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Galaxy nexus drops to $349, re-evaluating galaxy s III purchase?

Just saw that the nexus was dropping to $349 officially from the play store, to coincide with google i/o. That phone wasnt even in my radar until now. The s iii will most likely stay at $550-600 ebay prices for a while due to limited quantity. Its even higher right now as it hasnt fully launched in a lot of markets. Is it worth the $200-300 extra price if one wants to get a contract free phone?
The other thing i want to know is color temp. The phonearena comparison ideo between the two clearly show how much bluer the s iii is and the nexus is much whiter, making webviewing better since the black text on white is better looking and higher ontrast than black on blue. Will turning on cinema or natural mode make the s iii look like the nexus?
That $349 midrange price is very temptng. And they both have 720p screens and (to me) negligible performance differences. The play tore even states it already has jelly bean.

Well if you plan on custom OS I suppose the nexus is worthwhile.
I would want the camera and S Beam but if nothing else aside from S3 can use S Beam I suppose you could leave that out.
Does the nexus have the microSD slot? I know one Nexus didn't...
Sent from my MB870 using xda premium

Thought about it. But sticking with my plan of purchasing the S3. Camera is much better and so is everything else. I would think AOSP rooms will roll out quickly for the S3 so I wouldn't worry about not getting JB.

Zaf9670 said:
Does the nexus have the microSD slot? I know one Nexus didn't...
Sent from my MB870 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
nope, no micro SD slot on he Gnex

I came from the nexus. Its good but its not the gs3.
Better screen
Better camera
Smoother (stock s3 vs custom Rom kernel on nexus)
More ram (US version)
In addition we will ultimately have aosp roms. We will also have many variant of touchwiz, something they will not have.
Honestly, Google devices are over rated unless you are the type that doesn't root and flash custom roms.

Aridon said:
I came from the nexus. Its good but its not the gs3.
Better screen
Better camera
Smoother (stock s3 vs custom Rom kernel on nexus)
More ram (US version)
In addition we will ultimately have aosp roms. We will also have many variant of touchwiz, something they will not have.
Honestly, Google devices are over rated unless you are the type that doesn't root and flash custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with every thing you said except the last part.....for myself I am a serious FLASHAHOLIC.....I mean bad....I have a whole stack of devices I mess with....
The Gnex is Zoolander...it only has one look. Flashing Samsung and other brands you will always have two bases which means twice the fun.....it is well known the Gnex is a developers phone.....leave it for them.
Sent from........Somewhere In Time

tylerdurdin said:
I agree with every thing you said except the last part.....for myself I am a serious FLASHAHOLIC.....I mean bad....I have a whole stack of devices I mess with....
The Gnex is Zoolander...it only has one look. Flashing Samsung and other brands you will always have two bases which means twice the fun.....it is well known the Gnex is a developers phone.....leave it for them.
Sent from........Somewhere In Time
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Click to collapse
That is what I said...

If I were paying for the phone, yes I would immediately switch my purchase to the Galaxy Nexus. The lack of expandable memory really, really stinks, but I could buy almost two Galaxy Nexus phones for the price of one SIII (I'm on T-Mobile), and I know I could live with a smaller portable music collection for that kind of difference.

I am waiting for $325 or$300 then pulling the trigger. anyone know the return policy for ATT Premier?

Aridon said:
That is what I said...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah sorry.....missed the ..."doesn't".....that was a key word.
On that note.....well said man.....well said.
Sent from........Somewhere In Time

Galaxy S III vs Jellybean GNex

I'm so tired of people with GNex's geeking out over JB. Few people in my Android G+ Circle claimed it's a waste of money to get anything other than a Nexus.
Jellybean is cool....but the hardware is just not up to par with the new Android heavy hitters. I'll wait for the new GNex and decide on keeping the GS3 or jumping ship.

brushrop03 said:
I'm so tired of people with GNex's geeking out over JB. Few people in my Android G+ Circle claimed it's a waste of money to get anything other than a Nexus.
Jellybean is cool....but the hardware is just not up to par with the new Android heavy hitters. I'll wait for the new GNex and decide on keeping the GS3 or jumping ship.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jelly Bean is way smoother and faster than ICS for sure BUTTTT GS3's will be even faster when we get CM10 so I am not really too upset. Source was released today so we should have some roms within a week or two(optimistically).
It's really at your discretion. Basically Nexus is software, it's the latest and greatest and most natural google experience. You get a non nexus device, it's all about the latest hardware, better Processor, more/faster ram, better gpu, better screen, stuff like that.
So you want software and wait another year for better hardware or you want hardware and wait a few weeks-months after source is released to get the latest (buggy somewhat to a certain point) software.

brushrop03 said:
I'm so tired of people with GNex's geeking out over JB. Few people in my Android G+ Circle claimed it's a waste of money to get anything other than a Nexus.
Jellybean is cool....but the hardware is just not up to par with the new Android heavy hitters. I'll wait for the new GNex and decide on keeping the GS3 or jumping ship.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you I had the GNex and it's a great phone, very fast for every thing. Except for gaming. Sure it runs 2D games good but when I got to the 3D games like Shadowgun and such the hardware starts showing its age.

