How do you like the Galaxy Nexus?

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

^This guy right here!

I bought my Mom a Galaxy Nexus (on Verizon) today, and I've been tinkering around a little bit on it. I unlocked the bootloader and rooted it, so I could side-load Google Wallet onto it. I tried it out when she had to go to the store for some things, and it worked perfectly!

I have to say, Jelly Bean is wonderful. Project Butter has made a HUGE difference in performance. Plus, it doesn't have any of that stock vendor/carrier bloatware, and it isn't running a heavily themed version of Android, like Samsung's TouchWiz. Really fast.

I was thinking about cancelling my iPhone 5 order, and buying this instead. Plus, it's on sale at Verizon for $49.99 until October 31st.

But, how do you guys like it?

 

[Coasterfanryan]

I'm a fan of it! At times I wish I would have waited for the price to come down, instead of getting the iPhone 4 last year.

 

[3bs]

Personally, I'd wait for the upcoming Nexus phone(s) but I'm the type that likes having the latest and greatest.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

Personally, I'd wait for the upcoming Nexus phone(s) but I'm the type that likes having the latest and greatest.

I would, but I dunno if I want to buy it if it's LG. I've heard that the camera isn't the best...

 

[3bs]

I would, but I dunno if I want to buy it if it's LG. I've heard that the camera isn't the best...

I'm not sure how I feel about that either but the event is on the 29th so I'd say it's worth waiting for. You'll still have 2 days to buy the Nexus with that offer.

 

[tbayrgs]

I would, but I dunno if I want to buy it if it's LG. I've heard that the camera isn't the best...

Have you tried the camera on the GNex? It's not that great either...

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

I'm not sure how I feel about that either but the event is on the 29th so I'd say it's worth waiting for. You'll still have 2 days to buy the Nexus with that offer.

Good point. I didn't realize that today was the 20th.



On a side note, Google Wallet is amazing. Although, I'm not thrilled to use the American Eagle offers (or most of the offers in general), you have to go to a store with NFC. Meaning, I'd have to trek all the way to Chicago, NYC, or DC just to get that 20% off.

More national brands need to start accepting Google Offers, or just NFC payment. The local grocery store chain (Meijer) accepts NFC payment, but Walmart doesn't? That makes no sense whatsoever...

----------

Have you tried the camera on the GNex? It not that great either...

No. I'll take a test shot and look at it on my computer. One second.

EDIT: Yeah, not the best camera. I can see a lot of grain in the photos...

 

[tech4all]

The main reason why I went with the Nexus is because you're getting directly from the source - Google. Personally I would only choose Nexus or an iPhone. Not going to go with carrier's version and have to wait months just to get an update when I could get it now with Google.

The only complaint I have is that the design of the phone lacks. The iPhone beats it there IMO. Yea the iPhone 5's design is boring now, but it's still better than the current Nexus IMO.

I'm hoping Google uses someone else to design the Nexus 2, not a big fan of Samsung when it comes to phones; insulting your customers in a commercial is never a good idea.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

The main reason why I went with the Nexus is because you're getting directly from the source - Google. Personally I would only choose Nexus or an iPhone. Not going to go with carrier's version and have to wait months just to get an update when I could get it now with Google.

The only complaint I have is that the design of the phone lacks. The iPhone beats it there IMO. Yea the iPhone 5's design is boring now, but it's still better than the current Nexus IMO.

I'm hoping Google uses someone else to design the Nexus 2, not a big fan of Samsung when it comes to phones; insulting your customers in a commercial is never a good idea.

Yeah, that's why I chose a Nexus device. Straight from Google. And no waiting for updates. For example, my Mom's Boyfriend's SGS3 won't get JB until late November according to Verizon. This has had it for awhile now.

It does lack a bit, and it's thicker than the iPhone, or even the GSM version of the GNex.

Insulting them isn't right. My new thing is pulling my hands away from my head and going "PSHHHHHHHH" like the dude in the SGS3 ad when he says that they moved the headset jack to the bottom.

