[sonicresidue]

I found a local T-Mobile store that has a N4 in stock. Thinking of going tomorrow morning to see if they still have it. I hate the idea of paying full price for the phone, but on the other hand, the service is $25/month less than what I'm paying with AT&T. I would still save money in the long run, versus sticking with At&t (either with a N4 or another phone on contract), but will be paying $150 more over two years compared to buying through Google and switching to T-Mobile.

So even if I buy at full price, I'm still saving money, just not as much, and $150 is easy to absorb over two years.... Then again, I am quite a penny pincher at times.... Then again, I've been wanting to get a new phone for a few months now.

Grrr.....

[mlarco52]

LOL it sounds like you're trying to convince your self...to be honest if you're in that bad of a need for a phone then go for it as the 25$ a month savings is great (300$ a year). But if you can hold out another few weeks you may just be golden. All depends on your situation and eagerness to get your hands no the N4 or need to get a new phone.

[Fairclough]

It depends how badly do you want, if you willing to wait another week or two for the N4 through google do it, It depends how you are liking your current service also.
Its up to you, not us. I suggest do whatever work's out the cheapest with the best service. $150 difference is nothing if you work a lot n well pad, if you a teen might want to save a bit of $$

[sonicresidue]

Well, I'm no teenager. At 37 I don't make a lot of money, but I can easily afford the phone.

And, yes, in a way I'm trying to convince myself, HAHA! I mean, really, most of us don't really NEED a N4 or any top of the line smart phone. My iPhone 3G, as old and slow as it is, still takes care of basic functions. And while I do use it for work (I'm self employed), it still gets the job done. So the question of wait or not is really not a life or death necessity, but honestly, I've been seriously looking for a phone for a few months now. I waited out the iPhone 5 launch and subsequent shortage, then decided I wanted an Android, wasn't fully impressed by anything I saw and waited for the Nexus 4 to come out. I love what I've seen so far, but alas there is a shortage.

So, I suppose after a few weeks of reading this and other forums extensively, I'm just voicing some thoughts, although I'm still no where near the emotional turmoil some of those in the "fanboy" crowd seem to be going through. It's not the end of the world, but it is getting more tempting, especially since there is no definite info on a re-stock date through the Play store. Either way, I'll get one.

[mlarco52]

In all honesty it sounds like you're not too bad off in needing or wanting a new phone (some people were just obsessed lol) I'd wait it out, an extra 150$ in your pocket won't hurt from the savings via google play store? And you can always go to t-mobile right when you receive the phone and get the less expensive plan also. Win, win, you save twice the money and only wait possibly a few weeks longer.

[piizzadude]

Well since you say everything g is still functional on the ip3,it just comes down to money. I am no teen either, but I am more impatient than a five year old so the 150$ over 2 years would be worth it for me.

On the flip side, I am not much of an early adopter. I like to wait a month for development to get rolling and know what bugs are potential hazards.

It seems that is what I would do with this phone.... It seems like either a ton of people have serious issues, or the phone has some. I am betting it is the people that have the issues....

Sent from my X-Band Modem... TY Genesis

[andr0idralphie]

Why don't you ?

DENIED

[Mugler Infusion]

GTH

[andr0idralphie]

A new, unlocked iPhone 5 16GB will cost you $700 or $800.

[sonicresidue]

Well, I've been using an iPhone for nearly 4 years now, and as much as I like the iPhone wanted to try something different. Plus, the iP5, while a competent device, didn't grab me like the 4 did. AND I was a little afraid of getting it due to the Maps issue. I use Google maps a LOT and can't afford to have bad directions, as I drive a lot for work. Also, the numbers don't add up. Even if I get the N4 at full cost and go with a T-Mo Value plan, I still spend less in the long run. An iPhone 5 on a 2 year contract with AT&T will cost me $2240 over two years (not including taxes and fees, just the cost of the phone and service). A full cost N4 through T-Mobile, with a 2 year contract will cost $1940 over two years. My cheapest option is buying the N4 through Google and going T-Mo month to month at a cost of $1790 over two years.Also, I can live without LTE, since HSPA+ is pretty fast in my area. What I CAN'T live with is bloatware and silly looking UI's added by manufacturers.

I also like tinkering with things, and the N4 seems perfect for that. I jailbroke my iPhone several times, but to my knowledge, there is currently no public jailbreak for the iP5.