Serious_Beans said:
Jelly Bean is way smoother and faster than ICS for sure BUTTTT GS3's will be even faster when we get CM10 so I am not really too upset. Source was released today so we should have some roms within a week or two(optimistically).
It's really at your discretion. Basically Nexus is software, it's the latest and greatest and most natural google experience. You get a non nexus device, it's all about the latest hardware, better Processor, more/faster ram, better gpu, better screen, stuff like that.
So you want software and wait another year for better hardware or you want hardware and wait a few weeks-months after source is released to get the latest (buggy somewhat to a certain point) software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I played with my friends GNex w/Jellybean for a hour or so this weekend and I didn't find it to be any faster than my GS3. Slower at doing intensive stuff. Mind you I running a tweaked Kernel, JB Transition Mod, and Nova Launcher (which is waaaayyy faster than Touchwiz launcher).
If the new GNex comes with Key Lime Pie this year, i'd probably jump all over that. I just don't think its worth buying a GNex now over the GS3 or One X.

I'm on the fence. My friend let me borrow a nexus running jb he got at Google io, and my s3 is powered off. I'm debating returning the s3. I really enjoy the vanilla experience. I'm not a very big phone gamer.
I can never make up my mind
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

outz said:
I'm on the fence. My friend let me borrow a nexus running jb he got at Google io, and my s3 is powered off. I'm debating returning the s3. I really enjoy the vanilla experience. I'm not a very big phone gamer.
I can never make up my mind
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, if you can wait and just run ICS for about a month to two months, we should be getting some stable JB roms by then.

I am sure the sgs3 is better then the gnex.
But I must say I love my gnex.
I use to have a sgs2 and thought it was great. Even after my gnex came I was a little disappointed. But now after a week of rocking the gnex i can say wow what a difference. I use to rom my sgs2, and run the latest buggy roms. But it always felt forced. The devs are great and without them android wouldn't be what it is today.
But the nexus experience is awesome. With jelly coming soon(offical ota) and the promise of klp I will rock this phone until next google I/o.
Granted my sgs2 was a cdma phone so it was a little behind the the gsm counterparts. And I love what Samsung does, but they are a little slow with updates or releases.
Another thing I would like to point out is the gnex(ics), in my hand, which is as smooth if not smoother then your sgs3 is old. I mean there has been 2 if not 3 new processors out since its release. I am proud it is still competing with the newest hardware.
There are some things I wish were better, camera to name one. But still this thing is smooth and sips battery compared to my sgs2 with a Rom of ics.
As far as 3d games go, I don't game on my phone, that's what tablets are for.
Oh and this thing was only $350 sans contact. Now I only pay $45 a month for unlimited everything.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Just wait until the SIII gets Jelly Bean... the comparisons will stop
Sent from my Pebble Blue Samsung Galaxy S III on T-Mobile using XDA Premium HD

sure we'll have to wait, but since we all have top-tier phones, we should all get decent update support from samsung. I'm sure this was part of the reason to release one model in the us (and almost the same model overseas). I prefer better hardware over quicker updates. Besides once cm10 gets going on our devices, it won't matter much. CM10 gs3 vs cm10 gnex, the gs3 will win in a landslide.

brushrop03 said:
I'm so tired of people with GNex's geeking out over JB. Few people in my Android G+ Circle claimed it's a waste of money to get anything other than a Nexus.
Jellybean is cool....but the hardware is just not up to par with the new Android heavy hitters. I'll wait for the new GNex and decide on keeping the GS3 or jumping ship.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jelly Bean is that much better, you have to try it out. It is so great that it made me think / choose between the two phones for a while

After owning the nexus s I realized that I greatly prefer the vanilla android experience. However, the lack of quality in the gnex camera is what led me to choose the sgs3 instead.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

The S III will get JB or CM10 sooner than later with all the dev support for it. Once that happens, it won't even be a contest.
Even with the wait, lets look at these major advantages for the S III.
***Expandable memory*** (this is HUGE)
2gb of ram vs 1gb
Superior GPU
Bigger battery
Yes, since the S III isn't a Nexus device we won't always get the latest and greatest first. But given the hardware and dev support, I wouldn't hesitate to get the S III over the Nexus again.
It'll be a different story once the next Nexus comes out, but that won't be for awhile. I thought about waiting, but the current GSM Nexus didn't come out until April. I don't think the next unlocked GSM Nexus will come out until early 2013 which is a long time from now. I'd rather enjoy my S III and wait for CM10 and enjoy the phone here and now.

brushrop03 said:
I'm so tired of people with GNex's geeking out over JB. Few people in my Android G+ Circle claimed it's a waste of money to get anything other than a Nexus.
Jellybean is cool....but the hardware is just not up to par with the new Android heavy hitters. I'll wait for the new GNex and decide on keeping the GS3 or jumping ship.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
International sgs3 + official cm = win ... Nothing beats that combo.

I have yet to meet a 3D game that lags on my GNex. Come to think of it, I can't think of any apps an S3 can run that I can't. BTW, Jellybean is awesome
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Maverick777 said:
It'll be a different story once the next Nexus comes out, but that won't be for awhile. I thought about waiting, but the current GSM Nexus didn't come out until April. I don't think the next unlocked GSM Nexus will come out until early 2013 which is a long time from now. I'd rather enjoy my S III and wait for CM10 and enjoy the phone here and now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy Nexus was released November of last year (I bought the GSM unlocked when it came out). The next Nexus will most likely be released 4th quarter of this year. That said, I initially told myself I'd wait until the next Nexus to buy another phone, but the GS3 was a little too tempting so I made the leap. I still have my Nexus though, but I'll probably be selling it this week, and pre-ordering the Nexus 7.

