Is the S4 Google Edition really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

[anon(161369)]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

Was on the fence earlier.... But after some thinking and researching I just can't justify the s4 GE. Honestly I'm more excited for what ever Motorola releases this year Nexus or not

 

[Fairclough]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

And everyone thought there was going to be an official LTE nexus 4, s4 isn't a bad deal it feels nice but not worth $650 outright.

 

[return_0]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

Originally Posted by AbuYazeedUK<br />
Will this only be available in the US?<br />
<br />
Posted with Rootboxed N4 via Android Central App

<br />
<br />

Originally Posted by return_0<br />
No; it's GSM unlocked.<br />
<br />
Sent from my pure Google Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

<br />
<br />
<br />
@Return_0 is correct, it will be unlocked and only GSM capable but, it will only sell in the US... For now at least.<br />
<br />
Nexus 7|Android Forums

Exactly. Works anywhere in the world but afawk only sold in the US.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[ConTejas]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

What's a "Nexus S4"?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

Seriously. If it was a Nexus it would be called a Nexus. For one...if it has any other buttons other than vol +/- and power...it's not a Nexus. Otherwise, agree with most opinions in this thread

 

[saintforlife]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

Seriously. If it was a Nexus it would be called a Nexus. For one...if it has any other buttons other than vol +/- and power...it's not a Nexus. Otherwise, agree with most opinions in this thread

Sorry about the semantics misstep. I wasn't paying attention when I started the thread. I heard "Nexus like experience" on a Galaxy S4 and assumed it was called a Nexus S4. Didn't do my due diligence. GES4 is more like it.

 

[JeffDenver]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

I don't think so. I just don't see the point of putting down an extra $300 for a Nexus S4. I mean, is the hardware really worth that much extra?

The options are. I miss the massive battery life I had with my previous phone...being able to upgrade batteries is very useful to me. As is expandable storage. It does not hurt that the display is a little better and it has a faster CPU and a better camera.

The counter arguments I am seeing are mostly "OMG but the nexus 4 is so much cheaper"...which is fine. But it is not like you are not getting more phone when you buy an S4. The hardware IS better. If you want the best stock Android experience, the S4 will be it IMO.

The only thing I would miss with the Nexus 4 is the case...the curved glass is pretty cool, and I really have never liked the physical home button of the Galaxy series.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

The options are. I miss the massive battery life I had with my previous phone...being able to upgrade batteries is very useful to me. As is expandable storage. It does not hurt that the display is a little better and it has a faster CPU and a better camera.

The counter arguments I am seeing are mostly "OMG but the nexus 4 is so much cheaper"...which is fine. But it is not like you are not getting more phone when you buy an S4. The hardware IS better. If you want the best stock Android experience, the S4 will be it IMO.

The only thing I would miss with the Nexus 4 is the case...the curved glass is pretty cool, and I really have never liked the physical home button of the Galaxy series.

The other thing to consider is that the GS4 has a lot of different sensors and the IR blaster that the N4 doesn't have. Now, using stock Android, I'm not sure what those sensors and IR blaster would be any good for, but as it is bootloader unlocked, I'm sure devs could maybe find some cool uses for them.

Couple that with expandable SD storage and removable battery, and you've got a lot of the features that prospective Nexus buyers were clamoring for...

For me, however, I'm going to either by a full-functional Samsung GS4 or I'm going to buy a Nexus 4. I could not see spending $650 on what is really a crippled device (based on what the "regular" GS4 can do) out of the box, when I could get an N4 (albeit for a few less features, perhaps) for just over 1/2 that price. If you slap a $399 price tag on that developer ed. GS4...than perhaps you have my attention, otherwise, no.

Side note: I love Nexus devices and have owned a few of them, but I also have no problem with Touchwiz what-so-ever -- Samsung has incorporated some great features into their phones.

