Nexus S - stable performer or should I be looking at something else?

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joyoue

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#107871 21-Aug-2012 10:25

Hello!

My Samsung Galaxy Ace has given up the ghost. It lags so bad sometimes I just wanna throw it and on top of that it suddenly decided yesterday it couldn't be arsed charging properly. So, I'm in the market for a new phone. Not interested in an Iphone as my partner has one and it frustrates the bejeezus out of me.

My requirements are simple. I'm not interested in anything fancy just a solid performer with a good camera, reception, at least 8G internal storage, good sound and fast enough it doesn't drive me nuts. Apps should cover everything else.

I've trawled the www for reviews on the Nexus S and it seems to do everything I want.

My question to the community - should I get the Nexus or should I be looking at something like the Samsung Galaxy S II?

My budget is around $350.

Thanks in Advance for all the replies!

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Vocus

#675014 21-Aug-2012 10:33

GN is a good phone, Vanilla Android and first to get new releases. Camera is pretty average, battery life could be better (I installed an extended battery and now it will get me through a long day of thrashing no problems) but has a beautiful screen and very responsive, performance wise it's pretty much on par with an SGSIII. I've had one for 3 months now and I'm very happy with it.

BTW I am talking about the Galaxy Nexus, not the Nexus S.

NzBeagle

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#675016 21-Aug-2012 10:34

I have a Nexus S and it is definitely a solid performer. You will get more phone with a Galaxy S 2 in the form of a better camera and faster phone, while with the Nexus S you will be already on Jellybean, pleasant upgrade, and the camera holds its own. My only gripe is with the GPS which isn't as quick as HTC models i've used, something else that could be better in the S2. I do find the Nexus S more pleasant in the hand than the S2 though.

joyoue

63 posts

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#675018 21-Aug-2012 10:51

ubergeeknz: GN is a good phone, Vanilla Android and first to get new releases. Camera is pretty average, battery life could be better (I installed an extended battery and now it will get me through a long day of thrashing no problems) but has a beautiful screen and very responsive, performance wise it's pretty much on par with an SGSIII. I've had one for 3 months now and I'm very happy with it.

BTW I am talking about the Galaxy Nexus, not the Nexus S.

Thanks for the quick reply ubergeeknz. I did have a look at the Galaxy Nexus but I wasn't sure what the difference was specs wise. Will have a more thorough look at it.

joyoue

63 posts

Master Geek

#675019 21-Aug-2012 10:56

NzBeagle: I have a Nexus S and it is definitely a solid performer. You will get more phone with a Galaxy S 2 in the form of a better camera and faster phone, while with the Nexus S you will be already on Jellybean, pleasant upgrade, and the camera holds its own. My only gripe is with the GPS which isn't as quick as HTC models i've used, something else that could be better in the S2. I do find the Nexus S more pleasant in the hand than the S2 though.

Hey NZBeagle, that's a good summary thanks. I was looking to get the S2 but I really don't use my phone for much so thought it might be a bit overkill. I do use GPS often enough though but it if it's faster than the Ace (which it probably is) I could live with that.

Is the S2 that much faster than the Nexus S?

Thanks for replying!

NzBeagle

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#675021 21-Aug-2012 11:04

Both pretty fluid, but overall the S2 is a quick phone, if you were going to use it quite intensively you might prefer the S2. The Nexus S is great since the Jellybean upgrade, but can still struggle with a heavy workload, the Galaxy Nexus is nicer hardware wise, being more comparable to the S2. If your budget permits, this could be a good choice.

The S2 is not bad, but you may not get based Ice Cream Sandwich.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#675026 21-Aug-2012 11:13

SGAce:
ubergeeknz: GN is a good phone, Vanilla Android and first to get new releases. Camera is pretty average, battery life could be better (I installed an extended battery and now it will get me through a long day of thrashing no problems) but has a beautiful screen and very responsive, performance wise it's pretty much on par with an SGSIII. I've had one for 3 months now and I'm very happy with it.

