[Q] Confused between Motorola Defy and LG Optimus Black P970

[jasonmax]

Hi seniors,

I'm new to this forum. Just joined! I was a silent visitor to this forum since a long time. I didn't want to wait anymore. So, here I am!!

Guys, I badly need your suggestion to buy an Android smartphone. I love Motorola defy a lot, it falls under my budget and has a very good practical usability. However, I'm impressed with the LG Optimus Black P970 as well! I like the screen size, design and brightness of LG. Both devices have more or less same specs under the hood. I can overclock the defy to get 1GHz on par with LG.

So, what do I expect?

1. Budget under 20K (Indian Rupees)
2. Large screen
3. Decent hardware for fluid android experience
4. Nice cam for taking snaps and recording videos (720p preferred)
5. Good call quality and sound quality for music listening
6. Nice build for durability
7. Software update
8. Web browsing, navigation, emailing, document reading/editing, mobile presentation, and ip cams surveillance
9. Want to keep this phone for at least 3 years! (because I'm poor! )
10. Decent battery life

I'm a web application developer based in Bangalore, India. I'm planning to develop enterprise mobile applications for my customers. So, I need a good device to test and demo the applications to customers.

Please don't suggest me Samsung Galaxies or Waves or Aces. I don't know why but I hate them. May be the design I think.

The choice is between Defy and LG Optimus Black.

Please give your unbiased suggestions.

Thanks in advance

 

[vedab]

Defy Vs Lg optimus black

i think u better to go with lg optimus black

 

[arpith.fbi]

optimus black looks nice..specs are almost same..op black has 4 inch screen, 720p,official 2.3 and it looks nice also..rest all specs are same..but dere is 4k difference btw defy and optimus black..think!!

 

[xdaid]

1. Budget under 20K (Indian Rupees)
Defy is cheaper
2. Large screen
Screen larger and brighter on LG (but the phone is bigger than Defy)
3. Decent hardware for fluid android experience
No much differences
4. Nice cam for taking snaps and recording videos (720p preferred)
LG can record 720p, Defy cannot
5. Good call quality and sound quality for music listening
Defy has better sound quality
6. Nice build for durability
No doubts, Defy wins here
7. Software update
Ouch, Motorola is a snail, LG is better
8. Web browsing, navigation, emailing, document reading/editing, mobile presentation, and ip cams surveillance
Nice for both devices
9. Want to keep this phone for at least 3 years! (because I'm poor! )
Absolutely Defy, it should be something like life-proof
10. Decent battery life
Defy should be slighty better

Personally, i like my Defy because it is a compact device with a big screen, no space wasted on the front side! Then it's dust/water resistant, performaces are not bad.
However, the hardware counterpart in the LG Optimus Black should be a bit better and, of course, the NOVA display too. Another thing you may want to consider (unlike the Defy) the LG has a frontal camera, 2mp (wow).

Now, i can't tell you what's the best for you, let us know what is your choice

 

[superfastmonkey]

I would also keep in mind the bad quality control issues on the defy, I know someone who bought 4 for his business about 3 months ago...all have to go in for the earpiece fault. Mine has been in for it, though I got mine before the production line issue was discovered.
Everyone I know with one has bad battery life on the stock Telstra Australian rom.
I got scratches on my screen in 3 days.
I get reboots quite often no matter what rom I have - I think it is q loose battery, I have jammed some paper in the case which seems to be working.
I have cracks on the bolts from dropping it numerous times- it is quite durable, but not as much as they make out.
I live the design and many aspects of the phone compared to my HTC desire , but I wouldn't buy or recommend a Motorola again.

Still, don't know if I would trust LG build quality either....

 

[jasonmax]

optimus black looks nice..specs are almost same..op black has 4 inch screen, 720p,official 2.3 and it looks nice also..rest all specs are same..but dere is 4k difference btw defy and optimus black..think!!

4k difference... that's what made me confused. Is it worth paying the extra 4k just for nova display, 4 inch screen, 2mp front cam, 720p recording out of the box and guaranteed official upgrade to gingerbread?

 

[gommers1978]

4. Nice cam for taking snaps and recording videos (720p preferred)
LG can record 720p, Defy cannot

Correction Defy can record 720p if you are lucky to get a red lense (Bayer). Check it with the retailer where you (if you go for the Defy) buy one. It does
not record 720p out of the box thats true you must do some tweaks by yourself if you are up for it. I can record 720p at 24fps on my red (bayer) lensed defy very well, allso on the stock camera app thx to walter ;-P.

2nd i would go for the optimus better support/upgrades then Moto will ever give you. But to pay allot more for the support.....

P.S. because of the price and durability and allready done experience with modding a motorola phone i chose the Defy.

 

[jasonmax]

4. Nice cam for taking snaps and recording videos (720p preferred)
LG can record 720p, Defy cannot

Correction Defy can record 720p if you are lucky to get a red lense (Bayer). Check it with the retailer where you (if you go for the Defy) buy one. It does
not record 720p out of the box thats true you must do some tweaks by yourself if you are up for it. I can record 720p at 24fps on my red (bayer) lensed defy very well, allso on the stock camera app thx to walter ;-P.

2nd i would go for the optimus better support/upgrades then Moto will ever give you. But to pay allot more for the support.....

P.S. because of the price and durability and allready done experience with modding a motorola phone i chose the Defy.

Here in Bangalore, we get defy with red lens only (June manufactured) I'm too not scared to tweak the phone to bring out the full potential of the phone. What did you do to get 720p on defy? Do I need to flash custom roms to get that?

Please point me to the relevant post so that I can learn myself.

 

[overclockthesun]

I am in Bombay and I got Defy with Green lens. It was manufactured in July 2011.

