Database Users

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.

Change Nexus S for Galaxy Nexus

Hey guys, I love my nexus s and i can't wait for jelly bean. But i can get the galaxy nexus for 50 euros (my wife has a very expensive plan + sale + selling my nexus s to a friend).
I need the extra power and the better screen (i9023 S-LCD vs AMOILED), but i'm confused if the added size is a drawback.
Anyone that has both ?

chelhydra said:
Hey guys, I love my nexus s and i can't wait for jelly bean. But i can get the galaxy nexus for 50 euros (my wife has a very expensive plan + sale + selling my nexus s to a friend).
I need the extra power and the better screen (i9023 S-LCD vs AMOILED), but i'm confused if the added size is a drawback.
Anyone that has both ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean screen size or phone size? Gsm arena can help you with this:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3620&idPhone2=4219
Remember that the 9023 have S-LCD and 9020 use S-Amoled:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3620&idPhone2=3910
\o

chelhydra said:
Hey guys, I love my nexus s and i can't wait for jelly bean. But i can get the galaxy nexus for 50 euros (my wife has a very expensive plan + sale + selling my nexus s to a friend).
I need the extra power and the better screen (i9023 S-LCD vs AMOILED), but i'm confused if the added size is a drawback.
Anyone that has both ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, for 50€, it's a nobrainer.

GNex
GNex also have the same 5 megapixel camera(But it have 1080p video recording).That is the bad thing.
Don't doubt about the screen size,With the award winning superiour curved screen,u can hold the galaxy nexus in one hand.
So GNex is really worth it if u don't care for a camera.

nexussgeek said:
GNex also have the same 5 megapixel camera(But it have 1080p video recording).That is the bad thing.
Don't doubt about the screen size,With the award winning superiour curved screen,u can hold the galaxy nexus in one hand.
So GNex is really worth it if u don't care for a camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what's bad about 1080p?
And the camera has a slighter bigger resolution and there's a lot more differences than you think.
Front facing camera does 720p
Dual core duhh (chipset is different0
a lot more features
1Gb of Ram versus 512Mb
GNex has MHL USB
Dual band
3.0 BT versus Nexus S's 2.0
HD screen versus 480x800
Bigger 3G network

Hey I am also saying that gnex is great...I just said that camera is only 5mp compared to similar dual core phones.
And I mean 1080p is great on gnex.
Gnex will be my next phone
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app

Gret man...I'm going to order my gnex today too...and gonna give my jellybeaned nexus s to my gf... hope its nt the wrong decision
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app

Been loving the heck out of mine since i got it
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I have a similar but related question: Currently on Sprint with a rooted Nexus S4G.
Do I:
Option A: Keep the NS4G and have rooted ROMs based off an official release within (presumably) weeks?
Option B: Get a cheap (possibly as low as $0.01 from Amazon) Sprint Galaxy Nexus 4G (Not AOSP) but possibly wait months for the same?

fwald said:
I have a similar but related question: Currently on Sprint with a rooted Nexus S4G.
Do I:
Option A: Keep the NS4G and have rooted ROMs based off an official release within (presumably) weeks?
Option B: Get a cheap (possibly as low as $0.01 from Amazon) Sprint Galaxy Nexus 4G (Not AOSP) but possibly wait months for the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depend's on if you want newer tech as well. i bought the NS4g last week so i can play around with it, possible learn some more things, and have for a 2nd backup.
Even though i'll be getting an upgrade come around Nov 1.

XxLostSoulxX said:
Depend's on if you want newer tech as well. i bought the NS4g last week so i can play around with it, possible learn some more things, and have for a 2nd backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may not want the newest hardware if I'm not going to be able to run the newest software on it for a long time. From what I've been reading, the NS4G + AOSP JB may actually be superior to the Samsung GS4G +ICS.
Sigh, decisions.

go for it. I upgraded mine a while ago, it's been fantastic.

fwald said:
I may not want the newest hardware if I'm not going to be able to run the newest software on it for a long time. From what I've been reading, the NS4G + AOSP JB may actually be superior to the Samsung GS4G +ICS.
Sigh, decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am extremely curious where you read this. Is there an article or thread I can read through?
EDIT: I mis-read. I didn't see this was JB vs ICS. Essentially, I would assume that's opinion unless you are talking specific data benchmarks, in which case I'm still curious to see the data.

Love my nexus s, i have two contracts, one i use my nexus s on the other i upgraded from an HTC desire hd to a galaxy note, wish i had got the galaxy nexus now though. I do like my note, but really wish i had got the galaxy nexus instead to go with my nexus s and upcoming nexus7 when i finally get round to ordering it.

