Alternatives

[some__dude]

Hi

I recently purchased from Google Play an unlocked Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ 16gb which I started using with StraightTalk. Unfortunately, some SOB thief stole it from me, and I now I am looking to buy another phone

I was overall rather satisfied with the Nexus, except for a few things:

1. Volume: this was its worst defect. I had to buy Volume+ from the market and it improved, but not enough. Both the speaker and the call volume were not good
2. No SD card: not possible to go beyond 16gb unless you root it and buy a card reader
3. Could not be used for mass storage: MTP was really problematic except for media files. I had to use Dropbox or a FTP app. No, I don't want to root my phone.
4. Buttons position: I hated the power button on the right (instead of being on top) and the volume rockers on the left. I found myself constantly holding the phone in the wrong position and accidentally pressing the power button
5. Weak GPS. It took too much time to get a lock. I downloaded GPS status and the time improved but not much. I have read other people had the same issue. No, it was not my fault or my imagination. I tested it along an LG Optimus S, and the latter got locks rather quickly in the same places where the Nexus was taking a long time. Yes, I had the latest updates for ICS, but it never performed well with or without those updates.

So, I am looking for a phone that has the best features of the Nexus but without its problems. It must have:

1. Comparable screen size: no smaller than 4"
2. Better volume: both call and speaker volume
3. Better GPS performance
4. GSM and usable with StraightTalk, HSPA+
5. SD card slot
6. Comparable battery life or better (or support extended battery)
7. Comparable price
8. Comparable RAM, and processor
9. ICS
10. Other good features of the Nexus

Does anyone know about a device that fits all or most of the above criteria?
Thank you

---

P.S. Please don't hijack this thread by trying to defend the problems of the phone or claiming it was all my imagination or my fault. If you want to do that, please start another thread.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Well, I think all you'll find in the Galaxy Nexus Forums is people defending the phone they chose and love to use.

If I had to recommend something, I'd say you need to do the research and find what's best for your situation and tastes. Everyone has different things they're looking for, and no one can tell you what's right for you. The spec sheets are all out there, so I'm sure you can find something. Get the phone that will please you, not please everyone else.

If you're looking for people's opinions to help you out, I'd recommend asking in a general forum where you won't have bias of owners of the device you don't like. Check out General Help and How To.

 

[dbareis]

Hi

I recently purchased from Google Play an unlocked Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ 16gb which I started using with StraightTalk. Unfortunately, some SOB thief stole it from me, and I now I am looking to buy another phone

Did you try (Plan B | AppBrain Android Market) to find your phone?

 

[some__dude]

Did you try (Plan B | AppBrain Android Market) to find your phone?

Yes, that's what I did very shortly after I discover the phone missing (I had another device and WiFi was available). But it seems the SOB had already turned the phone off or removed the SIM card. But thanks for the advice

 

[some__dude]

The spec sheets are all out there, so I'm sure you can find something.

Sadly, the spec sheets don't tell you the entire thing. I could not have anticipated the issues with the volume just based on the spec sheet.

If you're looking for people's opinions to help you out, I'd recommend asking in a general forum where you won't have bias of owners of the device you don't like. General Help and How To.

Thanks I will also post in that forum. The idea of posting here was to see if current or past owners aware of the different issues of this phone had been thinking to switch, and if so, what phones they thought could be a close match.

Thanks for your post, I got your idea, so it's not necessary for you to keep answering me. Thanks

 

[DroidDavi]

Gs3 and if you can deal with the power button on top HTC one x

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[skyrockett]

Yes S3. Don't know about GPS seems like over time all sumsungs phones get GPS problem. I personally had two no three android Samsung phones and two of them had GPS trouble.. Droid Charge and Skyrocket.. now people say GNex got it too but I got my gnex today so we'll see.

 

[fender7217]

No, I don't want to root my phone.

lol

 

[Chex313]

S3 will be the closest you'll get to filling all the needs you listed. I don't imagine you have a spare so you could wait for the upcoming Nexus phones in a few month's?

I have a question about your GPS problems. You have the phone located on the windshield so it has line of sight to satellites correct? Also wifi should be on(It uses both locked and unlocked wifi spots as well as the cell towers to get position). The only time I have had slow response was when I had my GN on a vent mount that never had full sight of the satellites. Once I had it up on the windshield it worked consistently well.

 

[hawonjung]

Similar price? I cannot think of any... I don't want to be bias, but this one is the best bang for buck.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus