V20 Reviews

[Ben Sin]

Re: Forbes Review

sorry if i'm late to the party but i just came across this. i'm the dude who wrote the Forbes V20 review. in response to the dudes who said i'm biased...

yes, i admit my preference of LG phones, because i believe all people have natural preferences and biases. at least i'm transparent about it, unlike the dozens of tech bloggers/YouTubers who never really "bash" any phone because they enjoy getting free stuff and getting press invites. read the Verge, every freaking review of a major flagship say the same thing "this is one of the best cameras, blah blah blah". calling something "one of the best" means jacksh** in 2016, when every flagship phone is really damn good and more than enough phone for 99% of the world. or read the current batch of Pixel reviews, they all claim the Pixel is the best Android phone and only compare it to the iPhone, with no mention of the very excellent OnePlus 3 or the LG V20.

too bad the Note 7 died, because i would have loved to see reviewers from the verge or android blogs do gymnastics around gushing over the Pixel without contradicting previous gushing of the Note 7.

all these android bloggers get free stuff from phone companies and all expenses paid press junkets (LG just held one last week, so expect a bunch of Android sites to have a story about them in Seoul soon), so if you think they're unbiased, you're wrong. how do you think media get their "sources"? they're chummy with PR people of that company. if you truly want 100% unbiased opinions, go read actual user reviews on a reputable forum like XDA, or guys who pay for their own phones like flossy carter or jim of jim's review room. the way i see it, my review, like any other reviews, is one person's opinion. you guys should read several of them, then make your own judgement.

 

[Ben Sin]

A reminder that no finalized versions of the V20 have been seeded out to journalists yet. What you're reading is a review of the "preview" version of the phone.

Florence, LG USA told you guys don't review your V20s yet and wait for the carrier version... but the world is bigger than just the US. LG headquarters from Seoul told me my V20 was retail and in their words, "ready for review".

I suspect US bloggers are held back by US carrier bulls****. that "final version" of the V20 you're getting is likely going to be the same damn phone with 12 new Sprint/Verizon spam apps on there.

 

[Joeykool]

Great Video covering the V20 functions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkA7DZtcWQ

I am kinda glad the Note 7 bombed out and i was forced into the v20, it looks like LG put a lot of thought into the function of the phone!!

I really miss my v10. Switching to AT&T I grabbed the note 7. As much as I loved this phone... A few things I dislike. Curved screen and glass back #1! So I'm kinda anxious to get back to my second screen again on the v20. I am going to miss that s pen though.

 

[jimmy allen1]

Nice : )

 

[rushmore]

I really miss my v10. Switching to AT&T I grabbed the note 7. As much as I loved this phone... A few things I dislike. Curved screen and glass back #1! So I'm kinda anxious to get back to my second screen again on the v20. I am going to miss that s pen though.

Ditto. Overall really liked the Note 7, but the curve, glass back, inability to protect the display due to the curve bugged me. The sealed battery problem points to why they are not the best practical option. My issue is can not rationalize the $850 total VZW spend now that my Note 4 is great with MM updates and new battery. Frankly I would be saying the same thing about the Note 7, if the Note 4 was this good before buying the Note 7.

Point is any flag device right now would be hard to bridge being worth the spend. Samsung messed up the Note 7, but gave the Note 4 a new lease of luv. Still testing the V20 though Need it under $700 to justify, but with the Note 7 out of the picture- doubt that will happen.

 

[Mooncatt]

Re: Forbes Review

sorry if i'm late to the party but i just came across this. i'm the dude who wrote the Forbes V20 review. in response to the dudes who said i'm biased...

yes, i admit my preference of LG phones, because i believe all people have natural preferences and biases. at least i'm transparent about it, unlike the dozens of tech bloggers/YouTubers who never really "bash" any phone because they enjoy getting free stuff and getting press invites. read the Verge, every freaking review of a major flagship say the same thing "this is one of the best cameras, blah blah blah". calling something "one of the best" means jacksh** in 2016, when every flagship phone is really damn good and more than enough phone for 99% of the world. or read the current batch of Pixel reviews, they all claim the Pixel is the best Android phone and only compare it to the iPhone, with no mention of the very excellent OnePlus 3 or the LG V20.

too bad the Note 7 died, because i would have loved to see reviewers from the verge or android blogs do gymnastics around gushing over the Pixel without contradicting previous gushing of the Note 7.

all these android bloggers get free stuff from phone companies and all expenses paid press junkets (LG just held one last week, so expect a bunch of Android sites to have a story about them in Seoul soon), so if you think they're unbiased, you're wrong. how do you think media get their "sources"? they're chummy with PR people of that company. if you truly want 100% unbiased opinions, go read actual user reviews on a reputable forum like XDA, or guys who pay for their own phones like flossy carter or jim of jim's review room. the way i see it, my review, like any other reviews, is one person's opinion. you guys should read several of them, then make your own judgement.

