Upgrade From A Galaxy S II 16GB ?

[Crono]

when is it as i need it by this week

I/O starts on 15th, but it's more announcements of upcoming devices and services rather than general availability right away.

I don't think they are announcing a new Nexus that would be available this very week.

 

[Eruditass]

It's my understanding that the Nexus4 has an LTE modem, but not an an amplifier(or antenna?) so it won't work nearly as far away from a LTE tower.

 

[Durvelle27]

I think im just gonna get the Nexus 4

 

[Riceninja]

for $299 nexus 4 is a great value, but u can pretty much pick up a brand new GS3 on craigslist for about $350 these days since ppl are getting them for free on contract upgrades. no tax too, so the price difference really is minimal. i'd say that the gs3 is better than nexus 4 in every way. unless of course, you're an ASOP elitist.

 

[Durvelle27]

for $299 nexus 4 is a great value, but u can pretty much pick up a brand new GS3 on craigslist for about $350 these days since ppl are getting them for free on contract upgrades. no tax too, so the price difference really is minimal. i'd say that the gs3 is better than nexus 4 in every way. unless of course, you're an ASOP elitist.

Dual Core vs Quadcore hmmm

 

[jacktesterson]

Nexus 4 - The development makes the phone for me. If that makes your nervous, don't. It's so easy to flash roms on this phone. A free toolkit has you ready in less than 2 mins. Watch a Youtube video in 10 mins to learn the basics on flashing a rom.

I simply love AOSP Android.

I also recommend installing Franco kernel - The color settings and Battery life are greatly improved.

HSPA+ in my area delivers 6-8 Mbit speeds here which is plenty for me on a phone. Yes LTE is nice for Latency (I use LTE All the time) but its not worth changing phones over in my opinion.

One knack on the N4 is the camera - Outside/Good light its decent - low light is like trying to use a webcam. Pretty much any other high end phone out performs it here - But to be honest get a good camera for those important events... No smartphone camera is Amazing - those that think they are have never used a decent camera.

Just make sure to get the 16GB Model.

I just sold a Note II today, had a Xperia ZL 2 weeks ago, still own an Optimus G, and had a HTC one in my hands for multiple days recently. I still keep coming back to the Nexus 4 for the Development and AOSP.


I would avoid the Dual core S3 - Lots of rumors indicating Key Lime Pie will only come to the Quad core version of the S3 - Not the Dual core.

 

[Durvelle27]

Nexus 4 - The development makes the phone for me. If that makes your nervous, don't. It's so easy to flash roms on this phone. A free toolkit has you ready in less than 2 mins. Watch a Youtube video in 10 mins to learn the basics on flashing a rom.

I simply love AOSP Android.

I also recommend installing Franco kernel - The color settings and Battery life are greatly improved.

HSPA+ in my area delivers 6-8 Mbit speeds here which is plenty for me on a phone. Yes LTE is nice for Latency (I use LTE All the time) but its not worth changing phones over in my opinion.

One knack on the N4 is the camera - Outside/Good light its decent - low light is like trying to use a webcam. Pretty much any other high end phone out performs it here - But to be honest get a good camera for those important events... No smartphone camera is Amazing - those that think they are have never used a decent camera.

Just make sure to get the 16GB Model.

I just sold a Note II today, had a Xperia ZL 2 weeks ago, still own an Optimus G, and had a HTC one in my hands for multiple days recently. I still keep coming back to the Nexus 4 for the Development and AOSP.


I would avoid the Dual core S3 - Lots of rumors indicating Key Lime Pie will only come to the Quad core version of the S3 - Not the Dual core.

Thx for the helpful info


and yes i was planning on the 16GB model as 8GB isn't enough

 

[Riceninja]

Dual Core vs Quadcore hmmm

i should have said better in every tangible way.

better screen, better camera, thinner, lighter, removable battery, sd card, not to mention real LTE, not just hoping HSPA delivers in a particular area.

these are the things that make a difference in every day use, not just for benchmark epeen. ive never seen the gs3 slow down on anything despite dual core.

but since you're already set on the nexus 4, arguing for gs3 is a lost cause.

 

[jacktesterson]

i should have said better in every tangible way.

better screen, better camera, thinner, lighter, removable battery, sd card, not to mention real LTE, not just hoping HSPA delivers in a particular area.

these are the things that make a difference in every day use, not just for benchmark epeen. ive never seen the gs3 slow down on anything despite dual core.

but since you're already set on the nexus 4, arguing for gs3 is a lost cause.