mysterioustko said:
The Galaxy Nexus was released November of last year (I bought the GSM unlocked when it came out). The next Nexus will most likely be released 4th quarter of this year. That said, I initially told myself I'd wait until the next Nexus to buy another phone, but the GS3 was a little too tempting so I made the leap. I still have my Nexus though, but I'll probably be selling it this week, and pre-ordering the Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're starting p're orders soon?! Will they release on T-MOBILE ?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Screaming Ball Sweat said:
They're starting p're orders soon?! Will they release on T-MOBILE ?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nexus 7 won't have carrier branded versions

outz said:
I'm on the fence. My friend let me borrow a nexus running jb he got at Google io, and my s3 is powered off. I'm debating returning the s3. I really enjoy the vanilla experience. I'm not a very big phone gamer.
I can never make up my mind
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. I don't know what to say.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

djricekcn said:
Jelly Bean is that much better, you have to try it out. It is so great that it made me think / choose between the two phones for a while
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used JB for a hour or two on my friend's GNex. It was nice. Huge improvement over Gnex with ICS. But with the custom kernels and JB Mods in these forums, I couldn't say it is worth buying over the GS3. THe next Gnex...different story.
outz said:
I'm on the fence. My friend let me borrow a nexus running jb he got at Google io, and my s3 is powered off. I'm debating returning the s3. I really enjoy the vanilla experience. I'm not a very big phone gamer.
I can never make up my mind
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say just wait until the new one. You're wasting money buying the current GNex with the new one coming out this year. Wait for CM9 port.
mlin said:
After owning the nexus s I realized that I greatly prefer the vanilla android experience. However, the lack of quality in the gnex camera is what led me to choose the sgs3 instead.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah hardware is way better. Not just camera but screen also. Expandable storage
mysterioustko said:
The Galaxy Nexus was released November of last year (I bought the GSM unlocked when it came out). The next Nexus will most likely be released 4th quarter of this year. That said, I initially told myself I'd wait until the next Nexus to buy another phone, but the GS3 was a little too tempting so I made the leap. I still have my Nexus though, but I'll probably be selling it this week, and pre-ordering the Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. No point getting current GNex.

I've had the GNex for a while now and I wasn't expecting to be as impressed with the S3 as I have been, during the short period of time that I have had it.
Most everybody knows the strong and weak points of the GNex by now, so I'm just going list the areas where I think the s3 really outclasses it. First off battery life, battery life, battery life! Yeah I said that three times. The reason is because I literally get about three times the battery length that I got with the GNex, with essentially the same size battery. I don't get it at all but I am getting crazy battery life, even with the screen cranked up to about 75% brightness, when I used to leave the GNex on auto brightness. This alone is enough of an advantage to recommend the S3. On top of this the S3 also has a considerably better processor, an sd card slot, better build quality, much better camera, much better speakers, and seems to get a better signal as well.
I love the GNex for many reasons, I don't plan on selling it as I will probably still activate it from time to time, but I don't think that there is any question about which is a better everyday phone. I even like a lot of the features of touchwiz, the overall look of the UI is pretty much hideous in my opinion though. I hope to be able to run a touchwiz based rom that is themed like aosp, with on screen buttons some time in the near future. I think that I could be thoroughly satisfied with that for a long time.

Should I sell my N4 for the Galaxy S4?

Been playing with my Nexus 4 since a few weeks now but the Galaxy S4 is looking very tempting, especially the display. Should I sell my N4 now and save the moolah to purchase the Galaxy S4?
I don't think I would be getting a better value later on. How many of you are planning to sell off the N4 for the samsung galaxy S4?

bagmar.rakesh said:
Been playing with my Nexus 4 since a few weeks now but the Galaxy S4 is looking very tempting, especially the display. Should I sell my N4 now and save the moolah to purchase the Galaxy S4?
I don't think I would be getting a better value later on. How many of you are planning to sell off the N4 for the samsung galaxy S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i will be selling N4 for S4 need LTE

Won't sell my Nexus 4 until I get my Nexus 5
I had an S3, and I've not totally given up on Samsung after all the fuss over sources for developers etc, not what I like to see. Very happy still with my Nexus 4, nothing to make me consider an 'upgrade' (and I normally always demand the latest and greatest).

As for your first question, it's really entirely down to opinion. If you don't want any of the newer hardware on the GS4 (i.e. 1080p screen, octa-core processor, 13MP camera etc.) then don't bother. I personally don't see it as worth it at all. I would never be able to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p screens, I can't conceive of any task in the foreseeable future which the S4 Pro won't be able to handle, I don't use my camera too much and I don't need the expandable storage. Your opinion may well differ, and at the end of the day you definitely won't be able to get a definitive answer to this as it's all down to opinion.
As for the second question, there's already a thread in the Q&A about this (in which the vast majority of people answered no).

The only way id sell my n4 is to maybe get a n5. The s4 didnt really impress me an all of its new features seem gimmicky

No
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Yes.
Why, so someone that wants and will enjoy the n4 will get it, and then you can get and use what you want as well..
I'm thinking I'll eventually sell mine to get an xphone, maybe.. For the meanwhile I'm enjoying it

hopefully n5 will be better so no..who the hell likes touchwiz anyways

All these new phones could make your tea and replace your loved one in the bedroom for all i care they are all more than double the price so they can shove them where the sun doesn't shine.

*IF* the S4 is easy to develop for (probably not), then I would. The Nexus is only great in terms of development support. As a hardware platform, it's just meh....
- Horrible battery life compared to competing phones
- Screen not calibrated
- No LTE
- No SD card
- Only 16gb

bagmar.rakesh said:
Been playing with my Nexus 4 since a few weeks now but the Galaxy S4 is looking very tempting, especially the display. Should I sell my N4 now and save the moolah to purchase the Galaxy S4?
I don't think I would be getting a better value later on. How many of you are planning to sell off the N4 for the samsung galaxy S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's like saying should I trade my playboy playmate girlfriend for some fat ugly chic? If that's what you're into then go for it.

