Related
I have prepared this thread to help myself and others compare and contrast the different phones and hopefully come to a decision here. If anyone has anything to add to the comparison that I have missed, please list it and we can get it all chocked up.
For the record. I have only listed something as a "Disadvantage" if I believe that the category is below what we would expect of the average Android.
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Advantages:
ATRIX
Battery Life - This is a big thing for me. I can make my vibrant last through a 14 hour day by crippling every single possible feature. But people here are saying that the Atrix runs solid though 30 hour periods. This is a huge plus for me.
Higher Resolution (even if its fake) - Even though this resolution is fake and can actually cause text to blur, I can say first-hand that I saw the screen in action at a local wal-mart and found it to be acceptable by my standards. I think it may help overall with browsing. The GS2 has a larger screen size, and no pentile matrix display, which could possibly be considered better. This is one that may work out to be a tie.
Tegra 2 - I list this as an advantage not because it is faster, the various benchmarks for either processor seem to be inconclusive at this point. I am listing it as an advantage because it has its own series of games optimized specifically for it, and because Google has chosen to build their framework around tegra 2.
Webtop - I am initially hesitant to even mention this. The phone has a webtop environment, it is most likely Debian Linux and it is said to also be very sluggish. If, in the future, devs gain access to this environment and find ways to optimize it and add in worthy apps such as Chrome and open office, then this will be a massive advantage, but right now it is pretty much just a gimmick.
The webtop interface retains its session when you disconnect it. So you can plug the phone back into another dock and go right back to what you were doing. This is one of the good things about webtop.
Laptop Dock - We all know it is hideously overpriced right now and maybe in the future a cheaper solution will be available. But regardless of how you get the dock, it is an advantage to run your apps in full screen, even if you don't use the sluggish webtop interface and firefox.
The dock charges your phone, but plays sound through your atrix speakers, it has no speakers of it's own, you can answer calls by removing the phone, picking it up on bluetooth or by just yelling at it from behind the laptop. The phone retains its session when you remove it and there is no special unmounting procedure, you just grab it and run.
GALAXY S2
Screen - Bright beautiful and extremely rich. Those who have seen the screen firsthand have claimed that there is nothing like it at all and that it is miles above even the old Super Amoled display. The 4.3 inch size is also a bonus for those of us with large hands. This is probably the best overall feature of the Galaxy S2.
Camera - 8 Megapixels, and 2 megapixel front facing camera. People say that megapixels don't really matter in the long run but the Atrix camera is also said to have a purple wash to it and that the video can be splotchy in certain situations.
Design - Even though it looks way too much like the iPhone, this phone actually looks exceptionally nice. I like the three button design much better than the 4, the search button is pretty useless overall. The thinness of this phone is also amazing if you are into that sort of thing. Naturally it may come down to the US carriers to ruin the design, but by it will likely be summer before that happens.
32GB internal storage - Expect to pay for it, but it is there, you get 64 gigs total with this phone.
Gingerbread - The Atrix won't likely get gingerbread until at least this summer, this phone will have it much sooner if you get the international version coming sometime this quarter.
Gyroscope - This phone has it, do any apps support it? Not sure, but it is there.
NFC - In the off chance that any stores upgrade to NFC this year, you will have the ability to use it. NFC may have other uses that we haven't envisioned yet. It is a protocol, so it can be applied to just about anything. You could potentially set it up to unlock your home, cars could start with it, whatever.
So it has a lot of potential use other than having your money stolen from you.
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Disadvantages:
ATRIX
Bootloader - To sum it up for those not familiar, the phone can be rooted, a custom ROM can be flashed, but the kernel cannot be altered at all. (someone will likely correct me here) but if part or all of the webtop code is contained in the kernel somehow it will be difficult to alter it to add new software or make it run more efficiently. This would be a terrible shame.
I can tell you that Team Whiskey has made my Vibrant browse faster than I have seen in Atrix videos, with half the memory and a single core processor. It is scary to think of what this phone could actually accomplish if Moto decided to allow it.
Motoblur - I read that this requires you to sign up for an account before you can even use the phone. I find it alarming that Motorola has decided to help themselves to all this information and it makes me wonder just exactly what they really have access to and why.
Crippled FM radio - WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY. All of these phones have both transmitters and receivers for FM. So can someone tell me why in god's name anyone would disable them? FM radio has many more uses than just listening to local stations and why again should I have to burn my limited data on
internet radio when there is a receiver right in my phone?
GALAXY S2
Heat - My current Galaxy S runs very hot already, if the screen is active while the phone is being charged it will heat up to what seems to be a very dangerous temperature. The pre-release Galaxy S2 was said to be scorching hot after running with the screen on and the charger active.
Fail File System, Hideous and crippling lag - Update: the galaxy S2 is said to not use RFS. Chock one up for Samsung.
Updates - Samsung has a horrible reputation for updates when working with US carriers, even for new phones. If it was not for this community I would have likely given up on Android and Samsung altogether. Although I know that part of the update delay has been t-mobile, it is also in Samsung's interests to ship out new phones instead of updating their old ones.
Battery Life I have a feeling that Samsung tried to push the limits to get their phone to be as thin as possible and I am worried that they have done so at the expense of battery life. We won't know for sure until it gets in people's hands but I expect the battery life to be subpar.
NO HID Bluetooth Support (possibly) - I have had a black wiimote sitting here for 6 months waiting to connect to my Vibrant. I love emulated classics but action games are near impossible to play with the on-screen kb. So if you want this feature, I would make sure that the GS2 has it first, because it is not likely that it will.
Availability - What it really comes down to now. Unless you want to shell out over 1000 for the phone, you will probably need to wait 5 months from now for any kind of US availability this summer. And don't doubt that those versions will become crippled and even more bloated in the process. But again there is no locked bootloader here.
Ok I think that covers it. Having written all this down, I think I am really leaning more toward the Atrix. There just doesn't seem to be anything else out there now that will be able to match it at the moment. And as you can see, our experience with Samsung has not been exceptional.
Good comparison there. I am also looking at the exact 2 models and thank you very much, looks like Atrix will too be my choice.
I guess I'll get the atrix laptop dock too and prays for the devs here to make it all better. Otherwise, I think its still a good piece of hardware I don't mind owning.
""Samsung's dual-core, Gingerbread-powered Galaxy S II has appeared on Play.co.uk alongside a tentative SIM-free price and release date. According to Play, which is currently taking pre-orders for the phone, it'll ship Mar. 31 for £599.99 (~$960). Pre-release prices are never guaranteed to be accurate and are always subject to change, but £599 seams like a realistic price point for the Galaxy S II, as it's slightly higher than current single-core offerings from other manufacturers.""
Just published at androidcentral. £599.99 (~$960)?? Get a grip..
Not bad, just a couple of things to note that I thought of while reading. First, the screen resolution can be arguable considering the Pentile screen that the Atrix uses. That gives the SGS2 more sub pixels, but then it's a bigger screen, so less (I believe) pixel density still... it's really kind of a toss up, but I think they will both look great. I think the lower resolution and bigger screen on the SGS2 will look just fine with the full 3 subpixels per pixel.
Also, the SGS2 looks nothing like an iPhone. I wish people would stop saying that about every phone that comes out. Apparently every square black phone with a screen is an iPhone now.
And also it's been reported that the SGS2 does not use RFS.
The Galaxy S2 looks like a great phone, but even as much as I hate Motorola's implementation of the lockdown...I can't *STAND* Samsung for updates. They've promised up and down that they would release updates for every phone since Android came out, and they've delivered on about 3 of those promises...out of probably 20. They are *HORRIBLE* at updating devices and they don't even apologize when they cancel. I would *never* buy a Samsung on the hopes that it would get an updated OS.
