Which phone?! Galaxy S6/S7 or LG G4/G5

[jimbob200521]

In the US Cellular camp here (only one really worth a damn where I'm at. Time for a new phone. I'm coming from the Galaxy S4 that has been through the ringer and back. My choices are basically narrowed down to the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7, LG G4, or LG G5 (when it's released April 1st).

Each phone has its pro's and con's in my book so I'll try to cliff note it:

Galaxy S6 - A generation old, no removable battery, no SD Card slot (non-removable battery I can live with, no SD Card slot is a big thumbs down). Also, no root/aftermarket for it worth speaking of.

Galaxy S7 - More expensive but hear great things: better camera, better feel, SD Card slot, always on screen option. Lots of pluses but the BIG thumbs down is (again) it looks like there is no ROOT or aftermarket potential for this device.

LG G4 - Big plus on SD Card slot and removable battery and I think it's a good looking device. Downside is it's a generation old and (noticing a theme?) no real aftermarket for it as far as ROM's and such go. Root is even questionable depending on which version you have.

LG G5 - Love the modular design thing that they are trying, looks like it will be sexy, volume buttons back on the side of the device, always on screen, but not sure that (based off the G4) there will be aftermarket for it.

So guys, am I missing a big fat obvious decision for one phone vs another here? Been struggling with this for well over a couple weeks and can't decide.

So please share your experiences and thoughts on this, I'd love to know as tonite is the night I get one whether it's a thought out decision or an impulse!

 

[thesmokingman]

In the US Cellular camp here (only one really worth a damn where I'm at. Time for a new phone. I'm coming from the Galaxy S4 that has been through the ringer and back. My choices are basically narrowed down to the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7, LG G4, or LG G5 (when it's released April 1st).

Each phone has its pro's and con's in my book so I'll try to cliff note it:

Galaxy S6 - A generation old, no removable battery, no SD Card slot (non-removable battery I can live with, no SD Card slot is a big thumbs down). Also, no root/aftermarket for it worth speaking of.

Galaxy S7 - More expensive but hear great things: better camera, better feel, SD Card slot, always on screen option. Lots of pluses but the BIG thumbs down is (again) it looks like there is no ROOT or aftermarket potential for this device.

LG G4 - Big plus on SD Card slot and removable battery and I think it's a good looking device. Downside is it's a generation old and (noticing a theme?) no real aftermarket for it as far as ROM's and such go. Root is even questionable depending on which version you have.

LG G5 - Love the modular design thing that they are trying, looks like it will be sexy, volume buttons back on the side of the device, always on screen, but not sure that (based off the G4) there will be aftermarket for it.

So guys, am I missing a big fat obvious decision for one phone vs another here? Been struggling with this for well over a couple weeks and can't decide.

So please share your experiences and thoughts on this, I'd love to know as tonite is the night I get one whether it's a thought out decision or an impulse!

Those devices are leagues better than the S4. I know, I was on a S4 with CM12 before jumping to a s7 edge. I waited and watched as phones came and went. Then the tmo bogo deal and it was time, best deal I've seen in years so I could not pass it up. The phone is so far ahead of the S4 it's no comparison. I've been on LG devices in the past and I wasn't too impressed, slow to never updates and the android development community was not as busy as the Sammy side. For me I probably would not go LG again unless it was something special.

 

[s44]

US Cellular's CDMA setup makes it unlikely you can buy an international model, which is sort of too bad. Also, they don't have any of the cool launch promotions the bigger carriers are/were running.

I'd go for the S7 Edge if price isn't a concern, or G4 if it is (they're practically giving the thing away!). Note that they're about the same screen size and weight, but the Edge is narrower and has a bigger (non-swappable) battery (along with a more efficient SOC).

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=6901&idPhone2=7961

 

[jimbob200521]

US Cellular's CDMA setup makes it unlikely you can buy an international model, which is sort of too bad. Also, they don't have any of the cool launch promotions the bigger carriers are/were running.

I'd go for the S7 Edge if price isn't a concern, or G4 if it is (they're practically giving the thing away!). Note that they're about the same screen size and weight, but the Edge is narrower and has a bigger (non-swappable) battery (along with a more efficient SOC).

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=6901&idPhone2=7961

Price isn't a huge deal, I get a phone every couple years so I'm not too worried about spending a few extra on what I want. That being said, I'm not too into the Edge phones. Seems to have little real world usefulness, especially for the $100 premium.

I guess I'm not 100% sold on the Galaxy S7. All the places I've looked say it's a slim to no chance of a even a root every happening, nonetheless aftermarket ROM's which kinda kills it for me. Really erks me not being able to install apps that come on a phone I'll never use as well as not being able to do what I want with my phone. On the LG side, I've never had an LG Phone but I know a few people who have the G4 and they say they are happy with them. The specs on it will be way better than what I have but I have heard battery life can be not the greatest.

Honestly, if it had an SD Card Slot, I'd probably go with the Galaxy S6 because it's priced right, feels very solid, and will (like all of the phones I'm considering) be way better than what I have.