Just remember your N4 will get the next version of Android and the features that will bring, your S4? Well you may have to wait a while to get version 5 of Android! Sure the S4 may have better specs but software is just as important as hardware!

dmo580 said:
*IF* the S4 is easy to develop for (probably not), then I would. The Nexus is only great in terms of development support. As a hardware platform, it's just meh....
- Horrible battery life compared to competing phones
- Screen not calibrated
- No LTE
- No SD card
- Only 16gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Battery has been great for me, better than sensation and mt4g.
2. Can be done with apps, I tuned mine based off of an oled, love the screen now
3. It does, users are using lte now
4. This was known prior to release
5. Also previously known prior to release
Expandable storage would make nexus an unfair competing device, Google must still cooperate with other manufacturers...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

personally i think that the SGS4 is a great phone BUT I don't see any reason for us (the moderate users) to take a leap for it and thats why:
the nexus 4 is amazingly fast, battery is just fine and if u need more than that get a portable charger, PURE android and fast updates so u don't get tied to the manufacturer's good will, I don't like the Super AMOLED display to my eyes the colors are too saturated but that doesnt mean they are not good.
i've bought the nexus after having 4 HTC devices and i must say pure android device is an another league, the custom UI is just slowing it down.
and so about the Exynos 5 Octa
this is NOT a real Octa core. this processor packs tow quad cores
4-cortex A7 @1.6ghz for power 'saving'
4-cortex A15 @ 1.2ghz for performance.
i dont believe in this concept but maybe it's just me.....
so i dont see reason to buy the sgs4 while u can enjoy the nexus 4.
just my opinion.....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

I'm more tempted to the HTC One but Nexus 5 rumors are 1337

Never ever !
I had the S3 before, i gave it to my son and enjoy the N4 now.
I love bug-free custom ROMs, you will never have this on a Samsung product.

http://mblog.gsmarena.com/cyanogenmod-wont-develop-for-the-galaxy-s4/
Just further confirmation that the development landscape for the s4 will be very barren

dmo580 said:
*IF* the S4 is easy to develop for (probably not), then I would. The Nexus is only great in terms of development support. As a hardware platform, it's just meh....
- Horrible battery life compared to competing phones
- Screen not calibrated
- No LTE
- No SD card
- Only 16gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Go ahead and try different roms an kernels, you can double your screen on time with the right combination.
- Go ahead and try different kernels, as an example, the recomended values that comes with franco will blow your mind away.
- Well you have a point there, me personally don't need that LTE speed.
4,5 - Well, I don't really understand why people needs more than 16gb in a phone, is your phone a cinema theater or something that has tons of movies to store or what?

First nexus phone for me after an S2 and an S3. I'm never moving to any other device unless it's the next nexus. Nuff said.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

yoft1 said:
http://mblog.gsmarena.com/cyanogenmod-wont-develop-for-the-galaxy-s4/
Just further confirmation that the development landscape for the s4 will be very barren
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CM team debunked that.
https://plus.google.com/117962666888533781522/posts/7jywLJdswki
Setting Device Expectations
Let’s start with the simplest form of this: CyanogenMod does not pre-announce support or lack of support for devices. Ever. Even for the Nexus 4, we did not announce support until a nightly build was available. Further, any announcement regarding the ‘dropping’ of device support will be communicated via this Google+ page, Twitter, Facebook, our blog, or a combination of those; it will not be something buried in a forum post.
This morning, a comment from a CM collaborator on XDA was taken to be as an ‘absolute’ in regards to support of the S4. He offered the opinion of four TeamHacksung maintainers, their frustrations and lack of interest in supporting the S4. What’s seemingly lost on those reading this is that his comments as an individual do not speak for CyanogenMod as an organization.
As for the team’s stance on the S4, there isn’t one at this time, and most definitely won’t be one before the device is sold at retail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should add that whether you sell your Nexus 4 to buy an S4 is completely up to you. That is an extremely personal decision, and only the OP can decide that. Anything else is just everyone else's personal opinion, and is usually going to go between people who actually use and love the Nexus 4 (or Nexus in general), and those who don't but post here anyway. Being as this is the Nexus 4 board, I would think the question is most likely going to be slanted in one direction.

[Q] Upgrade from Nexus 4 to GS4? Key Lime Pie?

I am considering buying the Samsung Galaxy S IV as I am eligible for an upgrade. I currently have the Nexus 4 which is still a very good phone. I am considering upgrading to the GS4 for a few reasons. The main reason is because of the amazing display on the GS4. I love to have a good display. The camera is also better and so is the processor. I also think the GS4 feels better in the hand and is more durable.
My main issue with the GS4 is Touchwiz. I am a purist and hate anything that changes Android from stock. I want to make sure if I buy this phone that eventually there will be stable stock ROMs available to flash on this phone. I also was wondering if you guys think the GS4 will ever get Key Lime pie when it finally comes out.
The GS4 looks like an amazing phone but if I can not get rid of touchwiz that is a deal breaker for me.
So what's the verdict?