 

[TheLegoman]

The S4 is NOT a Nexus device. The S4 is NOT the Nexus 5 or whatever some random person would like you to think. There will still be a new Nexus announced in October. For me, I don't think the S4 Google Edition is a big enough change from the Nexus 4 to warrant me changing.

What about the sensors on the S4 G.E.? Stock Android doesn't take advantage of any of those sensors, so wouldn't you be missing out on many of the key features that make a S4 a S4 and not just another phone out there? The Nexus 4 is still very snappy and fast, the screen isn't bad at all, and aside from battery life, it isn't a bad phone at all. For me, the better battery life, better screen, and better specs of the G.E. S4 are not worth $300 more than the Nexus 4. If I were to get an S4, I would get the regular version. Not the Google Edition S4. The extra features could possibly be worth $300, but without those features, it's just not worth it.

Sorry for the rambling post. Just had to put this out there.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[NotJustAPhone]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

Sorry about the semantics misstep. I wasn't paying attention when I started the thread. I heard "Nexus like experience" on a Galaxy S4 and assumed it was called a Nexus S4. Didn't do my due diligence. GES4 is more like it. http://www.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconcheers.gif

Thread title edited. Now, let's get back to the actual thread topic.

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[anon(847090)]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

here is a pro tip/Crazy idea for all the S4 users. when google release the factory image of S4 Google edition flash it on your normal S4.
hurray!! maybe this wont work but throwing it out there

 

[cormaster628]

I don't think it's worth it, but I do believe that's how much a gs4 costs no commitment from a carrier so if your dying for an s4 and not due for an upgrade, I think it's better than going through a carrier.

To me there's a hidden story in here, add that's google is selling a non nexus android phone on the play store, and thats just awesome. Remember the rumored "nexus certification program" that never happened? Might actually happen now, which would be awesome!

I don't think nexus phones are going anywhere though. They clean stock Android devices with googles vision of a perfect phone, and intended for developers. But if they start selling other devices with stock Android and updates from Google then consumers can have more choice and the nexuses can be reserved for developers

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Suda]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

here is a pro tip/Crazy idea for all the S4 users. when google release the factory image of S4 Google edition flash it on your normal S4.
hurray!! maybe this wont work but throwing it out there

It'll at least work for T-Mobile owners because this phone shares the same make and model. I'm sure it'll be edited for AT&T customers.

But that's the good thing about this phone, you don't have to go through all the headache. For those that were interested in the S4 but no so much TouchWiz or looking to buy off contract, this version is a no-brainer. This phone is expensive for people in the US, but the US isn't the only country on this planet. Some countries don't have carrier subsidies and pay prices like this all the time. People in these and other countries have said this phone is priced about the par, or in some cases cheaper for them.

 

[Pollster]

I am a content hog and possibly may never trust my data connection to be there for me when I need it every single time. If the $650 was a 64GB with SD slot that could allow me add another 128GB, I would buy it in a second.
I'm addicted to stock Android, and FAR prefer a featureless brandless black front face, but being able to stop carrying an iPod Classic around would mean a lot.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

Galaxy S4 is not the Iron-man of phones, its having pretty bad reviews as far as durability is concerned.

Hogwash. There are no durability or build quality issues with Samsung phones.

 

[LegalAmerican]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

Hogwash. There are no durability or build quality issues with Samsung phones.

There certainly IS, but there is with all devices. When you have a big pane of glass (the screen) on anything, it will have durability issues. I do however find it funny that people comment on Samsung quality in a forum for a phone made almost entirely of glass. Some people just cannot let their brains move on from Samsung plastic even if they're holding a fragile glass object that can be destroyed with the slightest impact. It's just crazy to me.

 

[natehoy]

I don't think so. I just don't see the point of putting down an extra $300 for a Nexus S4. I mean, is the hardware really worth that much extra?

No, and if I may be frank I don't understand why people expect it to be.

