Nexus 4 - Official - JUST ANNOUNCED $299 off contract [Merged]

[jsw]

Because there are plenty of people like myself on a CDMA carrier who would like a Nexus phone with LTE and without carrier bloatware. Google seems incapable of doing that but strangely enough, Apple can. Google is either too cheap or too lazy to make it happen.

Again, note that Apple was unable to come to an agreement with Verizon either. It took years of massive iPhone sales and early smartphone dominance to get them the leverage. Google is but one of many, many Android phone options, and Verizon's customers, for the most part, aren't clamoring for the Nexus 4 specifically - they usually aren't clamoring for any specific phone unless it's the iPhone. So... Google might never have the leverage, and now that they'll have their own LTE network, it likely will not matter.

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Nope, not at all. They took the phone to Verizon, a CDMA carrier, first but Verizon turned them down. So they went to AT&T next. Apple was under contract on a GSM carrier, making a CDMA iPhone would have been a breach of that contract. They COULDNT make a CDMA iPhone until that contract was up. Whats so hard to understand here?

Oh, I'm sure they could have found a GSM carrier without the weight to force no CDMA - T-mobile, for instance - but they didn't. They chose AT&T because it was the most profitable decision.

It's all about money and market share. Google made a wise decision, and it had nothing to do with being lazy or with being cheap. They made a phone that they can't even keep in stock, so... it seems to have been working out for them.

 

[ChazUK]

Because there are plenty of people like myself on a CDMA carrier who would like a Nexus phone with LTE and without carrier bloatware. Google seems incapable of doing that but strangely enough, Apple can. Google is either too cheap or too lazy to make it happen.

Did you know that the CDMA network has issues with being distributed with the AOSP?

For various technical reasons, recent CDMA Android devices implement core telephony functionality in .apk files provided in binary form by the carriers. To function correctly, these .apk files must be signed by the so-called "platform" key. However, when an individual creates a custom build from the AOSP source code, they don't use the same signing key as these CDMA flies were signed with.

https://groups.google.com/forum/m/?fromgroups#!msg/android-contrib/phz3S5ZdveU/tb2R8nf_tPAJ

Google have had issue after issue distributing binaries for CDMA. All of the GSM Nexus' devices have had fantastic support in the AOSP and the Nexus 4 binaries have started to be pushed to the AOSP tree.

Yes it could be purely to do with the things you say, but I do feel that the issues caused with CDMA support in the past have also made Google think twice about CDMA devices. The CDMA XOOM, Nexus S & Galaxy Nexus have all been a pain to support (which is why I don't really class them as true Nexus devices).

Now with WiFi and GSM only hardware in the 4, 7 and 10, all that BS can stop and all devices can be fully supported in the AOSP with zero issue.

Apple don't have to put up with the same stuff due to the closed nature of their hardware and platform although I'd love to see them give it a try (iPhones with unlockable boot loaders, fully supported by the open source community).

 

[michaeljohn]

You both make valid points to consider, thanks

 

[fosking]

OK, I'm sold. Now I have to wait for it to come back into stock.

 

[Vegastouch]

As I said, Google cheaped out with the phone. They even admitted it

"So, it seems that Google was telling the truth when it said that adding LTE would have been too expensive, added too much bulk, and been difficult because of the varying LTE compatibility around the world"

Ignoring a HUGE number of CDMA users because it would bring up your cost is just cheap and pathetic for a company as big as Google to be honest. What if Apple were to say they werent going to make a CDMA iPhone because its too expensive or make their phone too bulky? Thats bush league and thats why Google and its Nexus line will never attain the success that Apple and the iPhone have.

Whaa, just stop your whining. Again, they made this a world phone and the WORLD is a lot bigger than a couple of US carriers on CDMA while the rest of the world isnt on CDMA or LTE. You want one, switch carriers like you had to do with the iPhone for four years,... Oh but we cant bring that up now can we?