As for the screens, I don't really notice much of a difference. I'm a pretty severe audiophile and videophile and although I can tell a difference it's absolutely not enough to make me go with one phone over another. I'm coming from an iPhone 4 which has the best screen to date on a mobile phone...and even between that and my Atrix I barely see a difference. They're both fantastic screens.
hotleadsingerguy said:
The Galaxy S2 looks like a great phone, but even as much as I hate Motorola's implementation of the lockdown...I can't *STAND* Samsung for updates. They've promised up and down that they would release updates for every phone since Android came out, and they've delivered on about 3 of those promises...out of probably 20. They are *HORRIBLE* at updating devices and they don't even apologize when they cancel. I would *never* buy a Samsung on the hopes that it would get an updated OS.
As for the screens, I don't really notice much of a difference. I'm a pretty severe audiophile and videophile and although I can tell a difference it's absolutely not enough to make me go with one phone over another. I'm coming from an iPhone 4 which has the best screen to date on a mobile phone...and even between that and my Atrix I barely see a difference. They're both fantastic screens.
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Click to collapse
The updates aren't really an issue for people who visit sites like this. I would never rely on Samsung to update my phone. My Captivate has been running 2.2 for ages while they just released the update for everyone else. Yes, Samsung sucks at updating, but the hacking community will always get it done regardless.
I must be the only one, but i use the search hotkey absolutely all the time. I love it and I realize that you can hold menu for the same effect on the SGS2, but i'd prefer to have the 4th hotkey than their ugly stupid home button. It is not an iPhone, embrace uniqueness samsung.
eallan said:
I must be the only one, but i use the search hotkey absolutely all the time. I love it and I realize that you can hold menu for the same effect on the SGS2, but i'd prefer to have the 4th hotkey than their ugly stupid home button. It is not an iPhone, embrace uniqueness samsung.
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Click to collapse
I really miss the hardware home key! The orientation of the 4 buttons makes it a bit awkward to thumb navigate since its so close to the bottom. Its actually one of the things about the sgs2 that is making me think twice about my atrix. Despite how much I love it.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Man_of_Leisure said:
I really miss the hardware home key! The orientation of the 4 buttons makes it a bit awkward to thumb navigate since its so close to the bottom. Its actually one of the things about the sgs2 that is making me think twice about my atrix. Despite how much I love it.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
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I wouldn't mind if the buttons were hardware, thats another debate. I just want all four of them!
The back button is beyond crucial. Maybe back and home should be two hardware with the other capacitive? For symmetry, obviously a concern for samsung .
I definitely want the new Galaxy S 2. I've heard that the Atrix was a huge let down. I used to own a Captivate and I loved everything about it except the ****ty build quality and lack of flash for the camera. It was so smooth with voodoo and custom roms. The Galaxy S 2 will have an amazing screen and I think it will do average on battery consumption. Just my 2 cents
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
King Shady said:
I definitely want the new Galaxy S 2. I've heard that the Atrix was a huge let down. I used to own a Captivate and I loved everything about it except the ****ty build quality and lack of flash for the camera. It was so smooth with voodoo and custom roms. The Galaxy S 2 will have an amazing screen and I think it will do average on battery consumption. Just my 2 cents
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
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****ty build quality? Like hardware wise? I personally think the Captivate is the nicest of all of the Galaxy S phones. The hardware itself has been absolutely wonderful for me. The software quality leaves a lot to be desired from a stock standpoint though.
AJerman said:
****ty build quality? Like hardware wise? I personally think the Captivate is the nicest of all of the Galaxy S phones. The hardware itself has been absolutely wonderful for me. The software quality leaves a lot to be desired from a stock standpoint though.
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Click to collapse
The plastic build was a huge downgrade for me, especially coming from a beautiful iPhone 4. I'm much happier with the Inspire 4G now though. HTC Sense is amazing and super smooth, and HTC build quality is great. The phone feels ultra solid.
SGS2 is apparently RFS-free. Also, some versions will have Tegra2 instead of Exynos - hope this includes us.
People knock Samsung's plastic designs, but they're actually a lot harder to break than the "well-built" iPhone 4.
Very good write up man, these are the posts that I like to see.
By looking at my signature, you can see that I just got the Atrix as well, and I love the phone. Amazingly fast, awesome screen (love the higher density and the effect itbhas on the overall experience), and the battery is pretty good too.
I'm seriously thinking about buying the laptop dock, but I don't know how well that will perform, and I haven't seen any live videos of it.
I really like the design and specs of the GS 2, but there are a lot of possible problems holding me back....
Rooted/ROM Captivate (For Sale)
Rooted Atrix
FLAC Vest said:
Very good write up man, these are the posts that I like to see.
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Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, bro.
I am no engineer and I can't build tools. But I can put a few thoughts together and provide someone with some information.
This is an amazing community and what people do here is outstanding, I just want to do what I can to add to that.
King Shady said:
The plastic build was a huge downgrade for me, especially coming from a beautiful iPhone 4. I'm much happier with the Inspire 4G now though. HTC Sense is amazing and super smooth, and HTC build quality is great. The phone feels ultra solid.
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Click to collapse
S2 looks like meizu m9
I have both and a Galaxy S 2 on order
Why? I really liked the Captivate. My plan was to use both but the Atrix is so much more fun to use I'm selling the Captivate. Well, maybe. Maybe not.
Yesterday after I removed the SIM card and replaced it, the Atrix went bonkers with freezes and instability issues. After numerous soft resets, two factory resets and replacing the SIM card, SD card and battery a couple of times it seems to be back to normal. I suspect I had reinserted the SIM card incorrectly but maybe there was another issue.
So why would I pay $1000 for the Galaxy S 2? The Captivate was that much fun. Although I'm sure we will be able to do more custom rom's shortly on the Atrix, the Galaxy S 2 sounds like an even bigger blast than either. And boy oh boy does that LG 3D look interesting. But you have to draw the line somewhere.
Here is what the Atrix has that the Captivate does not:
1-better graphics and screen quality, dynamic and vivid visuals, a joy to read and watch (text as well as video quality is sharp and crisp, very clear)
2-more interactive features with outside devices (i.e. computers)
3-interacts more efficiently with e mail, voice and text programs (really like the way it handles multiple incoming calls especially when you are already on one-notification, instructions and directions for handling)(I can now actually use Excel spreadsheets and Word documents) (works well with contacts)
4-updated browser can handle more types of video content and pop up windows better
5-it feels better when you hold and talk or watch or do most anything with it (I did make one call and even though I could hear the other party clearly they could not hear me-I do not what happened.)
My friends all tell me I should get an iphone. I had one for years and the Androids are far more fun. I'll never return. I don't think. LG 3D anyone?
I think Tegra2 is actually a disadvantage for Atrix 4G.
As a new generation dualcore processor, it's early, but not strong.
It's video playback ability of H.264 is limited, but H.264 is currently the most frequently played format.
It has no neon support, big loss on processing power.
Till now Tegra2 has not proven itself in Graphics power. In benchmarks it's no superior to Hummingbird.
However the performance of Mali400MP on GS2 is also questionable, so just wait and see...
hotleadsingerguy said:
The Galaxy S2 looks like a great phone, but even as much as I hate Motorola's implementation of the lockdown...I can't *STAND* Samsung for updates. They've promised up and down that they would release updates for every phone since Android came out, and they've delivered on about 3 of those promises...out of probably 20. They are *HORRIBLE* at updating devices and they don't even apologize when they cancel. I would *never* buy a Samsung on the hopes that it would get an updated OS.
