From S3 Back To Nexus

[Eric Kane]

Back in December when I first got my VZW Galaxy Nexus, I figured that would be it for me until later this year when another Nexus would come out. I know the hardware would be beat fairly quickly, but the experience of stock ICS along with the knowledge that an update to Jelly Bean would be in my hands faster than others was enough to tide me over. Then I realized that I had made a terrible mistake; I bought a -Verizon- Nexus. Problems ensued, updates weren't given, and the realization that I probably wouldn't see Jelly Bean any quicker than anyone else made me do two things; jump ship to AT&T and not get a Nexus in the process. So I waited for the Galaxy S3 and got it this past Saturday. It's as good as advertised. No complaints here about it.

Then, as Google typically does, they push things a step further. I watched the keynote yesterday and saw them take the Galaxy Nexus and turn it into a brand new phone with the addition of Jelly Bean. The UI looks much, much faster. The notifications was a genius idea and look amazing. Voice Search makes Siri and S Voice look stupid in comparison. It's extremely fast and seems to be far better with understanding your commands. Google Now is a bit creepy, but I'm cool with it. The camera has improved. Resizable widgets were taken a step further. The keyboard has been improved. There's offline voice typing. For what many would call an 'incremental' upgrade, this was amazing. So not even a week into having my S3 and I'm already returning it and buying an unlocked Nexus from the Play Store. And they conveniently made it only $350 now.

So nothing personal against the S3 or anyone who still intends on using it, but I have to go back to the Nexus. I've learned my lesson; never buy a CDMA Nexus. It's a great time to be an Android user.

 

[dalvik]

After having owned a Skyrocket (a great device by all means but crippled by the carrier) I've learned my lesson - from now on only google unlocked nexus phones. Can't wait to get my shipping notification! And I agree, it really is a great time to be an Android user!

 

[guinnkevinr]

I had the gsm gnex and switched to the s3. After the announcement I too am buying another gnex to replace my s3. Ordered last night. T he $350 price tag is brilliant and jb looks like a dream. Can't stand touchwiz any longer as well

Sent from my Galaxy S3

 

[Eric Kane]

I had to open another line to get the S3. So I get to drop that line and save the monthly cost, get back the $200 I spent on it, and only spend $150 to buy a phone off contract. That $150 will come from the $275 I just sold my VZW Galaxy Nexus for. I'll probably use the extra $125 to buy a spare battery charger and 2 extra batteries for it.

I love how just when you thought the S3 or One X was king of the hill, the Galaxy Nexus comes back and may be better than either of them.

 

[anon(13322)]

I had the gsm gnex and switched to the s3. After the announcement I too am buying another gnex to replace my s3. Ordered last night. T he $350 price tag is brilliant and jb looks like a dream. Can't stand touchwiz any longer as well

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Is there any difference in the screen size? 4.65" to 4.8"? Doesn't seem like much a difference, but is it noticable?

 

[Eric Kane]

It's noticeable. The extra real estate on the S3 screen is because it doesn't use the on-screen buttons like the Nexus does. If you remove those from the equation, it's not much of a difference.

 

[dwd3885]

I think i'm going back to the Galaxy Nexus. I have used both the One X and S3, but there are annoyances with each. The ONLY reason I didn't STICK with the Nexus is the camera. You think that has improved at all?!

 

[anon(13322)]

It's noticeable. The extra real estate on the S3 screen is because it doesn't use the on-screen buttons like the Nexus does. If you remove those from the equation, it's not much of a difference.

Thanks. Its going to be weird for me going from a 3.5" to a 4.65" screen. The biggest screen I've had was a 4.3 SII.

 

[anon(13322)]

I think i'm going back to the Galaxy Nexus. I have used both the One X and S3, but there are annoyances with each. The ONLY reason I didn't STICK with the Nexus is the camera. You think that has improved at all?!

Well, software can't improve hardware. The camera "app" was updated, not the hardware camera on the device. Maybe the camera app update can make the pictures look better or something. Not too sure.

 

[dalvik]

I think i'm going back to the Galaxy Nexus. I have used both the One X and S3, but there are annoyances with each. The ONLY reason I didn't STICK with the Nexus is the camera. You think that has improved at all?!

the camera and the lack of sd card slot is what makes people think twice about getting GNex. to me these are non-issues, especially the camera. on my Skyrocket I have an 8mp and on GNex its 5 but there is zero shutter lag on GN and this is what important to me (I rarely use camera on my phones anyway) but there isnt much difference between 8mp and 5 really...