BTW I am talking about the Galaxy Nexus, not the Nexus S.

Thanks for the quick reply ubergeeknz. I did have a look at the Galaxy Nexus but I wasn't sure what the difference was specs wise. Will have a more thorough look at it.

GN gets a bigger, higher res screen, double the RAM and a faster clocking dual core CPU. So quite a difference.

bradstewart

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#675130 21-Aug-2012 14:59

NzBeagle: The S2 is not bad, but you may not get based Ice Cream Sandwich.

S2 already has ICS and a JB update is on the way.

The S2 would be a good choice, they've come way down in price and are a whole lot of phone still.

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NzBeagle

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#675141 21-Aug-2012 15:34

bradstewart:
NzBeagle: The S2 is not bad, but you may not get based Ice Cream Sandwich.

S2 already has ICS and a JB update is on the way.

The S2 would be a good choice, they've come way down in price and are a whole lot of phone still.

Oops, that was meant to say passed, not based. Definitely a good choice if JB is on the way.

joyoue

63 posts

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#675179 21-Aug-2012 17:12

Well it looks like the Galaxy S2 is in the lead, I really like what I see in this phone.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Will report back on how I go.

jeffnz

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#675205 21-Aug-2012 18:36

The S2 is a great phone but dated now so updates will really on come from custom rom's in the future. The GN is a newer phone and gets updates quicker. I like the freedom of ext SD card which GN lacks but that doesn't worry some.

Updates really aren't a big deal and still believe the S2 on Ginger bread was by far the most stable.

You will need to think how long you will keep the phone as well as technology is leaving both behind fast so a bit more spent and you are a bit more future proofed.

personally I'd buy an S2 off trademe if $350 is your budget(as long as you get a trusted seller) or take the plunge and go for the latest on a contract.

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kiwijunglist

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#675330 22-Aug-2012 08:58

Are you getting confused between Samsung Nexus S and Samsung Galaxy Nexus?

Nexus S (Single Core, released 2010) doesn't compare to Galaxy Nexus (Dual Core) or Galaxy S2 (Dual Core), both of which came out a year later.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

joyoue

63 posts

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#675472 22-Aug-2012 13:33

kiwijunglist: Are you getting confused between Samsung Nexus S and Samsung Galaxy Nexus?

Nexus S (Single Core, released 2010) doesn't compare to Galaxy Nexus (Dual Core) or Galaxy S2 (Dual Core), both of which came out a year later.

Hi kiwijunlist, Thanks for the heads -up. I know they are two different phones but I was convinced I didn't need the extra grunt provided by the S2 or the GN. I did a bit more research and came to the realization I'd be rather unimpressed if I ended up with a dud after all the heroic efforts so far.

I always thought the S2 was a good looker and I'm just geeky enough to like the thought of a shiny new toy to play with and since I mostly like what Samsung are doing so far it would be a good buy.

I've just got to be on the lookout for a deal now or if the Ace dies before I do find one will just have to spend the dosh.

lokhor

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#675604 22-Aug-2012 19:22

Galaxy Nexus is a lot better than the S2 for those who don't need huge amounts of storage.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

kiwijunglist

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#675615 22-Aug-2012 19:41

You might want to look at the Xperia series as they are closer to your budget and are good value.

Xperia U - 3.5" / Dual Core / 5MP ; is $320 Parallel Imported, $380 Retail, on Special you might get for $350~

Xperia P - 3.7" / Dual Core / 5MP ~$380-400

Xperia Ray - 3.3" ~$280-320

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

joyoue

63 posts

Master Geek

#675881 23-Aug-2012 12:17

lokhor: Galaxy Nexus is a lot better than the S2 for those who don't need huge amounts of storage.

I don't think I'll need much storage but at the moment every single time an app updates it grows that much bigger and it's always the ones you can't move to your SD card. I'd hate to find myself in the situation of having to get another phone because of lack of space.

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