This Or Galaxy Nexus?

**HAXSO21** · 06-05-2012, 07:43 PM

AHHH which phone should i get? i dont like touchwiz and love stock android 4.0... but the hardware is so much better on gs3 but i like the way the gnex looks better.... i was also thinking about just rooting the gs3, but its still not a nexus.. this is so hard. please help haha

**Jesse Potter** · 06-05-2012, 07:52 PM

I wouldn't let Touchwiz stand in your way. I can say with a good level of certainty that it will be rooted in no time, which means tons of vanilla ROMs. Or you could just use a different launcher.

I have a GNex now, and I'll be switching to the SGS3. Better hardware, better camera, better screen. Doesn't matter to me that it's not a "Nexus" device. I had a SGS2 on Sprint before I got the GNex, and I was a little underwhelmed when I made the switch. The SGS2 felt like the better phone in many ways, so, I'm sure the same will be true for the SGS3.

**Crispy** · 06-05-2012, 11:58 PM

There's nothing special about a Nexus phone other than stock ICS, the hardware is extremely outdated now. yes, it will get JB first, but is that really worth it?

**dmmarck** · 06-06-2012, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by ECrispy

There's nothing special about a Nexus phone other than stock ICS, the hardware is extremely outdated now. yes, it will get JB first, but is that really worth it?

Extremely outdated? How? What out there pushes its limits?

It may not be special, but it has more dev support than any other phone out there, probably in the history of Android. That speaks volumes in my opinion.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

**jroc** · 06-06-2012, 06:40 AM

With the newer LTE hardware and newer , different cpu in the GS3....I would at least try it. It has a chance for better battery life out the box.

The Rezound with a version of the S3 is actually nice for battery life for a phone running at 1.5Ghz. The GS3 will have an S4, which should be a lil better on battery life.

**TheDonJ77** · 06-06-2012, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jesse Potter

I wouldn't let Touchwiz stand in your way. I can say with a good level of certainty that it will be rooted in no time, which means tons of vanilla ROMs. Or you could just use a different launcher.

I have a GNex now, and I'll be switching to the SGS3. Better hardware, better camera, better screen. Doesn't matter to me that it's not a "Nexus" device. I had a SGS2 on Sprint before I got the GNex, and I was a little underwhelmed when I made the switch. The SGS2 felt like the better phone in many ways, so, I'm sure the same will be true for the SGS3.

I couldn't agree with you more. I too had the GS2 on sprint and got a nexus as a gift. While I did enjoy pure vanilla, I did miss the camera and certain aspects of touchwiz. I am a fan of touchwiz, it's not as bad as some people make it out to be. With the new camera, ram, screen size and software coming on the GS3, I couldn't pass it up. Traded back in my nexus, re-activated my GS2, and pre-ordered me a GS3 32 gig in white last night

Never had a white phone but IMO the white looks better, classier

**jroc** · 06-06-2012, 07:19 AM

Not just Touchwiz....but custom Ui's in general arent as bad as some make it. As hard as it for some to believe....custom UI's do add to the Android experience, add things stock leaves off that some find useful.

I agree.

**PJnc284** · 06-06-2012, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by jroc

Not just Touchwiz....but custom Ui's in general arent as bad as some make it. As hard as it for some to believe....custom UI's do add to the Android experience, add things stock leaves off that some find useful.

I agree.

I don't think they're the end of the world but the manufacturer's could go about implementing them in a different way instead of completely breaking android to put their stuff in.

**jroc** · 06-06-2012, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by PJnc284

I don't think they're the end of the world but the manufacturer's could go about implementing them in a different way instead of completely breaking android to put their stuff in.

I don't see Android being completely broken by custom UI's. One can still add numerous apps to customize their phone. The other basic things about stock Android are still there. To me, the base of Android, Android at its core is being extremely customizable out the box. That doesn't get completely broken to me.

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**PJnc284** · 06-06-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by jroc

I don't see Android being completely broken by custom UI's. One can still add numerous apps to customize their phone. The other basic things about stock Android are still there. To me, the base of Android, Android at its core is being extremely customizable out the box. That doesn't get completely broken to me.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Android Central Forums

Look at how deep the hooks are in android for the custom UI's and ask any developer that has had to deal with TouchWiz or Sense. It's usually one big cluster with the changes made.

**Suntan** · 06-06-2012, 09:03 AM

Better camera, uSD card, better battery life w/ LTE modem integrated in the soc, bigger screen, physical home button to wake the phone from the front, future global phone support promised....

These are the main features that make this a no-brainer for me. If they sound appealing to you too, then go for the GSIII. Otherwise, the stock OS of the Nexus may be a better choice for you.

As for touchwiz, I plan to install Go Launcher and move on. Even with touchwiz running silently in the background it will fly, and still have more memory available for use than the Nexus does.

-Suntan

**Bob61** · 06-06-2012, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Suntan

better battery life w/ LTE modem integrated in the soc,

I see this mentioned in reviews, but haven't seen any benchmarks to back that up or how much better it will be. Curious how battery life compares to Maxx as will be upgrading phone for wife and have looked at Maxx due to battery life vs Nexus.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**matt0715** · 06-06-2012, 05:36 PM

This with cm9

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**Premium1** · 06-06-2012, 05:41 PM

This. More future proof with 2gb ram, better battery with s4 and integrated lte.

