V30 Initial Impressions

[MA2GA28]

Got the V30 earlier today, and after messing with it for the past 8 hours, here are my initial impressions.

Screen: The issues are there, no question. I'm in a difficult spot, as the hot spots on my device aren't that bad. However, I am dealing with some vertical banding (especially on white screens on low brightness). Don't want to play the OLED roulette, so if the banding gets too bothersome, I'll just outright return the phone.

Camera: Honestly only tested it out a bit in a poorly lit room. Photos were...expected? Nothing horrible, but I wouldn't say any were keepers. I poked around in manual mode, but will have to read up more to figure out how to maximize the usage there. I can report that shutter lag isn't bad at all, even with HDR on auto. However, getting multiple shots in a row isn't easy, as there's definitely a processing delay, as I had to wait a second between quick pressing the button. Will have more on this tomorrow, as I give the camera more of a run.

Quad-Dac: This thing is amazing! Music sounds excellent through it, and toggling it on and off really shows what is missing in the sound without it. Even lower quality MP3 files sound better. I tested this out on a set of Bose QC 35s and a pair of Monoprice SonicSolace headphones. Both provided a considerable bump in sound quality.

Size/Feel/Ergonomics: So far, so good. Though, I quickly threw a Spigen Neo Hybrid case on it, as the metal sides are slippery. It's definitely lighter than one would think, but I find it comfortable and sturdy.

External Speaker: It's bad. For a device that boasts the Quad Dac, advanced video recording, and HD sound recording, the on-board speaker was an obvious afterthought for LG. Even comparing it's output to my three year old Droid Turbo, the speaker resonates like every sound coming out of it was recorded in a large, metal tube or underwater. Just not good.

I have had some small 'bugs' with it. Some buttons that have a pop-up (like disabling apps) will freeze and not bring the pop-up. Going back and forth on the screen clears it and it works fine. And I've had the settings menu force close once, for no reason I could see. I may do a factory reset tomorrow to clear everything if I still see the same issues tomorrow.

Overall, the V30 performing as expected, though it's still in the discovery phase. If you have any questions, post them and I'll answer them in my next update.

 

[FutureMech]

It sounds like a reasonable device but nothing special, especially with those screen banding issues, should never happen.

What phone you gonna get instead? If you return it

 

[anon(5506951)]

How is your screen's visibility in direct sunlight?

 

[Rumblee1]

Got the V30 earlier today, and after messing with it for the past 8 hours, here are my initial impressions.

Screen: The issues are there, no question. I'm in a difficult spot, as the hot spots on my device aren't that bad. However, I am dealing with some vertical banding (especially on white screens on low brightness). Don't want to play the OLED roulette, so if the banding gets too bothersome, I'll just outright return the phone.

Camera: Honestly only tested it out a bit in a poorly lit room. Photos were...expected? Nothing horrible, but I wouldn't say any were keepers. I poked around in manual mode, but will have to read up more to figure out how to maximize the usage there. I can report that shutter lag isn't bad at all, even with HDR on auto. However, getting multiple shots in a row isn't easy, as there's definitely a processing delay, as I had to wait a second between quick pressing the button. Will have more on this tomorrow, as I give the camera more of a run.

Quad-Dac: This thing is amazing! Music sounds excellent through it, and toggling it on and off really shows what is missing in the sound without it. Even lower quality MP3 files sound better. I tested this out on a set of Bose QC 35s and a pair of Monoprice SonicSolace headphones. Both provided a considerable bump in sound quality.

Size/Feel/Ergonomics: So far, so good. Though, I quickly threw a Spigen Neo Hybrid case on it, as the metal sides are slippery. It's definitely lighter than one would think, but I find it comfortable and sturdy.

External Speaker: It's bad. For a device that boasts the Quad Dac, advanced video recording, and HD sound recording, the on-board speaker was an obvious afterthought for LG. Even comparing it's output to my three year old Droid Turbo, the speaker resonates like every sound coming out of it was recorded in a large, metal tube or underwater. Just not good.

I have had some small 'bugs' with it. Some buttons that have a pop-up (like disabling apps) will freeze and not bring the pop-up. Going back and forth on the screen clears it and it works fine. And I've had the settings menu force close once, for no reason I could see. I may do a factory reset tomorrow to clear everything if I still see the same issues tomorrow.

Overall, the V30 performing as expected, though it's still in the discovery phase. If you have any questions, post them and I'll answer them in my next update.

Well, seems like I should have waited before ordering. Arriving tomorrow. I've got a good mind to not even opening up the box. I've got an S7 EDGE right now so I guess I'll very much notice the screen. Makes you wonder what LG is thinking? Their mobile division hasn't made money in years. Maybe this is the reason they stayed with those ugly lcd screens for so long.

 

[MA2GA28]

It sounds like a reasonable device but nothing special, especially with those screen banding issues, should never happen.

What phone you gonna get instead? If you return it

Probably go back to my Turbo and look at the Pixel XL 2 when it's released. But, that's assuming I don't keep the V30. Still too early to tell.

 

[MA2GA28]

How is your screen's visibility in direct sunlight?

Sadly, won't be able to test this today. In Atlanta, and we're dealing with rain from Nate all day.

