I'm sure everyone here will say go for it considering it's the N5 part of the forums but what are you thoughts? Has anyone come from the S4(I'm on Sprint if that matters). I use the NovaLauncher now since TouchWiz sucks...and I don't really use any of the gimmick features of the phone. For those that have gone from the S4 to the N5 what are your thoughts and experiences?
Considering a switch from the Galaxy S4 to Nexus 5...
- Thread starter FrostyGTA
- Start date
planoman
Well-known member
- Aug 12, 2010
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Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
I have both. I have a 32GB S4 on ATT and it gets very little use. I also do not use all the features and over the years it just seems like the bloatware had gone over the top. I keep my S4 as a backup and it is getting very little face time. I do like the screen on the S4 and the SD card integration. I have learned to live with 32GB on the Nexus since I keep my music on Google Play Music and pictures on dropbox.
To be fair, I never had any performance issue on my S4, no lag as some others refer to but the Nexus 5 is a screamer for sure. If there is nothing that just bugs you about your S4, there is no real compelling reason to switch. The S4 camera is better as is the speaker. I might get a galaxy gear to use with my S4 to give it more face time and or when it gets 4.4 to use google wallet like I am now with my Moto X.
In short, I should like my S4 better than I do. Over the years I gave gone more to vanilla android due the overkill on features and bloatware on the Samsungs. In fact, this is the first time in a long time I have not used a Samsung as my main device...
I have both. I have a 32GB S4 on ATT and it gets very little use. I also do not use all the features and over the years it just seems like the bloatware had gone over the top. I keep my S4 as a backup and it is getting very little face time. I do like the screen on the S4 and the SD card integration. I have learned to live with 32GB on the Nexus since I keep my music on Google Play Music and pictures on dropbox.
To be fair, I never had any performance issue on my S4, no lag as some others refer to but the Nexus 5 is a screamer for sure. If there is nothing that just bugs you about your S4, there is no real compelling reason to switch. The S4 camera is better as is the speaker. I might get a galaxy gear to use with my S4 to give it more face time and or when it gets 4.4 to use google wallet like I am now with my Moto X.
In short, I should like my S4 better than I do. Over the years I gave gone more to vanilla android due the overkill on features and bloatware on the Samsungs. In fact, this is the first time in a long time I have not used a Samsung as my main device...
Last edited:
AssassinX
New member
- Nov 24, 2013
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Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
I have both and honestly it's been a tough decision for me when I thought it would be easy. I have a couple days left in my return policy window.
My main gripes are:
- Camera - frustratingly-slow focus but much better at low light than S4, flash blows everything out though
- Speaker - low and hollow sounding
- Microphone - makes me sound distant
- Battery life - I'm still testing back and forth but I think standby time is fantastic but under use it just sucks the life out of the battery. It does charge extremely fast, around 50-100% faster than s4 though.
- Screen - beautiful screen with accurate colors but too bright and sucks down battery. Stock auto brightness is useless and burns retinas.
- Headphones sound low
What I love:
- Notification light I can program with Light Flow (never could get it right with S4)
- Built-in wireless charging
- fast fast fast
- no need to long press to switch apps
- It's not locked down by att
- No bloat
S4 features I miss:
- Screen real estate - N5 nav bars take up a chunk of the viewing area
- good auto brightness
- fast camera with intelligent flash
- IR blaster came in handy at times
- Very loud speaker
- general fit and finish
Posted via Android Central App
I have both and honestly it's been a tough decision for me when I thought it would be easy. I have a couple days left in my return policy window.
My main gripes are:
- Camera - frustratingly-slow focus but much better at low light than S4, flash blows everything out though
- Speaker - low and hollow sounding
- Microphone - makes me sound distant
- Battery life - I'm still testing back and forth but I think standby time is fantastic but under use it just sucks the life out of the battery. It does charge extremely fast, around 50-100% faster than s4 though.
- Screen - beautiful screen with accurate colors but too bright and sucks down battery. Stock auto brightness is useless and burns retinas.
- Headphones sound low
What I love:
- Notification light I can program with Light Flow (never could get it right with S4)
- Built-in wireless charging
- fast fast fast
- no need to long press to switch apps
- It's not locked down by att
- No bloat
S4 features I miss:
- Screen real estate - N5 nav bars take up a chunk of the viewing area
- good auto brightness
- fast camera with intelligent flash
- IR blaster came in handy at times
- Very loud speaker
- general fit and finish
Posted via Android Central App
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
The speaker complaint is what's bothering me. I personally don't even like the speaker on the S4, to me it's too low. I think that might be the one thing to stop me from getting the N5. On the flip side if I don't like it I can sell it for the amount I paid for it or sell the S4 for close to the price paid for the N5. I don't know....I might pick it up and mess with it to see how I like it.