As for the screens, I don't really notice much of a difference. I'm a pretty severe audiophile and videophile and although I can tell a difference it's absolutely not enough to make me go with one phone over another. I'm coming from an iPhone 4 which has the best screen to date on a mobile phone...and even between that and my Atrix I barely see a difference. They're both fantastic screens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 great post!
King Shady said:
The plastic build was a huge downgrade for me, especially coming from a beautiful iPhone 4. I'm much happier with the Inspire 4G now though. HTC Sense is amazing and super smooth, and HTC build quality is great. The phone feels ultra solid.
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Click to collapse
See, I don't understand that. There is far less plastic on the Captivate than the majority of the phones out there. The front is all glass, and the back is mostly metal. It's only the top and bottom on the back that are plastic, and they have both felt very solid to me since I got the phone on launch day. I came from an iPhone 4 as well, and granted nothing compares to the iPhone 4 in build quality, the Captivate definitely doesn't seem bad at all to me.
As long as you're happy with what you have now though, that's what matters. I just think the Inspire is a bit of a waste of money considering it's lack of power compared to all the other phones coming out now. It feels like it's last generation still. I did play with it a little at the AT&T store though, and it seemed nice. If it had come out last summer with the Captivate (even if it didn't have 4G), I might have gotten it. Now I'm going to wait until a dual core offering I like though.
Coming from N1, I really appreciate the abundance of ROMs and no crap stock software. No TouchWiz to add a layer of bugs seems right. Also, there's an uncertainty about ICS situation on Note. Other than that, its all in favor of the Note. What do you guys think?
For me the reason to opt for Note is the 5.3in screen and S pen.. if u dont mind this two then u shd be good for Nexus..
Agree with razorpixel. As for touchwiz and the software that is coming with the Note, I think that Samsung did a great job. The email app with its previews and split pane layout in landscape is very user friendly. The planner on it is very nice (bit limited though) and touchwiz is working great on this device. I particularly like the way you can add notes to the home screen and resize them to almost any size you want.
My overall impression of the apps on the note: very professional. Certainly not bloatware.
I was facing exactly the same dilemma. For me galaxy nexus is a big disappointment hardware-wise. CPU is barely OK, GPU sucks - may not be futureproof, looks cheap, no gorilla glass, I don't like software buttons and I'm afraid that it may be the only phone with this funny resolution (1280x720 minus the space for software buttons) which may lead to problems with apps scaling badly, wallpapers etc. I would rather choose Galaxy S2 LTE HD in place of nexus, but lord only knows when they launch it in europe. Note it is then.
As to ICS: even if it takes samsung forever to launch an official update, I bet there will be plenty of unofficial XDA roms before that and knowing myself I would end up with some custom one anyway.
I was thinking also about Nexus but since 99% of users/owners here are more than amazed with the phone, it became a clear choice for me.
Plus at this point, Nexus is only guaranteed for Verizon, no date yet on when/if it will come to AT&T.
the galaxy nexus CPU is more than "barely ok". . . .the OMAP4460 is a 1.5 GHZ cpu that is so good, they they can clock it down to 1.2GHZ (where its at) and get the same performance on the phone. the GPU, stock, runs at 200 MHZ. the version in the galaxy nexus is over clocked to 384MHZ. thats almost twice as fast. plus, it has a dual channel memory, which i think other phones dont have. it allows fro better multi tasking so it can get data in and out quickly and simultaneously. also, it has an IVA 3 hardware accelerator that decodes HD video much quicker at much less power. another top new android phone, the RAZR, has an OMAP 4430, at 1.2 GHZ and the same GPU at 304 MHZ. i think its difficut to say this phone is a "let down"
sidenote: the nexus line isnt about bleeding edge hardware, its about bleeding edge software.
Biggest let-down with the Nexus for me was the lack of sdcard along with just 16 gig of storage. Being on a capped data plan, the cloud isn't a great option for me. Lack of gorilla glass and an inferior SOC to my GSII were just the final nails in the coffin.
kunalparwani said:
Biggest let-down with the Nexus for me was the lack of sdcard along with just 16 gig of storage. Being on a capped data plan, the cloud isn't a great option for me. Lack of gorilla glass and an inferior SOC to my GSII were just the final nails in the coffin.
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Your reasoning is valid. But from logical point of view, if you were liking Nexus but not happy with its spec, you should get something better of similar size factor. Note on the other hand is a different league device. Don't confuse like - I wanted to buy helicpoter but since I did not like the speed, I am getting Boeing 777.
Hardware is pretty hard to change. Software however. . . Wait a minute, this is a developer forum . . .
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
willstay said:
Your reasoning is valid. But from logical point of view, if you were liking Nexus but not happy with its spec, you should get something better of similar size factor. Note on the other hand is a different league device. Don't confuse like - I wanted to buy helicpoter but since I did not like the speed, I am getting Boeing 777.
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Click to collapse
But i want a device better than my current one(SGSII). And there really isn't anything else on the market right now. And i made a mockup of the phone...so size doesn't seem to be an issue...
koniakki said:
I was thinking also about Nexus but since 99% of users/owners here are more than amazed with the phone, it became a clear choice for me.
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Click to collapse
I agree that the vast majority of people here, both owners and those who have objectively read several reviews such as the one from 3G, are impressed with the Note. So it is a pity to sometimes see a disproportionate amount of gripes threads here for they damage the reputation of the Note which may finally result in it's failure because people are persuaded not to buy.
Gaugerer said:
I agree that the vast majority of people here, both owners and those who have objectively read several reviews such as the one from 3G, are impressed with the Note. So it is a pity to sometimes see a disproportionate amount of gripes threads here for they damage the reputation of the Note which may finally result in it's failure because people are persuaded not to buy.
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Click to collapse
I agree. But then again. This phone is not for everyone and I believe most of us agree on this.
Yes, it indeed is too big for a phone, but not that big. Yamaha codec? Yes, could be better. S-Pen? I wish it wasn't there. But to be honest, I had caught my self using my HTC Touch HD stylus sometimes.
Conclusion: Yes, it has it's flaws like many other devices. But are they a deal breaker? Personally: NOT even close..
When it arrives I will use it at it's full glory. Why? Because this is the phone I wanted. Maximum portability(debatable for some) vs maximum performance/screen size. It's a winner in my book. I skipped the SGS2 for this for a reason.
Gaugerer said:
I agree that the vast majority of people here, both owners and those who have objectively read several reviews such as the one from 3G, are impressed with the Note. So it is a pity to sometimes see a disproportionate amount of gripes threads here for they damage the reputation of the Note which may finally result in it's failure because people are persuaded not to buy.
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Click to collapse
I'm happy that people are talking openly about their gripes. Everywhere else, it's either apple fanboys trying to shout down the device or android fanboys shutting down negative conversations.
The reason I signed up on this forum and I'm following the discussion here more closely is that that people openly discuss the problems they're facing. As a first time will-be android buyer, it's important to me to know everything I'm getting into. And personally, I'm thrilled that the only problems people have with the Note (other than a few HW problems) are things that are unimportant to me personally, while at the same time, it seems like everything I've ever wanted in a smartphone...
I have already reserved at our local Samsung store here in Singapore. It comes two weeks from the now (that's what they keep telling customers). The main reason I'm getting the Note is because of the 1280x800 res on a 5.3" SAmolled display. The pen features are just the cherry top for me.