Better Screen? Pentile OLED? There's a reason there's a thread on anantech called "Samsung is ruining OLED's reputation" or something along those lines.

Everything else your most likely right. Your just forgetting one thing... TouchWiz sucks. And HSPA+ coverage is Wayyy better than LTE coverage, at least where I am.

It just goes to show each persons individual preference for IPS LCD (I prefer) vs OLED (You Prefer) and AOSP (I prefer) vs Touchwiz (You prefer)

OP - I recommend you going and looking at them yourself. The S III is a fine phone, and it does have 2GB Ram, so its probably the only High end bigger phone that's a dual core I'd recommend right now. But its at the bottom of my choices.

 

[Eruditass]

I still keep coming back to the Nexus 4 for the Development and AOSP.

What is so great about development? Some new features seem cool, I suppose, and unless you have a big development community, then it won't be stable.

The other phones you list, I assume, have pretty close to AOSP roms that are stable, right? If one doesn't want to tweak and flash all the time, is there any real advantage to Nexus 4?

 

[Durvelle27]

i should have said better in every tangible way.

better screen, better camera, thinner, lighter, removable battery, sd card, not to mention real LTE, not just hoping HSPA delivers in a particular area.

these are the things that make a difference in every day use, not just for benchmark epeen. ive never seen the gs3 slow down on anything despite dual core.

but since you're already set on the nexus 4, arguing for gs3 is a lost cause.

I have considered the Galaxy S III since i did have a Galaxy S III but the price of the Nexus 4 Unlocked Brand new is a huge deal breaker and Stock firmware and i wouldn't have to wait forever to receive a new update when google releases a new Android

 

[jacktesterson]

What is so great about development? Some new features seem cool, I suppose, and unless you have a big development community, then it won't be stable.

The other phones you list, I assume, have pretty close to AOSP roms that are stable, right? If one doesn't want to tweak and flash all the time, is there any real advantage to Nexus 4?

Because Roms are based on Google Device Optimized Source Code. If you want the latest from Google its the best choice.

The week 4.2.2 hit the shelf, there were 10 Roms based on 4.2.2 within two days of it being released - almost all instantly 100% stable for most people. Roms can add a ton of functionality. For example, my biggest gripe with On-screen Nav keys is the size of the toolbar. (Too big for my taste). Custom roms allow me to change it, as well as many other cool things like colors and transparencies. That's just one example of many.

That's just not going to happen with any other phone... It takes weeks to Months before stuff is stable- But I'm speaking from "AOSP elitist" point of view.

Its all in individual preference. I consider my phone my little personal handheld computer more than a phone.

 

[jacktesterson]

Because Roms are based on Google Device Optimized Source Code.

The week 4.2.2 hit the shelf, there were 10 Roms based on 4.2.2 within two days of it being released - almost all instantly 100% stable for most people. Roms can add a ton of functionality. For example, my biggest gripe with On-screen Nav keys is the size of the toolbar. (Too big for my taste). Custom roms allow me to change it, as well as many other cool things like colors and transparencies. That's just one example of many.

That's just not going to happen with any other phone... It takes weeks to Months before stuff is stable- But I'm speaking from "AOSP elitist" point of view.

Its all in individual preference. I consider my phone my little personal handheld computer more than a phone.

Also, per app DPI is a must for me now. Paranoid Android does it best imo.

 

[Durvelle27]

Thx guys think i'm just gonna pull the trigger on the Nexus 4

 

[Phokus]

You can also get a used Galaxy S3 for cheap

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Personally the LTE issue is pretty big for me in the Bay Area. The thing is if AT&T 3G is clogged, you're screwed. I was waiting for my gf to shop the other week and AT&T 3G was crawling. I think if I had LTE I'd at least be able to switch around. Noticed the iPhone 5 users surfing ok. HSPA+ might be fine when I'm sitting at my office now (7mbps speedtest), but not everywhere is like this, and in large cities during large events, you can see internet dying. The only reason I was able to stay in contact at EDC 2012 last year was LTE on AT&T. However I think things will change this year given how LTE is widely deployed now and in most phones on AT&T.

 

[jacktesterson]

Personally the LTE issue is pretty big for me in the Bay Area. The thing is if AT&T 3G is clogged, you're screwed. I was waiting for my gf to shop the other week and AT&T 3G was crawling. I think if I had LTE I'd at least be able to switch around. Noticed the iPhone 5 users surfing ok. HSPA+ might be fine when I'm sitting at my office now (7mbps speedtest), but not everywhere is like this, and in large cities during large events, you can see internet dying. The only reason I was able to stay in contact at EDC 2012 last year was LTE on AT&T. However I think things will change this year given how LTE is widely deployed now and in most phones on AT&T.

