Hi all, I'm in dilemma of choosing either O4X or xperia v (both with very similar price now).
I'm not a hardcore gamer nor like custom rom type, I just want a :

1) stable and decent phone enough for basic function like phone calling, whatsapp, Skye, some simple game, web browsing, wifi porting etc
2) decent battery, though can't expect much from smartphone nowadays, but at least not 2-3 times charging with my daily activities mentioned above.
3) smooth and no lag even with normal multi tasking. No severe hang, lag, overheat issue
4) good camera for photo and video recording (I need it as my pocket phone too to snap my son and daughter frequently)
5) able to last me at least 1-2 years without the needs of next upgrade.

Overall I love both design, XV having advantage of a better camera, LTE and water splash/dust proof (the latter 2 criterias are good, but not must to me).
However, I worry XV dual core processor can't cope up with the upcoming apps and is upgrade.
Whereas for O4X, it's hardware seems strong and should still good enough to last for 1-2 years more (still meeting the above mentioned major criterias), but from what I read online and this thread about the comments of O4X, I'm worry it fail to meet my criteria 2,3,4 mentioned above. Even with the latest JB official upgrade from LG, it seems more worse performance on certain area. Well, I see in xda forum that O4X can run smooth and stable with some custom rom. If it's true, I'm will to try since it only one time pain.

So, mind the users here share your comments?
(Sorry for my long writting)

My budget is around rm900, that's why this phone and most of sony xperia dual core (V,T,S etc) phone meet my requirement.

I'm currently using an old single core 1Ghz xperia phone, bought about a year ago, but after upgraded to ICS few months ago, I know I need to start looking for a new phone soon. Because of this, I'm a bit scare of choosing dual core xperia phone as my next upgrade, it may work fine in ICS and JB now, but not sure after 1 year will face the sane fate as my current phone now.
Therefore base on spec wise, O4X should suit well, but concern is on the known stability, smoothness, heat issues etc as discuss widely from the users.

OK, let say if I really choose O4X, should I maintain it at ICS, straightly upgrade to JB or straightly go to custom rom (base on my criteria stated earlier) ?

So, still better use custom rom? Sound like CM rom is the best choice since it's close to original? How about just root the original rom and remove all built in bloat ware? Will it help o improve battery?

OK, so sounds like the best system for O4X is flash the original LG kernel will do (either with stock or custom rom like cm), right?
So far I only has experience of doing rooting in my xperia phone (just to remove built in Sony built I'm apps to free up memory), totally noop on kernel flashing nor custom rom changing.
Can some kind soul here mind to give a brief step by step explaination of how to flash kernel, custom rom etc? Or maybe share some link of how to do so? I've read some xda posting, but most of it are too 'advanced' for newbie like me to fully understand and too much info to search through.

I would like to know how troublesome of changing stock kernel and rom before I make my final decision of getting this phone or not.
Thanks in advance.

Great, I'm looking forward for your tutorial then

Well, base on xda, the best custom kernel that suit the stock ROM should be from iodak v06. Maybe brother waja can further comment since he's using it now.

BTW, can any O4X user comment on how's this camera quality? I search through the web and seems like this phone is suffering the auto focus problem in both photo and video capturing (read from review below :

http://www.trustedreviews.com/lg-optimus-4...-verdict_Page-2

Wonder is the custom kernel may help to solve this issue?

About the camera quality, is it really that bad? Especially the auto focus issue?
I read on xda that the JB update should have improved it.

I find that phonearena did a comparison between O4X vs SGS3 :
http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/LG-Optim...I_id3060/page/3

If you look at the video comparison towards the end of the clip, you can see the O4X can't focus well on the S3 phone.

Ai....that's why it's triggering my dilemma again of chosing between this or Sony xperia v since good camera is one of my main criteria too.

Great to know that you are also a Sony xperia user before. Generally how you rate the camera quality between O4X vs Ion? I mean sure not on the pixel since it's 8 vs 13MB, but how about the response, focus, capturing time (will Ion may take longer time to do shooting in 13MB quality photo, especially in multi tasking mode) and the real image quality?

Well, after thinking deeply again, think I'll make my decision to choose the xperia phone.
LG...hope will have chance to try it in future.

Ha..ha... will sure look into that, but need to wait its price drop till current O4X pricing first

Most likely 1 year later I'll come out another dilemma of choosing Optimus G/G Pro or Xperia Z

Hi bro waja, about the mentioned auto focus issue, is it still as bad as per this video link shown?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rZF5k6aBU...be_gdata_player

Is the JB upgrade or custom kernel or rom solve this issue?

Thanks for your confirmation. I've seen the some video review about O4X lately and found that this phone really attracting me and the camera quality (put aside the auto focus issue) is not bad IMO. That's why if the auto focus issue already solved with JB, I would say well...I'm 50-50 again to reconsider this phone over xperia V.

BTW, even with official JB updated, the iodak custom kernel still functioning well with stock rom and improve the overall phone performance in term of speed, stable, smoothness, battery etc, right?

Bro waja, how do you judge the camera performance of O4X better than xperia v? Mind further elaborate?

Oh..sorry, I misinterpreted it, you say camera wise xperia v better, just overall performance O4X better.
Maybe in my heart I wish you saying camera also better in o4x so that I can more justify of choosing it

Ha..ha..with limited budget, really tough choice.
Well, really need to think deep again.

Finally I've bought the 4X today
If possible., may need sifu, especially Bro waja show how to flash to custom kernel. TIA

Ha..ha..really 'lucky ' I am, my new phone having screen defect after using less than 5 min. Luckily able to exchange a new set just now, hope it won't reappear in this phone.