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

I loved my GNex when I had it. Jellybean was great. I returned it because of build quality, battery life and screen.

The new rumored (pretty much confirmed) LG Nexus will have much better build quality. All of the reviews of the LG Optimus have been pretty great so far. They have been impressed with the screen, build quality and SPEED.

Unless you need a phone IMO I would wait and see what surprises Google has up their sleeves in 9 days. Just keep in mind that it will most likely be available unlocked only for a while before it comes to the carriers. And that could cost $399 to $499. Even though that is great for an unlocked phone it is still obviously way more than $49.

This brings us to the question if carrier Nexus devices should even count because they have carrier bloat ware (I think), remove features and get slow updates.

Sorry for the long post. I hope that helps.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I have a GSM unlocked GN, and it's easily the best smartphone I've owned.

 

[blackhand1001]

Image

^This guy right here!

I bought my Mom a Galaxy Nexus (on Verizon) today, and I've been tinkering around a little bit on it. I unlocked the bootloader and rooted it, so I could side-load Google Wallet onto it. I tried it out when she had to go to the store for some things, and it worked perfectly!

I have to say, Jelly Bean is wonderful. Project Butter has made a HUGE difference in performance. Plus, it doesn't have any of that stock vendor/carrier bloatware, and it isn't running a heavily themed version of Android, like Samsung's TouchWiz. Really fast.

I was thinking about cancelling my iPhone 5 order, and buying this instead. Plus, it's on sale at Verizon for $49.99 until October 31st.

But, how do you guys like it?

Excellent phone. Coming up on a year with mine. Still love it and not anxious to upgrade which is not usually the case.

 

[PBz]

LTE & a great camera & I would be all in.

Don't count HTC out of the next Nexus game.

 

[PDFierro]

Galaxy Nexus seems awesome. I'm looking at getting a smartphone soon, maybe the Galaxy Nexus if the LG Nexus doesn't impress me.

I think it's worth getting the GSM version for most people. Verizon model is pretty different.

 

[aznguyen316]

Gnex is great however if you want a phone right now, I'd prefer the Galaxy S3 as the verizon has unlocked bootloader hack and root. There are some GREAT roms out there, liquidsmooth being my favorite JB rom.

I just swapped the S3 however to the Razr M mostly for the size, it's pretty much the same size as the iPhone 5. The CPU is same as the S3's and has a 1GB of ram and leaked JB. But yeah tbh I would still prefer an iP5 if I had an upgrade, but the M is doing very well.

 

[golf1410]

When will they launch next gen nexus?

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

Gnex is great however if you want a phone right now, I'd prefer the Galaxy S3 as the verizon has unlocked bootloader hack and root. There are some GREAT roms out there, liquidsmooth being my favorite JB rom.

I just swapped the S3 however to the Razr M mostly for the size, it's pretty much the same size as the iPhone 5. The CPU is same as the S3's and has a 1GB of ram and leaked JB. But yeah tbh I would still prefer an iP5 if I had an upgrade, but the M is doing very well.

You can unlock the bootloader on the Galaxy Nexus. I did it to my the GNex I bought today. See? That little icon you see of an opened padlock means the bootloader was unlocked. It's rooted, too.

 

[ChazUK]

The Galaxy Nexus is my favourite handset and one of the best Android handsets I've ever owned.

All I really want from the next gen Nexus is a better camera and some upgraded internals. Looks like LG will deliver on that part at least. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

 

[waloshin]

Amazing device! Wouldn't trade it for any iPhone.

 

[MRU]

I got a Galaxy Nexus when it came out first back in October last year here.

I liked the phone overall but the camera was very poor (I do like snapping photos when I'm walking in the countryside or beach daily), also i didnt like the back panel (mine had slight flex which made it feel a bit cheap and delicate) and my biggest problem was there was a software bug on its initial release meaning it could not make phone calls on the 2G spectrum frequency here. They sorted with updated software fix it but took them 5 weeks, in which time I had a phone that couldn't make a call.