The iPhone just got LTE a little over a month ago and millions still bought the 4S without it. Some still are...without LTE because it is cheaper than the iP5 that doesnt offer much else.

As for your claim the Nexus and Google will never reach Apple status, i bet you said that about Android and Samsung too

 

[inhalewaste]

By the way, why are people still complaining about the lack of LTE on this phone still? Google made it clear that this phone did not support it from the get-go. Want LTE? Look elsewhere. Try a Galaxy S3, or an Optimus G. Too expensive? Not my problem.

If the Google and Dish partnership comes to fruition, next year's Nexus 4 could support LTE. Dish already owns LTE spectrum that's just waiting for a partnership like this to be used.

2013 could be a very interesting year for Google.

 

[rillrill]

anybody's shipping date get moved? mine was the 15th. now it's the 17th. still no ups shipping or charge...weird, but getting closer....

 

[strausd]

anybody's shipping date get moved? mine was the 15th. now it's the 17th. still no ups shipping or charge...weird, but getting closer....

Ditto. Which means it better ship today or I am gonna go craaaaaaaaazyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Actually the date changed but shipping estimate is still the 15th

 

[aneftp]

Whaa, just stop your whining. Again, they made this a world phone and the WORLD is a lot bigger than a couple of US carriers on CDMA while the rest of the world isnt on CDMA or LTE. You want one, switch carriers like you had to do with the iPhone for four years,... Oh but we cant bring that up now can we?

The iPhone just got LTE a little over a month ago and millions still bought the 4S without it. Some still are...without LTE because it is cheaper than the iP5 that doesnt offer much else.

As for your claim the Nexus and Google will never reach Apple status, i bet you said that about Android and Samsung too

Hate to tell u this. But Apple has the US carriers by the balls.

Google doesn't. Samsung doesn't.

Sprint CEO let the cat out of the bag when he says Sprint pays 40% more for iPhone than any other phone including the Galaxy phones.

That means carriers are paying close to $600 for iPhone 5 in bulk and around $450 for S3's which they than subsidized.

That's why u see third party pricing on high end android prices much lower than the $199 2 year price.

Plus Apple allows no bloat ware while Android devices are crippled with bloat ware and slow updates "subject to carrier approval"

If Nexus lines were truly popular, carriers would pick it up in the USA. So far u only have tmobile USA subsidizing And their subsidies are only $150 vs $400 for iPhone.

 

[Orange Furball]

their subsidies are only $150 vs $400 for iPhone.

You want them to give you $50 free for a phone? The iPhone costs $750 ish off contract, the nexus 4 is $350. That argument thus becomes invalid.

 

[aneftp]

You want them to give you $50 free for a phone? The iPhone costs $750 ish off contract, the nexus 4 is $350. That argument thus becomes invalid.

Yes. The Nexus 4 should be free on a 2 year contract. Tmobile requires 24 month data plans also. Don't forget that.

Data is the huge cash cow for cellular carriers.

The iPhone 16Gb is $650 off contract plus taxes. The a nexus 4 off contract at google is $350. For some idiotic reason tmobile claims their retail nexus 4 price is $499 (same exact nexus 4 phone maybe supports 42mpbs like anyone can tell difference between 21mps vs 42 mpbs) in real time

Cell phone companies make billions on guaranteed contracts plus in tmobile case they also get guaranteed monthly data plans. You just cannot sell your nexus phone and switch to flip phone and take off the data plans.

 

[inhalewaste]

Google may be (likely are) subsidizing the nexus 4 from lg.

 

[Orange Furball]

Yes. The Nexus 4 should be free on a 2 year contract. Tmobile requires 24 month data plans also. Don't forget that.

Data is the huge cash cow for cellular carriers.

