Review
Roderick Scott 0

Many of you are due or about to be due for an upgrade and may not be sure if the G3 is right for you.  After handling the international version of the G3, we're back w/ the US version of it.   Since we still get questions on and offline about it, we decided to do a second look at the G3.  

For starters, the only real differences here is the lack of the TV antenna/connectivity + a lot less bloatware apps (believe it or not).  So that leaves for a less crowded homescreen on startup - which is always a good thing.  Now onto the rest of LG's latest flagship.  

The G3 we have is courtesy of Verizon as it is thankfully not riddled w/ VZW logos all over the place.  A lot remains the same w/ metallic-looking plastic body that looks and is durable.  It feels great to hold, not heavy but it can be a bit slippery.  So case will more than likely be necessary.  The 5.5inch display is a great size even though it doesn't feel like it as it is 5.5inch more wide instead of tall.  Being the 1st screen w/ Quad HD aka 2K (2560 x 1440 resolution) + 538ppi resolution doesn't leave you w/ much right now.  But it does help to futureproof your device for the length of your 2-year contract.  In the meantime, you can still enjoy great 1080p content on its screen.

LG made sure that the G3 is equipped to run optimal w/ a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 3000 mAh battery.  After rocking out w/ it for a few weeks, I came across absolute zero hiccups or anything that would make me doubt its true power.  The addition of the microSD is a nice touch for a boost in storage now that they have 128GB microSD cards now.  On the battery side of things, LTE didn't make a huge difference compared to my previous tests w/ just 3G + Wi-Fi.  I was still able to get one day and a half w/ moderate to heavy usage and on the heavy power usage got me over 13 hours.  Definitely superb on handling battery life thanks to the CPU, RAM, + LG's lightweight UI.  

The rear camera inside of the G3 is a bit of marketing hype that lives up to it.  LG utilizes a f/2.4 aperture 13MP rear camera sensor w/ OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) alongside a laser-guided auto-focus system.  While LG already mastered their rear-camera w/ their last year's flagship: the G2, it is no surprise that they got better w/ this year's model.  Lasers help to focus on a subject in 276 milliseconds along w/ sharpness + accurate colors, and pretty good in low-light as well.  The overall optical performance on the rear shooter helps mark the Android standard of what rear-shooters should be producing.

G3 2nd time software
 
Speaking of the UI, LG works hand-in-hand w/ Android 4.4 KitKat to create their best software to date.  This gives you a bit more customization than any other manufacturer's skin.  You can adjust the height of the keyboard as well as change the icons w/o having to go into the Play Store. They made sure include a built-in health monitor w/ LG Health.  It's ok.  Pretty basic that reminds me of the 1st version of Samsung's S Health.  I wouldn't rely on this unless you have a biometric heart rate monitor accessory.  Smart Notice is an attempt of a Google Now-like solution for your homescreen.  It gives you reminders of call backs, birthdays, weather alerts, etc.  It's not bad.  I believe their 2nd iteration of this or an update can make this even more useful.  
 

 
Also, new is a built-in file cleaner called Smart Cleaning.  It helps get rid of any unused apps or processes to help your device run smoother.  And instead of your atypical copy-and-paste, you have a new Clip Tray section that stores the last several items you copied into one place.  For security measures, they've have their Knock Code which allows you to unlock your device using a specific pattern of tapping of the screen.  And then Knock On allows you to wake your G3 by tapping on it.  The software still also has LG's usual suspects of QMemo+, QSlide, QRemote, & QVoice for their unique style of multi-tasking.
 
G3 2nd grade

"This is still the new Android standard & crown-holder for the platform."

TG 2 Cents

 
Overall, my opinion of the G3 hasn't changed one bit.  It's still the Android device to beat thus far for the year in regards to flagships.  Being equipped w/ a beautiful + futureproof 2K 5.5inch display, great laser-guided optics, all-day battery life , & stellar performance.  This is the new Android standard & crown-holder for the platform.  All w/o a massive marketing push, just a moderate one  and great reviews all around.  Good to see the consumers think so as well.  

To Buy Or Not To Buy

 
This is still a buy in my opinion - easily.  If you aren't too keen on the software, add a launcher and be done w/ it.  Other than that, this is our pick for the best Android device out right now. 
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Categories: Android Review

Author: Roderick Scott

Father. Husband. Creative. Mild foodie. Batman in my dreams.