 

[dalvik]

Well, software can't improve hardware. The camera "app" was updated, not the hardware camera on the device. Maybe the camera app update can make the pictures look better or something. Not too sure.

i believe it actually can... On my Motorola Atrix when it first came out with Froyo there wasn't 1080p video recording and after it was updated to Gingerbread this was added to the camera along with some other enhacements like panoramic shooting also the quality of the video and pictures got noticeably improved

 

[Eric Kane]

The camera can be improved with software. Has it? They claim it has, but if you really want to know, wait until Alex has some more time with it this week at I/O. What I'd like to see is a Galaxy Nexus running Jelly Bean compared with an S3 to see how fast it is. I may have an answer for that next week when my Nexus arrives.

 

[guinnkevinr]

Thanks. Its going to be weird for me going from a 3.5" to a 4.65" screen. The biggest screen I've had was a 4.3 SII.

To me, the size of the Gnex feels better to hold than the S3. Might be because of shape but it just feels worlds better in the hand. And with the on screen keys, the screen doesn't look ridiculously big but it's big when you need it to be for videos and such.

 

[atrixfll]

Its all about the HOME button..and size ..fits better in my hand..

had a GNEX ..sold it for the SGS3 .. but just reordered the GNEX for arrival tomorrow.. SGSIII will go back to ATT

 

[hodan]

I think i'm going back to the Galaxy Nexus. I have used both the One X and S3, but there are annoyances with each. The ONLY reason I didn't STICK with the Nexus is the camera. You think that has improved at all?!

It's pretty average, and really the only thing I genuinely wish was better about the GNex.

 

[maverick96]

Was about to pull the trigger on the GS3 and sell off my G-Nex. Not a chance in hell that's happening now! JB is a game changer, no matter who says its only a minor update. Glad I didn't pull that trigger. Phew....

 

[anon(26204)]

I had the Sprint's version GS3. I was already looking to go back to the G-Nex before the Google I/O event. But after the event, it just made me want to go back to the G-Nex even more.

I found a Mint International Galaxy Nexus locally on Craigslist for a very cheap price. I got it home and flashed the North American / Google Play Store G-Nex firmware over to it and got G-Wallet working. .

So I'm all good...bring on JB

 

[OMGLadyGaga]

I'm on Sprint and pre-ordered the S3 but cancelled it before I get it and perhaps fall in lust with it. I currently have the S2 but want to leave cdma asap to be honest. The new Play Store price of G-Nexus is really enticing. I have only had a cdma phone though, have no idea how sim cards work. I'd like to order one and use ATT service via Straight Talk, is that a fairly easy process?

Not to derail, I agree OP the G-Nex with Jelly Bean on it looks solid and much smoother and fluid. I want one, now!!

 

[guinnkevinr]

I'm on Sprint and pre-ordered the S3 but cancelled it before I get it and perhaps fall in lust with it. I currently have the S2 but want to leave cdma asap to be honest. The new Play Store price of G-Nexus is really enticing. I have only had a cdma phone though, have no idea how sim cards work. I'd like to order one and use ATT service via Straight Talk, is that a fairly easy process?

Not to derail, I agree OP the G-Nex with Jelly Bean on it looks solid and much smoother and fluid. I want one, now!!

It's very easy. Order the phone and then buy a straight talk SIM. Should only take a couple minutes. Pop it in the back and you're good to go

Sent from my Galaxy S3

 

[Eric Kane]

I ordered my unlocked Nexus from the Play Store yesterday. I've got Jelly Bean running on my Verizon Nexus right now and it's beautiful. I can't speak on battery life because I don't have a SIM in it, but it's just as fast as advertised. Google Now is just...awesome. Google Voice Search makes Siri look stupid, too. It's so, so fast and has not once misunderstood me. You may wait one second after you're finished typing and the answer appears. If it's this fast and this great now, the improvements they'll make to it before the end of the year are going to be incredible.

My S3 is sitting in my pocket like the infant child who's no longer cute anymore because a brand-new baby was born. It gave me 4 days of uninterrupted greatness until Google I/O happened and the Nexus smacked it down off the throne.