I own a Nexus S, but I've already used Galaxy Nexus a couple of times. I really prefer Nexus S' size over Galaxy Nexus', but the second has so many advantages over the former that I really doubt you'd care about it being a little too big. And, well, in the worst case, get the Galaxy Nexus for $50, unlock it and sell it for almost the retail price, or simply sell it locked for almost the price that the carrier usually sells it.
Nexus S is a GREAT phone as well, sometimes I think I'd never use all the power of a Galaxy Nexus, cause I'm probably still far from using all the power (in terms of processing) of my Nexus S! The most notable advantages of GalNex, IMHO, are the 1Gb RAM, the zero shutter lag of camera (amazing!), the ability of taking pics while rec a video, the better front camera, the notification led (i miss so much in my NexS. :crying, the Face Unlock (maybe not really useful, but anyway cool ) and the higher priority on getting updates.

I don't know why you even have to think about this. I love my Nexus S and all but the Galaxy Nexus is a better phone in every way. If you have the chance to upgrade (especially for cheap) go for it.

MercilessLTD said:
I am extremely curious where you read this. Is there an article or thread I can read through?
EDIT: I mis-read. I didn't see this was JB vs ICS. Essentially, I would assume that's opinion unless you are talking specific data benchmarks, in which case I'm still curious to see the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct, there's no specific data benchmarks. If there were, then I wouldn't have this dilemma, because I could just do a head-to-head comparison.
I'm making extrapolations based on the general consensus that JB has significantly improved response and battery life over ICS. If those improvements are significant enough on the NS4G, they could be essentially equivalent to a hardware upgrade.
What is almost undeniable is that JB will be delayed getting to the Sprint GN4G. Based on past history, it wouldn't be surprising to not see it available until December. That could be verrrry frustrating.
A lot of questions would be answered in the off chance that JB gets pushed to the NS4G along with the NS in the next week, so we'll see.

[POLL] Who's moving on to the Nexus 4?

Anyone feel tempted?
Please vote in the poll, and post your reason why
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

hopefully when they will start selling it in Israel for a reasonable price i will move to it

After 5 android devices and fiddling with different companies and their inhouse mods, I think it's time for real google experience for me... I always go back to Cyanogen for all my devices anyway!

I'll have to stick with s II for at least a year. Hopefully by the time nexus 5 (or whatever it's called) is released, play devices will be available here so I can get it in it's actual retail price.

Yeah I'm definitely thinking about it ... at that price and with those specs how can you really say no. Although it feels a little too good to be true ... will have to wait for the reviews :fingers-crossed:

What more can the N4 do that your S2 can't?
Obviously apart from lastest updates..
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda app-developers app

not for now,,,,,after a year or so maybe
and i'm definitely buying the next Nexus phone
i'm done with Samsung
i won't be buying a non-Nexus phone again
lesson learned

My phone is acting really weird and keeps shutting down when I try to use it. Cant even fix it by flashing stock with .pit and repartition. Hopfully the nexus will be my next device

For 299 iam very tempted, but my sgs2 contract lasts until aug13. I can resolve it an time though, then again there is no really need to. I always viewed the sgs2 as a landmark for perfomance, screen and community and it still holds up very well. Improvements on current devices seem not so much a step ahead for me (at last they dont justify the costs for getting a new device) Guess iam waiting for the first A15 phones with Lte and samoled. But i also might Chance my mind soon wether Samsung decides to release documentation or not(and more developers start to leave). Iam also very excited how Samsung/HTC and others will react on this aggressive price tag, because if i were to buy an Android phone for the first time now it would be a Nexus4.

Definitely getting the Nexus 4, The price is unbelievable. It has specs that should last to mid to late 2013 (Exynos is dual core Cortex A15), the nexus has two more cores than the upcoming Exynos 5 with extremely similar architectures (A15). And also this is the first nexus with hardware that is not only high end but possibly the best in the smartphone android space. Ohh and 2GB RAM.

Definetlly not. I thing SGS2 still can last. For me the biggest issue is the lack of space. I can not believe they will be releasing the 8 GB version. Who is living with 8 GB of space now? This is crazy. Nevertheless having pure Google out of the box is good choice for the future. So maybe next time then.

