Should I get a Galaxy Nexus or alternatives?

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egel

36 posts

Geek

#99634 23-Mar-2012 14:04

So, I still have a Sanyo SCP6650, and obviously at some point this year I'll be needing a new phone. I really want to move to a smartphone, and I am not very interested in an iPhone or something running Windows Phone.

Mobicity is selling the Galaxy Nexus 16GB for $760 at the moment. I haven't got any hands-on experience with one (I don't know anyone with one...), so while I'm attracted to the 1280x720 screen, I'm a little worried it might just be too big. Is that a decent price

Use case (approximate order of importance):
Texting, calling, some app development, email, maybe videos or games when on trips, possibly loading custom ROMs, web browsing.

I am wondering about other Android options. I definitely want ICS, but I don't mind spending a month or two using Gingerbread provided I get ICS eventually.

Other (current) phones I've been considering:

Galaxy S2
Xperia S
Xperia Arc S

However, I'm really wondering whether I should wait to see what the following are like:

HTC One X
Eluga
Galaxy S3

I'd really appreciate some advice.

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2802 posts

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#599105 23-Mar-2012 14:09

Go into a Vodafone/Telecom store and look at the models in the flesh, you'll get an idea of the size that way, most upcoming models are pretty substantial.

@KnightNZ

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vinnieg

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#599107 23-Mar-2012 14:11

I'd wait it out, for the S3, or HTC One X

If you really need it now though, take the GS2 over the Nexus. The only thing the Nexus has going for it, is the HD screen, and the relatively fast upgrades

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

egel

36 posts

Geek

#599112 23-Mar-2012 14:14

stevenz: Go into a Vodafone/Telecom store and look at the models in the flesh, you'll get an idea of the size that way, most upcoming models are pretty substantial.

AFAIK, the Galaxy Nexus is not available over the counter in NZ.
EDIT: Just to clarify, I have used a Galaxy S2, and the Xperia models are not available brick and mortar to the best of my knowledge.

vinnieg: I'd wait it out, for the S3, or HTC One X

If you really need it now though, take the GS2 over the Nexus. The only thing the Nexus has going for it, is the HD screen, and the relatively fast upgrades

So you don't consider relatively fast upgrades much of a big deal? I'm unsure on this since I haven't owned an Android device before.

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#599123 23-Mar-2012 14:24

i have a nexus and it is a nice phone. Samsung said couple of months back that they would not be releasing the Nexus in New Zealand and would only release the Note in the larger screens. That could change but I doubt it. I get 3 days battery on average use

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

egel

36 posts

Geek

#599125 23-Mar-2012 14:25

Gilco2: i have a nexus and it is a nice phone. Samsung said couple of months back that they would not be releasing the Nexus in New Zealand and would only release the Note in the larger screens. That could change but I doubt it. I get 3 days battery on average use

How do you find the size?

Gilco2

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#599136 23-Mar-2012 14:37

Actually find the size not too bad. I dont know why but it feels better in the hand and seems to sit better in the pocket as well than the SG2. Even though it is bigger it seems to feel smaller. The only thing is if it packs up dont know how support would be as not brought in here.

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

JayTaicho

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#599145 23-Mar-2012 14:46

You know, Dick Smith are giving away a TV when you purchase the GSII.

I always recommend the Galaxy Note, but if you think the GNex is too big, then you probably won't even consider the GNote.

vinnieg

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#599147 23-Mar-2012 14:50

egel: So you don't consider relatively fast upgrades much of a big deal? I'm unsure on this since I haven't owned an Android device before.

Nah, not really, for most of the high end devices, the upgrades are fast enough. The Galaxy S 2 was the second device after the Nexus to be updated. But was still an excellent phone on Gingerbread. The final gingerbread builds had amazing battery life, however the ICS build probably improves the battery life even further.

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

egel

36 posts

Geek

#599148 23-Mar-2012 15:01

JayTaicho: You know, Dick Smith are giving away a TV when you purchase the GSII.

I always recommend the Galaxy Note, but if you think the GNex is too big, then you probably won't even consider the GNote.

If only I had a use for a 22" TV. It's not that I think it is too big, it's that I don't know whether I will like having a phone that size. I guess I should try out a Note and see what I think, because if I don't find it abominably large then the Nexus will be fine. However, I'm seriously contemplating waiting.

