Why I'm returning my G5, after 5 days

[Aeneas]

In short, the G5 feels poor, for a flagship. I knew about some of these issues beforehand but I didn't think they would bother me as much. I've never returned a phone before.

I'm coming to it from a Samsung S6 Edge and iPhone 6. I can include the Nexus 5 and even the HTC One X in here too. They all felt a lot better, smoother and cleaner.

I wanted the G5 + Hi-Fi Plus to replace the phone + audio player combination I've gotten used to (most recently, Sony Walkman NWZ-ZX2).

I still haven't received my Hi-Fi Plus. But even if it was great (it is essential, for me), it wouldn't make up for everything else.

It feels like there is a lip when you swipe from the side of the screen. It's not smooth glass like an iPhone, S6/S7 Edge, or Nexus 5. It doesn't feel nice.

The chrome trim around the back has hideous gaps. The bottom of the phone doesn't align along perfectly along the sides. I think this is shocking in this day and age. I can imagine Steve Jobs slapping you in the face if you tried to release something like this at Apple.

The fingerprint scanner doesn't always work and seems to be worse than my iPhone and the S6 Edge.

The battery life is mediocre, even without always-on display. With lighter than average use I can go a day. I would expect this to be reduced with the Hi-Fi Plus. I don't want to carry two batteries and I don't want to be swapping batteries until this one becomes suboptimal. But by that time I will probably want a new device.

The supposedly metal body feels like plastic, so what's the point of it? It's not as though plastic phones fall apart or melt in time. Moreover, this prevents wireless charging.

Audio quality through the standard headphone socket is dull. The fact that something can play 24-bit audio doesn't mean it will sound great.

The tapered top of the phone means that I can't use a screen protector. In the long term, this is not a good idea, especially without a case.

The fact that the Hi-Fi Plus makes it a little bigger means that I can't use a case.

I think I'll get the HTC 10 when it's released, because the S7 Edge isn't a worthwhile upgrade over a 128GB S6 Edge.

 

[the Doctor]

I had similar build quality concerns. You can actually see some of these things in review photos and videos of you know what you are looking for. A friend of mine has already exchanged his first G5 due to build quality.

BTW, what does the M10 have over the S7E that makes it worth the upgrade and the S7E not? Just curious.

 

[verks]

Wow, I've had a totally different experience. My build quality is perfect much to my surprise. The seams along the modular edge are spot on. The fingerprint scanner is spot on. Faster than my S7 and on par with the Nexus 6P.

The screen lies smooth to the side and I like the curved top and bottom as I really don't use screen protectors anymore. The gaps on the chrome are antenna lines, at least they are not all over the phone. As far the finish it's a coating. I like it as it has better grip than my S7 edge or any metal/glass phone and I have no blemishes thankfully.

I can't comment on the headphone audio as I use LG Tones and the sound has been great coming from Bluetooth.

As far as the M10 it will be no where near as good as the S7 or even this. Why? Because HTC has lost its identity and produces a mismosh of tech. Smaller screen, added a home button and remove its defining feature the front facing speakers. Blah. Ill skip it.

I'm sure Steve Jobs has already rolled over in his grave with the crap Apple has been pushing out for the last few years. Innovation stopped with his illness and unfortunate death. They have been far too stagnant. From antenna gate to bending phones to buggy os releases there are plenty of bad quality control issues at Apple, no company is exempt.

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

 

[notinterested]

Well to be fair to the HTC 10 it presumably will have a better DAC in it than the stock SD820 DAC that the S7 and G5 has. But at the same time the SD DAC which has been notoriously awful over the years is much improved. Definitely good enough for most people or cheap gym headphones. I would also give a slight nod to Sense over touchwiz and LGs new abomination of an iphone setup.

 

[doncompadre]

I am Coming from the HTC m7 and htc models before the m7, after one week i am still fascinated from the design and the quality of the the G5. Battery is ok could be better but ok. i am not more then 24 h away from a power supply and can still use some powerbanks on tours. the Launcher i use for years now is Lightning Launcher so i never have to care bout sense or other original used launchers by the manufacturer of my phone. till now the phone is top for me.
let me see if the sound module can beat the boomsound of HTC and if it will get rooted for some framework and so on.

 

[Aeneas]

For me, the back seam is not straight in terms of height. The seams along the side don't align either.

