I had a lot of questions and concerns before buying this phone, as I assume many people do. So I wanted to share my entirely positive experiences and provide some key info.
I purchased this phone on May 12, 2016 for $309.99, and the seller at the time was Mango Wireless. The seller keeps changing and as of this moment it is being sold directly by Amazon.
It was brand new, with the sticker still over the screen, and all original cables, battery, and paperwork in sealed plastic.
It was already running Android Marshmallow.
The phone is from US Cellular, the US991, is unlocked, and was never activated on US Cellular and has no carrier logo or any branding other than LG's.
I wanted to be sure this phone would work on Straight Talk. Several customer reviews stated that it worked, and yes, it does. But, two Straight Talk customer service reps told me the phone would be incompatible because US Cellular phones are not supported by them. Fortunately, those reps were wrong. If you have any issues like that, explain to them that the phone is GSM, UNLOCKED, NEVER ACTIVATED ON US CELLULAR. Then they'll work with you. I had to tell both reps the same thing twice.
But really, you shouldn't even have to deal with that if you're happy with getting a new phone number. I only began live chat with them because I wanted to port over the number from my old cell phone, which is a bit complicated. (By the way, if you DO want to port over an old number, I suggest you begin live chat or call customer support BEFORE activating the phone with the SIM card. Once you activate the SIM card, Straight Talk gives you a phone number. At that point, you can no longer port another number, and will have to buy another SIM card. You can just buy the $0.99 compatible SIM card, without springing for another $60 activation kit, so it's not a big deal. Just means a second trip--for me.)
The $60 Straight Talk activation kit found in Walmart stores worked without a hitch. For this phone, you use the micro SIM card which is in packet 1, and is attached to a dark blue card. It will look like a standard sized SIM card, but simply detach the smaller micro card at the perforations from the larger standard card. The phone's SIM card port is also where a MicroSD card would go. There are two slots, one on top of the other. Insert the SIM card in the lower slot. (The SD card, if you choose to get one, will go in the upper slot.) If you look very closely you will see a diagram on there.
As for the APN settings, which need to be adjusted in order for messaging and picture messaging to work, Straight Talk has now made that process unbelievably simple. Once you activate the phone, they send you a text with a file that automatically adjusts those APN settings. You simply click "install" right there in the text and within 1 second, the settings are done and messaging and picture messaging will work.
As for the phone itself...well, I've only had it a few days. For the first two days, I was using it without service because I hadn't bought the activation kit yet. At that stage, the battery life was simply unbelievable. The first day, I left the house at 100%, and 3 hours later at work after having done very little with the phone other than look at some settings, make some adjustments to the homescreen, and show it off to my co-workers, the battery was STILL at 100%. I've never seen anything like it before. A total of 10 hours after taking it off the charger, and using it mildly, it was at 94%.
The second day, I hooked up my Bluetooth headphones and listened to music at work for about 3 hours. My other phone usage was about the same as the day before. Ten hours later, the battery was at 87%!
Cell service itself does cause some battery drain, so now that the phone is activated I no longer expect to get those numbers. And of course, once you start installing all of your apps, the usual battery drain will begin. Out of the box and after installing just a couple of essential apps, I had no wakelocks.
Here's something to know about the screen: It's IPS Quantum display, and 4K (UHD). My old Samsung Galaxy S3 has a Super Amoled display. That amoled display is more vivid than the LG, but the LG is no slouch at all. With an amoled display, bright wallpapers cause battery drain. Perhaps an extra 5% over a day. So it is advised to use a pitch black background with amoled screens. With the LG's IPS display, it doesn't matter how bright or colorful your wallpaper is. The only thing that will drain the battery is, of course, pumping up the screen brightness in the settings.
Bluetooth performance was another big concern of mine. Not that I'd heard anything negative about the G4, quite the contrary in fact. But my experiences before this phone, with the S3 and an iPhone 4S were a bit disappointing. I couldn't really pinpoint the source of the occasional dropouts, stutters, and various glitches...was it the phone or the headphones? Well, I feel I can finally put that question to bed. The LG G4's Bluetooth performance is utterly flawless (so far, at least). In the 5 hours I've used Bluetooth up to now, there was, truly, not one single dropout, stutter, pause, or any other issue. It was the first time I've ever had a stellar BT experience. If you're planning on using Bluetooth, I give this phone my endorsement.