Guess I'll sleep on it and see how I feel tomorrow.

[jimmycinla]

If you must have it now, buy it and put it on StraightTalk, its less than $42 a month unlimited for tmobiles 4G network with a 3 month card. Ive been using ST for 4 months now with zero issues.

J

[KwietStorm]

People willing to pay $499 for a phone that sales elsewhere for $349 is absurd but if you are going to shell out $499, go for the gusto and spend a measly $200 more and get something with much better components, take for instance the iPhone 5, we all know it has better camera front and back and color tends to pop out much better as well as the fact that it has a much smoother functionality about it all the way from browsing the web to using apps, by far iPhone 5 is best bet, but as android goes why not get the LG Optimus G, it is by far the best you can find for GSM android, or better yet the HTC Droid DNA for LTE, that is your picks.

So yes it may be $150 more over 2 years, why not pick a better phone? not saying Nexus 4 is crap, it by far is your best budget phone ever and I would very much wait for that any day of the week.

What...are you doing

[Mac58]

People willing to pay $499 for a phone that sales elsewhere for $349 is absurd but if you are going to shell out $499, go for the gusto and spend a measly $200 more and get something with much better components, take for instance the iPhone 5, we all know it has better camera front and back and color tends to pop out much better as well as the fact that it has a much smoother functionality about it all the way from browsing the web to using apps, by far iPhone 5 is best bet, but as android goes why not get the LG Optimus G, it is by far the best you can find for GSM android, or better yet the HTC Droid DNA for LTE, that is your picks.

So yes it may be $150 more over 2 years, why not pick a better phone? not saying Nexus 4 is crap, it by far is your best budget phone ever and I would very much wait for that any day of the week.

Are you implying that the Nexus 4 is a 'budget phone' . you say iPhone internals are better yet it lacks quad core, true HD, and NFC. Everything else is based on personal preferences between the two os. But you can't say the iPhone has better 'internals'. One phone can only be better than another based on personal preference BUT the fact that the Nexus 4 is industry leading in terms of specs and hardware(besides the lack of LTE) AND is only $349.... Well that just means Google is doing something right...

[Burleson90]

I bought mine through tmobile and did a contract $200 out the door with the activation waived and bought in Oregon so no sales tax. After a couple days with it making sure it works fine I will pay the $200 ETF and put it on my AT&T account. $400 total plus about a week of tmobiles service is slightly more than the $350 +tax and shipping.but at least I have the phone now and was able to inspect it before leaving the store.

[piizzadude]

Are you implying that the Nexus 4 is a 'budget phone' . you say iPhone internals are better yet it lacks quad core, true HD, and NFC. Everything else is based on personal preferences between the two os. But you can't say the iPhone has better 'internals'. One phone can only be better than another based on personal preference BUT the fact that the Nexus 4 is industry leading in terms of specs and hardware(besides the lack of LTE) AND is only $349.... Well that just means Google is doing something right...

I think what he really means is that it is a budget price.

I will just stop there

Sent from my X-Band Modem... TY Genesis

[Burleson90]

Piizzadude I hit thanks on your post cuz I laugh every time I read your signature.

[Mugler Infusion]

GTH

[corance]

What I am saying is really, LG skimped out and got cheap components for this device, I can't really say that for sure, but step back and look at it as a whole, now what is it lacking? Screen that pops with vibrant colors...doesn't have it, a camera that takes awesome pictures as a phone...no, they are washed out...you can call it natural color BS all you want it not going to change the fact that the colors don't pop out and it gives off the washed out look, does it focus so well you get very nice detail in your pictures...no, can't take pics that without having a good bit of grainy noise and very much a lack of edge detail, not to mention quality, I am seeing bugs here and there, I don't think they do much quality testing before shipped out to Google, it may have all the goodies, but face it, LG went budget on this phone to be able to have it for consumers for this price.

But, if you can overlook those few disappointments....yes disappointments and look at it as having those goodies in it at a nice price, it is best budget phone you will ever have with all the updated specs, face it this is true.

It makes me chuckle every time I hear someone complain about their PHONE not taking good pictures. Thanks for the laugh. Now if only my lawn mowers speakers had more bass I would be set.

[sonicresidue]

Well, I've used the phone in person, and seen plenty of pictures from the camera. They all look fine to me. If I want anything more I'll buy an actual camera and not a phone.

