LG Optimus G Pro Pro Reviews

LG launches a well-designed smartphone that convinces in virtually every field or at least exhibits an above-average performance with the Optimus G E986. Highlights of the premium-range review sample are its very high-quality build, the high performance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T SoC and the high-brightness, 5.5 inch Full HD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. What's more, the Optimus G E986 is future-proof owing to the installed LTE chip as it allows swift data transfer rates. The generous 16 GB storage also has to be noted. Although the useable capacity is reduced to 10 GB, it should nevertheless be more than sufficient for many application purposes. So much praise does not leave much room for complaint. In fact, our list of drawbacks is quite short. The 13 megapixel primary camera in the Optimus G E986 shoots decent pictures but the comparison with other premium models shows that quite a bit more would have been possible. Deductions are also made for the below-average battery performance that is surely primarily due to the large 5.5 inch Full HD screen.

During our tests, the phone performed very well our benchmark runs. During real-world testing, the Optimus G Pro responded quickly and smoothly to flicking through home screens, opening apps, browsing the web, and performing other tasks. Battery life is a bit of a mixed bag and will vary depending on how you use the phone. The large display requires a good amount of power, so demanding users may find the phone needing a boost before the end of the day. That said, with its 3140mAh battery, it does hold up pretty well for its screen size.

I like a lot of things about the Optimus G Pro, but personally I’d never buy one. That’s not a knock on this particular device — I just don’t want a 5.5-inch cellphone. I like having a big, immersive screen for playing games or watching movies, but most of the time I need a phone that I can whip out of my pocket with one hand, quickly read or respond to something, and be done. When I want to sit down and spend time with a device? Well, that’s what my iPad is for. I don’t like having two devices, but I still choose that over the clumsy compromises a phablet forces. If you do want a phablet, the LG Optimus G Pro is a very good one, every ounce a worthy competitor to the Galaxy Note II. There are plenty of good reasons to buy this device instead of the Note II, even, from the better screen to the surprisingly useful IR blaster. But after spending a couple of weeks with both phones, I'm not convinced LG's model worth waiting for, especially given the vagueness with which LG has addressed this phone's arrival in the US. The Note II's display is still very good, and its camera and overall performance leave little to be desired either. And while LG waits, Samsung has already announced the Galaxy S4, a phone that doesn't want for size or display prowess, and comes with specs and features a level beyond the Note II – or the Optimus G Pro.

At the end of the day, the Optimus G Pro is a solid competitor in the ultra-large smartphone category. It, surprisingly, stacks up very well to Samsung’s iconic Galaxy Note series and offers a no-compromise experience in the phablet sector. A lot can change in a few short months, however. By the time the other variants of the Optimus G Pro arrive, they could look slightly different or feature different specifications. The long antenna is rumored to be replaced by an integrated stylus. Hopefully, the majority of these changes will be limited to software, expunging all the bloatware and clutter of Optimus UI. As it stands, the Optimus G Pro is a great device. And once it becomes more widely available, it would be difficult not to recommend this over the Galaxy Note II, if only for the quality of the display. Is it a better phablet? Hardly. It’s evident that Samsung has put a lot of time and thought into what separates a phablet from nothing more than a large smartphone. It seems LG is still learning that while it’s changing all of Samsungs apps and services to its own Q-branded apps.

The LG Optimus G Pro is the only Android OS device that offers full HD resolution on a screen larger than 5 inches, which makes it convincingly the best "phablet" on the market at the moment, if supreme hardware features are also taken into account. The design and certain unfinished touches are telltale signs of LG's lack of experience in competing with top of the line flagship models. However, it has exceptional features, an exceptional display and it is a device that offers the most when it comes to multitasking and Android OS. The Optimus G Pro is surely a good choice for anyone in need of a big and powerful cell phone -- for business, as well as entertainment.