Nah, not really, for most of the high end devices, the upgrades are fast enough. The Galaxy S 2 was the second device after the Nexus to be updated. But was still an excellent phone on Gingerbread. The final gingerbread builds had amazing battery life, however the ICS build probably improves the battery life even further.

Thanks. Do you reckon the S3 will hit before July? Is all this talk of April still just rumours?

JayTaicho

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#599161 23-Mar-2012 15:14

First impression's of the Note will always be it's too big, but after a few days you forget about it. I can't see myself updating to anything smaller than 4.5" screen size. Love my Note!

The GSIII was rumoured to have a 4.8" screen, but I'll believe it when I see it. I heard they're unveiling it at some conference in June. But all rumours so far. Nothing confirmed.

d3Xt3r

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#599180 23-Mar-2012 15:54

egel:

Thanks. Do you reckon the S3 will hit before July? Is all this talk of April still just rumours?

Well the S2 was announced around Feb-March last year and hit NZ in May, so assuming the same timeframes, I think it's reasonable to expect the S3 to hit our shores well before July..

stevenz

2802 posts

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#599208 23-Mar-2012 16:56

JayTaicho: First impression's of the Note will always be it's too big, but after a few days you forget about it. I can't see myself updating to anything smaller than 4.5" screen size. Love my Note!

The GSIII was rumoured to have a 4.8" screen, but I'll believe it when I see it. I heard they're unveiling it at some conference in June. But all rumours so far. Nothing confirmed.

+1

If the GS3 is in fact 4.8" then I -might- consider it, but anything smaller would feel tiny compared to my Note. I may hold out for the Galaxy Note II - this thing would be incredible with a true HD screen and a quadcore CPU.

@KnightNZ

nakedmolerat

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#599211 23-Mar-2012 17:00

egel: So, I still have a Sanyo SCP6650, and obviously at some point this year I'll be needing a new phone. I really want to move to a smartphone, and I am not very interested in an iPhone or something running Windows Phone.

given that you are 'new' to android, my recommendation would be either galaxy nexus or xperia S.

galaxy nexus - always up-to-date as this phone is from google. second best choice would be Sony Xperia-S. I found that Sony keeps their product up-to-date better than samsung etc, and the phone UI is close to stock and less bloatware.

einfo.co.nz has galaxy nexus for nz$726 only (including gst) - special price. i do not recommend mobicity as their price does NOT include GST - (you may need to pay this later at the custom because their phones is sent from australia)

galaxy s3 could be before July or August or September. who knows. some said samsung rather wait until iphone 5 launch.

edit: just read this

egel:
Use case (approximate order of importance):
Texting, calling, some app development, email, maybe videos or games when on trips, possibly loading custom ROMs, web browsing.

in that order, galaxy nexus should be your choice.

egel

36 posts

Geek

#599311 23-Mar-2012 22:15

nakedmolerat:

given that you are 'new' to android, my recommendation would be either galaxy nexus or xperia S.

galaxy nexus - always up-to-date as this phone is from google. second best choice would be Sony Xperia-S. I found that Sony keeps their product up-to-date better than samsung etc, and the phone UI is close to stock and less bloatware.

OK, cheers. Thanks for the advice.

nakedmolerat:
einfo.co.nz has galaxy nexus for nz$726 only (including gst) - special price. i do not recommend mobicity as their price does NOT include GST - (you may need to pay this later at the custom because their phones is sent from australia)

Tvm - very good to know.

nakedmolerat:
galaxy s3 could be before July or August or September. who knows. some said samsung rather wait until iphone 5 launch.

Which means it might or might not be out before I have to dump my CDMA phone. Not sure I want to gamble on it.

nakedmolerat:

in that order, galaxy nexus should be your choice.

Even over waiting for Q1 and Q2 phones this year?

CdTDroiD

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#599319 23-Mar-2012 22:35

Id consider the Galaxy Note, but its pretty big... Ive had a Galaxy Nexus when they came out and it was pretty awesome, it was also pretty large and the battery life was crap but im pretty sure it was because of the ICS version that was out at the time.

Other than that the Nexus is a VERY nice phone and super cheap for that. Im getting another phone this weekend also, i was going to either get another Nexus or the Note... cant decide either lol

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