If I were you, I'd wait a while, at least until Dan releases his bootloader unlock exploit. Until then, it's Touchwiz City!

why get a samsung if you like pure aosp? and this device will definitely be getting klp in addition to the 4.3 update that's rumored to be announced soon to unify all of google's chat apps. it was only just released, and supposedly both 4.3 and 5 are supposed to be out before the end of the year. if samsung can't keep up with updates for a phone within the first year of it being released they might as well give up on being a phone manufacturer.

Pixel size ≠ better picture quality. I wouldn't call the GS4 a significant upgrade from a LGN4. Same fab process at 28 nm, same L0, L1, and L2 caches, same GPU the minor cpu speed bump that the SGS4 has is definitely offset by touchwiz and it's ram hogging features.
Also you'll receive KLP no problem I guarantee.. the GS4 JUST came out man haha.. As far as getting rid of touchwiz Seeing as how there is already some for of early nightlies of CM10.1 for the T-Mobile GS4, you can bet your ass that once the bootloader is unlocked we'll receive it very quickly.
Seems like you should stick to the LGN4 for now.

mcmb03 said:
why get a samsung if you like pure aosp? and this device will definitely be getting klp in addition to the 4.3 update that's rumored to be announced soon to unify all of google's chat apps. it was only just released, and supposedly both 4.3 and 5 are supposed to be out before the end of the year. if samsung can't keep up with updates for a phone within the first year of it being released they might as well give up on being a phone manufacturer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why get a Samsung? Because the hardware is great and as long as I can flash an AOSP ROM what's the difference? The bigger screen and the Super AMOLED display are the key reasons for me. The better camera is a nice perk. I like my Nexus 4 it's just...I don't know there are a lot of little things that bug me. Maybe I should wait for the bootloader to officially be unlocked.
I can sell my Nexus 4 for at least $250 and buy the Galaxy S4 for $200. If I were to wait what phone should I wait for? I like the Nexus experience as far as software goes but Samsung has better hardware and a lot of benefits like a Polycarbonate design, Gorilla Glass 3, a removable battery, an SD Card, and that beautiful screen.
As long as I can flash an AOSP ROM I see no reason not to get the GS4. Am I wrong?

Samsung and AT&T are generally pretty bad about pushing out updates..
Key Lime Pie might hit the S4 6 months (probably longer than that) or so after it's on the Nexus.
If we get the bootloader unlocked then I am sure a dev will have it available pretty quick after it's released..

jedinegotiator said:
Why get a Samsung? Because the hardware is great and as long as I can flash an AOSP ROM what's the difference? The bigger screen and the Super AMOLED display are the key reasons for me. The better camera is a nice perk. I like my Nexus 4 it's just...I don't know there are a lot of little things that bug me. Maybe I should wait for the bootloader to officially be unlocked.
I can sell my Nexus 4 for at least $250 and buy the Galaxy S4 for $200. If I were to wait what phone should I wait for? I like the Nexus experience as far as software goes but Samsung has better hardware and a lot of benefits like a Polycarbonate design, Gorilla Glass 3, a removable battery, an SD Card, and that beautiful screen.
As long as I can flash an AOSP ROM I see no reason not to get the GS4. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may consider waiting for the Nexus 5 which is rumored to be announced in October, just a suggestion?

USMC0341 said:
Pixel size ≠ better picture quality. I wouldn't call the GS4 a significant upgrade from a LGN4. Same fab process at 28 nm, same L0, L1, and L2 caches, same GPU the minor cpu speed bump that the SGS4 has is definitely offset by touchwiz and it's ram hogging features.
Also you'll receive KLP no problem I guarantee.. the GS4 JUST came out man haha.. As far as getting rid of touchwiz Seeing as how there is already some for of early nightlies of CM10.1 for the T-Mobile GS4, you can bet your ass that once the bootloader is unlocked we'll receive it very quickly.
Seems like you should stick to the LGN4 for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mcmb03 said:
You may consider waiting for the Nexus 5 which is rumored to be announced in October, just a suggestion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kind of want to be on a device officially supported by AT&T. My nexus 4 seems does not seem to get as good of coverage as my old Samsung Galaxy S II. Data speeds are for the most part good but sometimes data will just drop in places where my GSII would not. This is especially true when using it while moving in a vehicle. It would also be nice to have LTE.
Also when the Nexus 5 does come out it will probably be low price again from what I have heard. If it is $300 like the Nexus 4 I could easily sell the GS4 for that price and get the Nexus 5 if I really wanted it.

jedinegotiator said:
I kind of want to be on a device officially supported by AT&T. My nexus 4 seems does not seem to get as good of coverage as my old Samsung Galaxy S II. Data speeds are for the most part good but sometimes data will just drop in places where my GSII would not. This is especially true when using it while moving in a vehicle. It would also be nice to have LTE.
Also when the Nexus 5 does come out it will probably be low price again from what I have heard. If it is $300 like the Nexus 4 I could easily sell the GS4 for that price and get the Nexus 5 if I really wanted it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash different radios to see what if any better throughput you can get on your LGN4. That's what I would do. In addition to my GS4 I am using a Galaxy Nexus on ATT and at first the stock radio was awful poor service, bad reception slow download speeds, the works, yet when I would flash a different one, I've seen speeds of up to 10MBPS, and my GS4 is getting between 20-25, 10 is definitely enough for my needs. It is a pain in the ass figuring out the right one for your location but it's well worth it.
My advice to you is to hold of for a few months because one, you will definitely be able to get the GS4 cheaper and two, key lime pie will be hitting Nexus devices soon I'm sure you'll want to try it out. That's one of the reasons, if not THE main reason I haven't sold my Galaxy Nexus yet. The LGN4 is still a formidable device, don't write it off as obsolete just yet. It's a great phone, my only gripe with it was the non removable battery and the glass backing but who knows. Maybe LG will be making a LTE capable similar phone in the foreseeable future! Haha.

mcmb03 said:
You may consider waiting for the Nexus 5 which is rumored to be announced in October, just a suggestion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or do what I'm doing. Used my upgrade to buy my S4 for $200. Then in a few months sell it used for more ~$400 and buy the next Nexus for ~$350.