LG did a fine job with the Optimus G Pro for AT&T, but it’s far from perfect. I wish the camera was just a little bit better. The design is a bit bland and the materials could be a bit better, too. It can be unwieldy for those with small hands, and the darned thing has an overabundance of apps and features. Those features make the G Pro highly customizable, though, and give users plenty of room to make the device their own. These niggles aside, the G Pro has a stunning screen, solid voice quality, and amazing battery life. If you're also considering the Samsung Galaxy Note II, here's the breakdown: The G Pro has a better screen, better battery life, better voice calls, and easier-to-manage hardware; the Note II has a stylus and even more software features, a better camera, and slightly better looks. The Optimus G Pro lives up to its name, and offers big features in a big phone.

While those who want the latest and greatest technology will certainly find the premium price of the LG flagship easy to justify, the fact remains that the Galaxy Note II is still a stellar device that will serve its purpose well, while saving you a quite a few bucks. So as the two contenders part ways, each will have its own reason to celebrate. LG Optimus G Pro walks off with a promise to be the new king of the phablet realm, once it comes to the market (by May-June 2013). The Samsung Galaxy Note II, on the other hand, can rest assured that come the summer, it will still be a purchase no one is likely to regret, even eight or nine months into its product life.

The LG Optimus G Pro would be the favorite in a job interview - it's got a great resume and it answered all the questions correctly. We wouldn't have minded a slightly more exciting design, but it still blows the Optimus Vu out of the water. It's an excellent addition to the higher echelons of the Optimus family and we have no doubt it will outsell the Vu (which did 1M sales in South Korea alone). We are sure that, aware of its own strengths, the Optimus G Pro is setting much higher goals for itself. Pressure's now on you, Samsung!

It's a shame Samsung has deeper pockets and a larger marketing budget, because the LG Optimus G Pro is nearly every bit Sammy's equal – not just when pitted against the equally phablet-sized Galaxy Note 2, but also the largely overhyped Galaxy S4. Unfortunately, LG and AT&T have their work cut out for them in selling the Optimus G Pro, which arrives during a mid-cycle lull between the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the latest model expected to launch in the near future. We've always been the type to root for the underdog anyway, so we say the G Pro is well worth a look.

LG has been on a roll. In the last four months we've been treated to the Optimus G and Nexus 4, both flagship devices that have left us quite impressed. Fortunately the momentum continues to build for the Korean manufacturer as it launches the Optimus G Pro. With a higher-res screen, stronger performance and a solid design, the handset might be even more desirable than the Galaxy Note II. It'd be nice to see some stylus support, and we'll also have to wait a while for non-Korean variants to encircle the globe, but otherwise the G Pro succeeds as a compelling device for anyone interested in getting a phone larger than five inches.

There are two unavoidable truths about the AT&T G Pro: it's $100 cheaper on-contract and better specced than AT&T's Note II (hello, Snapdragon 600!). For what LG's crammed into its oblong shell, the G Pro really is a bargain for power users. But it has one ugly mole (no, not that AT&T globe) that not even its stunning 1080p display can overshadow, and that's its less-than-stellar battery life. True, it's an improvement from what you'd get from the GS4 or HTC One. Even so, in South Korea the Optimus G Pro comes with an extra battery in the box, and that's sadly missing on the US variant. CPU power and high-res beauty come at a cost -- whether that's to save you money or keep you on a constant hunt for power outlets is your choice to make.

The LG Optimus G Pro is a well-designed, well-sized phablet with an accent on the phone part, balancing a big screen and single-handed usability admirably.

The LG Optimus G Pro is a rather fine piece of machinery. It’s offers you an alternative to the HTC One and/or Samsung GALAXY S 4 here up on the top tier with its similar display (larger, though again, with the same amount of pixels), identical processor, and surprisingly similar set of features. It also offers you a unique hardware build and a camera that’ll go very nearly toe-to-toe with the leaders. You’ll find the LG Optimus G Pro costing the same or less than the competing top-tier smartphones out with AT&T right this minute and/or in the near future, and its feature set makes it a solid package in the battle against the other titans of this mobile industry. Here in this massive smartphone, LG has created an amalgamation of elements that’ll satisfy legacy LG lovers and newcomers to the size, all the same.

