying flat on a desk.

 

[Inders99]

I guess I underestimated the number of people that choose to go with LG for the rear buttons. I always assumed it was more for the removable battery and SD slot and the rear buttons were something people just got used to. Personally the rumored side buttons make the G5 more attractive to me, and if they do keep the removable battery and SD slot is strongly consider it.

Actually for me it's all three. I'm forever grabbing and activating the side buttons when handling previous phones, never made any sense to me, but I also chose the phone for the battery and SD card. So I'm one of the people that utilize all three features and the only aspect I'm hoping for is a smaller phone...5.5 is just too big for me.

 

[SpookDroid]

don't have to use just the fingerprint sensor to unlock. can use the pattern instead which is perfect if it's on a car dock or lying flat on a desk.

Like I said, if Corporate blocks it, you are forced to do either password or fingerprint (pattern is, in the eyes of many, not a 'secure' secure lockscreen... and I have to agree with them haha, I've unlocked a few friends' phones just by looking at the fingerprint trace on their screens). And while you're in the car, having to fumble with the screen either for a pattern unlock or a password is definitely worse than tapping for fingerprint...but if the reader is on the back, well... Good luck with that.

So, LG, you've already done dual screens... now do dual fingerprint scanner! One on the back, one on the front. Done.

 

[Oz78]

Can't stand the back buttons. Bought a cheap lg spirit to test it out and it's such a pain. The only thing that should be on the rear of a phone besides the camera and flash should be finger print sensor.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ab2c4]

I prefer the back buttons on my work lg g3, but i am fine with side buttons since u use then everyday on my personal nexus 5.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[SpookDroid]

Can't stand the back buttons. Bought a cheap lg spirit to test it out and it's such a pain. The only thing that should be on the rear of a phone besides the camera and flash should be finger print sensor.

Posted via the Android Central App

Forgot about that issue: Zooming in/out with volume buttons on the back SUCKS. Or taking the picture with those buttons if you select to do so.

Obviously there's no pleasing everyone haha And I'm definitely in the 'not pleased with back buttons' category.

 

[Guyinbox]

Yea I'm on my 3rd LG phone and the back buttons still frustrate me lol. I honestly think Samsung has the best setup going with the physical home button/fingerprint sensor and capacitive buttons. The fingerprint reader is accessible from any situation and can be used to wake the screen even if using an unsecured lock screen (no need for double tap to wake,) and the capacitive buttons are right where they need to be at all times. Software buttons always add an extra screen tap or swipe to make them appear, and the button bezel on every LG phone has enough room for this setup.

 

[psp1232171]

Agreed, on my second LG and don't want to go back to the side buttons and turning down the volume when just trying to turn on the screen. Love the backside buttons!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Morty2264]

... I LOVE the back buttons on my G3; and I gotta say, if the rumours of the G5's buttons being on the side are true, I may not be as willing to buy it when I considering upgrading in two years' time. But hey, if the rumours ARE true, I can just grab a G4 if I'm still wanting to stick with LG.

I didn't think I'd like the rear buttons at all on my phone; but I actually love placing my phone screen-side down; so I can use the Power button to unlock it while I'm turning it around. I just find the button placement to be unique and convenient; and there's no accidentally-pressing-the-power-button/volume-buttons-while-picking-up-the-phone. And I LOVE the double tap feature. Plus, the button placement from the G2-G4 models makes them stand out; and I like this kind of differentiation.