 

[thesmokingman]

I used to only want roms and flashing and what not. Now I don't care so much there are tools to do most everything I needed done before w/o rooting. Some are even better than the rooted apps. And I like to keep the built in features like wifi calling. And now that tethering is included for tmo, not much reason to incur the instabilities of rooting to throw on cm which never works right. You're always having to put up with bugs and what not. And then kernels and overclocking... that's gets tiring.

 

[jimbob200521]

I used to only want roms and flashing and what not. Now I don't care so much there are tools to do most everything I needed done before w/o rooting. Some are even better than the rooted apps. And I like to keep the built in features like wifi calling. And now that tethering is included for tmo, not much reason to incur the instabilities of rooting to throw on cm which never works right. You're always having to put up with bugs and what not. And then kernels and overclocking... that's gets tiring.

Do you happen to use Greenify? That and screen shots are probably the biggest things I would be interested in root for on a daily basis. Curious if there are workarounds for those without root?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Do you happen to use Greenify? That and screen shots are probably the biggest things I would be interested in root for on a daily basis. Curious if there are workarounds for those without root?

As long as you get something that has Android 6.0 Marshmellow then the built in Doze will blow away Greenify.

Plus screenshots can be done without root. On most Android phones, you can take a screenshot by holding down the Sleep/wake button and the volume-down button simultaneously. Hold these buttons down until your screen flashes. On Samsung buttons hold down power and the home button instead.

 

[thesmokingman]

Do you happen to use Greenify? That and screen shots are probably the biggest things I would be interested in root for on a daily basis. Curious if there are workarounds for those without root?

You can use hibernate instead does the same thing w/o root. What is teh issue with screens? On sammy phones ya just swipe with your hand across the screen.

 

[jimbob200521]

As long as you get something that has Android 6.0 Marshmellow then the built in Doze will blow away Greenify.

Plus screenshots can be done without root. On most Android phones, you can take a screenshot by holding down the Sleep/wake button and the volume-down button simultaneously. Hold these buttons down until your screen flashes. On Samsung buttons hold down power and the home button instead.

Any other thoughts you can add to my dilemma of phone choice? You steered my in the right direction with the nVidia Shield so maybe I'll get lucky twice!

 

[s44]

Package Disabler Pro allows you to disable every single app (even system ones or Knox, though you should be careful) on a Samsung phone without root.

I turned off the Edge features in the first minute. The usefulness is in making the side bezel space nonexistent, so you can have a 5.5" device that's only as wide as a Galaxy S5 (and feels narrower). Also makes it the sexiest piece of gear around.

Btw, Samsung lets you take screenshots with a palm gesture if you like...

 

[thesmokingman]

Package disabler ftw!

 

[poofyhairguy]

Any other thoughts you can add to my dilemma of phone choice?

I think s44 is pretty much right on.

The G4 is the best value- there is no way I would buy a G5 at full price after watching the value of every LG phone plummet months after a release. If I wanted a G5 I would wait until August when it will be hundreds cheaper.

The only place I kinda disagree with s44 is I don't like the S7 Edge, as I prefer the regular S7. The Edge has a bigger battery and a more modern form factor, but:

-The edge version is more fragile (when you drop it you are likely to have it land on a glass edge) and there aren't any usable cases/screen protectors that can guard from that kind of drop.

-The non edge version is better at VR, and I think Samsung VR is one of the best sellable features if coming from a S4.

-The edge version can be victim to random touches on the edge as you hold your phone.

-The most useful thing about the edge- the shortcuts or whatever you call them- are only really useful if you pay Samsung extra for the best modules.

So it comes down to personal preference.

One last option for consideration- the Nexus 6P. Someone figured out how to activate the 5X on that network, I bet the 6P is the same steps:

http://zenexp.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-to-set-up-nexus-5x-on-us-cellular.html

If I didn't mind the size I would have a 6P. It is the best Android phone ever made, and the only only that will get three+ years of updates.

 

[jimbob200521]

I think s44 is pretty much right on.

The G4 is the best value- there is no way I would buy a G5 at full price after watching the value of every LG phone plummet months after a release. If I wanted a G5 I would wait until August when it will be hundreds cheaper.

The only place I kinda disagree with s44 is I don't like the S7 Edge, as I prefer the regular S7. The Edge has a bigger battery and a more modern form factor, but:

-The edge version is more fragile (when you drop it you are likely to have it land on a glass edge) and there aren't any usable cases/screen protectors that can guard from that kind of drop.

-The non edge version is better at VR, and I think Samsung VR is one of the best sellable features if coming from a S4.

-The edge version can be victim to random touches on the edge as you hold your phone.

-The most useful thing about the edge- the shortcuts or whatever you call them- are only really useful if you pay Samsung extra for the best modules.

So it comes down to personal preference.

