So very disappointed in my LG G5...

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I'm not impressed with the G5.

After dealing with #BootloopGate on the G4, I really thought LG would step up their quality control game. As it turned out, nope. Backlight bleeding issues, heavy use of plastic that's "supposedly" for the antenna, the chin not being flush with the rest of the phone, the LCD blooming because the panel is so damn thin, and it's just, ugh.

It's a $600+ phone and with this sort of quality-control, I'm afraid it's hard for me to recommend it. It had the potential to be a solid alternative to phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the HTC 10, but unless LG is serious about their QC, the G5 doesn't hold up well enough against its chief rival.

LG's inconsistent quality control along with issues with my G4 is why I'm selling the G4 soon and purchasing the upcoming Galaxy Note 6 as its replacement. The 2 longest-surviving smartphones in my house are all Samsung devices, so at least I can trust them for making a device that lasts for more than a year.

 

[BOSSY TEXAS CHICK]

......As for my G5... I will be returning it to Verizon. The things I like about it (screen, camera) aren't enough to overcome my dislike of the general build quality and questionable UI decisions made by LG.

Its completely understandable, EVEN if it is a good phone in many ways, the FIRST box a FLAGSHIP phone should ALWAYS, "tick" (in my opinion) is, when that when i look at it (DESIGN) and then pick it up, (FEEL IN HAND) it "makes me smile"! If it fails THOSE TWO tests, i don't care WHAT a phone has going for it, BACK IT GOES...

Like the LG V10, i loved everything about that phone BUT the FIRST TWO BOXES couldn't be "ticked"... Its not anywhere near sleek in black, and WORSE & even more plastic-y looking in white...

You're doing the right thing, lacking those two things never "go away" with time UNLESS you catch a FLAGSHIP on a 50-75% sale, THEN those flaws become acceptable for a $125 - 150.00 phone!

BTC

 

[erwaso]

What was LG thinking? The build quality of this phone is awful - it feels like a cheap $99 plastic phone. The removable module at the bottom of the phone is unevenly lined up with the main part of the phone, leaving a noticeably uneven gap. The chamfer/edges of the phone feel sharp, not polished like they should be, almost like they could cut your hand (though they won't). The G5 feels cheap in hand, and it looks cheap. My expectations about the build quality were already lowered from videos I've watched the last couple of days, but the bar still wasn't low enough.

The other awful decision - the launcher! They removed the app drawers, in favor of an iPhone-like launcher experience. Yuck. And for the apps that you can't disable, the only way to "hide" them is to place them into a folder on one of the home screens. Not a great solution. There is an "easy home" option, which gives you back the app drawers, but doesn't allow you to add widgets or otherwise customize the home screens. I don't know what they were thinking, but you have to install something like Nova Launcher to get anything close to a true Android UI experience. Bottom line, their launcher is dumbed down, and I don't know why.

That said, there are some things I like about the phone - the screen is nice. Good color and sharpness. The cameras are nice (took a couple of photos at normal angle and wide angle), though not really any better than the S7 Edge and iPhone 6s Plus. I like the always-on display a little better than the S7/S7 Edge implementation. And the performance seems good, with the UI being very smooth with no lag.

After using it for a few hours, two main thoughts come to mind - "disappointment" and "compromise". The build quality and UI design are very disappointing, and inexcusable in 2016, when there are so many phones (even cheaper mid-range selections) with much better build quality. Even LG's own V10 has a much better build quality. I feel like they compromised the phone by focusing on the modular "friends" aspect of the G5, instead of the making sure the basics of the phone itself are polished. How many people are really going to buy a G5, and then purchase any of the modular add-ons? And from what I've read, depending on what country you are in, you may not be able to get some of the modules anyway.

I apologize that this post comes across as so very negative. I'm just hoping to add another point-of-view backing up some of the YouTube reviews we've all seen. Additionally, I've owned a number of different phones over the years, and this ranks as one of the worst I've ever used. I just hope that LG is working on the V20, and doesn't handicap that phone with useless gimmicks that compromise the basics of the phone, as they've done with the G5.