Keith
HTC Flyer with LeeDroid v1.0.0
kunalparwani said:
Biggest let-down with the Nexus for me was the lack of sdcard along with just 16 gig of storage. Being on a capped data plan, the cloud isn't a great option for me. Lack of gorilla glass and an inferior SOC to my GSII were just the final nails in the coffin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you{& others} fail to understand is what's the purpose of Google Nexus Series.
Google never ever launched these phones to compete with any other smartphones{hell N1 never came out of it's native region},Nexus S was launched in limited countries only.
But these smartphones offers you unskinned,pure,greatest & fastest updates.They compete with each other{consider them as Apple iphone}.
Nexus S was a definite improvement over N1{better camera,hardware,screen,NFC},,similarly Galaxy Nexus is a giant leap forward compare to N1 & Nexus S.
Galaxy Nexus is not launched with the intention to compete with S2/Note/Sensation series.....if you want unskinned version,you want stock you go for it.It's here to launch with ICS, introduce it,bring on HD resolution{it will be a norm from now on for high end droids}
If you are looking for best hardware on the market{although ICS with hardware acceleration will run like super smooth on Nexus}...wait for some time,,you can almost bet Samsung Galaxy 3 or HTC next supersmartphones will have better screen/processors/camera than it.
So this comparison is not worth.
android_master said:
So this comparison is not worth.
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It is hard to take your posts objectively when I see your signature.
Also, I was going to get the Nexus exactly for the reason that it was going to be the bleeding edge, and it just about was. It is a fair comparison.
I've been umming and arring about a Galaxy Nexus or a Galaxy Note. In the end I plumped for the Note. I currently have a Nexus One, a Galaxy Tab (original 7 inch) and a Galaxy Tab 10.1. I like them all for different reasons, but do find that sometimes I'm using the N1 when I wished it was the Tab 7 inch, and sometimes using the 7 inch when I wished I had the 10.1 close by.
The Note I think will nicely replace the N1 and the Tab 7 in those circumstances. Also the fact that I can sell those two on (with accessories) and pretty much make up the cost of the Note also helped. I'm also lucky in that my company pays for my phone data, so I'm not interested in plans or suchlike.
It'll be sad to part with the Nexus One - the best smartphone I've owned. I love the huge community behind it. I was all set for the Galaxy Nexus, but for me I feel it's a bit limiting. 16GB-only for the UK it seems. No SD slot. The biggest selling point is that it'll be ICS out of the box, but software comes to all who wait...
As for my 7" Tab, recently I've reverted that to Froyo as it's actually better performing than Gingerbread in certain areas - BBC iplayer being the most significant improvement for me. I originally used it as a phone as well, but it was just too big to use natively, and a pain to always have a bluetooth device for hands-free calling.
ICS will get to all current devices very soon, but I'm confident that the Note runs Gingerbread very well from all the reviews I've seen. It seems like the perfect compromise (all devices are compromises) for heavy phone use and casual tablet use.
Hi all,
I'm about to sell my 7.7 its a great device but the OS sluggyness (more than a second to unluck is not right) is getting on my nerves.
Its clear this isnt going to get any form of regular updates so to stave my losses on it I'm going to sell this now and ideally do so before the Google Tablet arrives.
Is a great machine but with the lack of dev community its a no go for any early adopters liking to play.
Real shame samsung.
btk
Is this where we post "Cool story bro"?
Just remove the lock option if its peeing you off,
i don't have it set on mine so its instant off,
also use another launcher or if you like the stock launch then just have it set with the single home screen,
i currently use the TW launcher with 1 home screen and 2 widgets no problems,
have come close to buying another tablet but there isn't one that feels as good a the 7.7...
I still cannot believe that the nexus tablet is going to be sold as cheap as it is rumored to be atm.
Anyways, let's say it really is: Then it would actually be a good idea to get rid of the unsupported tab 7.7 in time, as you could easily buy two nexus tabs for the money the 7.7 is valued right now.
I think there has to be a hook somewhere.
billytkid said:
Hi all,
I'm about to sell my 7.7 its a great device but the OS sluggyness (more than a second to unluck is not right) is getting on my nerves.
Its clear this isnt going to get any form of regular updates so to stave my losses on it I'm going to sell this now and ideally do so before the Google Tablet arrives.
Is a great machine but with the lack of dev community its a no go for any early adopters liking to play.
Real shame samsung.
btk
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Click to collapse
it is a really good idea i have a same feeling too
I guess I see it as a quirky exotic car. Not as reliable as a cheaper econobox, but 7.7 has my favorite combination of build quality, super thin form factor - yet great battery life, and awesome screen. To me there isn't enough improvement over the 7.7 with the Nexus Tablet that makes me want to swap.
As others have mentioned, swap out the stock launcher & browser, use NoLock, etc. I have tweaked around almost all the deficiencies of the 7.7 and have 99% of what I want in my perfect tablet. The only troublesome issues are this random looping reboot problem that we're discussing in the other thread I haven't been able to make headway with and also that i wish i could enable bluetooth phone profile on the Verizon version.
Maybe when more details are announced for Nexus Tab that make it more awesome, and if the damn random reboot problem on my VZ 7.7 keeps happening.
rEVOLVE said:
I guess I see it as a quirky exotic car. Not as reliable as a cheaper econobox, but 7.7 has my favorite combination of build quality, super thin form factor - yet great battery life, and awesome screen. To me there isn't enough improvement over the 7.7 with the Nexus Tablet that makes me want to swap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do sympathize with the OP. The 7.7 will be my last Samsung product. it's simply not acceptable anymore to launch a premium tablet without appropriate support when the software is just not adequate.
This said, I agree with above. It is still the "best" hardware on the market as far as 7" format goes, with the only possible upgrades being the processor and the screen (resolution wise; would make a huge difference for ebook reading - you get used to the retina screen). I'd have to wait to be tempted by any of the upcoming models, an still seriously hope Samsung will do the right thing and release ICS soon.
The main drawback compared to the Google offering will be the lack of phone option.
globiboulga said:
I do sympathize with the OP. The 7.7 will be my last Samsung product. it's simply not acceptable anymore to launch a premium tablet without appropriate support when the software is just not adequate.
This said, I agree with above. It is still the "best" hardware on the market as far as 7" format goes, with the only possible upgrades being the processor and the screen (resolution wise; would make a huge difference for ebook reading - you get used to the retina screen). I'd have to wait to be tempted by any of the upcoming models, an still seriously hope Samsung will do the right thing and release ICS soon.
The main drawback compared to the Google offering will be the lack of phone option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% agreed
There will be compromise, Mostly screen Nothing beats Amoled!!, no gsm 3g, maybe tiny battery , bigger chunkyer, not magnesium crappyer build quality. The reason the cpu will be good is because it will be mass manufactured, and thats why the price will be so affordable. I think.
I was reading a report online last week that spoke of them going into mass production with some CPU manufacturer, lets see as I have my good days and bad day with the galaxy tab 7.7....
Do wish they would kick the ICS out for this baby and we could see if worth keeping or not, but yes I totally agree with most people on this and Samsung has dropped the ball on this and will be my last Samsung product
I also agree with OP's point to an extent. I actually went from an original Galaxy Tablet, to the 7 Plus, and hate that Samsung does this to their customers. They got our money and forgot about after purchase support. If the 7.7 wasn't such a great device I wouldn't have went with another Samsung.