No because i buyd s2 three weeks ago and nexus 4 is too expensive for me

I'm thinking about selling my SGSII and getting N4. First of all S2 is getting old... Future support .... No one knows.... ;( Still good value
LG Nexus 4 as everything else have prons and cons but after all is a winner to me!! Limited storage and locked battery (2100 Li-Pol) is a bit disappointing but I can live with that Online storage is an alternative.. On the other hand we have a 2GB RAM!! (no LTE on-board so all of it go for system!!) Superb 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, awesome GPU and lovely screen.. That's only few things MUCH better than SGS2. Should be supported by CM & AOKP Teams as well.
My main point is DC-HSPA+ (up to 42Mbps!!!) I'm on UK THREE and have unlimited data. They upgraded network and DC-HSPA is up and running!!! Ppl from London getting DL speeds up to 20Mbps!!! Faster than new EE 4GEE!!!
For as little as £279 (16GB) you can't go wrong.. I'll wait for tests and than decide...

Thanks for voting and expressing opinions. Myself, if in a dilemma between yes and maybe.
Look how close the poll results are nearly everyone is split
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk 2

I will definitely make the switch, fed up with Samsung crap. Not saying the S2 is bad, but I need a change.
My only dilemma is, if I should order the 16GB or wait until (if) a 32 GB comes out

Deeco7 said:
I will definitely make the switch, fed up with Samsung crap. Not saying the S2 is bad, but I need a change.
My only dilemma is, if I should order the 16GB or wait until (if) a 32 GB comes out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all it needed was a simple sd slot, and id have been all over it.

Me. I know there's a lot of downsides. Here goes my complaints:
- No global LTE? Ok fine I guess not many people use LTE worldwide yet, but I'm in the US. Was hoping for maybe including AT&T bands. You can still do that while going unlocked, but of course Google wouldn't upset a fellow US company.
- Capacity. Come on. HTC learned with its One X that 16gb isn't enough. 32/64gb looks like a good spec. Even if Google wanted to be conservative, 16/32gb would've been nice. 8/16 gb? Come on. The iPhone 3G had that combination at launch.
- Why the hell is the notification LED on the bottom? Ugly. But beats BLN.
- I hate on screen buttons. That 4.7" screen becomes a 4.45" screen effectively.
- No microSD: builds on the capacity issue. 16gb + 32gb on my SGS2 is really nice.
Don't want to move too far OT, but if they succeed in unlocking or getting an unlocked bootloader exploit for the LG Optimus G, wouldn't it make more sens to jump on that phone instead of the Nexus 4? This is assuming development work can be leveraged for the Optimus G.

Very tempting, since I have been running CM9 & CM10 on my S2 for a while now however there is no full native support for the latest and future versions of android.
Best option is to wait until christmas, and if Samsung don't release JB update/sources then I will get the Nexus 4!

I voted maybe. I'm fine with Touchwiz as it gets out of it's own way. Apex Launcher, Beautiful Widget, and APW Calendar, and I'm happy. Having "Android" out of date by 1-2 versions is fine as Touchwiz offers some features not found in vanilla Android.
However, I prefer to treat my phone as a PC. On my desktop, I have a Core2Quad Q6600, and I planned for awhile to wait until Haswell, which comes out this upcoming summer. Same concept on my mobile computer, my phone. I wanted to wait until a quad-core A15-based CPU, and I will continue to wait. Those will be out soon. Not a fan of Snapdragon. Nice performance but Qualcomm tends to sacrifice in some key areas. Don't get me wrong, it's a definite upgrade. I'm going to list my SGS2 for sale, and if I can get $300+, then I'll do the upgrade for $50. But if I can't get that, I'll wait. In either case, SGS2 or Nexus 4, I'll ditch it in a heartbeat when A15 quad-core is out, depending on device of course. Not going for the first quad from a manufacturer known for abandoning their devices after launch. My next device will likely be the Galaxy S4 (if Exynos 5450), or the "Nexus 5."

Would love to, looks sweet, but I still have a year left on my s2 contract. Regardless, still think my s2 has a lot of life in it so I am not too bothered!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Would you still recommend N4 or wait for MWC announcements?

I'm about to put in an order for the Nexus 4. I've been totally committed to doing this for a month now (waiting for my current subscription to expire). Today I saw an article about Xperia Z and some comments on the upcoming Mobile World Congress and all the news that are expected.
I'm currently sunning a Samsung galaxy S2 with CM 10.1. I hate Touchwiz and really want to run android vanilla as far as I can. I enjoy having the latest version of Android and am a bit tired of the un-cooperative Samsung devs that makes the CM 10.1 ROM only run "OK-ish".
So my question to you that have the Nexus 4 today is:
What else (besides quick updates) makes the Nexus 4 beat the competition today and would you still buy a Nexus 4 if you could change your mind (had your money back) today?

