Until now I was the owner of a Samsung Galaxy S 3 (SGS3). However, this was too lazy to me. A larger screen I thought also desirable. Since I had to leave the SGS 3 also repaired twice due to technical defects, I opted for a brand change. I purchased the LG G 2. Below I try to present why. I use the LG G 2 for about three weeks.
2 Packaging
The LG G 2 arrives in the usual cardboard box. When opening the lid, the smartphone is at the top of the box. It fills with its surface of the complete box. Under the phone are the charger / PC USB cable, the charging adapter for the socket, a "needle" to insert the SIM card and the In-Ear Headphones with several different sized paper gum. A proper manual is not included. It is only in a DIN A7 Quick Start Guide. In these parts of the smartphone and the insertion of the SIM card are described. A detailed manual I do not consider necessary as you will be taken when setting up the LG G 2 by the Guidance Software amazingly intuitive to hand.
Nothing will nevertheless can be viewed a manual on the LG homepage, and also downloaded.
3 optics
In my LG G 2 is the black version. The dimensions given in the description and the specified weight, I can confirm. The front is of course mainly occupied by the projecting large display. The width of the margins is only about 2 mm. The lower edge is 13 mm wide. On it is emblazoned in the center the silver LG logo. At the top, 10 mm wide margin are the portrait camera, the notification LED and the sensor, which is responsible for facial recognition. In addition, there is of course to find the Telefonierlautsprecher. This is mounted in an approximately 1 mm deep version. The depression is relatively prone to dust and hairs. However, by regularly blow in the trough remains clean. As is apparent from the description to no keys are located on the Did the LG G 2. So the silver-colored trim strip, which is attached there comes beautifully. At the lower knew the Micro-USB jack, the headphone jack and the speakers are mounted.
The back is adorned with a plastic cover, which can not be removed. It is provided with a pattern that creates a metallic impression. Centered in the upper third, the control buttons, the camera lens and the flash LED. The on / off button is held in shiny silver. It is surrounded by a white light strip. This lights up when the screen is activated. Towards the edges the smartphone is back narrow, so it is properly in hand.
All in all, there is the LG G 2 haptically between the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and the HTC One. The glossy plastic surface more reminiscent of the Galaxy series. However, it is my subjective perception to more like the HTC One in his hand. Where the HTC One course with its matte aluminum unibody looks even an ordinary step-quality. But one has actually abide by the large display and the narrow margins at LG G 2 feel only the screen in your hand. I would like to mention that the already often mentioned creaking at the back of the LG G 2 not yet occurred to me.
4 Technology
The LG G2 comes with the Android version 4.2.2. It remains to be seen whether LG improved its update policy. In the past, software - Updates by LG short supply. I hope the phone will be updated in the near future on Android 4.4. Where nothing has been announced here. I want less responsive to specifications, the product description as these are to be taken. Rather, I want to describe the daily use.
The hardware makes the LG G2 operate extremely quickly. Apps are opened very fast. Only in the Widgets menu, it comes as with many other Android smartphones to larger jerking. Otherwise, I am thrilled with the speed. I did not think that by SGS 3 is still out as much air present in things working speed up.
The display is in my hands, which are überdurchscnittlich great, just operate with one hand. It makes the colors very natural. In my SGS 3 I could see on closer inspection even individual pixels. When LG G 2 I can not perceive any more pixels despite the best effort. Everything is presented very sharp. I run the smartphone with a brightness of 60%. I think this is perfectly adequate, with the brightness settings are clearly a matter of taste. You can leave the smartphone to adjust the brightness automatically. This works pretty well. Despite the slight reflections, the display can still easily read will also outdoors in the daytime, which is not a foregone conclusion.
LG has in its user interface to a side up to seven home screen. Each homescreen is divided into 5x5 pieces, so that sufficient space for widgets and icons is available. It should however be mentioned that some 4x1 widgets can not be stretched (eg Spotify, Evernote or Facebook). This means that in addition to the widget will always be a place free, which does not contribute to the overview.
The sides of the home screen can be changed by liquid back and forth wipe. It is very rare to Android typical micro-stuttering. This however does not bother me.
By LG are factory-plays two different design schemes. These affect the appearance of the icons, the background, lock screen and the notification bar. You can choose between Basic and marshmallow. It must be noted that the Basic scheme is very colorful. It is similar to the scheme of Touch Wiz interface my old SGS 3. The Marshmallow schema looks like as it sounds. It is colorful and not to my taste. I can not imagine that it is used by Western Europeans more than 12 years to me. Here is probably the Asian market, the target group. In LG Appshop other schemes can be downloaded. However here also mainly very playful, brashly colorful user interfaces can be found.
At the bottom of the screen, the function keys are displayed. It can be set to be displayed in an arrangement of the Home button, the Back button and the menu button. The function buttons are hidden only in video applications, so are not available, the entire 5.2 inch of the screen when using apps.
The notification bar could be clearer in the pulled-down state. Here various adjustable shortcuts for various settings are displayed above. Among them is the so-called QSlide bar, can be stored for quick access to the apps. Under this bar displays the sliders for the display brightness and the volume. Only then come the actual notifications.