Thanks for the posts guys.
The speaker complaint is what's bothering me. I personally don't even like the speaker on the S4, to me it's too low. I think that might be the one thing to stop me from getting the N5. On the flip side if I don't like it I can sell it for the amount I paid for it or sell the S4 for close to the price paid for the N5. I don't know....I might pick it up and mess with it to see how I like it.
Thanks for the posts guys.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
IMO, the S4 will be better for storage, and you can upgrade the battery. It's camera is better overall, but there are areas where the Nexus 5 is better (low light, and maybe Macro).
I personally hate touchwiz, and that would be reason enough to switch for me. The Nexus 5 UI is faster from what I have seen (I blame touchwiz, not the CPU), and has virtually no lag (the S4 does have a little lag from what I have seen). The Nexus 5 CPU is definitely faster, and it is noticeable but probably not significantly for most people. And of course, there is Vanilla Android and updates. I don't think even the GPE has Kitkat yet. There is also overall cost if you care about that.
I agree with you about Nova...GEL is neat, but ultimately too binding for my tastes. I use Nova Prime as well, even though I already have GEL. The new Nova Prime beta will let you use the same transparencies as GEL, but you still need to have KitKat for it to work. I tried it on my Boyfriend's S3 and the transparencies do not work. Nova Prime will also not let you use always-on voice Google Now...you must have GEL for that to work.
Just the opposite for me. My advice is NOT to switch unless the Nexus 5 is offering something that you really want. You should never spend money on a new phone based on anything other than your own opinion. But experiences from other people can help you form a more accurate opinion.
IMO, the S4 will be better for storage, and you can upgrade the battery. It's camera is better overall, but there are areas where the Nexus 5 is better (low light, and maybe Macro).
I personally hate touchwiz, and that would be reason enough to switch for me. The Nexus 5 UI is faster from what I have seen (I blame touchwiz, not the CPU), and has virtually no lag (the S4 does have a little lag from what I have seen). The Nexus 5 CPU is definitely faster, and it is noticeable but probably not significantly for most people. And of course, there is Vanilla Android and updates. I don't think even the GPE has Kitkat yet. There is also overall cost if you care about that.
I agree with you about Nova...GEL is neat, but ultimately too binding for my tastes. I use Nova Prime as well, even though I already have GEL. The new Nova Prime beta will let you use the same transparencies as GEL, but you still need to have KitKat for it to work. I tried it on my Boyfriend's S3 and the transparencies do not work. Nova Prime will also not let you use always-on voice Google Now...you must have GEL for that to work.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
The speaker is very middle-of-the-road. I have heard worse, but it is not great. It is definitely better than the Nexus 4 was. I'd say, test it with a Demo unit at a T-Mobile store and judge for yourself.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Also that their position is persistent when you change the phone. If you are looking at the Samsung phones on the side or upside down, the nav buttons do not change with the orientation.
I did not even consider that, but that is totally true. Having to long-press for multi-tasking is something I have noticed a lot as well. It is one of the things I like about soft-buttons.
Also that their position is persistent when you change the phone. If you are looking at the Samsung phones on the side or upside down, the nav buttons do not change with the orientation.
benhmadison
Well-known member
- Mar 30, 2011
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Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Maybe I just don't remember correctly but I think the speaker on my n5 is better than the one my s4 had. To me the n5 is the better option unless you were a fan of tw which you have stated you are not.
At the very least I would give the n5 a try. You can always sell the n5 and go back to an s4 or find someone to trade if you don't end up being satisfied with the n5.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Maybe I just don't remember correctly but I think the speaker on my n5 is better than the one my s4 had. To me the n5 is the better option unless you were a fan of tw which you have stated you are not.
At the very least I would give the n5 a try. You can always sell the n5 and go back to an s4 or find someone to trade if you don't end up being satisfied with the n5.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
I'm gonna give the phone a shot, if I don't like it I'll sell it for what I paid....of course I just picked up one in a seal box and it doesn't have the SIM card removal tool...and I have no small pins here at my place...awesome...