When I first reviewed the unlocked G Pro back in March, I questioned its potential to compete against the Note because of its lack of a stylus. While I still think that a stylus would be a useful addition to a phone this big, I'm not going to make as big of a deal about it as I did then. Why? Simply because the G Pro is $199.99. That makes it the same price as the first Note, and $100 less than the $299.99 Note 2. For $100, I'll gladly forsake the use of an S Pen. Especially since it's still a great performer, has the same size screen, and comparable specs. If you're curious about what Samsung has in store, there's no harm in waiting. But fall is a long ways off, and if you want a supersize, ultrafast phone now and to save some extra cash while you're at it, the Optimus G Pro won't let you down.

Do we even have to say anything here? It's all clear as day – the Galaxy S4 easily wins this comparison with its supreme design, screen, better camera quality, as well as way better user experience. LG has certainly done a very good job with the Optimus G Pro's design and all, but they'll just have to do even better than that if they want to have a chance of overthrowing the market leader. By the looks of it, the area where LG should focus most is the software, because, sure, their phones are very customizable and all, you can change icon sizes, colors and so on, but really, what matters most is your core experience, because not everyone's keen on personalizing every small detail in their phone. So, LG just has come up with a beautiful UI that's contemporary and fun to use, because customers sure ain't buying LG phones for their gimmicky features. Now, we don't say that each and every feature by Samsung is worth your while, but overall, most of Samsung's custom software just makes more sense than what LG's doing.

LG continues to pick up speed in the Android smartphone market and the LG Optimus G Pro goes very deep into “Phablets” territory. It brings superior display, processor, and performance to a market that has proven to have an appetite for all three. That makes the LG Optimus G Pro particularly attractive for this group of users. The additional battery and the charging dock may further attract heavy users who like to be digitally active at all times. I’m not sure why LG didn’t feature an integrated pen, but this may cost them the note-taking crowd, because although external pens do exist, they are not as convenient as an integrated one. The pressure-sensitivity remains a huge advantage for the Note 2 in this context. That’s really important, but not critical in my opinion, and I bet that this is exactly what LG thinks.

Although the Optimus G Pro is a blatant manifestation of LG knocking on Samsung's Note door, the handset is still an excellent standalone device. Its 1.7GHz quad-core CPU keeps it running smoothly and swiftly, and the 1080p screen is nothing short of impressive. But while I'm a fan of the handset, I remain cautious of its potential if and when it comes to the U.S. What's the point of giving consumers a great 5.5-inch display if you also don't give them a stylus as well? LG provided one with its Optimus Vu, so it makes it that much more odd that the Optimus G Pro doesn't get similar treatment. True, lacking a stylus isn't a deal breaker. Not everybody uses one, and the phone doesn't come packed with a bunch of productivity apps that take full advantage of a stylus, save for QuickMemo. But considering the fact that its obvious rival, the Note 2, has one, I find it difficult to imagine a user choosing the Pro in lieu of the Note 2 given this notable oversight.

Being this year's fresh spring crop, the Optimus G Pro predictably outshines last year's Samsung flagship in almost every category, with the most important being display quality and processing power. It also offers a few novel features, like a programmable QButton on the side, and a very useful IR blaster. If you want a handset that is easier to manage with one hand, though, the S III is one of the lightest and most compact big-screen phones out there, yet LG has done an excellent job at keeping the weight and dimensions of the 5.5” G Pro in check, too. The S III sports one very important advantage before the high-end G Pro, however, and it is a lower price tag, as LG's phone can currently only be imported for north of $800, so if you don't have to be on the bleeding edge of technology, it might all balance out.

A few years ago, LG phones weren’t all that desirable. And though it’s still chasing major rival Samsung in many ways, the Optimus G Pro is a major step forward. It’s well designed, comfortable, speedy, and boasts a fantastic display. The software and apps aren’t perfect, but even there we see aspects worth praising. The LG Optimus G Pro is a fantastic phone in almost every way. It’s too big for some users, but if you’re into heft, you should try out the G Pro before you go with the Note 2. Samsung probably isn’t scared of the G Pro, but maybe it should be. We can’t wait to see what this phone will look like when it finally gets to America and, more importantly, how much it will cost.