USMC0341 said:
Flash different radios to see what if any better throughput you can get on your LGN4. That's what I would do. In addition to my GS4 I am using a Galaxy Nexus on ATT and at first the stock radio was awful poor service, bad reception slow download speeds, the works, yet when I would flash a different one, I've seen speeds of up to 10MBPS, and my GS4 is getting between 20-25, 10 is definitely enough for my needs. It is a pain in the ass figuring out the right one for your location but it's well worth it.
My advice to you is to hold of for a few months because one, you will definitely be able to get the GS4 cheaper and two, key lime pie will be hitting Nexus devices soon I'm sure you'll want to try it out. That's one of the reasons, if not THE main reason I haven't sold my Galaxy Nexus yet. The LGN4 is still a formidable device, don't write it off as obsolete just yet. It's a great phone, my only gripe with it was the non removable battery and the glass backing but who knows. Maybe LG will be making a LTE capable similar phone in the foreseeable future! Haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't even know you could flash radios on the Nexus 4. That's not the same as a Kernel is it? I have updated my APNs which incresed data speed substantially but service is still spotty. Call quality doesn't seem to be the best on the Nexus 4 either. People complain that they can't hear me very clearly a lot. Could just be my low monotone voice, lol.
When is Key Lime Pie expected to come out? It should be a pretty large update right? Maybe Google I/O will shed light on this...

jedinegotiator said:
I didn't even know you could flash radios on the Nexus 4. That's not the same as a Kernel is it? I have updated my APNs which incresed data speed substantially but service is still spotty. Call quality doesn't seem to be the best on the Nexus 4 either. People complain that they can't hear me very clearly a lot. Could just be my low monotone voice, lol.
When is Key Lime Pie expected to come out? It should be a pretty large update right? Maybe Google I/O will shed light on this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir, kernel is not the same as radio. There aren't many available yet. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2087227

and so is the processor. I also think the GS4 feels better in the hand and is more durable. lol nexus 4 fells a lot better than plastic and the prossesor u want feel diffenet! at least for now! nexus 4 is super fast! but ofc nexus 4 will get first updates and fast! and u can get the gs4 vanilla android version announced at google I/O and even if not u can flash cyanogen or paranoid or any other [email protected]

I have to choose between N4 and S4

Hello my fellow N4 users,
I think I need your help with this one. I bought my N4 in december last year and I am very happy with it. Since I bought my S2 more than 2 years ago, I began rooting it and since then, I wanted to have a Nexus because of the rooting scene behind it.
I live in Holland and the N4 wasn't going to be sold trough the official way. So I went to a German city close to the Dutch border (2 hours driving) and paid 400 euro for my new N4.
It's running on the newest Rasbeanjelly 4.3 rom with Purified kernel. I am using stuff like Greenify and Awesome beats, Faux sound and so on.
There is just one thing I feel bad about and that's the two scratches on the screen (one of the scratches is about 5 cm.. ) because my case was on it's way and it was New Years Eve (I was drunk lol).
I have also bought the Nexus 7 2nd generation after I sold my old N7. Simply said, I love the Nexus line of Google.
Now, the dilemma. I work in a phone shop and we won a competition and now me and my colleagues will all receive a new Galaxy S4. When I saw this phone for the first time, I immediately love the screen. But when I was comparing by N4 (with PA 4.2.2) against the stock S4 of my friend, my N4 wasn't slower, no, it was even slightly faster. But the holiday pictures my friend took and showed them to me on his beautiful amoled screen were awesome..
Second, if I check out the S4 forums, there is so little AOSP and custom roms for the S4. And I know why, CM said a while ago that they would stop making roms for Samsung phones (or something like that) but it isn't relevant why it is so.
I am a root freak, like al of us here, and I don't want to use stupid Touchwiz. And I think a rooted S4 with the right custom rom can't be worse than a N4, right?!
So here are my questions:
Does anyone have experience with a rooted S4 on a custom rom and does it work and feel as smooth as a N4? (I know, maybe it's better to ask this in a S4 forum, but still)
And what would you recommend me based on the story above and your own opinion? Please, don't give answers like 'you say you love Nexus line and rooting, then it's better for you to stay with the N4, but give me another reason to choose better option. You could also think like I never used a N4 and S4 before but I'm still using my rooted S2, what would you recommend me then...
Besides that, the chance is very very big that I will buy the next Nexus
Thanks!

S4 has a better camera and display. If you must, get a Google edition S4 [EDIT: ROM!]