The iPhone 16Gb is $650 off contract plus taxes. The a nexus 4 off contract at google is $350. For some idiotic reason tmobile claims their retail nexus 4 price is $499 (same exact nexus 4 phone maybe supports 42mpbs like anyone can tell difference between 21mps vs 42 mpbs) in real time

Cell phone companies make billions on guaranteed contracts plus in tmobile case they also get guaranteed monthly data plans. You just can sell your nexus phone and switch to flip phone and take off the data plans.

That $499 MSRP is from Google. They are loosing money or barely breaking even in the play store on these but make up for it with software purchases. T-Mobile may buy it for $400 off Google and they sell it for a $100 profit.

Contracts are a ripoff and buying a nexus 4 is my first step towards getting rid of them. After this its just waiting for my current one to run out. Then im free. If Google would just make some more so I can order id be happy!

 

[Vegastouch]

Hate to tell u this. But Apple has the US carriers by the balls.

Google doesn't. Samsung doesn't.

Sprint CEO let the cat out of the bag when he says Sprint pays 40% more for iPhone than any other phone including the Galaxy phones.

That means carriers are paying close to $600 for iPhone 5 in bulk and around $450 for S3's which they than subsidized.

T-Mobile dont have the iPhone and refused to pay what they asked.

That's why u see third party pricing on high end android prices much lower than the $199 2 year price.

Much lower, ...really? Such as? My GS3 was more than the $199 the other carriers were asking.

Plus Apple allows no bloat ware while Android devices are crippled with bloat ware and slow updates "subject to carrier approval"

I was told there is AT&T bloatware on the iPhone. I dont know though since i dont have one.

If Nexus lines were truly popular, carriers would pick it up in the USA. So far u only have tmobile USA subsidizing And their subsidies are only $150 vs $400 for iPhone.

Uh huh, so what your telling me is that the other carriers wanted the LG Optimus G and Windows phones but not the Nexus 4?

Right. Im sure Google had no choice but to sell it the way they are

You might want to rethink that one.

 

[coyote9]

Been following macrumors for most of the year. Heavily invested in the walled garden that is Apple and looking to break away. After reading all the positive feelings towards Nexus 4 before launch I was convinced it would be the replacement for my iPhone 4. But after reading some of the reviews here on battery life, and it is a very small sample, I'm not sure.

If you guys go to the xda forums, there is an overwhelming complaint over the battery life of a Nexus 4. This is one of the big reasons I wanted to upgrade out of the iPhone. It rarely if ever lasts a full day, and if the complaints on the Nexus 4 are true, I fear we have another dud on our hands.

 

[strausd]

I was told there is AT&T bloatware on the iPhone. I dont know though since i dont have one.

Whoever told you that was incorrect. Every single iOS device is completely stock. Always has been, always will be. There have been no exceptions to this.

Apple is all about user experience, letting a carrier even think about touching iOS is considered the worst sin anyone could ever commit. Well, that is Apples thinking at least.

 

[cynics]

Whoever told you that was incorrect. Every single iOS device is completely stock. Always has been, always will be. There have been no exceptions to this.

Apple is all about user experience, letting a carrier even think about touching iOS is considered the worst sin anyone could ever commit. Well, that is Apples thinking at least.

There are minor variations

My Verizon is a link from iOS directly to Verizon's web page.

 

[strausd]

There are minor variations

Image

My Verizon is a link from iOS directly to Verizon's web page.

IMO bloatware isn't just a link to a website. This is more of what I would call Verizon bloatware, which there is and never has been any of on an iPhone:

And bloatware can get even worse when the carrier restricts certain apps (Google Wallet) and slaps their logo on another company's device.

 

[cynics]

IMO bloatware isn't just a link to a website. This is more of what I would call Verizon bloatware, which there is and never has been any of on an iPhone:
Image

And bloatware can get even worse when the carrier restricts certain apps (Google Wallet) and slaps their logo on another company's device.

I agree, carrier bloatware is worse on Android then Apple. I was just mentioning that Verizon does modify there iPhones for there network.