In that time I had to buy anther phone (Lumia 800) in order to receive calls.
in the end I just sold the nexus, a little disappointed with the whole experience.

Do prefer the AKOP experience on a nexus device, but my experience with Samsung phones has never been great unfortunately.

As for the LG one coming out, it doesn't offer enough to make me sell the one X I currently have.

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

When will they launch next gen nexus?

Google has sent out invites for an Android event Oct 29th. The next Nexus devices are widely expected to be announced/released there.

 

[aznguyen316]

You can unlock the bootloader on the Galaxy Nexus. I did it to my the GNex I bought today. See? That little icon you see of an opened padlock means the bootloader was unlocked. It's rooted, too.

Image

Well yeah I know that. What I meant was that was pretty much the only selling point, IMO, for the GNEX - that it had an unlocked bootloader etc and could have stock android. Well... the S3 can now on Verizon and I feel it's a much better device. Battery, camera, weight, dimensions... just my opinion, but if between a GNEX and S3 it is S3 hands down. Since you were asking about how do we like the Galaxy Nexus and you were considering canceling your iP5 to get one, I wanted to throw in my opinion, which is what you were looking for making this thread ya? Enjoy the Gnex - can't go wrong at $49.99!

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

Well yeah I know that. What I meant was that was pretty much the only selling point, IMO, for the GNEX - that it had an unlocked bootloader etc and could have stock android. Well... the S3 can now on Verizon and I feel it's a much better device. Battery, camera, weight, dimensions... just my opinion, but if between a GNEX and S3 it is S3 hands down. Since you were asking about how do we like the Galaxy Nexus and you were considering canceling your iP5 to get one, I wanted to throw in my opinion, which is what you were looking for making this thread ya? Enjoy the Gnex!

Ah, okay.

I compared it to my Mom's Boyfriend's S3 [also on VZW], and I thought the Nexus felt a little lighter sometimes, the S3 others. I tried out Android Beam though! That was so cool! I know you can get stock Android with a custom ROM, but you can't get stock Android on the SGSIII direct from VZW/or Samsung, can you? Haven't compared battery life, as the GNex just got it's first full charge. It's been floating around 25%-60% because it's been connected to my gaming PC, being rooted, unlocked, having APKs side-loaded, etc. I'll compare it later.

I'm also gonna run a Quadrant Standard test on it, and on the SGS3. Let's see which is better graphics wise...


But, as much as I'm really really really really REALLY wanting to cancel my iPhone 5 order, and jump off the iOS bandwagon and onto the Google/Android one, there's stuff holding me back.

For instance, I'd have to re-buy all my apps again. And even with a huge selection of apps on Android, I know the Play Store doesn't have some of the apps I use on iOS. Plus, I've been stuck with an iPhone 4 since 2011. I haven't gotten to experience some of these new features and improved hardware that has come to newer generations of devices and versions of iOS.

I do have one card on the table, though. I'm on a SharePlan with my grandparents. My Mom is moving her line, my line, and my brother's line over to her own account. For some reason, when you do that, you only have to sign a 1-year contract. Not 2 years. So, I can use my iPhone 5 for a year, then decide if I wanna hop onto Android.

 

[neiltc13]

I have this phone and it is great. Not sure why someone would return it because of the screen, it seems good to me.

The only thing I'd really want to change about it is for there to be a hardware home button and a hardware back button. The on screen buttons waste a lot of space and they aren't really that reliable. Plus with the on screen button I think it is confusing when you are one the home screen and there is a home button right below the apps button.

I'd also fix the UI in places, the contacts and dialler apps look awful and are inconsistent with everything else.

 

[BuryMeInSmoke]

I liked the nexus a lot. The only downfall I experienced was poor camera and it had the weakest signal out of any phone I've had.