I think in part I'm used to devices impressing me in the hand. The One X felt amazing. The Nexus 5 felt very clean. The S6 Edge looked fantastic (although the Edge was pointless).

These things wouldn't bother me so much if I kept the phone in a case, but this won't happen.

Even without sound quality considerations, I much prefer the S7/Edge/HTC 10. I can get a separate DAP (I'm considering Onkyo DP-X1 but waiting for it be released in Europe, for warranty reasons).

 

[Aeneas]

The one clear advantage of the HTC 10, for me, is that you can use the microSD for app storage. I found that I'd used up all the space on the G5 after saving a lot of Spotify music for offline access. It felt like a step backwards from a 128GB S6 Edge in this regard.

 

[ChongoDroid]

Mines perfect. I adore this device. Sorry to hear your device sucked.

Sent from my LG-H831 using Tapatalk

 

[_ray_]

Bye, and dont let the door hit you in the arse on your way out.

 

[Rauch]

If you're that much of an audiophile.... I don't even know why you'd consider a phone to play audio. Just my 0.02.

Fingerprint scanner is spot on for me.. Even when I'm dirty at work, it still picks it up. My S6 Edge+ would pick it up 10% of the time when my hands were clean.

Sure, I went through 8 G5's before I settled. Is this one flawless? No. It's slightly off flush. Do I care? Not really... It's in a case.

Do I expect perfect QC for a $700 phone? Sure. But it's not going to happen until manufacturing returns to this country. Will that happen? Nope.

Overall, I'm loving this phone. Displays nice, clear, and smooth. UI is great... Probably moving back to nova, but the styling and icons are beautiful. The grip without a case is great for a metal phone. Due to the coating, for sure.

It just feels and looks nicer than the S6 and S7 IMO. Had the M10 not had a physical home button, I would've considered it. Nothing says classy like a buttonless face.

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[notinterested]

If you're that much of an audiophile.... I don't even know why you'd consider a phone to play audio. Just my 0.02.

Because its not asking too much to want above average quality without having to carry multiple devices. Im not expecting it to rvial my fiio x3 but it should at least be passable for the gym etc.

ISure, I went through 8 G5's before I settled. Is this one flawless? No. It's slightly off flush. Do I care? Not really... It's in a case.

You went through 8 then immediately claim you dont care? Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself that you dont care not us.

IDo I expect perfect QC for a $700 phone? Sure. But it's not going to happen until manufacturing returns to this country. Will that happen? Nope.

I know right, it really sucked when they stopped making smartphones here right? Whats that? They have never been made here? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Really though, how can you even try that excuse? The G5 is made the same way the s7/iphone is made. Cheap asian labor but you dont see these issues plaguing them do you? This notion that made in china = garbage is so ignorant and shortsighted. It dont matter where its made the manufacturer can set the quality standards its like this in every country no matter what they are making.

 

[Aeneas]

Exactly. I don't want to carry two devices all the time. Especially in the summer.

The Hi-Fi Plus could make the G5 compete with DAPs that cost roughly the same.

The ZX2 was good but it was stuck on Android 4.2. The DP-X1 is still not forthcoming for me. So I need something. I sold the S6 Edge and my iPhone doesn't have enough memory for much music.

Yes, some of these issues are due to quality control. Others are just very bad design choices.

I'm still having problems with the fingerprint scanner. I tried rescanning carefully but it hasn't improved.

I'm also a little sceptical about the fast charging estimates. I think they're underestimated.

 

[BudaBang]

The one clear advantage of the HTC 10, for me, is that you can use the microSD for app storage. I found that I'd used up all the space on the G5 after saving a lot of Spotify music for offline access. It felt like a step backwards from a 128GB S6 Edge in this regard.

I hope you know that one can change storage too sd card thou: In spotify go to settings > scroll down to storage > choose sd card
And problem solved!

 

[Rauch]

Because its not asking too much to want above average quality without having to carry multiple devices. Im not expecting it to rvial my fiio x3 but it should at least be passable for the gym etc.



You went through 8 then immediately claim you dont care? Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself that you dont care not us.