 

[MA2GA28]

Well, seems like I should have waited before ordering. Arriving tomorrow. I've got a good mind to not even opening up the box. I've got an S7 EDGE right now so I guess I'll very much notice the screen. Makes you wonder what LG is thinking? Their mobile division hasn't made money in years. Maybe this is the reason they stayed with those ugly lcd screens for so long.

Even though I had a few complaints, don't mistake that for a dislike of the phone. So far, I'm relatively pleased. Will definitely need another week before I make a final decision though. And you may luck out and get one of the pristine panels.

 

[Rob Chew]

I pretty much have the same observations. I will keep the phone for the quad dac and wide angle camera. My S8 will continue to be my daily driver. The speaker output and quality is a bit disappointing. I've had some screen rotation issues and the notification shade seems to drop down unexpectedly. I think that maybe some issues can be fixed by updates. I think most people will buy this phone primarily for the quad dac. Maybe one day some manufacturer will get it all right.

 

[FutureMech]

Why LG always misses something? i wanted to buy a second phone to serve with mine Mate 9, or upgrade from Mate 9, but every phone is more of a downgrade then upgrade, only the Mate 10 is viable.

V30 should have also 6GB ram with great ram management and 4000mah battery, especially with high-end DAC that eats battery, and if Hauwei can put 4000mah, everyone can.

 

[jdfry15]

Why LG always misses something? i wanted to buy a second phone to serve with mine Mate 9, or upgrade from Mate 9, but every phone is more of a downgrade then upgrade, only the Mate 10 is viable.

V30 should have also 6GB ram with great ram management and 4000mah battery, especially with high-end DAC that eats battery, and if Hauwei can put 4000mah, everyone can.

I agree with you. The mate 9 was the sleeper of the year. It is a great phone. Seems like everyone is more concerned about wireless charging instead of putting bigger batteries in the phones. I think after the note 7 this will only continue for a couple years.

 

[FutureMech]

I agree with you. The mate 9 was the sleeper of the year. It is a great phone. Seems like everyone is more concerned about wireless charging instead of putting bigger batteries in the phones. I think after the note 7 this will only continue for a couple years.

Well the Mate 10 is almost here, maybe things will change.
I personally couldn't care for wireless charging, what Mate 9 offers and a whole package couldn't be touched, i've yet to see a phone that can serve as an upgrade.

The mate 9 is defiantly undersold and underrated.

 

[lateck2]

Picked mine up Friday morning. Spent the day setting it up. No testing. Same Saturday. Today I used the camera and for my personal quick "test". No problem. Good color and sharpness with detail, in the daylight. I could see the screen in direct sun but not super brite. Better then my V20 & 10 or any other device I have owned.
It is not my daily driver as I am waiting on a case. I'm afraid of dropping it with it being glass....
So far I'm not disappointed for getting it on the first day (sort of).
I am guessing that many folks are a bit more picky or demanding than I.
I'll call it a winner in my book. Joe average user....

Lateck,

 

[anon(903870)]

Sounds like I made the right decision by dropping LG after two phone generations.

 

[MA2GA28]

That rain was beating us down today, wasn't it?
Glad it has finally stopped...!

Definitely. Wasn't as bad as Irma, but still just a dreary, do-nothing day.

 

[FutureMech]

Curious, have you tried wireless charging?

I used to say the same as you. But, now using wireless charging on my Note 8, I often wonder why I ever connected any device to charge. Such a seamless experience...

Yep on my previous S7E, wasn't impressed at all, and I charge the mate 9 once in every two days, usually in my house or office, i don't need wireless charging at all, it's a bonus but not something i see as a priority.

 

[middbrew]

Even though I had a few complaints, don't mistake that for a dislike of the phone. So far, I'm relatively pleased. Will definitely need another week before I make a final decision though. And you may luck out and get one of the pristine panels.

It does seem that not all screen panels are the same on all devices. Mine and my wife's have not had the banding issue at all. These are the AT&T versions. I might be wrong, but the only devices I've heard having the banding issue are those with Verizon. I wonder if different carriers received devices with different panels due to the panels being made on different production lines at different times. I would hope all the panels would be made under the same quality control checks But who knows, I'm probably way off base here.

 

[MA2GA28]

It does seem that not all screen panels are the same on all devices. Mine and my wife's have not had the banding issue at all. These are the AT&T versions. I might be wrong, but the only devices I've heard having the banding issue are those with Verizon. I wonder if different carriers received devices with different panels due to the panels being made on different production lines at different times. I would hope all the panels would be made under the same quality control checks But who knows, I'm probably way off base here.

I'd be hesitant to jump there. The panels were most likely made and phones constructed in the same factory. It may just be that more handsets have been sold through Verizon. My phone was purchased through Verizon.

 

[middbrew]

I'd be hesitant to jump there. The panels were most likely made and phones constructed in the same factory. It may just be that more handsets have been sold through Verizon. My phone was purchased through Verizon.

You are right, I didn't mean to come across as saying that's what it is. I wouldn't think there's more VZW units sold than AT&T units. It's just that I've only heard of VZW users saying they have the issue.

But as I said, I am probably totally way off base. We can ignore what I said for now. lol