Opposite issue here

LTE is is limited to downtown area of my city. Anywhere else within a 2 hour drive is HSPA+ and always get good speeds from it.

I consistently get 6-8 Mbit on HSPA+ , and when in LTE area, I get anywhere from 10-20 Mbit.

3 Years ago I lived outside of the city with 1.5 Mbit DSL home internet - Fastest I could get - so in retrospective, HSPA+ is fine for most - The latency really isn't that bad. Moved within the City and now have 80Mbit Fiber now though

 

[Durvelle27]

You can also get a used Galaxy S3 for cheap

USED where as i can get a Nexus 4 Brandnew for the same price as a used GS3

 

[Durvelle27]

Opposite issue here

LTE is is limited to downtown area of my city. Anywhere else within a 2 hour drive is HSPA+ and always get good speeds from it.

I consistently get 6-8 Mbit on HSPA+ , and when in LTE area, I get anywhere from 10-20 Mbit.

3 Years ago I lived outside of the city with 1.5 Mbit DSL home internet - Fastest I could get - so in retrospective, HSPA+ is fine for most - The latency really isn't that bad. Moved within the City and now have 80Mbit Fiber now though

You have LTE enabled on your Nexus 4

 

[Chocu1a]

USED where as i can get a Nexus 4 Brand new for the same price as a used GS3

Having a Nexus shipped from Google, with tax & shipping, costs $398. You can find a used GS3 all day long on Craigslist for $250.

I just bought a used Nexus 4 from some dude over at Hickory Hill Mall(Craigslist). $160. Kind of beat up, but screen is clean. Trying it out on t-mobile. Using the Walmart $30 plan.
So far speed is laughable compared to Verizon. I find myself mostly on 3g. Occasionally I will hit a pocket of hspa+. Speeds around 6-9 Mbps
At my work I am almost always on edge.
At work with Verizon I switch between 3g & 4g depending on the area. Everywhere else in my area I am always 4g lte. Speeds around 30-40 Mbps, sometimes in the mid 50 Mbps.
btw, the Nexus really is a nice device. Feels great in hand, and is super butter smooth on stock 4.2.2

 

[randomrogue]

The nexus has been out for a while now. When is the replacement expected?

 

[Durvelle27]

Having a Nexus shipped from Google, with tax & shipping, costs $398. You can find a used GS3 all day long on Craigslist for $250.

I just bought a used Nexus 4 from some dude over at Hickory Hill Mall(Craigslist). $160. Kind of beat up, but screen is clean. Trying it out on t-mobile. Using the Walmart $30 plan.
So far speed is laughable compared to Verizon. I find myself mostly on 3g. Occasionally I will hit a pocket of hspa+. Speeds around 6-9 Mbps
At my work I am almost always on edge.
At work with Verizon I switch between 3g & 4g depending on the area. Everywhere else in my area I am always 4g lte. Speeds around 30-40 Mbps, sometimes in the mid 50 Mbps.
btw, the Nexus really is a nice device. Feels great in hand, and is super butter smooth on stock 4.2.2

the cheapest GS3 on craigslist i found was $350 but i just bought a brandnew Nexus 4 8GB yesterday for $250. Will be here tomorrow.

Have you tried LTE on it

 

[s44]

yeah no, not $350

Anyway, the Nexus is fine if you don't need media storage or a lot of installed games. But 8gb would tempt me to throw the device at the wall...

 

[Durvelle27]

yeah no, not $350

Anyway, the Nexus is fine if you don't need media storage or a lot of installed games. But 8gb would tempt me to throw the device at the wall...

But i bring back up. Its used where as the Nexus 4 is new. Also 8GB would be fine as i had a 8GB iPhone 4 with lots of apps with no problem

 

[Chocu1a]

the cheapest GS3 on craigslist i found was $350 but i just bought a brandnew Nexus 4 8GB yesterday for $250. Will be here tomorrow.

Have you tried LTE on it

You cannot use lte on the Nexus 4 unless Google restores the LTE radio functionality in the N4 that they disabled with the latest OS upgrade. The majority of N4 owners on T-Mobile won’t see any LTE. That’s because the average consumer isn’t going to go through the steps of trying to mod their phones on their own to restore the LTE radio functionality.. & like I said before, there is no lte in the greater Memphis area on t-mobile.