By the way, I'd read about LG phones having a volume limiter. Supposedly, if you push the volume past a certain point, a warning pops up about hearing loss. According to the reviews I read, that warning would pop up every time you tried to exceed that volume level, and you had to click on it to proceed. Well, no volume limiter on this particular phone. Did I get lucky? No idea. When I use Bluetooth, I crank the phone's volume to the max, then adjust as needed at the headphones. This worked perfectly. Also, the volume of the phone, via Bluetooth, is incredibly loud. Much more so than my S3.
That's about all I can tell you for now. I mostly wanted to get the Straight Talk information out there for other users like me.
The phone is super thin and super light, surprisingly so given its 5.5" display. I've found no lag whatsoever in any usage, it looks beautiful, performs perfectly, and seems like a real winner. If my experience goes South, I'll be sure to update you. Hope this was helpful.
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From the manufacturer
LG G4 Unlocked
See the Great. Feel the Great.
The drive to create an exceptional visual experience has brought us to this: A ground-breaking camera and display, and cutting-edge design and fabrication, all in the palm of your hand.
16 MP Rear-Facing Camera:
- f/1.8 Low Light Lens
- Manual Mode
- Improved Laser Detection Auto Focus and OIS 2.0
- Color Spectrum Sensor
- 5.5 inch IPS Quantum Display Resolution - 2560 x 1440 (Quad HD), 538 ppi
- Platform OS - Android OS, v5.1 (Lollipop)
- Chipset - Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor with X10 LTE
- CPU - 1.8GHz 64-bit Hexa-Core
- GPU - Adreno 418
- Removable 3,000 mAh Battery
- Memory Card slot - Supports up to 2TB microSD card*
- Internal - 32 GB (available user memory will be less), 3 GB RAM
- Compatible with both GSM and CDMA carriers
- US version with warranty
*microSD card sold separately.
Features
Forward-thinking design with a classic touch
In creating the LG G4, LG designers took inspiration from everywhere to create an ergonomic, gently contoured device crafted from timeless materials.
As a result, the smartphone has never looked — or felt — so good.
See the bigger picture. And capture it.
Photographers and amateurs have something new in common: the LG G4. With its f/1.8 low-light lens, Manual Mode, Optical Image Stabilization, Laser Autofocus, and high-res image sensors, the smartphone is finally getting a pro-grade upgrade.
Look on the brilliant side.
The 5.5 inch IPS Quantum display on the new LG G4 is brighter, more colorful, and
has more contrast than ever before. It’s our boldest and most brilliant yet, kind of like the LG G4 itself.
Additional Features
The power you need. Plus a little more.
With improved processing and battery management, the all-new LG G4 is the perfect balance of speed and endurance.
What is an unlocked phone?
An unlocked phone is a device that is not bound to any carrier or plan. It allows you to choose your phone first and your carrier second. Upon selecting a plan, simply insert the carrier's SIM card into the phone and you're ready to go. If you decide you want to change carriers down the road or want to take an international trip, it's as simple as replacing your existing SIM card with a new SIM and activating your new plan.
What are the benefits of an unlocked phone?
Freedom: Choose the carrier with the best service or price. If you find a better deal later, you have the ability to change to a different carrier.
Travel: Take your phone internationally and use the carrier of your choice. It's as easy as inserting an active SIM card.
Selection: Choose the phone with the features you want, whether or not your carrier sells it, and get more service options without a contract.
How do I set up my unlocked phone?
The first thing you’ll need is a SIM card for your desired carrier. When activated, the SIM card will let your phone connect to your carrier’s network. If you decide to upgrade to a newer unlocked phone in the future, you can easily remove the SIM card from your old phone and put it in your new phone—just make sure you get the right size of SIM card (nano, micro, or standard) for your phone. If you want to use your phone while traveling internationally, you can easily buy a SIM card for a carrier that operates where you’re traveling. As long as it’s activated, you can just swap SIM cards when you arrive at your destination.
Still a Powerful Phone.
If the new LG G5 is way to expensive for you, the previous LG G4 still a great power machine. Bought it as a second unit for my work and I'm using it more than my personal one. The pictures are AMAZING. My only complaint is tat it uses power to fast to last you an entire day of normal use. It could be a defective battery but at this point I'm not sure.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2016
- Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