The Nexus 4 is subsidized, and rather significantly at that, by Google. Google breaks even or loses money on the sale of each and every Nexus device, whether it be 4, 7, or 10. Because Google wants Nexus devices in the hands of developers and Android enthusiasts. Making money on unit sales is not their goal. Getting devices into hands is.

Samsung, on the other hand, is filling what they feel is a niche - a product that has top-shelf specs and gets more regular updates.

Unlike Google, Samsung is not in the business to get devices out to people at break-even. Samsung wants to make a profit. As such, they simply cannot compete in price with a company that is OK with not making any money.

The S4 is *worth* probably $100 more than the N4. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less, but somewhere in that ballpark. The other $200 is the profit Samsung wants to make off the device, third-party-sale markups, and the like.

Now the real question is, for the folks who skipped over the N4 because it lacked a feature you wanted, is $300 worth getting that feature? I'm talking about people who wanted things like LTE, a removable battery, an SD slot, a better camera, etc etc. Personally, if I were in the market for an unlocked smartphone, I'd look at a 13mpix shooter and say "the difference between that and an 8mpix means I might not have to buy a purpose-built dedicated camera for photography" or look at the removable battery and say "I could buy an extended battery and not be so dependent on carrying around a separate battery pack or be looking longingly at the nearest tree hoping it has a USB port" or look at the SD slot and say "I could carry around my entire music collection without an OTG cable dangling off my phone waiting to snap my delicate USB/charging port".

If it is, then the phone is worth $300 more... to you.

If it's not, then the phone is NOT worth $300 more... to you.

Others, using other criteria, may well reach other conclusions as to its relative value. That doesn't make your assessment of your own criteria wrong.

 

[cormaster628]

No, and if I may be frank I don't understand why people expect it to be.

The Nexus 4 is subsidized, and rather significantly at that, by Google. Google breaks even or loses money on the sale of each and every Nexus device, whether it be 4, 7, or 10. Because Google wants Nexus devices in the hands of developers and Android enthusiasts. Making money on unit sales is not their goal. Getting devices into hands is.

Samsung, on the other hand, is filling what they feel is a niche - a product that has top-shelf specs and gets more regular updates.

Unlike Google, Samsung is not in the business to get devices out to people at break-even. Samsung wants to make a profit. As such, they simply cannot compete in price with a company that is OK with not making any money.

The S4 is *worth* probably $100 more than the N4. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less, but somewhere in that ballpark. The other $200 is the profit Samsung wants to make off the device, third-party-sale markups, and the like.

Couldn't of said it better myself! I agree, it's probably got $100 worth of hardware upgrades but it's not $300 better, but it's a niche product, not a carefully designed phone by Google.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[natehoy]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

There certainly IS, but there is with all devices. When you have a big pane of glass (the screen) on anything, it will have durability issues. I do however find it funny that people comment on Samsung quality in a forum for a phone made almost entirely of glass. Some people just cannot let their brains move on from Samsung plastic even if they're holding a fragile glass object that can be destroyed with the slightest impact. It's just crazy to me.

I find the whole build quality argument somewhat irrelevant for my own purposes. I mean, yes, I'm carrying a Thunderbolt at the moment, and for all of its other flaws the build quality is at least pretty adequate. But the very first thing I do when I get a phone worth $500+ is put it in a good-quality case.

Because I live life. I drop my phone. I go kayaking, and bicycling, and camping, and my phone rides along (usually powered down) in my pack or dry hatch because a phone is a very handy thing to have when things go pear-shaped, and because even the best intentions can lead to getting lost and having a GPS banging about ain't gonna hurt none (even though I've never had to use it for either purpose nor do I plan on it working if I ever did).

Make a phone out of solid platinum or cheap plastic and pretty it up with laser-etched artwork or cover it with silly stickers, and either way it's going to have "Seidio" or "Otterbox" as the only visible logo within a few days.

