Nexus 4 soon, thoughts current/prospective iPhone users?

[onthecouchagain]

No CDMA either, correct? So Verizon and Sprint customers are left out in the cold for now it seems?

Yup. After the debacle that is the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, Google doesn't want to deal with carriers.

This is a mistake, however, I feel. They will have to eventually. The Nexus line seems to finally be coming into its own. Google still needs to forge better relationships with carriers to get LTE specific versions out there, and to get CDMA versions out there.

The way Google sees it now, if they can't control their software updates, what's the point of giving a carrier a Nexus phone? Verizon is more to blame than Google for the debacle of updates with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Google will have to find a way. At this point in time, they just don't have the sort of clout Apple does.

The Verge writes up a great article about what happened: http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3569688/why-nexus-4-does-not-have-4g-lte/in/3335719

The Galaxy Nexus was announced last year with a promised LTE version on Verizon, but the carrier held back releasing the phone for months to promote its own Droid RAZR instead. Google eventually grew tired of waiting and sent unlocked HSPA+ devices to reviewers. And software updates for Nexus phones sold through carriers have been problematic as well: it took the Verizon three full months to disseminate the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to its Galaxy Nexus, slightly longer than Sprint. That's actually better than it used to be with carrier-partnered Nexus devices, but still much longer what Google can achieve without carrier intervention — and far too long in a marketplace where Apple has set a standard for simultaneous worldwide software distribution across multiple carriers.

 

[kenypowa]

Funny how almost every iPhone user in here has said this when the iphone just barely got LTE itself. In the 4 and 4s LTE was something iPhone users claimed wasnt important, a battery drain and not needed. Now it seems they cant live without it

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The same could be said for the iPhone 4 and 4s which didnt have LTE either. You just got LTE a month ago, stop acting like its a must have.

Typical Apple fanboys. Just look at the Scott Forstall thread. Before he was fired, people loved him; suddenly he became the scapegoat for all of Apple's missteps.

Of course, other examples include 10 inch is the perfect size for tablet, and 3.5 inch is perfect for a phone; their brains suddenly change when Apple release new products.

 

[AznTakumi]

Anyone know if I could use this phone on AT&T without a data plan?

 

[onthecouchagain]

HSPA+ is no slouch. We're talking about differences of seconds in loading webpages.

What you get in exchange for LTE? 15+ hours talk time, 330 hours standby time (versus iPhone's 8 hours talk, 225 hours standby).

A few seconds in exchange for nearly double the battery time of the iPhone? Worth it.

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Anyone know if I could use this phone on AT&T without a data plan?

I could be mistaken, but I believe so, yes. It's unlocked. You can do whatever you want with the phone.

 

[xak]

How did the iphone 4 and 4s compete without LTE? Again, the iphone JUST got LTE a month ago but iPhone fans swear its like a must have and they have had it for years. Just stop already.

Huh? I seriously don't get this. LTE is the latest tech and this is the latest phone. The iPhone 4/4S competed without LTE because LTE wasn't very available - it is now. Would you buy a computer with a 56k modem after broadband was available in your area?

LTE is the latest cellular data technology, it is the fastest. Google's phone is brand new and is coming out after LTE has already been in plenty of other phones. I mean, people were complaining the iP4S didn't have LTE and that the iP5 was just "playing catch-up" - why is Google lagging behind?

Isn't this Google's flagship phone, i.e. their very best? It should include the very best cellular data technology.

LTE is the deal breaker for many, especially if they are looking to buy a new phone they probably want new cellular data technology.

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HSPA+ is no slouch. We're talking about differences of seconds in loading webpages.

I just ran a speed test on my iPhone 5.

LTE: 51.84 Mbps down and 13.79 Mbps up, ping 48ms
HSPA+ ("4G"): 5.60 Mbps down and 0.98 Mbps up, ping 79ms

TEN times the download speed and upload speed is no small difference. This is an order of magnitude greater than HSPA+, sir.

A "difference of seconds," ha. The timescale of the broadband speeds are always measured in seconds, so yes the fact that I can download what would take 10 seconds in only a single second is a significant difference. Those seconds add up and become minutes on HSPA+, but remain measured in seconds on LTE.