Get the s4. Sell it. Use the cash to buy the new nexus (nexus 5 or whatever).
Sent from my Nexus 4

flash the google edition rom on your free s4 (I'm very very jealous) and you will (basiccally) have a nexus like device... however I'm not 100% sure it's possible
Sent from my GT-I9070 using Tapatalk 4

Guzanni said:
Hello my fellow N4 users,
I think I need your help with this one. I bought my N4 in december last year and I am very happy with it. Since I bought my S2 more than 2 years ago, I began rooting it and since then, I wanted to have a Nexus because of the rooting scene behind it.
I live in Holland and the N4 wasn't going to be sold trough the official way. So I went to a German city close to the Dutch border (2 hours driving) and paid 400 euro for my new N4.
It's running on the newest Rasbeanjelly 4.3 rom with Purified kernel. I am using stuff like Greenify and Awesome beats, Faux sound and so on.
There is just one thing I feel bad about and that's the two scratches on the screen (one of the scratches is about 5 cm.. ) because my case was on it's way and it was New Years Eve (I was drunk lol).
I have also bought the Nexus 7 2nd generation after I sold my old N7. Simply said, I love the Nexus line of Google.
Now, the dilemma. I work in a phone shop and we won a competition and now me and my colleagues will all receive a new Galaxy S4. When I saw this phone for the first time, I immediately love the screen. But when I was comparing by N4 (with PA 4.2.2) against the stock S4 of my friend, my N4 wasn't slower, no, it was even slightly faster. But the holiday pictures my friend took and showed them to me on his beautiful amoled screen were awesome..
Second, if I check out the S4 forums, there is so little AOSP and custom roms for the S4. And I know why, CM said a while ago that they would stop making roms for Samsung phones (or something like that) but it isn't relevant why it is so.
I am a root freak, like al of us here, and I don't want to use stupid Touchwiz. And I think a rooted S4 with the right custom rom can't be worse than a N4, right?!
So here are my questions:
Does anyone have experience with a rooted S4 on a custom rom and does it work and feel as smooth as a N4? (I know, maybe it's better to ask this in a S4 forum, but still)
And what would you recommend me based on the story above and your own opinion? Please, don't give answers like 'you say you love Nexus line and rooting, then it's better for you to stay with the N4, but give me another reason to choose better option. You could also think like I never used a N4 and S4 before but I'm still using my rooted S2, what would you recommend me then...
Besides that, the chance is very very big that I will buy the next Nexus
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, for me was the price issue. your getting it free (so go for it). You can also convert it to a S4 google edition, here are a few of the links:
http://lifehacker.com/install-google-edition-roms-on-skinned-htc-ones-and-cer-732590116
http://www.technobuffalo.com/videos/how-to-turn-a-galaxy-s4-into-a-google-edition-phone/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-make-android-phone-google-edition/
My question to you is, why would you want to get all the features out of the S4 so you can have 4.3 google version only?
If you need more space, more camera, more power and a bigger screen, well S4 is way to go, and for you is the best way to go, your getting it for FREE.
I'm a nexus owner and former galaxy nexus owner, and I will never trade my newest nexus for any other phone, but maybe that's just me.
Hope this can hep you out!!!

Get yourself N4
It's super AOSP optimized, has great support and it's generally awesome

I hate the S4's appearance and buttons, but the hardware is there. Tough choice, especially with no official word on the new Nexus. I'd get the S4 and flash the Google edition ROM.

hacksome said:
S4 has a better camera and display. If you must, get a Google edition S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I the S4 has better display and better camera. The screen is the best reason I can think of to take the S4.
But like I said, I work in a phone shop and I won this S4 and I don't get to choose between the normal and Google edition. Besides that, I saw that I can easily install the Google Edition rom on my S4 after I rooted it.
tiru.adi13 said:
Get the s4. Sell it. Use the cash to buy the new nexus (nexus 5 or whatever).
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my first intention to do, sell it and wait till the new Nexus comes out and but it. But now I am thinking about using the S4 till the new Nexus comes out. The new Nexus is going to be my new phone after it comes out, no doubt about it.
Treshy said:
flash the google edition rom on your free s4 (I'm very very jealous) and you will (basiccally) have a nexus like device... however I'm not 100% sure it's possible
Sent from my GT-I9070 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I understand you're jealous, I would also be I quickly checked the I9505 forums and yes, I saw a couple of custom roms are available for it. So yes, that is also something that I consider.
zcucurullo said:
Look, for me was the price issue. your getting it free (so go for it). You can also convert it to a S4 google edition, here are a few of the links:
http://lifehacker.com/install-google-edition-roms-on-skinned-htc-ones-and-cer-732590116
http://www.technobuffalo.com/videos/how-to-turn-a-galaxy-s4-into-a-google-edition-phone/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-make-android-phone-google-edition/
My question to you is, why would you want to get all the features out of the S4 so you can have 4.3 google version only?
If you need more space, more camera, more power and a bigger screen, well S4 is way to go, and for you is the best way to go, your getting it for FREE.
I'm a nexus owner and former galaxy nexus owner, and I will never trade my newest nexus for any other phone, but maybe that's just me.
Hope this can hep you out!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the links! I like the fact that Google brought out Google Editions of top phones like S4 and HTC ONE.
Do you mean that you bought the N4 because of the price issue? If it was same price, you would buy the S4? I would also, but the root scene behind the N4 is bigger, you know..
Look, I like the fact that everything that has to do with root, is available for the N4. So IF I get an S4, I surely will root and would like to use AOSP stuff and custom roms, but also some mods that need root.
I don't need more space, but the bigger/better screen and camera are a plus.
I also said after I got my N4 that I would never use or buy another phone than a Nexus, but getting the S4 for free changed my mind..
maxio1998 said:
Get yourself N4
It's super AOSP optimized, has great support and it's generally awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know mate, I already own the Nexus for 10 months now it's awesome.

I just got a Nexus 4 1 week ago and I'm loving it so far. Comparing to to my sisters S4, my modded Nexus is so much better (PA 3.99 + Franco r178 + Hospital's Color Profile). By activating Pie and enabling full screen, there so little difference to the screen size of the Nexus and s4. Actually, my Nexus 4 seems to have better screen colors than the stock S4 (thanks to the color profile).

