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LG V10: 5 Things I Learned on the First Day

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The LG V10 is a unique smartphone with a lot to offer. Everything from two screens, three cameras, stunning features and a durable design unlike any other LG smartphone released to date. Here’s what we learned about it after a good 24 hours of usage.

A full LG V10 review will take a lot of time, because this phone has so much going on. From a 5.7-inch Quad-HD display, a secondary 2.1-inch screen above it, three cameras, a fingerprint scanner, high-fi audio and tons of other things. LG decided to pack a little of everything into this high-end flagship smartphone. And we mean everything.

Read: LG V10 Release Date Deals Emerge

Earlier this year the LG G4 was released with a lot of praise and was one of LG’s best smartphones ever released. However, after just one or two days with the LG V10, I can already recommend it over the slightly smaller option outright. It’s nearly the same, but with tons of improvements across the board that makes it one compelling option. Even over the Galaxy Note 5, Google’s new Nexus 6P and many other big smartphones.

LGV10-main1

The LG V10 is available from Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile, with Sprint passing on the stunning smartphone. It has some of the best specs and features of any phone released in 2015, and is surely one users will want to look at before making a smartphone purchase.

With that in mind, we wanted to share five or so things we learned after a little over 24 hours with the new LG V10 for potential buyers. Everything from the size, software, cameras, the new fingerprint scanner and second screen. It’s truly a unique phone. First we’ll start off with the spec list for those interested, then get into a few things we like and don’t like about the phone for prospective buyers.

LG V10 Specs

  • 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD Display
  • 2.1-inch 160 x 1040 Second Screen
  • 6-core Snapdragon 808 processor with 4GB of RAM
  • 64GB of storage and a micro-SD slot for expansion
  • 16 Megapixel f/1.8 Rear Camera, Laser auto-focus, OIS, more
  • Two 5 megapixel front cameras for improved and wider “selfies”
  • Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
  • Rear buttons and new Fingerprint scanner in power button
  • 3,000 mAh removable battery
  • Dura-Guard Steel Frame design
  • 32 bit Hi-Fi audio

The LG V10 has a regular 5.7-inch screen up front that looks nearly as good as anything else available. However, sitting above it is another 2.1-inch screen full of useful features, which we’ll talk about in a moment.

It might not have the latest 8-core processor or Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but it’s still a very powerful and capable device. One that’s just full of unique features that will wow buyers and impress friends. Now that the details are out of the way, here are a few things worth talking about after a day or so of using this thing.

It’s Really Big

LG’s new V10 smartphone is quite large, but at the same time, nothing that most users haven’t tried before. Having a 5.7-inch screen and then another 2.1-inch screen means it’ll certainly be big. Slim bezels help out, too. As a result it’s nearly the exact same size as the Galaxy Note 5, but slightly taller because of that second display.

LGV10-back

The LG V10 isn’t as tall as the Nexus 6P, and it’s not as wide as the Galaxy Note 4 or the Nexus 6 from last year. Meaning that while it’s big, it’s still easy to hold and use with one hand. They found the perfect balance in terms of size, mainly because of the thin bezels, and this phone is still very usable even though it’s quite large and has so much under the hood. It’s also pretty thick, and thicker than the Galaxy Note 5, even though mine has a slim TPU case on it.

LG has been leading the smartphone market when it comes to the small bezels on the sides and top of their phones, and the same holds true here. There’s hardly any plastic on the top or bottom, and the front is nearly all screen, which is a good thing. It looks great, feels even better in the hand, and is easy to use with one hand. That’s the important thing.

LGV10-face

Looks and Design

While this phone may not be the prettiest or win any awards for the design, everything has a purpose. LG employed a new metal “dura-guard” steel frame around the entire device on the inside, and the outside. As a result the sides have a very comfortable yet durable aluminum framing in case it’s dropped.

It also comes in five beautiful colors, rather than the typical boring Black or White, and the Aqua Blue model I have here looks very fun, playful, and again, unique. This phone is unlike anything else available. For better or for worse.

Then around back we have the familiar LG layout with the buttons on back. This helps the sides be small with no bezels as they don’t have to place buttons there like most. Instead around back is the power button with a built-in fingerprint scanner, volume up/down keys, and that impressive 16 megapixel camera that’s color-coated to the design. There’s a two-stage dual LED flash, and LG’s popular laser autofocus.

It has a very industrial look on the back with an odd texture, but that also helps make it extremely easy to hold. It isn’t slippery, and users won’t be dropping it like the Note 5. While we’re on the design, it has a removable 3,000 mAh quick charging battery and a micro-SD slot for expanding storage. Something many look for in a smartphone ever since Samsung abandoned those features in 2015.