 

[onthecouchagain]

LTE is the deal breaker for many, especially if they are looking to buy a new phone they probably want new cellular data technology.

Google does need to try to get LTE and carrier specific versions out there eventually. It'll only be better for them and the consumers.

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I just ran a speed test on my iPhone 5.

LTE: 51.84 Mbps down and 13.79 Mbps up, ping 48ms
HSPA+ ("4G"): 5.60 Mbps down and 0.98 Mbps up, ping 79ms

TEN times the download speed and upload speed is no small difference. This is an order of magnitude greater than HSPA+, sir.

A "difference of seconds," ha. The timescale of the broadband speeds are always measured in seconds, so yes the fact that I can download what would take 10 seconds in only a single second is a significant difference. Those seconds add up and become minutes on HSPA+, but remain measured in seconds on LTE.

All true. I guess I never got those speeds on LTE. Download speed tests are dandy, but in real world usages, I've yet to have a website require anywhere near 10 seconds to load on HSPA+.

 

[lshirase]

Had high hopes for the NX4, but lack of storage and LTE is a killer.

LTE:

For those saying the difference between HSPA+ and LTE is only a few seconds....lolol. The difference is immense. Especially when downloading, streaming HD videos, tethering, etc. If you have LTE in your area, don't skip on it. It's definitely a feature worth having on your NEW phone.

Storage:

16GB max? this is a huge problem. Not everyone has unlimited data. Furthermore, google music is a joke. Poor UI, constant crashes, slow, etc. Oh yeah, it also kills the battery because its a streaming service. That right there cancels out the "amazing" battery life of the NX4. I'm glad i picked up the 32GB iP5. It's nice having all my music/videos/etc on me at all times.

I really wanted to give android another shot (RIP SGS2). I have heard nothing but positive things regarding jelly bean. The hardware just isn't there. Maybe next year

 

[xak]

All true. I guess I never got those speeds on LTE.

That probably has a lot to do with it. If you don't live an LTE area, why buy an LTE phone? If you don't even get good, reliable LTE speeds on your carrier or in your area, why bother?

But for me, there is no going back from LTE and thus I cannot consider Google's Nexus, even though I'd like to.

Seriously, I get twice the download speeds of my HOME CABLE INTERNET! That is amazing.

 

[onthecouchagain]

That probably has a lot to do with it. If you don't live an LTE area, why buy an LTE phone? If you don't even get good, reliable LTE speeds on your carrier or in your area, why bother?

But for me, there is no going back from LTE and thus I cannot consider Google's Nexus, even though I'd like to.

Seriously, I get twice the download speeds of my HOME CABLE INTERNET! That is amazing.

All valid.

But when it takes a few seconds anyway to completely load webpages, the differences in real world usages are not that dramatic.

It's not like webpages take 10+ seconds to load on HSPA+. They literally take seconds, even content heavy websites like the Verge. It just took all but 5 seconds to load on my Galaxy Nexus running HSPA+. LTE will get me there faster, no contention, but faster by a few seconds, like I originally said.

In terms of download speed tests, then the math is different and far bigger of a difference, sure.

And this is without factoring the benefits of trading in LTE. You worry less about caps and you get nearly double the battery life of the iPhone. I'm not trying to convince you or anything, just saying HSPA+ versus LTE may not be deal breakers.

 

[matttye]

Google needs to work on its' ecosystem. Android already has a lot more features than iOS; adding more won't bring me back.

When the Android ecosystem is as good as or better than iOS, I'll go back in a heartbeat!

 

[Dmunjal]

In the US, no LTE is a big issue. But I think Google is really going after the emerging markets where this is not a lot LTE yet and they don't have subsidized plans. This will be a big winner there.

 

[Goratrix]

Isn't this Google's flagship phone, i.e. their very best?

No, it isn't. It's their ONLY phone.

I guess you are thinking about other Android phones, but those are not made by Google. And there will be plenty of those with LTE support for those who desperately need it. The Nexus line was never meant to be the ultimate high-end, and none of the previous Nexuses was. It's a phone designed to be as universal and hassle-free as possible, working in most countries worldwide. LTE support, which requires heavy carrier involvement, goes against this design philosophy.

