Well, I had hoped the Epic would get GB by 1 November, but it didn't.
I've had the NS4G for about 1 week now, and I thought I would post some of my opinions for those of you out there that may be considering an upgrade or outright switching to the NS4G because of any dissatisfaction with the Epic 4G.
Overall, I've been very pleased with the NS4G. I wouldn't say that the phone blows me away, but certainly I feel justified in making the switch and at this point would not go back to the E4G.
Look and Feel.
Winner - NS4G. This phone is very slick and smooth -- sometimes too smooth (slips out of my hand; fixed with a case). I loved the curve look and the firm plastic covering. Despite having a plastic look to it, it feels solid in my hands. Weighs less than the E4G. What I don't like about the NS4G is the fact that the microUSB port and headphone jack are at the bottom. Should be at the top IMO. I thought I would miss the keyboard from the E4G, but I realize that I used the keyboard infrequently when I did have the E4G, so I will adapt.
Phone.
Winner - NS4G. I really have noticed a difference in the clarity of calls. Others have noticed it as well. One person actually asked me if I got a new phone. I think the speaker, however, is better on the E4G.
Radio.
Winner - Tie. I get the same reception (dbms) with both phones. That's the most scientific I get. Wifi analyzer looks about the same as well. Maybe there is a difference. I can't see it.
Firmware.
Winner - NS4G. Has GB 2.3.7. Will get ICS. No debate there. Runs smoothly and effectively.
Battery.
Winner - NS4G. On stock, battery lasted 2-3x longer on idle alone. With ROMS/Kernels, battery life is consistently 16-20 hours.
Media.
Winner - E4G. I really miss the E4Gs camera and camera button. The picture quality of the E4G is better and the video quality is better. I don't expect this to be remedied by any upgrades to the NS4G.
Storage.
Winner - E4G. I guess they are equivalent when it comes to cloud storage, but the E4G has a microSD card. I previously was using a 32 GB microSD card for my music and videos. The NS4G has only 16 GB (really 15 GB) of storage. This is half, so I have to have most of my music on the cloud and have to move videos off the phone more regularly. If you're a media buff and like to keep it local, you might have trouble with the NS4G. Also, if you have a limit on the data (is Sprint there yet?), your constant downloading of music may add up.
Rooting.
Winner - NS4G. This phone was made for hacking (as Paul627g has said). Rooting the phone was very easy with one click root (I know, I'm lazy). What I like about the ACS one click root is that built into the one click root program is a one click UNroot program. Very nice. Bootloader is nice. CWM 5 on the phone right now. Rooting went without a hitch.
ROMS.
Winner - ??. Not sure here. This may be a matter of opinion. There seem to be some pretty good E4G ROMs out there, but there are also some great NS4G ROMs as well. Maybe not as many because the NS4G gets updated regularly or maybe because stock runs so well. Anyway, I'm on my second ROM for the NS4G right now, and both (Oxygen, Bugless Beast) have been awesome. Kernels are very slick too. Currently running matr1x 9.5.
Apps.
Winner - NS4G. No bloat. I know this can be removed with rooting and Titanium, but the NS4G doesn't come with all that garbage. So if you're one who doesn't want to root, you don't have to worry about it with the NS4G.
So, I think if you are a media person, you might want to stick with the E4G. If you are a person that uses your phone as a phone and for email/texting and media is secondary, the NS4G may be for you. If battery life is the primary concern, I think the NS4G is better.
Anyway, just my opinions. The phone is great, and I'm happy with the switch. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
I've had the NS4G for about 1 week now, and I thought I would post some of my opinions for those of you out there that may be considering an upgrade or outright switching to the NS4G because of any dissatisfaction with the Epic 4G.
Overall, I've been very pleased with the NS4G. I wouldn't say that the phone blows me away, but certainly I feel justified in making the switch and at this point would not go back to the E4G.
Look and Feel.
Winner - NS4G. This phone is very slick and smooth -- sometimes too smooth (slips out of my hand; fixed with a case). I loved the curve look and the firm plastic covering. Despite having a plastic look to it, it feels solid in my hands. Weighs less than the E4G. What I don't like about the NS4G is the fact that the microUSB port and headphone jack are at the bottom. Should be at the top IMO. I thought I would miss the keyboard from the E4G, but I realize that I used the keyboard infrequently when I did have the E4G, so I will adapt.
Phone.
Winner - NS4G. I really have noticed a difference in the clarity of calls. Others have noticed it as well. One person actually asked me if I got a new phone. I think the speaker, however, is better on the E4G.
Radio.
Winner - Tie. I get the same reception (dbms) with both phones. That's the most scientific I get. Wifi analyzer looks about the same as well. Maybe there is a difference. I can't see it.
Firmware.
Winner - NS4G. Has GB 2.3.7. Will get ICS. No debate there. Runs smoothly and effectively.
Battery.
Winner - NS4G. On stock, battery lasted 2-3x longer on idle alone. With ROMS/Kernels, battery life is consistently 16-20 hours.
Media.
Winner - E4G. I really miss the E4Gs camera and camera button. The picture quality of the E4G is better and the video quality is better. I don't expect this to be remedied by any upgrades to the NS4G.
Storage.
Winner - E4G. I guess they are equivalent when it comes to cloud storage, but the E4G has a microSD card. I previously was using a 32 GB microSD card for my music and videos. The NS4G has only 16 GB (really 15 GB) of storage. This is half, so I have to have most of my music on the cloud and have to move videos off the phone more regularly. If you're a media buff and like to keep it local, you might have trouble with the NS4G. Also, if you have a limit on the data (is Sprint there yet?), your constant downloading of music may add up.
Rooting.
Winner - NS4G. This phone was made for hacking (as Paul627g has said). Rooting the phone was very easy with one click root (I know, I'm lazy). What I like about the ACS one click root is that built into the one click root program is a one click UNroot program. Very nice. Bootloader is nice. CWM 5 on the phone right now. Rooting went without a hitch.
ROMS.
Winner - ??. Not sure here. This may be a matter of opinion. There seem to be some pretty good E4G ROMs out there, but there are also some great NS4G ROMs as well. Maybe not as many because the NS4G gets updated regularly or maybe because stock runs so well. Anyway, I'm on my second ROM for the NS4G right now, and both (Oxygen, Bugless Beast) have been awesome. Kernels are very slick too. Currently running matr1x 9.5.
Apps.
Winner - NS4G. No bloat. I know this can be removed with rooting and Titanium, but the NS4G doesn't come with all that garbage. So if you're one who doesn't want to root, you don't have to worry about it with the NS4G.
So, I think if you are a media person, you might want to stick with the E4G. If you are a person that uses your phone as a phone and for email/texting and media is secondary, the NS4G may be for you. If battery life is the primary concern, I think the NS4G is better.
Anyway, just my opinions. The phone is great, and I'm happy with the switch. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
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