The next best device I would consider for myself would be the Toshiba Thrive 7.7 - also a SAMOLED+ screen, Tegra 3, skinnier than 7.7 but Wifi only and i really enjoy the battery life and built in LTE from the tablet w/ my 7.7.
be aware !
nexus tablet might lack 3g,LTE, rear camera to make it a affordable device.
evil_penguin said:
be aware !
nexus tablet might lack 3g,LTE, rear camera to make it a affordable device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to hit the price point, those things are well worth the sacrifice.
unless your tablet is your sole device, most people will have a phone which can do all those other things. the tablet was meant to be a secondary device you can use which is inbetween completely portable (phone) and non-portable (desktop).
Humm, no 3g that sux. I use 3g for data.
WiFi at home 3g when I am not, thats a deal braker for me.
I don't have the 7.7 but having played with it in store, I can't imagine Google matching it in quality for the price point they want. That'd be a pretty incredible feat.
Given that I think it'd be a hasty mistake to sell. It sucks for ICS to still not be there but it'll come - and chances are good you'll have a better tab than Google's then.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Got £340 in the end for the tab and have just spent £200 on the g7,sold just in time me thinks.
Feels like I got there just in time.
If 7.7 had Samsung support I wouldn't have swapped
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The Nexus tab is a competitor to the Kindle and Nook, i dont know why you would downgrade, give it a few weeks and ICS will be available.
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adinis78 said:
The Nexus tab is a competitor to the Kindle and Nook, i dont know why you would downgrade, give it a few weeks and ICS will be available.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep though Tegra3 is superior CPU, I think once ICS drops, aside from Tegrazone games we won't notice any real life difference. The CPU @ 1.4 in our 7.7 is more than fast enough. Heck even my 1Ghz Tegra2 sony tablet s flies with ICS
The killer battery life and 3G is whats making me keep this instead of flogging and buying a Nexus 7 (at a profit too lol)
I agree with more or less all the comments on here, the built quality of the 7.7, weight, and that screen is amazing, but we have been waiting far too long for ICS and Jelly bean is around the corner. We have the advantage of a SD slot 3g etc but the hardware specs of the Nexus 7 is just better in terms of CPU GPU etc under the hood. In my opinion if you just use your tablet for casual use, browsing and consuming digital content then the Nexus 7 makes sense. for cheaper and better experience. But if you have loads of apps, content and you use your tablet as a travel companion and main device to create and produce things then the 7.7 is still a great device. I am in 2 minds right now, might sell up with all my accesories and get 2 nexus 7's one for the wife and one for me. Just not sure
giotecno said:
I agree with more or less all the comments on here, the built quality of the 7.7, weight, and that screen is amazing, but we have been waiting far too long for ICS and Jelly bean is around the corner. We have the advantage of a SD slot 3g etc but the hardware specs of the Nexus 7 is just better in terms of CPU GPU etc under the hood. In my opinion if you just use your tablet for casual use, browsing and consuming digital content then the Nexus 7 makes sense. for cheaper and better experience. But if you have loads of apps, content and you use your tablet as a travel companion and main device to create and produce things then the 7.7 is still a great device. I am in 2 minds right now, might sell up with all my accesories and get 2 nexus 7's one for the wife and one for me. Just not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wait for ICS, with hopefull improvements it will blow the nexus tan out the water even if it has "better software"
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I like my sgs3 but I'm thinking of maybe changing to the new nexus.
The basic reasons are:
- IPS LCD display (if it has one like the rumors show). Amoled is clearly a second class display nowadays. Before it was good, but now... today I compared it to the LCD IPS of the iPhone 4S and I was impressed with the white backgrounds. On the SGS3 they look terrible on comparison, just terrible. There is also a notice difference in brightness and visibility outdoors.
- This whole problem with Samsung not releasing the info, codes and stuff of the exynoss processor is making it difficult for stock roms to become better. There is actually not that many interesting roms or tweaks available for the SGS3. Most roms are based on Samsung's. The nexus is obviously gonna have some really cool stuff and tweaks.
- Better optimization of software. Project butter on the SGS3 right now is a shame. I'm hoping on the next update they make it better. It's still a beta firmware so let's wait, but I don't trust Samsung that much.
Three basic reasons. Of course, not saying the SGS3 is a bad phone, but I expect better, specially software wise.
Sensamic said:
I like my sgs3 but I'm thinking of maybe changing to the new nexus.
The basic reasons are:
- IPS LCD display (if it has one like the rumors show). Amoled is clearly a second class display nowadays. Before it was good, but now... today I compared it to the LCD IPS of the iPhone 4S and I was impressed with the white backgrounds. On the SGS3 they look terrible on comparison, just terrible. There is also a notice difference in brightness and visibility outdoors.
- This whole problem with Samsung not releasing the info, codes and stuff of the exynoss processor is making it difficult for stock roms to become better. There is actually not that many interesting roms or tweaks available for the SGS3. Most roms are based on Samsung's. The nexus is obviously gonna have some really cool stuff and tweaks.
- Better optimization of software. Project butter on the SGS3 right now is a shame. I'm hoping on the next update they make it better. It's still a beta firmware so let's wait, but I don't trust Samsung that much.
Three basic reasons. Of course, not saying the SGS3 is a bad phone, but I expect better, specially software wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 more thing u miss, a 8gb and non-sd card slot.
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The new nexus 2 still be having sd card slot.
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There is no SD card slot in the sgs3??
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w1nter456 said:
1 more thing u miss, a 8gb and non-sd card slot.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know. Not great obviously, but storage alone is not enough if you lack the other three I mentioned, like more tweaks, better roms and such.
Oh, I forgot another little reason:
- There is no in line spell checker on Samsungs touchwiz rom. In stock Android a red line appears before any misspelled word, but Samsung doesn't have this. The reason? Who knows... but I really need that feature because I type a lot on the phone.
Sensamic said:
Yeah, I know. Not great obviously, but storage alone is not enough if you lack the other three I mentioned, like more tweaks, better roms and such.
Oh, I forgot another little reason:
- There is no in line spell checker on Samsungs touchwiz rom. In stock Android a red line appears before any misspelled word, but Samsung doesn't have this. The reason? Who knows... but I really need that feature because I type a lot on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone should be 32gb at least. If not I won't buy it until it had 32gb.
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Sorry, but the Nexus will never be a high-end phone. It's supposed to be somewhat affordable. Although considered a good value and pure Android, it won't possess the higher-end specs like the Galaxy S or HTC One series will. Which Nexus are you going to get? There are like 6 coming out next year. LG maybe?
jinosong said:
Sorry, but the Nexus will never be a high-end phone. It's supposed to be somewhat affordable. Although considered a good value and pure Android, it won't possess the higher-end specs like the Galaxy S or HTC One series will. Which Nexus are you going to get? There are like 6 coming out next year. LG maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next year nexus, android 5.0. Sweet
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w1nter456 said:
1 more thing u miss, a 8gb and non-sd card slot.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was just a prototype . Official woukd have minimum 16 gb
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jinosong said:
Sorry, but the Nexus will never be a high-end phone. It's supposed to be somewhat affordable. Although considered a good value and pure Android, it won't possess the higher-end specs like the Galaxy S or HTC One series will. Which Nexus are you going to get? There are like 6 coming out next year. LG maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've come to realize more powerful hardware is not essential. What use is there for quad core if project butter is half baked and developers cannot use all its horsepower because of lack of documentation from Samsung? It's way better to have dual core optimised, just like the nexus will do be it dual or quad core. Software must be optimised or quad core means nothing.
I would buy the one with LCD IPS display clearly. I think it's the best display right now, very bright and whites look great.
Sensamic said:
I like my sgs3 but I'm thinking of maybe changing to the new nexus.
