New phone: S4 i9500 or LG G3 Beat 4G LTE D722K or something else?

inherentchoice on 02/10/2014 - 00:13
Last edited 02/10/2014 - 00:45

Looking to buy new phone and these two on Kogan's site seem appealing to me.

But before I choose something, maybe you can help me with some advice/guidance/recommendations?

I'm looking for:
* About 5" or more
* unlocked and outright
* Android
* Good quality camera (not just megapixels, but able to take good photos in various conditions)
* Good battery life

I'm not a heavy data user (mostly just web browsing and email) so I don't really care about 4G.

I would be happy to keep using my LG Optimus 4X but the auto rotate is broken and photos that aren't taken in broad daylight are often fuzzy.

Poll Options expired

  • 4
    Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500 ($349)
  • 1
    LG G3 Beat 4G LTE D722K for ($299)
  • 2
    Another phone (under $370)
Mobile

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 02/10/2014 - 08:45
    +1

    Galaxy S4 is a fantastic phone, however the i9500 model is only 3G.

  • scrimshaw on 02/10/2014 - 09:01
    +1

    There's someone selling an LG G2 32GB in the classified forums. I have owned mine for 3-4 months now (paid $328 via Kogan sale) and it's a kickass device for the price. Only downer is no expandable storage and it was what bothered me when I was deciding between an S4 Active and the G2.

    The Samsung Galaxy series are also good particularly with photography but with a bit too much bloat for my liking.

    Another phone worth considering is perhaps OPO, the deal is over but there's a strong likelihood of another deal near Xmas when the company makes the phone easier to buy without an invite system.

    You can also give your old Optimus 4x HD a new lease on life with a Kit Kat ROM — try the Lego ROM or the Mahdi ROM which is based on Android AOSP 4.4. It could fix your auto rotation issues but it won't sadly, improve the shitty camera. XDA http://forum.xda-developers.com/optimus-4x-hd/development/ro…

    • stargalaxy on 02/10/2014 - 12:28

      Would definitely recommend the LG G2, while expandable storage is good if you wants to store a lot of pictures, music or movies, it is not good for games. I find 32GB storage sufficient, but others may need more.

    • Bappy on 02/10/2014 - 13:48

      Same here - would strongly recommed G2 over G3 D722K or S4.
      G2 ticks all your 5 requirements
      *Of course Kogan's current price for G2 is higer than your budget…

  • malkakas on 02/10/2014 - 09:53
    +1

    i9500 is the old version of S4. if you have the capacity get i9506 which has newer (better) processor.

  • adamren on 02/10/2014 - 10:20

    Calibrate gyros on your phone to get autorotate. Install or reinstall a good camera app. Camera360 is good but bloated with cutesy edit features.

    Increase ISO from 100 to 400 or 800 if indoors etc. Do an Auto White Balance and use flash. Hold phone steady by resting on a solid object fixed to ground and use a timer.

    Maybe double check if pic quality is on high/fine/superfine, the largest resolution.

    Anyhow Samsung is great if you have other Samsung devices. But to save the $50 maybe go for the LG3. I voted S4 though ;-p It all depends on what you need it for and like.

    • inherentchoice on 02/10/2014 - 13:44
      +1

      Tried calibrating the motion sensor but it just says "Cannot calibrate. Try again." I have a feeling the sensors are just physically stuck?

      Thanks for your camera tips. It's on the largest resolution.

      Might wait a few more days before I choose a phone. I may also need to ask my telco for a microSIM.

      Thanks for all the advice so far. :)

      • adamren on 03/10/2014 - 19:47

        It's possible, would know after a factory reset. Back up your data…twice. Data off phone onto a hard drive and then another on a USB in case either one fails. If you're techy or have a techy friend you can try a custom ROM, kind of like the Apple jailbreak to get more out of the phone. Cynaogen Mod is popular for Android.

  • PVA on 05/10/2014 - 21:56

    does the LG G3 Beat 4G work with our 4G in Australia. It is a model not sold in Australia.

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