I like how Apple can keep the hideous Verizon logo off the phone itself. I hate how they literally manufacture there name into a device. I'm using my Xoom right now and their logo is literally under the screens glass....lucky its very faint....

 

[ChazUK]

I agree, carrier bloatware is worse on Android then Apple. I was just mentioning that Verizon does modify there iPhones for there network.

I like how Apple can keep the hideous Verizon logo off the phone itself. I hate how they literally manufacture there name into a device. I'm using my Xoom right now and their logo is literally under the screens glass....lucky its very faint....

Worst. Carrier. Branding. Ever.

WHY? On the home button?

 

[cynics]

Image
Worst. Carrier. Branding. Ever.

WHY? On the home button?

Ugh, that is by far the worst I've seen.....I wonder if that button can be replaced?

 

[aneftp]

T-Mobile dont have the iPhone and refused to pay what they asked.


Much lower, ...really? Such as? My GS3 was more than the $199 the other carriers were asking.



I was told there is AT&T bloatware on the iPhone. I dont know though since i dont have one.



Uh huh, so what your telling me is that the other carriers wanted the LG Optimus G and Windows phones but not the Nexus 4?

Right. Im sure Google had no choice but to sell it the way they are

You might want to rethink that one.

Retails stores (official corp) may sell GS3 for $199. But third party like Best Buy/Amazon//SAMs club etc often times sell high end android devices for less than $199 on contract.

Just look at the $99 deals for the S3 from third parties. Now SAMs is having a 96 cents sale for S3.

Third parties cannot sell iPhone 5 for less than $199. Maybe once in a while they discount $25 like last year Black Friday for the 4S at Target.

Other carriers want to put their bloat ware on android phones. That's why the Nexus 4 isn't at ATT/Verizon.

Google wants to control the software updates with their Nexus and Tmobile is desperate these days.

 

[rillrill]

Ditto. Which means it better ship today or I am gonna go craaaaaaaaazyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Actually the date changed but shipping estimate is still the 15th
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yeah, mine changed though. first it said shipping the 17th...now it's like yrs. ??? i just want some communication here from google. if im on the waiting list at least let me know....

 

[DeathChill]

I agree, carrier bloatware is worse on Android then Apple. I was just mentioning that Verizon does modify there iPhones for there network.

I like how Apple can keep the hideous Verizon logo off the phone itself. I hate how they literally manufacture there name into a device. I'm using my Xoom right now and their logo is literally under the screens glass....lucky its very faint....

Verizon doesn't get to modify the iPhone at all. The iPhone does something similar for whatever carrier it's attached to.

 

[Vegastouch]

Retails stores (official corp) may sell GS3 for $199. But third party like Best Buy/Amazon//SAMs club etc often times sell high end android devices for less than $199 on contract.

Just look at the $99 deals for the S3 from third parties. Now SAMs is having a 96 cents sale for S3.

Third parties cannot sell iPhone 5 for less than $199. Maybe once in a while they discount $25 like last year Black Friday for the 4S at Target.

Yes there are two day events and things like that every now and then...like TMo is having one of those now...or it ended yesterday, on all their smartphones. Apple just never discounts their products til there is a new model and even then, it isnt a big discount...till 3rd parties like Best Buy put them on sale. So yes, it happens to them too, just not as often.

Other carriers want to put their bloat ware on android phones. That's why the Nexus 4 isn't at ATT/Verizon.

Thats not why they dont have it. There is no Logo or bloatware on the N4 that T-Mobile is selling. It is the very same as if you bought it from the Google Play Store.

Google wants to control the software updates with their Nexus and Tmobile is desperate these days.

LOL....no they arent. This isnt the first time TMo has had the Nexus exclusive to them for a time. The Nexus One was sold thru TMo as well. And what do you mean by Google wants to control updates with their Nexus line? You mean they want to do what Apple does? Oh the Horrah of not wanting to have it go thru the carriers

Sorry, you dont know what your talking about.