The basic reasons are:
- IPS LCD display (if it has one like the rumors show). Amoled is clearly a second class display nowadays. Before it was good, but now... today I compared it to the LCD IPS of the iPhone 4S and I was impressed with the white backgrounds. On the SGS3 they look terrible on comparison, just terrible. There is also a notice difference in brightness and visibility outdoors.
- This whole problem with Samsung not releasing the info, codes and stuff of the exynoss processor is making it difficult for stock roms to become better. There is actually not that many interesting roms or tweaks available for the SGS3. Most roms are based on Samsung's. The nexus is obviously gonna have some really cool stuff and tweaks.
- Better optimization of software. Project butter on the SGS3 right now is a shame. I'm hoping on the next update they make it better. It's still a beta firmware so let's wait, but I don't trust Samsung that much.
Three basic reasons. Of course, not saying the SGS3 is a bad phone, but I expect better, specially software wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing I like with the nexus, would be the faster updates (yes I do use custom roms).
Another thing I can't really stand seeing users who say that stock android is better bla bla. Have you ever compared stock androids camera (aosp) vs samsungs one? You might dislike the template/colour scheme of touchwiz, but from a functionality point of view, samsungs software is way ahead of stock android. (even aokp, cm etc etc) eg, camera, task manager on home long press, clock app, better messaging app, contacts app etc, direct call, smart alert, smart stay (better than not having the option)
Sensamic said:
I've come to realize more powerful hardware is not essential. What use is there for quad core if project butter is half baked and developers cannot use all its horsepower because of lack of documentation from Samsung? It's way better to have dual core optimised, just like the nexus will do be it dual or quad core. Software must be optimised or quad core means nothing.
I would buy the one with LCD IPS display clearly. I think it's the best display right now, very bright and whites look great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Butter shouldn't be the goal of the phone. Functionality clearly trumps it. For example, playing a complex game or watching a high resolution movie is where you'll see high-end hardware really shine. As for IPS, I foresee Samsung shedding that very soon in future models.
trein91 said:
I can't really stand would be users who say that stock android is better bla bla.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that some of Samsung's modifications are really useful. I used an S3 then tried a Nexus for the first time and I couldn't stand the simplified options menu of the device.
Not interested in Nexus devices. Apart from faster software updates, I still can't see any better features Nexus can offer to consumers compare to OEM devices.
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Yes my next phone would be a Nexus... I like the default android launcher and fast update on Android OS. Less stress cause by waiting and TouchWiz bugs.
I would sacrifice having no SD card slot if that's the case. I just want the next nexus to have a quad core and 2GB of RAM and a 32GB of storage would be fine with me.
if the price is right, i'll get the LG nexus phone to replace my S3
i'm always on AOSP rom. no point S3 when there's always something not working on stock android.
No sdcard slot = no go!
If it had a sdcard slot, I'd definitely go for it. It seems to solve all the problems of SGS3.
When the new Lumia 920 is there, i'll go for it.\
Im getting tired of android, the flashing, the custom ROMS.
None of it is without lagg, so i'm gonna try Windows Phone 8
No. The Nexus series of phones will never have a microSD slot 'cause Google do not think they're needed (along with file managers - with the Android trait of leaving leftover **** on the SD when uninstalling applications, yeah right). Despite already nearly filling up both my 16GB internal + 32GB microSD card, I'd - grudgingly - live with the loss of a microSD card slot but rumours say that the memory of the new LG Nexus is either 8GB/16GB in order to push Google's **** cloud services. Not only do I feel it's more futuristic that I can carry huge amounts of files on a tiny microSD card without having to be tied to the Internet, Google Music doesn't officially work this side of the pond and even if it did I don't have the data allowance to always be streaming - and, in my case, I don't get mobile phone signal for a couple hours a day...
LG have been told to make the next Nexus. Luckily, I never bought the useless doorstop known as the Optimus 2X, but ask around and owners will generally tell you it sucks thanks to its feature of randomly rebooting throughout your day, on the stock firmware doing nothing. LG Canada also said no to ICS for the phone - we're talking about the first Android dual-core phone and LG's flagship. Thankfully, Google will be operating the update side of things so this won't be an issue with the Nexus, but I'll be damned if I ever buy an LG phone (4x has a locked bootloader, for example. Again not a problem on the Nexus, but another reason why I'll never consider LG).
I want to (well, try to) punch a wall when I say this, but odds are I'll be getting a Sony phone when they release a phone with specs worthy of the month of the year they're announcing it in. (In short, I want a quad-core, Sony, not excitement over the fact that the T is - finally - your first dual-core) I'll never forgive them for the Vita but with phones, they seem to have it right so no point in cutting my nose off in order to spite my face. Everybody knows of Code Aurora, but Sony do release binaries for those things they don't/can't open the source of to make it easier for those who want to run AOSP-based ROMs, unlocking the bootloader can be done through a website of theirs (and there's no bollocks like S-ON to deal with), Entropy512 says they release the code of some of their own things that they don't need to - nothing groundbreaking but very helpful to AOSP ROM maintainers etc. and they've posted on XDA in order to promote their open-source software to help developers (there's a post from a Sony Ericsson employee somewhere on XDA talking about their program that wraps apktool and others to for a better decompiling experience... god I sound like a shill).
I've also seen them contribute fixes to upstream software. Take D-Bus. On a GNU/Linux desktop it's an open-source program used mainly by the KDE & GNOME desktops (and by a ton of freedesktop.org programs like the upower daemon) as a way for programs to communicate with each other. (Sorry for the awful attempt at an explanation) On Android it's there too, probably because BlueZ, which provides the Bluetooth stack, needs it. Applications can't use it on Android but if dbus-daemon is happy then BlueZ is too. On the DBus mailing list, I would see posts by Sony Ericsson employees working on Android trying to find out why X operation was slow and, in some cases, providing fixes themselves. This is a great approach as it means not only DBus-using Linux desktops get a more stable piece of software because Sony chose to submit directly to the people who wrote the the program, it also means that other Android phones that run the version of dbus-daemon with Sony's fixes also benefit. JBQ of Google also put the Arc S device tree into AOSP - the first non-Nexus phone - because (if I'm remembering right) Sony were always friendly to AOSP and were contributing.
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won't
waiting s4
As a previous owner of the original sgs1 and currently have the nexus s I recently had to decide on my new smartphone. I discounted the nexus pretty quickly because, frankly I found the nexus s boring. The nexus line will always be good but never great. Lack of storage and no sd card is a killer. The only - admittedly considerable - thing going for the nexus range is early access to latest firmware. That's it. The galaxy s range are sexy and leading edge. That's where each new model is aimed and that's what Samsung achieve
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Small tabs are usually held in portrait, so the narrow vertical bezel will make it harder to hold, unless 4.3 does what iOS did and void the touch zones along the edges.
N7B will be slower than N4, since it has to push 1080p vs N4's 720p (more precisely, 2.25x pixels).
Given all the hype and hope of Miracast last November, and the bitter disappointment when both N7 & N10 couldn't have it, I was expecting that it would be a major feature on this second wave of Nexus tabs. But alas, it apparently isn't to be. Instead, we get the "Slimport" which is yet another proprietary port that require a custom cable. Why not micro-HDMI?
Of all the features that can be upgraded/added, "Moar Pixels" is probably the last on my list. Was there ever any complaint of the N7 screen being too grainy? Can you actually see a diff between 720p and 1080p on a 7"? But we get moar pixos anyway, along with a price bump and probably worse battery life and performance. One would've thought Google learned this lesson with the N10.