At the first commissioning of the LG G 2 a video tutorial will be played. This I consider to be very helpful. All innovations are explained clearly.
The guest mode, you can restrict access of other persons who wish to use the smartphone.
Slide Aside is a function that did me in practice a lot of good services. Here you can store applications by dragging them with three fingers to the left of the screen. A simple three-finger wiping back on display they can be fetched again. Now that is true multitasking.
Life Square is also very interesting to track the expenditure incurred with the smartphone options. Here the phone calls, SMS, pictures are chronologically made and enumerated on request Facebook messages and tweets.
The function Intelligent screen prevents this goes, if you look at it. Smart video stops video, if you take his eyes off the screen. These functions are known from the Samsung Galaxy smartphones. However, on my SGS 3 they worked better than on the LG G 2. The G 2 often does not recognize that you can still look at the display.
The following standard apps are of course available: web browser, file manager, email client, gallery, calendar, LG Backup, notes, radio, voice memo, task manager and video editor.
The camera performs its service satisfactory. The image stabilizer makes it easier to prevent camera shake. However, the focus takes a little too long for my taste. The pictures are nice and sharp, so in retrospect when zooming something is still visible. With the Shot & Clear function all objects can be removed afterwards from images.
The video function allows Full HD recording in 60 FPS (frames per second). This feature makes the videos look much smoother and more realistic than with other smartphone cameras. By audio Zoom audio recording can be focused on a particular source of noise in the picture.
At dark, the camera has, like most other smartphone cameras problems with the color display. All in all I am happy with the camera, which I would not call them outstanding.
The LG G 2 is equipped with an infrared transmitter. This can replace the interaction with the Quick Remote function remotes. In my function test I could easily control my TV, the Blu-ray player, the satellite receiver and the sound system. It can own remote control layouts to be created, which simplifies an operation of the devices.
Now the operation with the innovative attached to the back of the smartphone keys. I am enthusiastic about this idea. After a short acclimatization, it was no longer a problem to activate the phone on the rear-mounted button. To this end, I do not embrace what was in my SGS 3 with the side of the smartphone attached button the case. The volume control on the telephone works intuitively. When the phone is in sleep mode can also directly the camera to be activated by pressing the down button. With the volume up button on the Quick Access is on a notebook, can be made in the Handwritten memos.
If you do not come by pressing the butt on / off button to right, or when the LG G is 2, the smartphone can be awakened with the knock-on function ". For this purpose only a double tap on the display must be made. This works well in practice, and it occasionally happens that the double tap is not recognized. An unintentional activation of smartphones, for example in your pocket came with me so far not available. The LG G 2, with the knock-on function again be locked. To this end, one must merely an empty area on the home screen or the notification bar double-tap. The locks works absolutely reliable and always responds.
The call is comfortable. Numbers can be found quickly in the clear contacts list. The Conversation acoustics are very good; much better than my old SGS 3. In contrast, the reception is poor, that is, that I have now and no reception, at places where I could receive the SGS 3 talks.
In my LG G 2 is the 16 GB variant. At first I was skeptical as to whether the space would suffice me. Since the Betreibssystem must be subtracted, my 10.62 GB memory available. Photos I store now basically out after a short time in a cloud (Dropbox). In addition, I make sure that not so much garbage is stored. Currently I have 5 GB free space. By orderly data management is all made clearer. In retrospect, I find it to have almost an advantage less memory because I mean data now better care. On my 32 GB SD card in my old SGS 3 camped most of plain old videos and music. I stream music via Spotify and currently TuneIn, so an expansive music collection also omitted. I come from the reasons mentioned at the conclusion that I reach the 16GB well. Each user must decide this for itself. Consequently, I can not say a flat rate, if 16 GB are appropriate or not. Anyone who wants to save a lot of FullHD videos and lots of music and always available, of course, should rely on the 32 GB variant.
That the battery is not removable does not bother me. I assume that he will hold for two years until the next contract renewal. If this is not the case, I'm going to change the course review the effect. The duration of the battery surprised me positively. If it happened in my SGS 3, that it was almost evening, is to me later still to use an hour enough energy available to the smartphone fully the LG G 2. Although I must mention that I am heavy users and daytime often streame music and me also deal with the smartphone to pass the time. Who uses the LG G 2 only for communication, which can go out in my opinion, of a term of more than two days.
The speaker, who is attached to the bottom next to the charging socket of the smart phones, are average sound again. He can not keep up with the HTC ONE, which is why I almost do not use it much. In addition, it is possible that he is covered by the hand, especially if the LG G 2 is held horizontally. In this case, then no sound heard. This could have been handled better.
5 Accessories
The included charging cable is sufficient in length to me. But it must be noted that the outlet charger is quite expansive in its dimensions. He stands with connecting cables attached estimated from 6 cm from the wall outlet. In addition, I have learned that the LG G 2 is loaded with other significantly slower than the charging cables supplied.