Maybe as a Foxconn employee you should concentrate on your own company's problem and learn how to produce iPhone 5's that don't come scratched from the factory and don't leak light around the edges of the screen. Or figure out why your employees are rioting and killing themselves.

[piizzadude]

What I am saying is really, LG skimped out and got cheap components for this device, I can't really say that for sure, but step back and look at it as a whole, now what is it lacking? Screen that pops with vibrant colors...doesn't have it, a camera that takes awesome pictures as a phone...no, they are washed out...you can call it natural color BS all you want it not going to change the fact that the colors don't pop out and it gives off the washed out look, does it focus so well you get very nice detail in your pictures...no, can't take pics that without having a good bit of grainy noise and very much a lack of edge detail, not to mention quality, I am seeing bugs here and there, I don't think they do much quality testing before shipped out to Google, it may have all the goodies, but face it, LG went budget on this phone to be able to have it for consumers for this price.

But, if you can overlook those few disappointments....yes disappointments and look at it as having those goodies in it at a nice price, it is best budget phone you will ever have with all the updated specs, face it this is true.

I have a ton of disdain for the N4, but I have to disagree a bit with your post.

The camera, while not great compared to some, is a certain improvement over the Gnex. The screen is good so I am not sure of the complaint there. I see it as above average.

There are a lot of things that outright suck on this phone, but those really are not really two of them.

[bobjohnson201]

from what everyone is saying, screen is second best on android (1st being one x)

[IMrMark]

Don't know if it helps the OP, but I was in the same boat yesterday afternoon. Was out shopping after changing some Euros to USD and wandered into a tmo store just to see if they had one on display. Lo and behold, not only did they have one on display, they had two more in the box. Another gent came in while I was talking to her and scooped up one of the two... I did some math and figured, what the heck. Worst case, I hate it and return for the $50 restock. I agree that paying the extra amount feels foolish, but with the amount I could save vs my current verizon plan I decided I would go for it. I do have one on backorder from google, and will still keep that one as well assuming tmo works out overall (two people in my household, so a good amount of cash to save monthly potentially).

I'm coming from a Droid Bionic and I have to say the difference is incredible. I was also an employee at one of the Apple Genius teams in my area until recently as well, so when compared to the iPhone 5 I have also been quite happy. I'm not sure what the complaints are of the screen, but right off the bat I noticed a huge difference in quality vs my everyday phone. My only real complaint so far has been getting setup on tmo, as there was a bit I had to jump through in order to get the phone and the $30 plan online - but that could have just been an off experience. Now just to see how well that actually works out over the next few days. Gonna try to blog the whole thing out on plus..

Good luck with everything, let us know how it turns out!

[IMrMark]

well that was weird, I tried to post ... ugh. hate having to write things a second time.

anyway... dunno if it helps the OP or not, but I was in the exact same boat. Went into more detail the last time around, but had a lot of the same thoughts you did as far as long-term savings, etc. I went and bought it outright. There was some back and forth I had to go through in order to get everything online, but nothing too crazy in the end.

Not sure what the overall issue is with the construction of the phone. Coming from bionic, the thing is beautiful in almost every way. Coming from an Apple Retail Genius team, it holds its own against iPhone 5 without any hesitation. Gonna go the rest of the week before I really commit and cancel the first line of two from my big red plan, but so far so good.

let us know how it works out for you!

[piizzadude]

from what everyone is saying, screen is second best on android (1st being one x)

no it is not that good. It is top 5 maybe but not top 2.

[bobjohnson201]

no it is not that good. It is top 5 maybe but not top 2.

do you have one? from phil's review dawg "So let's start out front. LG's using the same 4.7-inch IPS display at 768x1280 resolution as on the Optimus G. That packs in a few more pixels than the Samsung Galaxy did (a mere 720p wide). IPS displays are known for their brilliance, and LG's proved itself here. Colors, while toned down a tad from the Super AMOLED panel in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, are very crisp, and individual pixels aren't as apparent. But the biggest difference perhaps is in color temperature. Whites are white again, and side-by-side the Nexus 4 makes the Galaxy Nexus display look like a yellow tobacco stain. If we had to pick two displays to duke it out for the next year, we'd pick LG's IPS display, and the Super LCD2 display being used by HTC."