Galaxy Nexus or Galaxy S II Skyrocket?

**MooPenguin32** · 04-30-2012, 02:54 PM

I'm on AT&T and thinking about switching over to Android. I currently have an iPhone 4S that I bought in December. I'm thinking about getting either a Galaxy Nexus from Google or a Galaxy S II Skyrocket.

I like the idea of the unlocked Galaxy Nexus for the following reasons:

No bloatware
Beautiful screen
Pure ICS experience
Great price for an unlocked phone

With that in mind, here are my reasons for considering a Galaxy S II Skyrocket:

4G LTE (I live in an area where it is available)
Better camera

I have read many reviews of each one and just can't make up my mind. If I went with the Galaxy S II Skyrocket, I would either have to pay $500 for a new one from AT&T or buy a used one on Craigslist. I've seen them in my area for $370 or so. However, the phone will have bloatware that I probably won't be able to remove without rooting (which I'm not familiar with, but am technologically savvy, so it's not outside the realm of possibility) and a lesser resolution screen.

Is the screen on the Galaxy Nexus and having ICS from the start worth sacrificing LTE and the camera for?

**MooPenguin32** · 05-01-2012, 08:53 AM

After thinking it over and reading many things about both phones, I'm 99% sure I'm going to go with the Galaxy Nexus. The two big things for me are ICS and no bloatware.

Feel free to leave any comments. I am still probably a few days away as I need to sell my iPhone 4S first.

**c5karl** · 05-01-2012, 09:14 AM

I just got a Galaxy Nexus, and I have no regrets about passing up LTE. HSPA+ is sufficiently fast that the air interface doesn't ever seem to be the bottleneck. I get download speeds as fast as 3 Mbps and upload speeds as fast as 1.8 Mbps from some locations. At other locations it's more like .5 Mpbs down and .2 Mbps up, but I think that has more to do with backhaul capacity and cell site saturation.

My guess is that LTE buys no extra real-world data speed but does cost you battery life.

**MooPenguin32** · 05-01-2012, 10:20 AM

Thanks for posting. That certainly makes me feel more confident in my decision. I'll be sure to post on how everyone turns out. Hopefully I'll be able to sell my iPhone 4S in the next couple of days so I can order the Galaxy Nexus from Google.

**taylorz_412** · 05-01-2012, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by MooPenguin32

Thanks for posting. That certainly makes me feel more confident in my decision. I'll be sure to post on how everyone turns out. Hopefully I'll be able to sell my iPhone 4S in the next couple of days so I can order the Galaxy Nexus from Google.

Depending on the size of your iPhone they sell for a nice chunk of change

**MooPenguin32** · 05-01-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by taylorz_412

Depending on the size of your iPhone they sell for a nice chunk of change

It's a black 16 GB model with AT&T.

**hakimmmmm** · 05-01-2012, 12:01 PM

Go for galaxy nexus. Trust me you wont regret.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**acles003** · 05-01-2012, 08:46 PM

I have a skyrocket right now and I'm seriously debating getting the Galaxy Nexus. It comes down to vanilla ICS versus micro SD slot and LTE.

The Skyrocket is a really good phone, but I'm honestly bored of it and the custom ICS roms are still too buggy from what I read, plus, is ICS with TouchWiz really that different of an experience versus gingerbread?

I think I just talked myself into the Galaxy Nexus typing this out!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

**MooPenguin32** · 05-02-2012, 04:47 AM

Thanks for everyone's posts. I am now 100% sure I will buy a Galaxy Nexus. Still trying to sell my black AT&T iPhone 4S 16 GB.

**LCW** · 05-02-2012, 09:17 AM

For me, pure ICS>LTE

**MooPenguin32** · 05-06-2012, 07:19 PM

I just sold my iPhone 4S today for $410. I certainly went through some ups and downs trying to sell it locally on Craigslist.

I ordered the Samsung Galaxy Nexus from Expansys online because they charge $409.99 with no sales tax or shipping. Hopefully I'll get the phone this week.

**Andrew Martonik** · 05-06-2012, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by MooPenguin32

I just sold my iPhone 4S today for $410. I certainly went through some ups and downs trying to sell it locally on Craigslist.

I ordered the Samsung Galaxy Nexus from Expansys online because they charge $409.99 with no sales tax or shipping. Hopefully I'll get the phone this week.

Oh that's unfortunate. Should've ordered from Google Play. Spend $30 more and you get a full 1 year manufacturers warranty with no hassle.