But there are plenty of people who do run their phones "naked", and I can see where they like the feel of glass or aluminum or gemstones or whatnot, or want to avoid creakiness or sharp edges or whatever bothers them about whatever phone bothers them about it. I just put it in a nice thick layer of rubbery stuff and cover that in a hard plastic shell, and I can use the thing to drive finish nails should I have to. (grin)

 

[natehoy]

Couldn't of said it better myself! I agree, it's probably got $100 worth of hardware upgrades but it's not $300 better, but it's a niche product, not a carefully designed phone by Google.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

For those who fit the niche, though, it's a great product. I'm currently considering a defection to AT&T and a conversion over to an S4. I'm trying to decide whether to:

1. Commit to two years and get the subsidy, leave the phone stock, and deal with somewhat delayed updates (can't be as bad as my Thunderbolt anyway!).
2. Commit to two years and get the subsidy, root/ROM the phone, and deal with a somewhat higher risk of warranty issues, but get full-on Nexus-y updates.
3. Buy the unlocked version and go month-to-month with AT&T in case a better deal on phone service comes along, and get somewhat reasonable but warranty-supported updates.


The N4's battery makes it a non-starter for me. I think it's an excellent phone, and I had the opportunity to order one during the initial launch fiasco and hesitated just long enough to miss out because it was ALMOST everything I wanted in a phone and the price was killer-good. But I think I'd still be looking at the couple of small features that I really wanted in a phone and regretting the N4.

For me, personally, having a camera that can take good photos without having to schlep around an extra camera is worth some coin. 8mpix is good, but not quite good enough for what I want. 12mpix+ is just about right. Same for the ability to add an extended battery. SD card is handy. Not a must-have, but handy.

Couldn't care less about LTE - I live in Maine, we won't see non-Verizon LTE for years and Verizon's LTE coverage is spotty at best. HSPA+ is fast enough for me.

So, in my case, if you laid an N4 and a Google-S4 in front of me and they were the only two choices in the world, I'd drop an extra 300 clams and get the Google-S4. But that's me. And I don't claim to speak for anyone else on this planet as to how their value proposition between the two phones works out.

 

[LegalAmerican]

Re: Is a Nexus S4 really worth $300 more than a LG Nexus 4?

I find the whole build quality argument somewhat irrelevant for my own purposes. I mean, yes, I'm carrying a Thunderbolt at the moment, and for all of its other flaws the build quality is at least pretty adequate. But the very first thing I do when I get a phone worth $500+ is put it in a good-quality case.

Because I live life. I drop my phone. I go kayaking, and bicycling, and camping, and my phone rides along (usually powered down) in my pack or dry hatch because a phone is a very handy thing to have when things go pear-shaped, and because even the best intentions can lead to getting lost and having a GPS banging about ain't gonna hurt none (even though I've never had to use it for either purpose nor do I plan on it working if I ever did).

Make a phone out of solid platinum or cheap plastic and pretty it up with laser-etched artwork or cover it with silly stickers, and either way it's going to have "Seidio" or "Otterbox" as the only visible logo within a few days.

But there are plenty of people who do run their phones "naked", and I can see where they like the feel of glass or aluminum or gemstones or whatnot, or want to avoid creakiness or sharp edges or whatever bothers them about whatever phone bothers them about it. I just put it in a nice thick layer of rubbery stuff and cover that in a hard plastic shell, and I can use the thing to drive finish nails should I have to. (grin)

I agree 100%. I always put mine in an Incipio within a few weeks. I LOVE the look of phones naked, but only until that first scuff happens and then I can't ignore it. It just gets obnoxious when people always think the only good phone is one made out of cast iron. If it's not whatever their preference is, it's automatically crap. Plastic FEELS cheap, but is extremely durable. Aluminum and glass feel amazing, but they are extremely fragile and easy to scuff up or crack/scratch/dent. There's no perfect material at the moment (that we can afford) that would make a phone indestructible.