Galaxy Nexus and Epic 4G Touch
Note that the Working Area of the Epic 4G Touch (outlined in blue) is larger than the Galaxy Nexus Working Area, The Nexus loses screen are to the on-screen Back, Home, and Apps button area (outlined in yellow). The scale photos above are at 1 pixel=1/100". Note how narrow the Nexus Notification bar is.
There are subjective reasons why one person prefers the look and feel of different phones but objectively there are some features that the Galaxy Nexus does not have:
1. No microSD
Phones have had SD cards for 8 years and microSD for 3 years. A 32GB card can hold a couple movies plus photos and music. More importantly, it is you backup texts, alarms, etc. when flashing ROMs and in case your phone bricks. The slot adds 1% to the volume. A microSD card is about $50 for 32GB. Galaxy S II. Workaround: Cloud storage like Dropbox.
2. No Facebook Sync
Android users take for granted that when the phone rings or text or email come in, the most recent contact Facebook photo is shown. Contacts update automatically with photos, phone numbers, birthdays, etc. The Nexus lacks Facebook sync. Friendcaster is a decent work-around but it is still frustrating.
3. No Menu Button
Yes, you can find the Menu button for every app. They are just all in different places. Look for the three dots in a column.
4. No Search Button
The Galaxy Nexus also takes away the Search button. Because the Search button was removed, you lose 1/5 of you screen space. That search button is now splashed across the top on every screen.
5. No Long-press Search for Voice Search
I use Voice Search all the time.
6. No Long-press Home for Recent Apps
I understand that their is now a recent apps button but you can only see three apps at a time.
7. Quick way to add widgets is gone
Adding a widget, app, or setting shortcut used to just be a long-press on any screen. Now when you long-press the screen, it only gives you an option to change the wallpaper.
8. You can't set up a shortcut to a file
Workaround: Get File Explorer etc. to be able to put a shortcut to a file on a homescreen.
9. Visual Voicemail isn't Visual
Visual Voicemail is something else I had taken for granted for 2 1/2 years. When you play their message, you see their photo. HTC Sense even shows the Facebook status as well. Not in the Nexus. But this is gone in the Nexus.
10. Speed Dial: The Galaxy Nexus Lacks Speed Dial to assign contacts to numbers 1 to 9. Long-press 2 for Voice mail, etc. Get an app like Go Contacts or TouchPal Dialer.
11. Smart Dial: The Galaxy Nexus lacks smart dial. "T9" smart dial lets you type a name such as: 2 for B, 7 for R to see names beginning "Br". Get an app like Go Contacts or TouchPal Dialer.
12. Low speaker/headphone volumes Workaround: Volume+ (Sound Boost) (dev website)
13. Low Signal Strength: Has been acknowledged by Verizon.
14. No FM Radio: The Galaxy Nexus lacks an FM Radio (details). Workarounds: TuneIn (Pro), Pandora, Slacker, and iheartradio.
15. Browser: If you pinch to zoom, the text does not word-wrap unless you know the manual reflow trick.
16. 5MP Camera
There is a lot more to determining picture quality that just Mega Pixels but with good software you can adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness, and more after the photo is taken. HDR apps can composite together multiple shots automatically. But only in the movies can they make a pixelated low-def blur of a car become so high def you can read the license plate.
17. Price
The Verizon Galaxy Nexus is $299 and the GSII's are typically $199. But that $100 is just the beginning. Everyone on Sprint can get a 10-27% EVP Discount meaning that the Verizon Nexus may be $1000 move over the 24 month contract.
18. Display Size
The Galaxy Nexus has a larger 4.65" display...but not really. You use all 4.65" only when you are watching a movie, etc. When you are using the phone, the three buttons are on the bottom of the screen taking up about 0.35". The Epic 4G Touch really is 4.52" all the time. The Nexus usable display screen area is less when you are texting, emailing, or working.
19. Battery Life
With LTE on, it takes the charger a very long time to charge the Nexus. Turn off the LTE and the Nexus will charge fine. LTE is like a 600 HP engine. It's fast but make sure you know where the gas stations are.
20. Slow Notification LED blink rate
The Galaxy Nexus Notification LED blinks very slowly, about once every 10 seconds. So if you want to be sure it is not blinking, you need to stare at it for a full 10 seconds. LightFlow Lite is a workaround.
21. Can't Add Homescreens
ICS does not allow Homescreens to be added. The workaround is to use another launcher like LauncherPro or ADWLauncher.
Minor
22. Timer
It is an incredibly simply thing but the Galaxy Nexus is missing a simple timer. Yes, you can download dozens of good Clocks, but why was it left out.
23. No Messaging Return Key
The Ice Cream Sandwich messaging app is missing the Return Key. Yes, you can download HandCent or ChompSMS, but why was it left out.
The above were objective statements of features. The next few are purely subjective personal opinions:
1. Text Clarity
The Galaxy S II text is easier to read for many.
2. Notifications bar is narrow
The Nexus Notification bar is narrow. The icons have to be very small. For instance, see if you can make out the battery level, etc.
If you prefer the Galaxy Nexus, I agree that these are both great phones. I just prefer the GSII. When we get Ice Cream Sandwich, I will get used to it. But I am not looking forward to it.
I put this in the Epic 4G Touch forum because I do not want to say anything negative to someone enjoying their Galaxy Nexus.
See
? Phonearea Comparison: Galaxy Nexus vs Epic 4G Touch vs AT&T Galaxy S II
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