 

[jasonmax]

I am in Bombay and I got Defy with Green lens. It was manufactured in July 2011.

I'm not sure about July manufactured devices... When I last checked, it had red lens so that I thought we would get defy manufactured post June with red lens ... Sad, it seems that I have to be lucky to get one with red lens, if I want to go for defy...

 

[overclockthesun]

Just used the Catlog method to find out about my lens .... woopie its Bayer!!!

so green+Bayer means I can use 720p recording on the ginger leaked rom right?
its just been around 5 days since I got it. Am already feelign the urge to root and install Wiui or CM7. Also for some reason.... after installing a few apps.. my phone has become slow....

 

[arpith.fbi]

4k difference... that's what made me confused. Is it worth paying the extra 4k just for nova display, 4 inch screen, 2mp front cam, 720p recording out of the box and guaranteed official upgrade to gingerbread?

well 18.5k is not much.i bought my defy for 17.2k two months ago..anyways optimus black looks fine..nice specs...although defy has its own advantages..
if u dont want to install any patch or something then optimus black is good..it has 720p recording..front cam and LG updates dere android mobiles regularly..even 2.3 update is available..
i think u should go for lg optimus black..
hmm...or defy ..
i like my defy..looks awesome and also very good support in this forum..one of the most active forum(moto defy) in xda..

 

[dheeraj_hotmale]

With a 5k price difference, I would definitely go for a Defy.

 

[gommers1978]

Just used the Catlog method to find out about my lens .... woopie its Bayer!!!

so green+Bayer means I can use 720p recording on the ginger leaked rom right?
its just been around 5 days since I got it. Am already feelign the urge to root and install Wiui or CM7. Also for some reason.... after installing a few apps.. my phone has become slow....

If it is bayer and you want 720p video recording do not install CM7 as i have read in the CM7 forums it does not support 720p. Then i would suggest to install a nandroid and fixed sbf for a 2.3.4 original ROM.

(I myself recommend do not flash a full SBF but use a nandroid and a fixed SBF maybe others have a different opinion)

 

[overclockthesun]

If it is bayer and you want 720p video recording do not install CM7 as i have read in the CM7 forums it does not support 720p. Then i would suggest to install a nandroid and fixed sbf for a 2.3.4 original ROM.

(I myself recommend do not flash a full SBF but use a nandroid and a fixed SBF maybe others have a different opinion)

Ok, I am also interested in the Motoginger 2.3.4 ROm which is based on the leaked defy+ rom....

and I am going to do it the Nandroid + SBF way

one question: I am on stock 2.2.2 Froyo from Moto. MY phone came pre installed with the bug free SEA version. Got it a few days ago.

My question is to install a custom rom like 2.3.4, do I still have to do a Nandroid + fixed SBF flash or just fixed SBF? since Ialready have 2.2.2 installed.

that si my only doubt before I get started. Want to keep my downgradablillty.

 

[jasonmax]

well 18.5k is not much.i bought my defy for 17.2k two months ago..anyways optimus black looks fine..nice specs...although defy has its own advantages..
if u dont want to install any patch or something then optimus black is good..it has 720p recording..front cam and LG updates dere android mobiles regularly..even 2.3 update is available..
i think u should go for lg optimus black..
hmm...or defy ..
i like my defy..looks awesome and also very good support in this forum..one of the most active forum(moto defy) in xda..

defy is tempting me with the current price...

720p??? ok I can live without that... Software update??? this is very tricky part.. anyway, I have you the amazing guys who will help me out in trying custom roms.. won't you?

finally my choice is.....wait... is it possible for optimus black's price to come down? may be in 2-3 months?

 

[om4gus]

defy is tempting me with the current price...

720p??? ok I can live without that... Software update??? this is very tricky part.. anyway, I have you the amazing guys who will help me out in trying custom roms.. won't you?

finally my choice is.....wait... is it possible for optimus black's price to come down? may be in 2-3 months?

In jakarta, LG is cheaper than Defy, Rp 3.5M vs Rp 3.8 M. But I bought defy because its compact design

 

[arpith.fbi]

defy is tempting me with the current price...

720p??? ok I can live without that... Software update??? this is very tricky part.. anyway, I have you the amazing guys who will help me out in trying custom roms.. won't you?

finally my choice is.....wait... is it possible for optimus black's price to come down? may be in 2-3 months?

yes..optimus black price will come down within a month according to a LG sales manager..but again..bottom line is u have to wait for a month or maybe 2!!
and within a month or 2 many more models will launch and again u will get confused.. new xperia series will be out this weekend..new mini pro, neo and all..so u may again get confused..so decide now only.

 

[jasonmax]

yes..optimus black price will come down within a month according to a LG sales manager..but again..bottom line is u have to wait for a month or maybe 2!!
and within a month or 2 many more models will launch and again u will get confused.. new xperia series will be out this weekend..new mini pro, neo and all..so u may again get confused..so decide now only.

Well.... decided to go with defy for its ruggedness and practical things... My wify too loves defy than lg!

I don't know whether i'll get red lens or green... let's see...

I'm going to order my defy through letsbuy.com... with discount coupon, CTP (cost to pocket! ) is INR 14,399 (Jabra bluetooth headset free)

I'm thinking to get 16 GB Transcend class 4 micro SD card also for INR 1180. Will it work with defy without any problems?

 

[AkkiandDefy]

Just used the Catlog method to find out about my lens .... woopie its Bayer!!!

so green+Bayer means I can use 720p recording on the ginger leaked rom right?
its just been around 5 days since I got it. Am already feelign the urge to root and install Wiui or CM7. Also for some reason.... after installing a few apps.. my phone has become slow....

How did you did it?? Because I would also like to now if i have a Bayer or a SOC Cam.

EDIT: I got it LibSOCJordanCamera