 

[Mr Hill]

The Tmobile version supports DC-HSPA (hspa+ 42). Real world speeds around 20+ Mbps down. Pretty comparable to some LTE speeds.

 

[surjavarman]

The phone is primarily made out of plastic. only the front and that pathetic backplate is made from glass (which I actually don't believe) but the rest of is plastic.

Not only that there are ugly lines all over the phone and everything isn't fused seamlessly together. That detracts immensely from the user experience and premium feel of the phone. It will suffer from all kinds of problem from structural durability to dust building up anywhere there are seams. The iphone still reigns supreme upon further inspection

 

[lshirase]

If only google manufactured and designed their own phone. I would love to have a top-of-the-line flagship Nexus device with 100% google software and hardware.

 

[adztaylor]

The phone is primarily made out of plastic. only the front and that pathetic backplate is made from glass (which I actually don't believe) but the rest of is plastic.

Not only that there are ugly lines all over the phone and everything isn't fused seamlessly together. That detracts immensely from the user experience and premium feel of the phone. It will suffer from all kinds of problem from structural durability to dust building up anywhere there are seams. The iphone still reigns supreme upon further inspection

Ahh so you've had a hands on with the device?

 

[Dmunjal]

Ahh so you've had a hands on with the device?

I still can't get over his view that a phone that is almost all glass on the outside (which he doesn't believe) is "primarily" plastic!

I got my laugh for today. Thanks.

 

[thadoggfather]

Wow LG is still alive?

They might even be the ones that made your particular iPhone 5 screen (or Japan Display/Sharp)

Not much about this is LG besides the screen (which should be good I'd imagine) and exterior casing, which was "designed by Google."

The SoC is made by Qualcomm, the camera is the same Sony showing up on all the latest smartphones 4S onward and GS3 onward.

 

[onthecouchagain]

This isn't just about the phone too... Some of the new features of 4.2 are incredible. Swipe-like typing is now standard, Photo Steer panaroma, multiple user accounts (for tablets), quick settings menus, widgets on the lock screen... really exciting stuff.

And I think the shake up at Apple with Scott Forestall is a quiet admission that Apple needs to begin steering iOS in new directions. The slow update game they're playing is allowing the competition to surpass and distance them.

 

[romeo0119]

Probably gonna get this as my back up, as soon as I pull the trigger to upgrade to the iPhone 5, I will sell my current 4s to get this one, $349 is too damn good off contract not to get it. Now just the matter of nano sim and microsim, such a hassle when switching device back n forth

 

[ercsliberty]

google phones are nice, but not as reliable as the iphone. ive tried

 

[thadoggfather]

google phones are nice, but not as reliable as the iphone. ive tried

I would agree with this.

And I find a jailbroken iOS device to be the best.

Stock, still really nice and functional and stable, but I want my extra bells and whistles already.

 

[michaeljohn]

Huh? I seriously don't get this. LTE is the latest tech and this is the latest phone. The iPhone 4/4S competed without LTE because LTE wasn't very available - it is now.

LTE has been available nearly 2 years. The 4 and for sure 4s could have had it. Yet iPhone fans swore up and down it was not needed. Now all of the sudden it is?

 

[sotorious]

Jyess almost bought the note 2, glad i waited for the specs and info on this. Gettin the hell out of verizon and back to good ol t-mobile. Cant wait till the 13th, havent been on android since gingerbread, got that sweet tooth again, im coming! im coming!

 

[blairh]

I've been using my iPhone 5 and LTE since launch day. Today I was working in an area that had 4G and not LTE. The difference between 4G and LTE is obvious. I like everything about the Nexus 4 except for the lack of LTE. Honestly, I would rather opt for the Optimus G which has LTE over the Nexus 4. Sure, you are getting ICS versus 4.2, but in exchange you also have LTE enabled and the ability to use an SD card up to 64 GB's. Optimus G>Nexus 4 IMO.

Having said that, if I didn't care about LTE and/or really wanted an unlocked smartphone, then the Nexus 4 is the clear choice.