There won't be anything at MWC that challenges Nexus4 on the value for money front. Sure the Xperia Z is a great phone, same specs as the N4, better camera, but it's double the price.
If you are looking to pay the N4 price, and nothing more, then MWC will have nothing for you. (Huawei Ascend P2 possibly, but it's still not a Nexus device).

CrazyPeter said:
There won't be anything at MWC that challenges Nexus4 on the value for money front. Sure the Xperia Z is a great phone, same specs as the N4, better camera, but it's double the price.
If you are looking to pay the N4 price, and nothing more, then MWC will have nothing for you. (Huawei Ascend P2 possibly, but it's still not a Nexus device).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
@OP, it comes down to whether or not you would appreciate the new hardware or not. I personally couldn't care less about better processors, cameras and 1080p displays because from day to day usage I would never notice any difference. With the N4 you get brilliant hardware and software at an unbeatable price. Given the choice now I'd still get myself a N4.

rage77 said:
I'm about to put in an order for the Nexus 4. I've been totally committed to doing this for a month now (waiting for my current subscription to expire). Today I saw an article about Xperia Z and some comments on the upcoming Mobile World Congress and all the news that are expected.
I'm currently sunning a Samsung galaxy S2 with CM 10.1. I hate Touchwiz and really want to run android vanilla as far as I can. I enjoy having the latest version of Android and am a bit tired of the un-cooperative Samsung devs that makes the CM 10.1 ROM only run "OK-ish".
So my question to you that have the Nexus 4 today is:
What else (besides quick updates) makes the Nexus 4 beat the competition today and would you still buy a Nexus 4 if you could change your mind (had your money back) today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There might be some phones out at MWC that might challenge N4. The Optimus G Pro especially with a Snapdragon 600 chip. However no phone will be at the price to performance ratio of N4. Also none of those phones will have guaranteed upgrade to new android versions after first 6-10 months.
btw CM10.1 running badly on S2 is not a fault of un-cooperative Samsung CM devs, but Samsung Mobile itself.I owned one and moved to N4 just so I can run latest version of Android ASAP.

Thank you all for good answers and helping me decide. Yes, Nexus 4 is still the phone for me as I like to root and run the latest Android version and as you mentioned, I probably won't care much for that slightly faster CPU and so on, that's not the important parts for me.
atulalvenkar said:
btw CM10.1 running badly on S2 is not a fault of un-cooperative Samsung CM devs, but Samsung Mobile itself.I owned one and moved to N4 just so I can run latest version of Android ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I was probably unclear in what I meant, I know it's not Team Hacksungs fault, it's that they don't get any cooperation from Samsung mobiles devs and that ***ing Exynos crap.
Aaahh, feels good. I'll just click on "Order" now and await my beautiful Nexus in the mail next week.
Thanks guys!

If you're lucky, it may arrive the next day like mine did

Who cares about value for money when in most countries phones are free with new contracts. The Nexus ISNT cheaper than any other phone even the iPhone in the UK when taken with a normal 24 month contract.
So basically you have to ask yourself do you want to compromise on everything just to get stock Android. Because this phone is full of compromises

irzero said:
Who cares about value for money when in most countries phones are free with new contracts. The Nexus ISNT cheaper than any other phone even the iPhone in the UK when taken with a normal 24 month contract.
So basically you have to ask yourself do you want to compromise on everything just to get stock Android. Because this phone is full of compromises
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends;
More MP in camera and TouchWiz interface vs lesser MP in camera and updated stock Android UI? - Then definitely stock Android UI
There are countless of comparisons having to be made if I were to compare all models and I don't even know of all these "compromises" you're talking about. Some of them are more known than others and most come down to taste and preference which is why I created this thread. I want to know your opinions since you (probably) already own the N4.
So, we come back to my original question: What compromises are most significant for you and what would you choose today?

I would buy it again. Three things I love about the nexus 4
1) Stability. I have owned samsung phones and they really aren't as stable as the competition. I'm talking stock out of the box. 2) look and feel. The phone feels good and expensive. Samsung has always felt cheap
3) speed/ram. This device will easily last me two years. That's two years if no headaches with updates, lack of stability, apps being buggy on my device, etc.
I like to avoid downtime and for that reason like to avoid custom Roms.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

rage77 said:
That depends;
More MP in camera and TouchWiz interface vs lesser MP in camera and updated stock Android UI? - Then definitely stock Android UI
There are countless of comparisons having to be made if I were to compare all models and I don't even know of all these "compromises" you're talking about. Some of them are more known than others and most come down to taste and preference which is why I created this thread. I want to know your opinions since you (probably) already own the N4.
So, we come back to my original question: What compromises are most significant for you and what would you choose today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wouldnt choose today.
Id wait for the S4, the M7 and the X Phone all to show me what they have before i went with the nexus.
The nexus is based on last years specs. Poor battery dodgy camera and a washed out 720p screen. Build quality is so so also and android can be lacking in many areas that the skinned versions dont.