One last option for consideration- the Nexus 6P. Someone figured out how to activate the 5X on that network, I bet the 6P is the same steps:

http://zenexp.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-to-set-up-nexus-5x-on-us-cellular.html

If I didn't mind the size I would have a 6P. It is the best Android phone ever made, and the only only that will get three+ years of updates.

Yeah no matter what I'm doing, I'm staying away from the Edge phones. Too fragile and too little real world benefits (if any, in my real world use).

As for the Nexus 6P, I don't really want a phone that big. My buddy has the Note 2 or something along those lines and for me, it's too big of a phone. It's got an almost 6" screen and that just seems too big to be toting around daily. I think I'm finally solidly leaning towards the Galaxy S7. Some posts here have made me feel better about the root/ROM issue so I think I can be ok with that. Back when I had my HTC Desire and a few phones after that, ROM's were a big thing. Now, after having a custom ROM on my S4 for so long, I'm kinda tired of the little idiosyncrasies that come along with it. All that combined with the fact that I've never had an LG phone (and hearing they are more fragile than their Samsung counterparts) I think makes my final decision for me.

 

[s44]

It's actually quite difficult for the device to land on a glass edge if you drop it on a flat surface. Almost all cases are raised on the top and bottom above the glass level and have side bumpers below the edge curve.

Rocks or something, sure, but that can happen to any phone.

I would play with them at Best Buy (the Samsung stores inside all have a non-tethered Edge unit) to see what I mean about the form factor.

 

[poofyhairguy]

It's actually quite difficult for the device to land on a glass edge if you drop it on a flat surface. Almost all cases are raised on the top and bottom above the glass level and have side bumpers below the edge curve.

For me the main issue is I can't put a glass screen protector on it. Any phone screen is toast in my hand in less than a year unless I have have glass on glass.

All that combined with the fact that I've never had an LG phone (and hearing they are more fragile than their Samsung counterparts) I think makes my final decision for me.

I think given your criteria the S7 is a great choice.

 

[thesmokingman]

For me the main issue is I can't put a glass screen protector on it. Any phone screen is toast in my hand in less than a year unless I have have glass on glass.



I think given your criteria the S7 is a great choice.

Zagg is coming out with one of those for the edge.


http://www.zagg.com/us/en_us/shop-by-device/galaxy-s7-accessories

 

[gorcorps]

I'm about done with root again on my Nexus 6p. There's still too much hassle these days, the latest being that Google keeps blocking Android Pay access with root... and I'd like to use it.

Things are good enough to not warrant root for my uses, so I say go S7.

 

[Dulanic]

I'm about done with root again on my Nexus 6p. There's still too much hassle these days, the latest being that Google keeps blocking Android Pay access with root... and I'd like to use it.

Things are good enough to not warrant root for my uses, so I say go S7.

Yeah I finally gave up rooting myself. It became more of a hassle than anything. And with package disabler can at least get rid of the carrier bullcrap.

 

[lopri]

Ever since someone on this forum said the G4 looks like a certain female organ I cannot unsee it every time when I see the phone. Ugh. It should be out of running anyway, just for the SOC it runs on. (S808)

S7 or G5, whichever you find better for your need.

 

[nOOky]

The LG G4 will be the last phone to have the physical buttons on the back. I can't be the only person out there that hates physical buttons on the sides of a phone, almost exactly where I hold the phone when I'm using it as a phone. When I picked up a new S7 in the store it was the perfect phone except for that, and the shiny metal used to build it, I would much rather have soft touch plastic. I also think the metal look is ugly personally, and less useful than a good plastic case. Every person I know with a new S7 has a urethane protective case on it anyway lol

Apart from my opinions on those things, the S7 is the best phone out there otherwise.

Ever since someone on this forum said the G4 looks like a certain female organ I cannot unsee it every time when I see the phone. Ugh. It should be out of running anyway, just for the SOC it runs on. (S808)

S7 or G5, whichever you find better for your need.

 

[s44]

If the fingerprint reader is on the back, how do you unlock the phone when it's sitting on a desk?

 

[jdoggg12]

If the fingerprint reader is on the back, how do you unlock the phone when it's sitting on a desk?

Turn it over...?

 

[thesmokingman]

Every person I know with a new S7 has a urethane protective case on it anyway lol

Not sure if this is supposed to be revelatory or redundant?

 

[Achtung!]

Do yourself a favor and get the Galaxy S7/S7 Edge. Much better battery (even better than the iPhone 6S according to most reviews!). The new Super AMOLED display is the best smartphone display in the industry. The 12MP camera is probably the best camera as well (better than the 16MP camera on the S6, and better than the 12MP camera on the iPhone 6S). It's not all about the MPs, it's about the sensor quality, pixel size, internal processing and sensor aperture, etc.

The Galaxy S6/S6 Edge's battery is piss poor.

 

[gorcorps]

If the fingerprint reader is on the back, how do you unlock the phone when it's sitting on a desk?

You can still use a pin or pattern if you don't want to use (or can't get to) the fingerprint scanner.