EDIT: Never mind, found something here that works.
I'm gonna give the phone a shot, if I don't like it I'll sell it for what I paid....of course I just picked up one in a seal box and it doesn't have the SIM card removal tool...and I have no small pins here at my place...awesome...
EDIT: Never mind, found something here that works.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
No paper clips?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
No paper clips?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
planoman
Well-known member
- Aug 12, 2010
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Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Tell us what you found that works on the SIM tray in case I lose mine. A paper clip is too big.
Tell us what you found that works on the SIM tray in case I lose mine. A paper clip is too big.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
I had an old dental tool laying around that had a very thin point
I had an old dental tool laying around that had a very thin point
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Well low speaker is no.longer a issue for me.with a tweak on xda forum. Same goes for wash out color. I have Franco kernel and the color is much better than stock.
Posted via Android Central App
Well low speaker is no.longer a issue for me.with a tweak on xda forum. Same goes for wash out color. I have Franco kernel and the color is much better than stock.
Posted via Android Central App
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Got a N5 and am getting ready to sell my GS4. The GS4 was a good phone, but I feel the N5 is better.
I'll miss the loudspeaker on the S4 and the stronger vibrate and the quick shutter speed on the camera.
Everything else I feel is better on the N5. There is no lag and everything is snappy. I can quickly switch between apps without the phone stuttering a bit like with the S4. The N5 hands off between LTE and HSPA much better. I feel it can pick up a signal faster when coming up from the subway faster than the GS4. The N5 has excellent viewing in sunlight. The shortcomings of the N5 (camera and loudspeaker) I don't think will affect me in day to day use... And hopefully those can be resolved with a software update.
I don't notice a difference in battery life. Both phones have good standby time and can drain fairly quickly under heavy use.
Posted via Android Central App
Got a N5 and am getting ready to sell my GS4. The GS4 was a good phone, but I feel the N5 is better.
I'll miss the loudspeaker on the S4 and the stronger vibrate and the quick shutter speed on the camera.
Everything else I feel is better on the N5. There is no lag and everything is snappy. I can quickly switch between apps without the phone stuttering a bit like with the S4. The N5 hands off between LTE and HSPA much better. I feel it can pick up a signal faster when coming up from the subway faster than the GS4. The N5 has excellent viewing in sunlight. The shortcomings of the N5 (camera and loudspeaker) I don't think will affect me in day to day use... And hopefully those can be resolved with a software update.
I don't notice a difference in battery life. Both phones have good standby time and can drain fairly quickly under heavy use.
Posted via Android Central App
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Well I'm not digging the speaker...I'm not rooting the phone so hopefully they release a fix soon.
Well I'm not digging the speaker...I'm not rooting the phone so hopefully they release a fix soon.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
If you're buying a phone for the speaker, you will not be impressed by the Nexus 5. I'd recommend the HTC One.
So far I'm not impressed
If you're buying a phone for the speaker, you will not be impressed by the Nexus 5. I'd recommend the HTC One.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
It seems interesting to be so considerate of the audio output of the HTC One's speakers, but many are. I must be unique in that I can't imagine too many scenarios where its speaker quality would be very important to me outside of using the speakerphone. Now headphone output? Now that, to me, is important. ...but they don't let me out much.
G Pad 8.3
It seems interesting to be so considerate of the audio output of the HTC One's speakers, but many are. I must be unique in that I can't imagine too many scenarios where its speaker quality would be very important to me outside of using the speakerphone. Now headphone output? Now that, to me, is important. ...but they don't let me out much.
G Pad 8.3
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
I'm not buying a phone for the speaker. I'm just shocked it's that bad(at least the phone I have in my possession). I'm not very impressed with this phone overall, then again I don't deal with change that easily so I'm gonna play with it for a few days but meh, I was expecting more to be honest.
I'm not buying a phone for the speaker. I'm just shocked it's that bad(at least the phone I have in my possession). I'm not very impressed with this phone overall, then again I don't deal with change that easily so I'm gonna play with it for a few days but meh, I was expecting more to be honest.
Re: Might jump ship from the S4...thoughts?
Next time I am in a Verizon or TMobile store I'll take a look at the S4s speaker.
I don't think I ever heard the S4s speaker. I can definitely say the Nexus 5 sounds better than the S3s though.
Next time I am in a Verizon or TMobile store I'll take a look at the S4s speaker.
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