**Premium1** · 06-06-2012, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by jroc

Not just Touchwiz....but custom Ui's in general arent as bad as some make it. As hard as it for some to believe....custom UI's do add to the Android experience, add things stock leaves off that some find useful.

I agree.

I have no problem with UI's. I used the new blur on the maxx and also sense for years and yeah they slow updates but other than that they weren't "the devil" like some made them out to be.

**Premium1** · 06-06-2012, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by dmmarck

Extremely outdated? How? What out there pushes its limits?

It may not be special, but it has more dev support than any other phone out there, probably in the history of Android. That speaks volumes in my opinion.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

terrible camera, processor was about at the end of it's cycle( with newer more efficient dual and quad cores right around the corner) not to mention how long it took for an update. Plus this being Samsung and how dev friendly they are and all 4 US versions having same specs I can see this having a ton of development and see what the devs can do with the 2gb of ram.

**jroc** · 06-06-2012, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by bob61

I see this mentioned in reviews, but haven't seen any benchmarks to back that up or how much better it will be. Curious how battery life compares to Maxx as will be upgrading phone for wife and have looked at Maxx due to battery life vs Nexus.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Here are battery life tests was with the GS3 international version:

Now....thats a different chip. Quad core. With the US GS3....the battery life with LTE and the S4 is gonna be interesting to see.

I really wouldnt compare any phone with a stock battery to the Maxx. The Maxx has an enormous battery in it. The battery size in the GS3 vs other phones with similar sizes, the different chips.....the international GS3 does really good.

If battery life is your main thing....I dont think any phone will match up with the Maxx unless it has an extended battery. A very large extended battery. And that G nex on the list is the GSM version...which has alot better battery life than the CDMA one...

**Geikamir** · 06-06-2012, 07:31 PM

And isn't the dual core supposed to be more battery saving? That's great news.

**Premium1** · 06-06-2012, 08:02 PM

This is a pretty good review of the version Canada got which also has dual core and lte.

**jadams** · 06-07-2012, 02:09 AM

I am on the fence too. I have been waiting for the Gnex price to drop and I can finally get it for $149 with a free battery and $25 ebay gift cert. BUT reading how great the GSIII is supposed to be and the fact that I can get it for the same $149...kinda has me leaning towards it too. I hate my Fascinate... even rooted. I know things have changed a lot for Samsung, just hope the GSIII lives up to the hype.

**iceman64** · 06-07-2012, 03:40 AM

I purchased the galaxy nexus at full retail in Feb, knowing my upgrade was in May, my phone at the time was Droid X. The nexus is a nice phone especially if you are lucky and get one without problems. But I pre order the s3 the specs is better than the nexus. 2gb of ram is crazy, the pictures I've seen from the s3 camera was great. Better than the nexus, now the stock ice cream and on screen buttons on the nexus I will miss. But the s3 is the better phone with everything else!!!! If you going to spend money on a phone always get the best and newest phone. The nexus was the best android in Feb and now the s3 is the best android out. Better than HTC One X. Even though vzw won't have HTC One X

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

**davidnc** · 06-07-2012, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by Premium1

This is a pretty good review of the version Canada got which also has dual core and lte.

I saw that video of the benchmark too.Im not sure how much faith I have in Quad. Benchmarks tho .
I do think the SGSIII will be a great device that's why I ordered one ,,but also think the Galaxy Nexus is a great device (got mine on launch day too)and has served me flawlessly.
Hopefully the SGSIII will serve me as dependable as the GN has been.The GN has been my only Samsung device til I purchased the SGSIII not sure how I will like touchwiz but I can always install Nova Prime on it for my launcher.
I also hope this phone has alot of developer support although it may be a little slower out of the gate I expect/hope there will be quite a few custom Roms to pick from for this device.

I do like the fact that the SGSIII has an sd card which I will also have along with my 32gb of onboard memory .I wish the GN had an sd card that has been my only complaint about the GN (no sd card )

**Premium1** · 06-07-2012, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by davidnc

I saw that video of the benchmark too.Im not sure how much faith I have in Quad. Benchmarks tho .
I do think the SGSIII will be a great device that's why I ordered one ,,but also think the Galaxy Nexus is a great device (got mine on launch day too)and has served me flawlessly.
Hopefully the SGSIII will serve me as dependable as the GN has been.The GN has been my only Samsung device til I purchased the SGSIII not sure how I will like touchwiz but I can always install Nova Prime on it for my launcher.
I also hope this phone has alot of developer support although it may be a little slower out of the gate I expect/hope there will be quite a few custom Roms to pick from for this device.

I do like the fact that the SGSIII has an sd card which I will also have along with my 32gb of onboard memory .I wish the GN had an sd card that has been my only complaint about the GN (no sd card )

I am sure it will have lots of roms and quickly once its released. The sgs2 had a ton of support

**Bob61** · 06-07-2012, 05:30 PM

I have a Nexus almost since release. Wife is now eligible for an upgrade, decided on S3 for her. For same price S3 offers more and don't see what is given up.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**NoOneHereYet** · 06-07-2012, 05:34 PM

To put it simply vanilla android will always be more compatible and quicker to update because with overlays come changed APIs. That being said if you don't like touchwiz, sense or otherwise simply change the launcher and be done...