I know right, it really sucked when they stopped making smartphones here right? Whats that? They have never been made here? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Really though, how can you even try that excuse? The G5 is made the same way the s7/iphone is made. Cheap asian labor but you dont see these issues plaguing them do you? This notion that made in china = garbage is so ignorant and shortsighted. It dont matter where its made the manufacturer can set the quality standards its like this in every country no matter what they are making.

If quality of music is your biggest concern at the gym, you've got some other issues at hand. You should become more focused on your workout and sweating away that fat instead of worrying how good your music sounds.

Yeah, I went through 8 because the moment you pull them out of the box the flaws were that noticeable. Beyond that, no big deal.

Ignorant and short sighted? No. Compare tools made in China vs. Made in america, germany, or Spain. Big difference. Or more importantly - copper and steel pipe and fittings. Tell me there's no quality difference between something made with cheap labor vs. Something made here. The fact I can crack a 2" black iron fitting with an 18" pipe wrench is enough to see there is a difference. Than you factor in dimensions and threading differences.... Get out in the real world and realize there is a huge quality difference between cheap labor and expensive labor.

Oh, I'm sorry.... Did you forget about about the admitted iphone 5S manufacturing defects? Could be sworn there was something wrong with the 6's as well!

Open your eyes kiddo.

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[notinterested]

If quality of music is your biggest concern at the gym, you've got some other issues at hand. You should become more focused on your workout and sweating away that fat instead of worrying how good your music sounds.

What? That makes no sense AT ALL... Music is a motivator, when your music sounds like ass its a distraction. You must not go to the gym.

Ignorant and short sighted? No. Compare tools made in China vs. Made in america, germany, or Spain. Big difference. Or more importantly - copper and steel pipe and fittings. Tell me there's no quality difference between something made with cheap labor vs. Something made here. The fact I can crack a 2" black iron fitting with an 18" pipe wrench is enough to see there is a difference. Than you factor in dimensions and threading differences.... Get out in the real world and realize there is a huge quality difference between cheap labor and expensive labor.

Thats a cute analogy ill give you another one.

Compare the iphone and the galaxy s7 to the G5. All are made in the same place 2 are considered to be very well made one has problems like crazy.

get out in the real world and realize all phones are made in cheap asian countries and only one has these glaring issues and you will see a flawed design for what it is. Your argument holds no water whatsoever.

Oh, I'm sorry.... Did you forget about about the admitted iphone 5S manufacturing defects? Could be sworn there was something wrong with the 6's as well!

You must be joking right? Those where design flaws antennagate was bad design not bad production. The iphone 6 bending was bad design not bad production.

Open your eyes kiddo.

Open my eyes? Your argument is that the G5 is messed up because its "made in china" every other smartphone on the planet is too and they are just fine... Stop being so stubbornly ignorant.

 

[crzygrmn]

I hope you know that one can change storage too sd card thou: In spotify go to settings > scroll down to storage > choose sd card
And problem solved!

Lol. I was going to say that.
But yes g5 has micro sd slot.


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[FalconFX]

What? That makes no sense AT ALL... Music is a motivator, when your music sounds like ass its a distraction. You must not go to the gym.




Thats a cute analogy ill give you another one.

Compare the iphone and the galaxy s7 to the G5. All are made in the same place 2 are considered to be very well made one has problems like crazy.

get out in the real world and realize all phones are made in cheap asian countries and only one has these glaring issues and you will see a flawed design for what it is. Your argument holds no water whatsoever.



You must be joking right? Those where design flaws antennagate was bad design not bad production. The iphone 6 bending was bad design not bad production.




Open my eyes? Your argument is that the G5 is messed up because its "made in china" every other smartphone on the planet is too and they are just fine... Stop being so stubbornly ignorant.

Bro, you make some solid points

 

[thunderbls]

Baxter you know I don't speak Spanish.

 

[lywyn]

The one clear advantage of the HTC 10, for me, is that you can use the microSD for app storage. I found that I'd used up all the space on the G5 after saving a lot of Spotify music for offline access. It felt like a step backwards from a 128GB S6 Edge in this regard.

Spotify - How to store cache on external SD

People should learn how to use google.

---------- Post added at 10:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 AM ----------

Wow, lots of people managed to do something you couldn't.

 

[ChongoDroid]

Sound isn't that bad, I listened to a few tracks quickly on spotify on my sennheisers and it was on par with other phones I've tested.

Could be tweaked a bit with viper when we get root but I'm satisfied.

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