Fingerprint Scanner

This is one of LG’s first smartphones to have a fingerprint scanner, which is a growing trend in smartphones. Everything from the iPhone, Samsung’s lineup, HTC’s new One A9, to even Google’s Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P all have them. It’s built right into the rear home button that LG users are familiar with, but sadly it doesn’t work very well.

I’ve had the pleasure of trying almost every phone released over the past 4-5 years, and every one that has a fingerprint scanner. In 2015 though, many excellent options are available. The Nexus 6P is the fastest and easiest to setup and use, and the most accurate. Samsung is on par with Apple, according to who you talk to, and HTC’s fingerprint scanner is average at best.

LGV10-fingerprint

Sadly, the LG V10 has one of the worst fingerprint scanners I’ve tried in 2015. Maybe it’s my unit, maybe I need to try again, but it doesn’t work nearly as seamless, and it isn’t very accurate either. It’s a pretty bad effort.

If you were planning on buying the LG V10 simply for the fingerprint scanner, don’t. It still has plenty to offer that makes it an excellent smartphone, but the fingerprint scanner is just one piece of the puzzle.

It took nearly 3x as long as Google’s phones to setup and add a finger, I had constant errors, and it isn’t as accurate. Then this last part can be a pro or a con. The Nexus fingerprint scanner works just by touching it even while the screen is off, as does Samsung’s. With the LG G4, you have to click the home button. This turns on the screen, scans your print, and unlocks the phone at once. It isn’t as accurate, easy to use, or as fast as Samsung or Google’s method. It’s still good, but not the best.

The LG V10 fingerprint scanner still delivers more security, a better Android Pay experience, and will likely get better with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but so far it’s average at best.

Second Screen

My favorite aspect of the device, aside from our last category, is the second screen on the top. We’ve seen this idea fail in the past, and at first it seemed like nothing more than a gimmick, but the more I use the LG V10 the more I enjoy it.

Like all LG phones, the V10 is highly customizable. From the on-screen keys, colors, settings menu and more, and now they have an even more customizable second display above the main screen. It can be set to always on, turned off, or activated with a tap just like a regular screen.

LGV10-timeoff

While the phone lies dormant on my desk not being used it sits in a low-power state displaying the time, date and battery, and a swipe to the left offers quick access (all in that low-power state) to volume controls, WiFi, the flashlight toggle, camera and more. Meaning users don’t even have to turn on the phone to see the time, take a photo with the already great and fast camera, or turn on the flashlight.

Then with the LG V10 turned on the second screen comes to life. Some of the features are pointless and redundant, like quick access to apps that are already on the homescreen, but others, are very helpful.

LGV10-second

You can customize the message, we have our Twitter account, and a swipe over brings up pre-set customized apps, and another swipe are recently used apps. This makes opening favorite or recent apps easy, but Android already does this well. Of course this can be done on the homescreen, but it offers another level of functionality most don’t. Except for maybe the Galaxy S6 Edge.

LGV10-gottabe

It’s a neat concept that hopefully more apps can tap into with developers doing fun things. Thankfully though, almost every app installed on the phone can be shown on the secondary 2.1-inch display, instead of a select few, so that’s a nice change. Samsung only allows certain apps on the “edge”.

At first I figured it would just be a pointless gimmick, but the more I use the LG V10, the more I find myself instantly launching the flashlight, opening my favorite games, or messing with that second screen just because I can. We don’t need it, but it’s nice to have. Users are going to like it.

Battery Life & Cameras

And finally, we have battery life and the cameras. This phone has the same 3,000 mAh battery as the LG G4, but it has to power a bigger screen and more features. So far it held up through an entire day of heavy usage pretty well, but we’ll need more testing. It does have quick charging, so that’s a plus. It went from 0-48% in just 26 minutes.

LGV10-buttons

The cameras are pretty nice. It has the same 16 megapixel F/1.8 camera with laser autofocus and image stabilization as the G4, which is in the top five for best smartphones cameras. On front however, there are two 5 megapixel cameras for improved wide-angle selfie photos. In real life, the dual front cameras make a huge difference. Images are extremely crisp and clear, and it has a wider angle to fit more in. A group of 10 could take a selfie with ease. Something no other phone can do this quickly and easily.

Final Thoughts

There are so many things about this phone we’ll need to dig through, that a full review will be coming later. For now though, it has been a pretty excellent experience. The LG V10 is extremely fast, fluid, and stable. The software is better than the LG G4 too. The custom skin over Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is paired down, simple, and fast.