**MooPenguin32** · 05-06-2012, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by martonikaj

Oh that's unfortunate. Should've ordered from Google Play. Spend $30 more and you get a full 1 year manufacturers warranty with no hassle.

I think I'm going to cancel my order. I didn't realize I wouldn't be getting a warranty. After reading some of the things on the Expansys forums and what you just said, I'll spend the extra money.

Thanks!

**Andrew Martonik** · 05-06-2012, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by MooPenguin32

I think I'm going to cancel my order. I didn't realize I wouldn't be getting a warranty. After reading some of the things on the Expansys forums and what you just said, I'll spend the extra money.

Thanks!

No problem. They offer a European warranty but it has to go through Expansys. Just more hassle than its worth if you have the option to buy straight from Google IMO.

**MooPenguin32** · 05-06-2012, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by martonikaj

No problem. They offer a European warranty but it has to go through Expansys. Just more hassle than its worth if you have the option to buy straight from Google IMO.

I agree. I just cancelled my order and will call Expansys tomorrow to confirm. I just placed the order with Google. Hopefully I'll have it by Friday.

**dancing-bass** · 05-06-2012, 11:08 PM

I'm a noob to Android. I got myself the Gnex for a few reasons. 3year contracts here in Canada was a big one, so I was thinking the Gnex would have the longest "shelf life" as far as updates go. (I've already flashed to 4.0.4 yakju so I can get the updates from Google, rather then waiting for Samsung to clear it - and then wait for my carrier to clear it as well). I also wanted something that was easier to tinker with. I don't think I'll root and custom-rom it just yet. I'm still learning my way around Android and ICS. I'm happy with my decision.

And as far as speeds I tend to do 1-1.5Mbps up and .5 down. My up number has been as high as 3Mbps (but that was late at night, so virtually no traffic on the towers to slow things down). Oddly enough my up speed NEVER has gotten past .5 or .6, which makes me think its the carrier throttling stuff. *shrugs* oh well, its more phone then I NEED, but dang, its the phone I WANT

**MooPenguin32** · 05-08-2012, 09:26 AM

My Galaxy Nexus is on its way. It's shipping today. I'm guessing I should get it by Thursday. I can't wait!

**acles003** · 05-08-2012, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by MooPenguin32

My Galaxy Nexus is on its way. It's shipping today. I'm guessing I should get it by Thursday. I can't wait!

Let us know if you have any screen issues. A LOT of people over at the XDA forum are complaining of purple tint screens on low brightness or getting bands on their screens or grainy screens. I have a skyrocket and was going to purchase the Nexus off of Google Play, but I'm waiting to make sure these batch of bad screens get pulled.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

**MooPenguin32** · 05-08-2012, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by acles003

Let us know if you have any screen issues. A LOT of people over at the XDA forum are complaining of purple tint screens on low brightness or getting bands on their screens or grainy screens. I have a skyrocket and was going to purchase the Nexus off of Google Play, but I'm waiting to make sure these batch of bad screens get pulled.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Will do

**Melon Bread** · 05-08-2012, 09:07 PM

I think you made the right decision I came from the SGH-T989 (Basically the T-Mobile version of the Skyrocket.) and I still do not regret it. Unlike my old phone I fell in love with my Galaxy Nexus at first sight.

**gazoo2010** · 05-10-2012, 05:20 PM

I've been rocking the Gnex for over a week. Bought it straight from Google and have no screen issues.

Like you I had the iPhone 4s and bought the skyrocket (my moms iPhone broke so I gave her mine).

The skyrocket is a great phone and the LTE is fast but the screen resolution was not good. Coming from the retina display, the 480x800 screen on the skyrocket was disappointing...especially on a 4.5 inch screen. The nexus is awesome at 720x1280. Plus pure Ice Cream is a bonus.

My skyrocket is destined for eBay or Craigslist.

~S

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**danan** · 05-10-2012, 07:26 PM

Galaxy nexus hands down.
I personally don't understand how LTE is such an advantage over hspa+.
Of course thats subjective, I mean the usefulness of that extra speed on a mobile phone.

**MooPenguin32** · 05-11-2012, 09:20 AM

I am certainly enjoying my Galaxy Nexus. I started a new thread to talk about it: Just got a Galaxy Nexus!

The only thing I noticed with the screen is when I'm at home and I look at it from the side, it looks a little blue. However, looking at it head on is fine. Not sure if this is an issue or just has to do with the Super AMOLED display.