I was one of those criticising your reviews. I know everyone will have a bias, but that doesn't mean you can't be objective. I do agree, today's cameras are all about on par with each other and you really have to nit pick to find the differences. That said, I did see some things in your samples that showed obvious differences that you didn't mention, especially when zoomed in to the pixel level.

Since you've responded here, I do have an honest question for you. Have you compared the cameras using manual modes (where possible)? One of my issues with the reviews in general, not just yours, is that they all compare the auto modes and more and more people are opting to shoot in manual for greater control over the images.

 

[mwake4goten]

Re: Forbes Review

sorry if i'm late to the party but i just came across this. i'm the dude who wrote the Forbes V20 review. in response to the dudes who said i'm biased...

yes, i admit my preference of LG phones, because i believe all people have natural preferences and biases. at least i'm transparent about it, unlike the dozens of tech bloggers/YouTubers who never really "bash" any phone because they enjoy getting free stuff and getting press invites. read the Verge, every freaking review of a major flagship say the same thing "this is one of the best cameras, blah blah blah". calling something "one of the best" means jacksh** in 2016, when every flagship phone is really damn good and more than enough phone for 99% of the world. or read the current batch of Pixel reviews, they all claim the Pixel is the best Android phone and only compare it to the iPhone, with no mention of the very excellent OnePlus 3 or the LG V20.

too bad the Note 7 died, because i would have loved to see reviewers from the verge or android blogs do gymnastics around gushing over the Pixel without contradicting previous gushing of the Note 7.

all these android bloggers get free stuff from phone companies and all expenses paid press junkets (LG just held one last week, so expect a bunch of Android sites to have a story about them in Seoul soon), so if you think they're unbiased, you're wrong. how do you think media get their "sources"? they're chummy with PR people of that company. if you truly want 100% unbiased opinions, go read actual user reviews on a reputable forum like XDA, or guys who pay for their own phones like flossy carter or jim of jim's review room. the way i see it, my review, like any other reviews, is one person's opinion. you guys should read several of them, then make your own judgement.

So true! I usually wait for user reviews on YouTube and Android Central forum members, more honest!

 

[RaRa85]

Jim's Review Room has some of the best quality videos out to date and the dude is so cool about everything. Really great content.

 

[rushmore]

New device pixie dust on average takes two weeks to wear off, so user reviews tend to be biased as well until then.

 

[Ben Sin]

Re: Forbes Review

I was one of those criticising your reviews. I know everyone will have a bias, but that doesn't mean you can't be objective. I do agree, today's cameras are all about on par with each other and you really have to nit pick to find the differences. That said, I did see some things in your samples that showed obvious differences that you didn't mention, especially when zoomed in to the pixel level.

Since you've responded here, I do have an honest question for you. Have you compared the cameras using manual modes (where possible)? One of my issues with the reviews in general, not just yours, is that they all compare the auto modes and more and more people are opting to shoot in manual for greater control over the images.

i haven't compared photos using manual mode. i shot with auto because i wanted to cater to the average consumer who just point and shoot. i probably should do some samples in pro mode though, thanks for the suggestion. i'm no photography expert, and i realize i made some mistakes in the V20 vs iphone 7 vs Huawei P9 photo comparison (when gauging which shot was "better). that's why my next photo comparisons (between note 7 and v20) i mostly just presented the photos without comment because i figured i'd let readers decide.

i'm new to this tech writing thing (but not the journalism thing), and i welcome criticism since i'm trying to improve. i don't claim to be an expert, just a hardcore gadget fan with access to stuff. i don't mind the "he's biased towards LG" thing, i mostly mind the insinuation from Florence (I saw her do it on Twitter too) that I cheated and reviewed a phone that wasn't ready. all because US bloggers can't seem to grasp that the world doesn't revolve around America and its laughably outdated carrier dominance.