I’ve never been a fan of custom skins, but LG has slowly but surely made theirs into a great experience. It’s fast, user friendly, customizable, and it looks pretty good too.

The LG V10 is one of the most capable, unique, powerful and durable phones on the market. We’ll need a lot more time with it, but so far we’re impressed with everything on the surface. Aside from the average at best fingerprint scanner around back. Try one at a carrier store today, buyers might just like what they see.

30 Comments

30 Comments

  1. Jon

    11/14/2015 at 4:20 pm

    The fingerprint scanner works flawlessly without a case on the phone. Which I see you said you had a TPU case. In order for it to work flawlessly, your skin has to touch the metal on the side along with the metal around the power button. The case doesn’t allow this to happen. Although I do believe it should work with a case regardless, and it does take forever to set up. But without a case, it works instantly, and I agree with you and countless others. I wish you could just touch the scanner and it open the phone, not push the button, wait for it to come on, then scan your finger

    • Jason

      11/15/2015 at 5:55 pm

      I was going to say the same thing that Jon said. You indicated that you have a case on your phone and according to several posts that I have read, you have to be touching the metal sides for the fingerprint scanner to work. But when you do, it is super fast and incredibly accurate. Unless, perhaps, you had a defective fingerprint scanner on your device. But give it a try and let us know by an update. It is still an annoyance, because a lot of us like our expensive phones to be protected. My case has a lanyard hole, and if you put a little piece of aluminum foil through it, then it works, as long as you are touching the foil, and the foil is touching the side of the phone. And I also agree that you shouldn’t have to press the power button first, it should just be able to scan when your finger rests on the scanner. But I can work with it, no problem. I love this phone so far.

    • Manny

      11/16/2015 at 12:14 pm

      Exactly what Jon said. My Fingerprint scanner works GREAT! Although I don’t have a case on it. I did buy a case but decided not to use it on a regular basis. This phone is to gorgeous to cover it with a case. I did however put a Tempered Glass screen shield on it.

    • Scott

      11/30/2015 at 8:15 pm

      If you have a case on the phone. Reinput your fingerprints while the case is on, an I have no issue with mine

  2. Cory Gunther

    11/18/2015 at 10:21 am

    I have a TPU case on my Note 5, which I mentioned while comparing the size of the LG V10. That’s where you guys saw that I have a case.

    My LG V10 does not have a case, and the fingerprint scanner still struggles. If you have to place your finger perfectly, and hit the button AND metal, as you guys suggest, that’s not a good implementation. The Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Galaxy Note 5 and iPhone all have a better fingerprint scanner. In my opinion.

    I deleted and re-saved my fingerprint, and it still isn’t as good as I’d like, but did work a little better this time around. Thanks for the replies.

  3. Zotz

    11/19/2015 at 7:39 am

    AT&T pushed an update on 11/18 to the V10 which fixed the fingerprint scanner, among other little things. The FPS now works quickly and flawlessly – without touching the metal side rails, and with a case (mine is a Ringke plastic/TPU).

  4. Kevin d

    11/19/2015 at 5:59 pm

    The finger print scanner is the fastest and most flawless one I tried in 2015 and that’s with using a tpu case. Yes the nexus 6p is fast but the appearance is what gets to you. Nexus 5x, I didn’t even turn it on. It felt like a play school toy phone that my 2 year old daughter would have loved. One plus 2, more and more bugs everyday and with a finger print scanner that rarely work while charging.
    The note 5 and the s6 edge plus had great screens but when you see it in the Sun while off, you see separation as if moisture is in there. As for iPhone 6 and 6s, if you wash dishes, the finger scanner does not work. So far the lg v10 is by far the best of 2015 that I have tested. But there is one flaw. The camera was misaligned where it was dropped south west. I went back to best buy to exchange and 3 other ones were similar but not as bad. Then there were 2 left, 1 was pushed to the west and then that last box, it was dead center.

  5. AceSalman

    11/20/2015 at 3:19 pm

    Do do you think guys about this Mobile Good/Very Good/Perfect/Excellent

  6. john

    11/27/2015 at 6:05 am

    excellent

  7. TP

    12/08/2015 at 2:38 pm

    Why is TMobile ONLY carrying the black; not white/blue?

  8. Sarah

    12/12/2015 at 7:18 am

    Amazing phone love it!!

  9. Steelreign

    12/12/2015 at 8:46 am

    I’m definitely going to get the V10. I currently have the Note 4, but since the Note 5 went away from the removable battery and SD card slot, I’m making the switch.