Nitemare3219 said:
I hate the S4's appearance and buttons, but the hardware is there. Tough choice, especially with no official word on the new Nexus. I'd get the S4 and flash the Google edition ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exacly my thoughts. I don't hate it appearance and the buttons, but I like the the appearance of the N4. The hardware is undoubtly better.
Well, if the new Nexus comes out, I will sell my N4 or S4 and get it as soon as I can
Yeah, though decision it is. I am very curious about an S4 running on stock android actually. But if I test it on my new S4, and try to sell it afterwards, the price will be lower, because it isn't sealed anymore.

epidemic11 said:
I just got a Nexus 4 1 week ago and I'm loving it so far. Comparing to to my sisters S4, my modded Nexus is so much better (PA 3.99 + Franco r178 + Hospital's Color Profile). By activating Pie and enabling full screen, there so little difference to the screen size of the Nexus and s4. Actually, my Nexus 4 seems to have better screen colors than the stock S4 (thanks to the color profile).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information! N4 is amazing expecially on PA with Franco. But I haven't heard about that Hospital's color profile thing, I will check it out.
But if I get the S4, I will surely root it and get a custom rom on it. I expect the S4 to outclass the N4 when they are both running on a custom rom/kernel, correct me if I'm wrong...

As a former S4 owner i can tell you that softwarewise the S4 is a total failure. It lags, stutters and opening apps and widgets takes way too long. This is soley caused by the poorly optimized software. The N4 on paper seems way less but in real life it feels much more fluid and lags are very very rare.
But that said the screen (not in direct sunlight), speaker and camera of the S4 are better.

The N4 and XDA support is a win win!

in my opinion N4 is better than S4 in performance. N4 has quad core processor and S4 has Octa core (8) processor. According to my speed tests S4 should have more benchmark score than it gets..like n4 gets about 20 to 22 thousand without overclocking in antutu benchmarks but s4 gets only 27 thousand being an octa core. It is very less for 8 core processor at least it should touch 35 to 40 thousand score without overclock.....So this directly indicates that n4 performance is better than s4...and in any way s4 is laest so it will have good screen and camera..but n4 is also awsome...I would recommend to stay with n4 and wait for n5......now its up to you...i think samsung is just a ****...making customers fools.....Thanks if helped....

Del both and get the lg g2, the first droolworthy non nexus android in ages!
------------------------------------------------------
Sent by my right hand, which is not otherwise engaged.
{Nexus ⁴ stock unrooted 4.3 with Kii Keyboard.}

Sturdy_99 said:
in my opinion N4 is better than S4 in performance. N4 has quad core processor and S4 has Octa core (8) processor. According to my speed tests S4 should have more benchmark score than it gets..like n4 gets about 20 to 22 thousand without overclocking in antutu benchmarks but s4 gets only 27 thousand being an octa core. It is very less for 8 core processor at least it should touch 35 to 40 thousand score without overclock.....So this directly indicates that n4 performance is better than s4...and in any way s4 is laest so it will have good screen and camera..but n4 is also awsome...I would recommend to stay with n4 and wait for n5......now its up to you...i think samsung is just a ****...making customers fools.....Thanks if helped....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol , FACEPALM !
The octa core does not mean all 8 cores are active. It's a combination of 4 A15 cores, and 4 low powered A7 cores, a BiG.little architecture.
And 2nd thing, don't rely on benchmarks as a real life performance measure, nexus devices are never good in that field, yet they offer the best user experience (my opinion).
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Honestly, get the s4 and sell it right away. Don't even open the box. Use the money to get the n5 in fall. I see u value community support a lot, so this would be ur number one option. Samsung's support is just crap. Even a Google edition cannot be compared to pure aosp experience of the nexus and is definitely NOT the same! A lot of sources are still closed at Samsung.
Don't forget ur loss of warranty either, once u unlock the bootloader. U need crap like triangle away, a usb dongle or so on to reset the Samsung counter. If ur screen brakes u might be screwed in case of RMA. With a nexus u just lock the bootloader and u r done!
Also, many people are running around with a Samsung device. A nexus is just rare and far more special
Hope I could help!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

tiru.adi13 said:
Get the s4. Sell it. Use the cash to buy the new nexus (nexus 5 or whatever).
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ding ding ding we have a winner thats what I would do, but buy the nexus 4 and pocket some money. Sell your nexus you already have. The s4 is nice and I wanted it but the phone gets returned a lot at my job. Its sold the most but returned at a higher rate. I wont lie and say the s4 didnt cross my mind but the price is crazy to me. I keep phones maybe 6 months. Also keep in mind that the screen on the s4 gets micro cracks and is known for that. Known to break randomly. Didn't know till a customer told me about it. Happened to a friend of his.
http://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/forums/forumtopicpage/board-id/Android/thread-id/19121
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 4

I would say sell the gs4, they retail for up to 800$ on eBay and with that money you can buy a nexus 5 and have money left over
Sent from my Nexus 4 [NEO @1.836 GHz] on [PSX v4.1 4.3]

Jjday7 said:
but buy the nexus 4 and pocket some money. Sell your nexus you already have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would he want to do that? As far as I understood, he already owns a n4. Why should he buy another n4 and sell the old one? I'd prefer banking the money he'd make selling the s4 and wait for the n5 or whatever it'll be called.
However, I fully agree to the rest of your post!
Greetings