 

[Ntchwaidumela]

I heard the fingerprint reader on the V10 was finicky.

It was pretty much eliminated in an update. Mine always worked smoothly, but the update sped it up.

 

[davidkim1106]

The finger print scanner on V10 didn't work with cases at first; however, it was quickly fixed with an update!

 

[Strong_Genetics]

Very happy with my V20 choice after seeing it at the mall....Going fron a note 7 the screen feels huge and looks nice and sharp as well....and was surprised on how fast apps launched from the 2nd screen....Phone feels very well done.....

 

[His Majesty]

Very happy with my V20 choice after seeing it at the mall....Going fron a note 7 the screen feels huge and looks nice and sharp as well....and was surprised on how fast apps launched from the 2nd screen....Phone feels very well done.....

This.
I have no regrets with choosing the V20 as a non Note 7 option. Very pleased with what I saw when I did the hands-on thing at ATT.

 

[Mooncatt]

Re: Forbes Review

i haven't compared photos using manual mode. i shot with auto because i wanted to cater to the average consumer who just point and shoot. i probably should do some samples in pro mode though, thanks for the suggestion. i'm no photography expert, and i realize i made some mistakes in the V20 vs iphone 7 vs Huawei P9 photo comparison (when gauging which shot was "better). that's why my next photo comparisons (between note 7 and v20) i mostly just presented the photos without comment because i figured i'd let readers decide.

i'm new to this tech writing thing (but not the journalism thing), and i welcome criticism since i'm trying to improve. i don't claim to be an expert, just a hardcore gadget fan with access to stuff. i don't mind the "he's biased towards LG" thing, i mostly mind the insinuation from Florence (I saw her do it on Twitter too) that I cheated and reviewed a phone that wasn't ready. all because US bloggers can't seem to grasp that the world doesn't revolve around America and its laughably outdated carrier dominance.

Props for admitting you are new to the tech writing and that you made some mistakes. Yes, reviewing a camera's auto mode does have its place, but that's what all the reviews focus on. I'm not sure how well this would be received at large, but here's the kind of stuff I'd like to see reviewed as a prospective consumer:

Burst mode, how fast it shoots and what quality (much as I love the G4, its burst mode shots stink compared to one off shots).

Extent of manual controls, I.e. min and max shutter speed, ISO limits (and at what point does ISO related noise become an issue), special scene modes, etc.

Special features such as optical image stabilization. Better yet, if it has something truly unique like rear curtain sync flash. I've heard the V10 has this but not yet sure on the V20, and I don't know of any other phones with this ability.

Color accuracy, either on auto or manual by adjusting white balance. This would be judging things like if a red object has a pink tinge to it in the image.

 

[alexeisch]

I have to say that I was REALLY bummed about not being able to order the silver through TMO but after looking at a bunch of photos I actually like how the grey casing blends in with the bezel much more than the stark contrast of the silver and black bezel. I don't know. I would have LOVED to get my hands on a pink one but will be happy with my grey and know I will love it!

 

[sgtd]

Just got to play with one and I'm very tempted. I had a Note 7 and ended up going back to my iPhone 6 Plus, but something is really driving me to go back to Android (had an HTC One and Note 3, so not unfamiliar with the OS). The Note 7 could have been the perfect phone for me, but it's not so I'm very intrigued by this phone. My only real concern right now is the battery life, which is partially mitigated by the removable/replaceable ability, but I'm not real keen on carrying around a spare. I may give it a few days to a week to see some reviews from the field before I hop on this train.

 

[RaRa85]

One of the best camera comparisons with the V20 since the love affair with the Pixel cameras. And this was a pre production model as well which held its own. I hate to admit it but Google hired a great group of writers for their camera software. Besides the large pixels most of the work is really done by the software. I feel like its kinda cheating but the results speak for themselves. For true lowlight and long exposure fans like myself the Pixel's minimum .5 exposure is not nearly enough to get the really cool shots I've gotten on the V10 and even older Lumia phones. But check it out. https://youtu.be/CReBGJLv5po
Also I'm not sure what happened at the end of the video. Right when they were about to...

 

[Osahar 87]

Amazing!!! Ezio is video recording with his LG V20! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzX1VJ33daE

 

[hou33guy]

I been a note fan single they started but i love the v20 better lol sorry but im hooded on the screen realness and that ir blaster yes