The OG N7's main appeal was that it was low-priced, but with reasonable quality and decent specs. It was the Kindle Killer. But now as OEMs come out with cheaper & better tabs (eg Sero 7 Pro), N7B is tacking upwind with a more expensive tablet, with no meaningful new functionality, and the same fault that afflicts all Nexus toys: no SD slot.
No doubt this post won't win any popularity contest, given the usual launch frenzy for new Google toys. But someone has to point out that the emperor is wearing his birthday suit.
Do you know what, whilst I'm very excited about the New N7 and will be doing whatever I can to trade my 1st gen in for a 2nd gen, you raise some very good points.
1 - I totally agree that Google have yet again taken away from us what we all asked for (HDMI) and fit it with yet another random port (Slimport) that needs a special cable as you stated.
2 - I think improving the screen is a good thing, but again a 7 inch 720p is probably sufficient, atleast they don't try and look cool and call it a "Retina" and hope that everyone thinks its special because it has a weird name.
3 - The price point however is something that I personally won't fault Google on, when the first N7 came out it was almost unbelievable and yet to this day my N7 runs like a dream.
Some very good points you've raised!
It hasn't even come out yet. We don't know if these things being leaked are 100%
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
It will perform well....whatever you say y'all!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Is there a 7" android tablet out with better specs?
Not that I am aware of, so why you complaining? Its $230, you are basically getting a super sized N4 for $120 less. Sounds like a steal to me, sure the current specs will be out done by someone else sooner, but who really cares chances are you are just going to selling the 2nd gen at some point and buy the 3rd gen.
Point is this is def an upgrade over the 1st gen tablet.
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e.mote said:
Small tabs are usually held in portrait, so the narrow vertical bezel will make it harder to hold, unless 4.3 does what iOS did and void the touch zones along the edges.
N7B will be slower than N4, since it has to push 1080p vs N4's 720p (more precisely, 2.25x pixels).
Given all the hype and hope of Miracast last November, and the bitter disappointment when both N7 & N10 couldn't have it, I was expecting that it would be a major feature on this second wave of Nexus tabs. But alas, it apparently isn't to be. Instead, we get the "Slimport" which is yet another proprietary port that require a custom cable. Why not micro-HDMI?
Of all the features that can be upgraded/added, "Moar Pixels" is probably the last on my list. Was there ever any complaint of the N7 screen being too grainy? Can you actually see a diff between 720p and 1080p on a 7"? But we get moar pixos anyway, along with a price bump and probably worse battery life and performance. One would've thought Google learned this lesson with the N10.
The OG N7's main appeal was that it was low-priced, but with reasonable quality and decent specs. It was the Kindle Killer. But now as OEMs come out with cheaper & better tabs (eg Sero 7 Pro), N7B is tacking upwind with a more expensive tablet, with no meaningful new functionality, and the same fault that afflicts all Nexus toys: no SD slot.
No doubt this post won't win any popularity contest, given the usual launch frenzy for new Google toys. But someone has to point out that the emperor is wearing his birthday suit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wondering.. Do you even have a nexus 7?
Google changed everything with the nexus 7 and the new model only improves things. It is a great device and there is nothing that compares in its price range. The 7 is a world above the kindle. I have owned both. The kindle I gave away and the 7 I loved. I only sold it because I knew a new model is coming.
I really don't understand the negativity here. Still on the SD slot thing? I think people who need to store 80 gigs on a phone or tablet are living in the past. Nobody can use 80 gigs during a day. Much of the space is just filled with junk.. It really isn't needed. Shall there is a 32 gig model. Surely that had to be enough.
You are entitled to your choice but personally I could give a crap about an sd card on a device that is faster than hell and cheaper too. It is a quality device and durable too. All around great device..
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---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------
One more thing.. Small tablets are not " held in portrait" .. Can be held and viewed either way for different things. Obviously you know this but just saying.. The 7 is very hands friendly and the bezel is not a problem. This is why I asked if you had one because if you did you would know how comfortable it is to use and hold onto.
Also... The majority of people buying a 7 inch tablet don't care about miracast or even an HDMI port. It would be nice but I don't think it would be worth another $100 or what ever they would have to charge for it..
As for the display.. I doubt the new nexus will be slower. There was much resources to spare on the last model. And the higher res is just the trend these days. I don't mind it at all and if they did not do it I'm sure it would have been on your list of negatives.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
e.mote said:
Small tabs are usually held in portrait, so the narrow vertical bezel will make it harder to hold, unless 4.3 does what iOS did and void the touch zones along the edges.
N7B will be slower than N4, since it has to push 1080p vs N4's 720p (more precisely, 2.25x pixels).
Given all the hype and hope of Miracast last November, and the bitter disappointment when both N7 & N10 couldn't have it, I was expecting that it would be a major feature on this second wave of Nexus tabs. But alas, it apparently isn't to be. Instead, we get the "Slimport" which is yet another proprietary port that require a custom cable. Why not micro-HDMI?
Of all the features that can be upgraded/added, "Moar Pixels" is probably the last on my list. Was there ever any complaint of the N7 screen being too grainy? Can you actually see a diff between 720p and 1080p on a 7"? But we get moar pixos anyway, along with a price bump and probably worse battery life and performance. One would've thought Google learned this lesson with the N10.
The OG N7's main appeal was that it was low-priced, but with reasonable quality and decent specs. It was the Kindle Killer. But now as OEMs come out with cheaper & better tabs (eg Sero 7 Pro), N7B is tacking upwind with a more expensive tablet, with no meaningful new functionality, and the same fault that afflicts all Nexus toys: no SD slot.
No doubt this post won't win any popularity contest, given the usual launch frenzy for new Google toys. But someone has to point out that the emperor is wearing his birthday suit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I for one CAN see the grains in text on the old Nexus and just barely in text even on the Retina iPads. So I DO need a device with the ppi the new Nexus 7 is promising and I also wanted it no bigger or heavier than the old Nexus 7 . That was the only feature I was really hoping for, so I will be very happy with the new Nexus 7.
I don't understand where people get the idea to use 7 inch Android devices in portrait mode? Unless you are reading an ebook or using a phone app, portrait mode usually gives you tiny text, and just turning it to landscape tremendously improves user experience. And if you do use it in portrait, you can hold it like a phone, it is narrow enough so it can be held in one hand (unlike an iPad mini, unless you have gigantic hands). You need bezels when you hold it in landscape, and guess what? Those bezels are there so you can do that comfortably too. I already have a 10 inch and an 8 inch Android tablet. I gave away my old Nexus 7, but I am buying the new Nexus BECAUSE of its size, bezels and resolution. There are many choices out there. If the Nexus doesn't offer what you want, there are other devices for you to choose from. If you want a grainy screen and big bezels with a larger screen look at the Samsung tablets. My Note 8 fits that description but is still perfect for work since its primary purpose is taking notes. I still want the Nexus 7 at home anyway, because for me, outside of work, it is a much better fit.
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e.mote said:
Small tabs are usually held in portrait, so the narrow vertical bezel will make it harder to hold, unless 4.3 does what iOS did and void the touch zones along the edges.
N7B will be slower than N4, since it has to push 1080p vs N4's 720p (more precisely, 2.25x pixels).
Given all the hype and hope of Miracast last November, and the bitter disappointment when both N7 & N10 couldn't have it, I was expecting that it would be a major feature on this second wave of Nexus tabs. But alas, it apparently isn't to be. Instead, we get the "Slimport" which is yet another proprietary port that require a custom cable. Why not micro-HDMI?