As for my G5... I will be returning it to Verizon. The things I like about it (screen, camera) aren't enough to overcome my dislike of the general build quality and questionable UI decisions made by LG.

That's too bad. What did you have before and what will you replace it with?

 

[gendo667]

Sheep? That's ridiculous.

I was planning on trading my S7 edge for the G5 for weeks now..until I read the reviews, saw the review videos, and played with one at Verizon. I put my S7e next to it and the build quality Samsung provided is far above what LG is supplying with the G5. Maybe some people prefer LCD but the super amoled panel in the S7 puts the ips LCD to shame.

Samsung created a better phone and just because that is my opinion I am a sheep? Getouttttaaaheyyaa

Posted via the Android Central App

I didn't think it would be a popular opinion, but it's my opinion. I'm not saying they make bad phones, by no means. What I am saying is if I don't see iPhones, I see Samsung's and it turns me off. Hearing their text tones turns me off. I think the people that frequent this site are well read regarding phones and tech, but most are not. They just buy what they know and never try something new. I watched one lady the other day buy a Note 5 and when she asked the T-Mobile sales guy to put in her SD card, he told her it didn't have expandable storage. She had no idea. She was buying a new Samsung phone because she doesn't know anything else. These are my own personal hangups, I know that. I'm know I'm in the minority, but it's not ridiculous.

 

[mattdamiz85]

I didn't think it would be a popular opinion, but it's my opinion. I'm not saying they make bad phones, by no means. What I am saying is if I don't see iPhones, I see Samsung's and it turns me off. Hearing their text tones turns me off. I think the people that frequent this site are well read regarding phones and tech, but most are not. They just buy what they know and never try something new. I watched one lady the other day buy a Note 5 and when she asked the T-Mobile sales guy to put in her SD card, he told her it didn't have expandable storage. She had no idea. She was buying a new Samsung phone because she doesn't know anything else. These are my own personal hangups, I know that. I'm know I'm in the minority, but it's not ridiculous.

I agree. If people are stuck on one brand and blindly buy no matter what then they definitely are sheep. The funny thing is if people love their phone why can't they just go on with their day and enjoy it? They have to search out others who use different phones and flame them. Makes me wonder if they're really happy with what they have. Lol. #firstworldprobs

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Tadrift]

Wow, such a well written and objective post by GolferChris in review of his G5, I find hardly anything to dispute. I am normally a big fan of LG hardware and despite all the negative comments about the G5, I really thought that ultimately I would find these negatives in the reviews to be minor once I got the phone. I feel the same about Samsung and iPhone. Not that either are bad phones, but LG was kind of my island of sanity in flagship phones, once you got all the Bling, Hype, and Fanfare out of the way with the other two, LG has always been right there with them.

I expected the above posts from people jumping on the LG hate wagon. But, when there are some LG loyal users with objective concerns, it makes me have seconds thoughts. More then anything, it will make me wait and see how it goes with the phone in the real world before I buy one.

 

[scmurphy13]

I'm actually happy with my G5. Very minimal screen bleed, everything is flush and fits nicely. It's quick, and the UI doesn't bother me. I wish it had wireless charging, but I'll live. I'm not very concerned about whether it feels like a metal phone in my hand. I have a case on it.

 

[Tadrift]

I agree. If people are stuck on one brand and blindly buy no matter what then they definitely are sheep. The funny thing is if people love their phone why can't they just go on with their day and enjoy it? They have to search out others who use different phones and flame them. Makes me wonder if they're really happy with what they have. Lol. #firstworldprobs

Posted via the Android Central App

In general, that last thing LG owners are is sheep. I think we make up the more common sense type people of the Android world. We bought LG because it was a logical alternative and are not swayed by the marketing machine of Samsung. Not that I wouldn't buy a Samsung if it suited me well. Thats the point, we are not loyal to the brand of LG, we are loyal to our usage and will leave if something else is better.

 

[RadiantDuck]

In general, that last thing LG owners are is sheep. I think we make up the more common sense type people of the Android world. We bought LG because it was a logical alternative and are not swayed by the marketing machine of Samsung. Not that I wouldn't buy a Samsung if it suited me well. Thats the point, we are not loyal to the brand of LG, we are loyal to our usage and will leave if something else is better.