  10. Rob

    12/15/2015 at 3:10 pm

    Why no one mentions the volume I think the battery is good for the power but the volume is my only issue do you think a update would fix it

  11. Damon

    12/19/2015 at 9:00 am

    I need help I’m having an issue with my front camera I have it at 16:9 but the camera screen is so small I don’t know how to fix it it worked fine the first day didn’t move much for it to have done this can anyone help?

    • Manny Subia (MannyLegacy)

      12/21/2015 at 8:07 am

      Hi Damon,……When you say that your Camera Screen is so small,……what exactly do you mean? Just so I understand correctly. When you are using the front facing camera, you’re saying that the screen (that shows what the picture will be) is small??…… I have a feeling that you might have turned on the “Flash” for the front camera. When this is done there will be a large white border around the screen and in turn the screen is much smaller to accommodate the border. This is used to add light to any front facing camera pics. If you turn off the Flash then that large white border will go away and the preview screen will appear full sized again. Hope that helps you.

  12. Teri

    12/23/2015 at 5:19 pm

    I am having intermittent issues with the soft key at the top of the phone. My inbox defaults on email but I am unable to go back to the folder page.

  13. Ed

    01/01/2016 at 6:53 am

    I’m having the same problem. The soft key on the upper left area that allows you to select menu options in all apps suddenly stops working. Please LG, fix that!

  14. Diana

    01/17/2016 at 5:59 pm

    I love my lg v10 and camera andbig screen etc but volume especially in incoming calls should be louder my friends keep telling me they cannot hear me.. Lgv10 please fix

  15. Danielle

    02/15/2016 at 7:00 pm

    Has anyone ever had a problem with the phone being on loud, and it randomly makes it turn to vibrate? This is my second lgv10, and it still says it’s on loud, but will not ring it only vibrates.

    • Leah

      02/17/2016 at 9:31 am

      Mine is doing the same thing, but not just randomly, but constantly. I have the volume turned completely up, went through all of my settings and double checked everything, and it still won’t ring, only vibrate. My alarm is working, but no ring. Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated.

      • Danielle

        02/17/2016 at 2:01 pm

        this is killing me! I have gone through 2 phones. I’m about to go get my third. But I can’t see it solving anything if the first 2 were buggy. Do you have the blue or the black one?

  16. Mariah

    02/29/2016 at 7:11 am

    Does your calls keep dropping on the phone? Mine does. I’ve had T-Mobile for years and never a dropped call until this LGV10

  17. Marsha

    03/20/2016 at 5:15 pm

    Help please….I have had this phone for less than a month and I can no longer “send” text messages. I used to be able to send but now can only receive. I went to Verizon store and spent an hour with the guy who send over everything and bcould not figure out why I can receive texts but can’t send texts. Please help.

  18. jose pekholtz

    04/01/2016 at 8:52 am

    there are some down sides about this bad boy v10, the emoticons (emojis) are not the whatsapp standard but some weird clones, for a 700$ phone you would expect better sound… the sound on the blu studio energy 2 is better and louder, the battery does not last a day of use, and the phone came out just as some improvements were made to the OS, they should have waited to release the phone with the latest version (marshmallow) instead of the lollipop, (not a clue if LG will upgrade it on the v10) and also the fast charging 3.0 is now available whereas the LGv10 has only 2.0

  19. Joel

    04/05/2016 at 3:43 pm

    Just got the V10 this week. Seems the battery is used up before the end the day. I do some streaming on Pandora. Other wise emails, messages and calls. Anybody experiencing the same thing. Do u think I might have a defective battery. Got the phone from Assurion and they promised it was a brand new phone not refurbished. Did not use the phone till about 5 pm today and it is down 49% by 6:40 Pm after some phone calls and messages.

  20. Douglas Doolittle

    04/09/2016 at 7:14 pm

    Well V10 players I also have one and it’s doing just great. But I did have a protected screen added to my phone at the purchase of it. That was only since the end of Feburary. It started to separate the layers of the material that was used. After it covered a third of the screen I took it off. If they make the protected layer over the screen better I might get another.

  21. Debbie

    06/30/2016 at 11:37 am

    My V10 won’t focus on anything, no matter how many times I tap the screen. Any suggestions??

  22. RonDon

    07/21/2016 at 4:21 am

    My second screen isn’t working, neither is my home or recent buttons. The back button works perfectly fine though. Any suggestions?

  23. Mika Hakkinen

    05/05/2017 at 12:38 pm

    Marketing-driven, like so many products.
    Overkill on screen resolution wastes energy
    Overkill on photo size/resolution makes it impossible to email
    No adjustment permitted for latter which is ridiculous

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