Of all the features that can be upgraded/added, "Moar Pixels" is probably the last on my list. Was there ever any complaint of the N7 screen being too grainy? Can you actually see a diff between 720p and 1080p on a 7"? But we get moar pixos anyway, along with a price bump and probably worse battery life and performance. One would've thought Google learned this lesson with the N10.
The OG N7's main appeal was that it was low-priced, but with reasonable quality and decent specs. It was the Kindle Killer. But now as OEMs come out with cheaper & better tabs (eg Sero 7 Pro), N7B is tacking upwind with a more expensive tablet, with no meaningful new functionality, and the same fault that afflicts all Nexus toys: no SD slot.
No doubt this post won't win any popularity contest, given the usual launch frenzy for new Google toys. But someone has to point out that the emperor is wearing his birthday suit.
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Pushing a higher res doesn't necessarily mean it's slower. The Adreno 320 is a beast, and the N7B pulls a higher framerate than the current N4 on benchmarks, from what I can tell. Also, the Snapdragon S4 Pro can run up to 3 instructions per clock cycle, whereas older Snapdragons can run 2. This means 2 things. One - it can perform better than processors at the same clock rate, as it is 50% more efficient, and two - it will actually save battery, as more commands can be run on a lower clock rate, so you don't need to push the processor. UNDERCLOCKED to 1.2ghz...on paper, slower than the current N7, it will perform like a Snapdragon at 1.8ghz...alot of power for the given speed. Hell, if I get one, the first thing I'm doing is using the CyanogenMod performance controls to underclock it. It's helluva more powerful than I need.
Wouldn't it be more wise to compare the Nexus 7 2nd Gen to the original Nexus 7 along with similar form factor in terms of performance than a phone?
The Adreno 320 is capable of running 1920x1200 fine.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
The s4 pro with 2gh of ram is BARELY phased at all by a 720p display at 1.5ghz (even as low as 1ghz) so if the nexus 7 ii runs a s4 pro at 1.7ghz and has 2-3gb ram, it will be fine
Sent from my [email protected] GHz on Stock 4.2.2
Small tabs are usually held in portrait, so the narrow vertical bezel will make it harder to hold, unless 4.3 does what iOS did and void the touch zones along the edges.
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the touch zones are necessary on the ipad mini because it's too wide to comfortably palm. on a device that is more narrow you should be palming it and the fingers would be touching the sides not the front of the device. it isn't any difference than holding a phone which is smaller. so the idea is the more at rest your hand is and more light the device the less fatigue while holding it over time
If you use a DUMB launcher that doesn't support multitouch (only registers last input) then you could get away with small bevels. But Android doesn't have Dumb launchers. Our launchers utilize multi-finger gestures, pinch/zoom, sliding, edge support, etc.
So Android needs bezels unless you dumb down the launchers and other apps.
player911 said:
If you use a DUMB launcher that doesn't support multitouch (only registers last input) then you could get away with small bevels. But Android doesn't have Dumb launchers. Our launchers utilize multi-finger gestures, pinch/zoom, sliding, edge support, etc.
So Android needs bezels unless you dumb down the launchers and other apps.
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I don't understand this reasoning. You shouldn't be clawing the device in portrait where fingers are touching the screen. It causes fatigue. It does in fact have a bezel just a smaller one which likely accounts for any finger overhang. Maybe it infringes on the way some people prefer to hold their device or have particularly large hands that cause more overhang but I think some of these people should try to learn how to palm because the hand is in more of a resting state than pinching or claw grips (it remains to be seen how the new back material supports palming as the current material is very effective at preventing slipping when holding a device loosely)
Don't know why there would be negativity about the new Nexus. In comparison, even of the Old Nexus 7, or say the Transformer Infinity (TF700) with the 1920x1200 screen as well with the Tegra 3 in it, from benchmarks, the new N7-2 crushes the old Tegra 3 CPU/GPU and the craptastic NAND to go with the tablets.
Myself owning a TF700 and trying the Nexus 7 before returning it because of the same faults. this looks like to fit the bill. High res screen, good performance and should be better on the battery life than that of the Tegra 3 devices since they sucked power and then some.
It could of shipped with the new exynos 5420 octa-core and people would still find something to ***** about.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
michaelg1030 said:
It could of shipped with the new exynos 5420 octa-core and people would still find something to ***** about.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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They would cause that is a really closed SOC. That's why most people on xda prefer the GE S4 over the regular octa one.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
There is nothing wrong with this SOC, there is nothing wrong with this device. The price is still extremely cheap, at $229 for the 16GB. Same specs as the N4, but cheaper and with a better display?
You don't have to upgrade your currently N7 if you don't want to.
>Is there a 7" android tablet out with better specs?
Yes. The specs that matter to most people--storage expandability, HDMI-out--are indeed offered by many non-Nexus tablets, even the cheapies. As said, I didn't see any outcry for 1080p in a 7" panel, or another proprietary video-out port.
We'll know how the S4 Pro handles 1080p soon enough. It's the exact same SoC in N4, which had to push only 720p. Those familiar with the N10 should still remember how everyone lauded the (then new) Exynos 5 chip, only to find out that it can barely power the N10's 1440p res.
With respect to this morning's "breakfast" announcement, Chromecast similarly disappoints as it's yet another proprietary protocol/widget, and Miracast is now seemingly ignored. Chromecast is limited to 2.4GHz, not the wider bandwidth of 5GHz, let alone WiGig & similar. Really?? Where's 802.11ac support? Not sure what Google is thinking of here with all these inferior proprietary tech.
As for 4.3, it's a wash since it'll be available to all Nexus toys--and in a week, all toys that use CM and 3rd-party ROMs. But as with all the things announced today, 4.3 likewise underwhelms with fairly minor incremental improvements.
>It is a great device and there is nothing that compares in its price range.
Yes, because most 7" tablets have now dropped to the $150 range, including the 16GB OG N7, the Asus MeMo Pad HD 7, and the Hisense Sero 7 Pro. All are good all-around performers, and except for the OG N7, the others have expandable storage. Sero has HDMI-out and MeMo has Miracast. In comparison, the N7B is $80 higher, or more than 50% more expensive than the competition.
Walmart sells the Sero line, which equates to strong distribution that the N7 will never reach. The Asus MeMo should have similar availability.
This isn't to say that the N7B is a bad tablet. Obviously, it improves on the specs of the OG N7, but the improvements aren't meaningful to the average user, and the +50% price comparison to the competition (that has better functionality and wider distribution) bodes poorly for the N7B. Likewise, the days of N7 being the savior of Android tablets are long over. Android tabs are here, and the competition is capable.
Walmart sells the nexus too.
And just about every major electolronics store will be selling the Nexus 7 2 as well. So saying the Sero will have broader market is clearly wrong.
Only XDA and android nerds know about the sero 7 line up. Some mom and dad walking in to Walmart looking to buy their kid a cheap tablet isn't going to know the difference between them all. Chances are they will buy the cheapest one (which is not the Sero 7Pro).
I agree that the better specs are subjective, but when you are talking about raw performance the 2nd gen N7 is better than anything else in its category.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
e.mote said:
>Is there a 7" android tablet out with better specs?
Yes. The specs that matter to most people--storage expandability, HDMI-out--are indeed offered by many non-Nexus tablets, even the cheapies. As said, I didn't see any outcry for 1080p in a 7" panel, or another proprietary video-out port.
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You realize that SlimPort uses the standard microUSB port and a cable to connect to DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA.... Right? So it's exactly like anything else, just a new cable.