I wouldn't get the N4. I'd say the S3 I had before it was better, more stable and better features, but the 4G version is ever faster than the Nexus 4 and of course has a slightly better camera and better software.
The LTE S3 my GF has is running fast, smooth and stable from day one, with zero updates and no need for a custom rom and I am still having day to day crashes and wifi issues with my Nexus 4.
I love the N4 but have to say that HTC, Samsung and the rest do it better than google still.
For the record, custom roms like CM have always run the same for me regardless of platform, they're no more or less stable whether on HTC Desire, GS3, N4 or GSM galaxy nexus. All these fingers pointed at Samsung for exynos drivers etc is just sour grapes as out of all of the phones I listed, the GS3 runs just as well as the rest.
I'd get an Xperia Z or wait on samsung or HTC to release something new as however they are moaned at, they're stuff is still more stable than any google pure software or custom rom.
In defense of custom roms, they do have a few more customization options than the manufacturer overlays, but do lack some of the features in manufacturer skins.

Man, now I have to cancel my order... Way too many different thoughts.
Thank you, precisely what I needed, some food for thought to digest to make a better decision.

irzero said:
Who cares about value for money when in most countries phones are free with new contracts. The Nexus ISNT cheaper than any other phone even the iPhone in the UK when taken with a normal 24 month contract.
So basically you have to ask yourself do you want to compromise on everything just to get stock Android. Because this phone is full of compromises
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd have to be a right twat to order a N4 on contract though wouldn't you? Ordering off contract with a giffgaff SIM comes to a saving of about £120 over the cheapest viable contract for both the GS3 and N4 (assuming you use the giffgaff SIM for 24 months and get cashback on the contract).
You should also expand on the compromises you're talking about. For a fair number of people (myself included) they don't really matter. I can completely understand why someone would want something else, but none of these compromises are a definite deal breaker in any way.
irzero said:
The nexus is based on last years specs. Poor battery dodgy camera and a washed out 720p screen. Build quality is so so also and android can be lacking in many areas that the skinned versions dont.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is based on last years specs, but how bad is that? Find an app that the S4 Pro can't keep up with and I'll be amazed. I've had excellent battery life, the camera is sub par but not a deal breaker for me and the washed out screen is a myth. Unless you compare the screen directly to a competitor's, you'll think it's great. It has reasonable saturation as stock, and that can be greatly improved with a quick kernel flash. Build quality is excellent for me, I'd go so far as to say that the phone feels Apple-esque in that department. As for stock Android lacking in features, I'd agree but argue that skins are slow and ugly.
biffsmash said:
I wouldn't get the N4. I'd say the S3 I had before it was better, more stable and better features, but the 4G version is ever faster than the Nexus 4 and of course has a slightly better camera and better software.
The LTE S3 my GF has is running fast, smooth and stable from day one, with zero updates and no need for a custom rom and I am still having day to day crashes and wifi issues with my Nexus 4.
I love the N4 but have to say that HTC, Samsung and the rest do it better than google still.
For the record, custom roms like CM have always run the same for me regardless of platform, they're no more or less stable whether on HTC Desire, GS3, N4 or GSM galaxy nexus. All these fingers pointed at Samsung for exynos drivers etc is just sour grapes as out of all of the phones I listed, the GS3 runs just as well as the rest.
I'd get an Xperia Z or wait on samsung or HTC to release something new as however they are moaned at, they're stuff is still more stable than any google pure software or custom rom.
In defense of custom roms, they do have a few more customization options than the manufacturer overlays, but do lack some of the features in manufacturer skins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't just say 'better' without justification. The SGS3 is definitely not more stable than the N4, since neither has ever crashed for me. I find TouchWiz to be far less consistent in terms of performance than AOSP, and never faster. Benchmarks and reviews quite conclusively prove that the Nexus performs better. The better camera part is true, the software is down to personal preference but I find TouchWiz to be incedibly ugly (but definitely more feature rich than AOSP).
You may need to expand on '...the rest do it better than Google still'.
Custom ROM's don't run the same on all phones at all. There are varying degrees of stability and speed. You're likely to get good performance on any flagship device, but the HD2 for example doesn't run CM10 nearly as well as the SGS3.
Other OEMs' devices aren't more stable than the N4, I don't know where you got that from.
I understand that there are plenty of arguments in favour of other devices over the N4, but neither of you have made valid points here.

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.