The supplied in-ear headphones make haptic a very good impression. The housings are made of silver aluminum and black plastic. On cable are speakerphone, volume control and call answering button. When music playback significant compromises to be made. I almost completely lacks the bass as a basis. From me the emitted sound is perceived as extremely thin, so I tested the headset briefly, but otherwise do not use. I prefer to over-ear headphones that are able to create with the reproduced bass some foundation under a sound. Headphones are included different sized rubber essays three pairs. I used the most. However, this is not attended for a firm grip.
It should be mentioned that are released by LG Quick Window Chases. This will have a recess in the lid through which the LG G 2 then at rest, depending on the setting various information can display (clock, alert, weather).
6 Pros & Cons
+ Ordinary processing with narrow gaps
+ Brilliant Full HD display which of the available space on the surface
Smartphones favor optimum
+ Innovative operating concept which is intuitive to learn
+ Hardware that can work extremely liquid, the operating system and multitasking
transported into a new dimension
Receives + Ordinary camera, the excellent videos
+ Useful innovative software that makes sense to handle the LG G 2
support
+ Excellent Voice acoustics
+ Easy to set up and commissioning with meaningful explanations of
Features
+ Very persistent battery, even with intensive use a good day
holding
- Habituation needy Phone Schemes (UI design)
- Some non-customizable widgets
- Speakers only below average, this is in addition frequently
accidentally covered by hand
- Poor headphones
- The Telefonierlautsprecheröffnung's quite a dust catcher.
- Permanently installed battery that is difficult to replace in case of malfunctions
can.
- Slightly weak reception
7 Conclusion
I come to the conclusion that the LG G 2 of all smartphones in the market most closely matches my requirements. The perennial battery and the large display in a relatively small enclosure were buying decision for me. The hardware performs its service impeccable. At the Software LG could still hone one or another corner. It is hoped that improved its update policy. My claims satisfies the 16 GB variant. I'm super cope with the new operating concept, but understand if it does not appeal to one or the other from the start. The non-removable battery I cope any. The other minuses outweigh my opinion is not so heavy that I could pull off a star. Thus I come to the conclusion that the LG G 2 is a 5 star smartphone. Who are the 16 GB memory too little, can deduct a star. As alternatives I saw the Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC One and Sony Xperia Z1. However, I did not want a Samsung smartphone, the HTC One me the screen was too small and the Sony Z1 my Smartphone was too large in relation to the screen. Consequently, I picked up the LG G2, where the price / performance ratio is outstanding. It is more favorable than the three alternatives mentioned. So far I have not regretted the purchase in any way.
As a tip, I still recommend the LG G2 emulator. This is an app from LG, which is in the Google Play Store. With use, the LG G 2 can be viewed on any smartphone into a 3-D animation and be freely rotated. In addition, the software features are introduced.
--- Update 6:12:13 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After 1.5 months of use my LG G2 runs still as on the first day. The display proved to be extremely resistant to scratching. It still looks like freshly unpacked. In the recess of the speaker collects neatly to dust. The memory is enough good. I still have about 3.5 GB free.
--- Update 01/25/14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The LG G2 runs and runs. There are still no restrictions. Powerful as the first day. In addition, I have still found no scratches. In Last time I enjoy very much of the Quick memo function. This can always be achieved either via the notification bar or if you wipe from the bottom in the display. Quick Memo makes an image currently displayed on the display contents. This image can then be directly provided with markings or scribblings. It can immediately be cut out a section of the image. This is extremely helpful when sharing content with WhatsApp or in social networks.
--- Update 03/09/2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For over a week, the Android version is now 4.4.2 KitKat for LG G2 in Germany available. I installed the update, of course, immediately on my home network via WLAN. Here, there were no problems.
The new update makes to the user interface in front of only minor design modifications. For example, the characters in the notification bar now and do not light blue. The System Settings menus have also been redesigned and are now somewhat clearer. The principle appearance of the user interface has not changed.
The update of the LG G2 Betreibssystems runs even smoother. Where there were small micro-stuttering before now feels everything very round on. The camera fires a little faster since the update. My subjective feeling by the knock-on function now works more reliably.
All in all, I conclude that in the update from LG good work has been done. In the running background processes was shot in the right screws, so the performance was even better. In the optical adjustments I personally would have liked a little more innovative. But here too nothing was really wrong.
Finally, it must be mentioned commendable that really keeps up with the LG G2 comes to update policy with the other companies. The Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One received the update to Android 4.4.2 about the same time. It has probably learned from the debacle of the Optimus G update.
--- Update 23.03.14---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today I can report from first fall of my LG G2. It fell from about 0.50m on the stone floor of my terrace. I figured even the worst. At the upper right corner of the cabinet has been scratched and set. The smartphone works but still fine. Also, the display glass did not suffer any damage. I'm really surprised that only the housing was damaged. In a similar fall I made with the Samsung Galaxy S 2 bad experiences. The display blackened slowly. If only find that the LG G2 is also well protected against Collapsed (maybe it was just luck;))