Agreed, I tend to favour LG as they have been making terrific phones at a much lower price point. I loved my g2. And I am gutted that got a dud handset, and that there are a high number of dodgy handsets about. The back primer/paint drama didn't bother me much (other than they should have been clearer earlier on), it the lack of quality control on the finish and screens that I cannot put up with.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[gendo667]

So I just went to T-Mobile to check out the phone. No intentions of purchasing the device, expecting to be completely let down. Well, I can say, in my opinion, the phone doesn't feel cheap in the slightest. I think there's a lot of overreacting going on, but that's just me. Bought it, setting it up now. This phone flies by the way.

 

[metz65]

In general, that last thing LG owners are is sheep. I think we make up the more common sense type people of the Android world. We bought LG because it was a logical alternative and are not swayed by the marketing machine of Samsung. Not that I wouldn't buy a Samsung if it suited me well. Thats the point, we are not loyal to the brand of LG, we are loyal to our usage and will leave if something else is better.

The common sense people of the android world are the ones who buy a phone they enjoy regardless of the oem and don't care what everyone else thinks. No manufacturer is perfect, every manufacturer makes mistakes. People make mistakes when they blindly follow a brand name instead of quality.

 

[anon(1733)]

The common sense people of the android world are the ones who buy a phone they enjoy regardless of the oem and don't care what everyone else thinks. No manufacturer is perfect, every manufacturer makes mistakes. People make mistakes when they blindly follow a brand name instead of quality.

Very well said. I have bought every major flagship for the past several years because I have a sickness. But everyone should buy what theyear like and can afford instead of following what's popular or what they see on TV the most.

Every manufacturer has made great phones. Every year one brand seems to top the others and around and around we go. That's what's great about technology. Watching each OEM try The top the other. It's great.

 

[LOVINGTHEDREAM]

Yes, Ive seen alot of really bad reviews from users.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I was bored, and for some reason, this came into my mind after reading some comments.

I don't know why I did it, but at least it has some comedic value to some.

 

[Not Quite Right]

That's great and all, but I really hate Samsung phones. I hate seeing them. I certainly hate hearing the same text tone in public all the time. It's just the iPhone to me now. Sheep.

It's odd that people are drawn to such horrible products isn't it?! What were Samsung's & Apple's designers thinking by making products that look, and work so well that lots of people want buy them? Freakin' idiots should all by fired ...

 

[gendo667]

I know they make good phones. If you're following the thread, you'd see that I said as much. Cheers.

 

[gendo667]

Man this phone is causing some friction. In multiple threads.

 

[Not Quite Right]

I know they make good phones. If you're following the thread, you'd see that I said as much. Cheers.

Yet you call people who want to buy good phones "Sheep" for simply buying what you've posted as being good phones from the two most popular manufactures in the industry ... that's some interesting logic.
Don't confuse "brand loyalty" with being a sheep either. When people find things that work for them, most have a tendency to stick with what they know wether it's a cellphone or where to get a good pizza ...

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Yet you call people who want to buy good phones "Sheep" for simply buying what you've posted as being good phones from the two most popular manufactures in the industry ... that's some interesting logic.
Don't confuse "brand loyalty" with being a sheep either. When people find things that work for them, most have a tendency to stick with what they know wether it's a cellphone or where to get a good pizza ...

I think it's wrong to generalize an entire smartphone demographic for a particular brand.

Apple and Samsung are insanely popular and are used by many people who aren't so familiar with tech. But don't forget that people who are very literate in technology, including AC users, also use phones from Apple and Samsung.

 

[gendo667]

Yet you call people who want to buy good phones "Sheep" for simply buying what you've posted as being good phones from the two most popular manufactures in the industry ... that's some interesting logic.
Don't confuse "brand loyalty" with being a sheep either. When people find things that work for them, most have a tendency to stick with what they know wether it's a cellphone or where to get a good pizza ...

I know what "brand loyalty" is. I also know about "overexposure". It's all a matter of opinion. I know I'm in the minority. That's fine.