LG Nexus 4 vs Galaxy Note 2

[OffKilter]

I think this will be a big question for many people looking to upgrade this fall. It's a battle of software vs hardware, and while I am leaning towards the the Nexus, the Note 2 is tempting.

Note 2 Pros:

Amazing Super AMOLED HD 5.5 inch screen (not full pentile, not full RGB)
Powerful processor (Quad core Exynos - Euro version)
Removable battery
Expandable storage
S Pen with apps
Great camera (similar to S3)
Great battery life (up to 2 days in certain cases)
2GB RAM

Note 2 Cons:

Touchwiz (I do like it and think it adds useful features, but I would still take stock android)
Slow software updates, if any beyond Key Lime Pie (or whatever the K version is)

The Nexus 4 specifications are still officially rumors, but I am going off the list that has been reported.

Nexus 4 Pros:

Software updates from Google - will be supported for years to come
Powerful processor (S4 Pro)
True HD IPS 4.7 screen (better than the Note 2 besides size?)
2GB RAM

Nexus 4 Cons:

Non-removable battery
No sd expansion
Poor audio speaker quality (what reviewers have said of recent LG phones)
So-so camera (again, based off of Optimus G reviews)

If there are other pros/cons I missed let me know.

What does everyone think?

 

[Kid 05]

Nexus or bust.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

LG Nexus by far. Not even close:

- Faster processor
- Better screen
- Better build quality
- Stock Android
- Fast updates
- Reasonable size for human beings

The positives of the LG Nexus overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives. There are a huge list of negatives about the Note 2 I could go through, but I'll just leave it by just saying the Nexus seems like the much better phone to me.

 

[GMJeff]

As usual, the two devices are in different categories. The Note as a so called phablet and the Nexus as a Google "developer device". Two different audiences to sell to.

The Note and its S Pen and the Nexus and its support from Google. Apples and Oranges in my opinion. People will buy the Note 2 , and people will buy the Nexus, but it should be on a need basis, not everyone saying buy this or that just because they are fans of that type of phone.

The better way to compare is to make a list of what you would like the phone to do for you, then narrow it down based on phone features.

Note2 or Note10, that is the question

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

As usual, the two devices are in different categories. The Note as a so called phablet and the Nexus as a Google "developer device". Two different audiences to sell to.

You see, I disagree with that. I do believe the Note 2 is in direct competition with the LG Nexus, HTC One X, Galaxy S3, iPhone 5 etc. They are directly comparable because people would by a Note 2 or a Galaxy S3, or a HTC One X, or an iPhone 5. People would consciously choose a Note 2 over the other phones, thus are directly competitive and a consumer option when looking at smartphones.

What you're saying is that they can't be compared, that would be more like a tablet or a smartphone. Would someone make a decision and either get a tablet or a phone? No. People would generally buy a phone and also have a tablet. They're not mutually exclusive. But that's not the situation the Note 2 is in.

It's not like people would buy an LG Nexus and then also have a Note 2 in their pocket. People would make a decision on a smartphone, and one of those options would possibly be the Note 2. In the same respect, people who have a Note 2 would still consider getting a tablet, so the Note 2 an tablets aren't in direct competition and the comparison between a Note 2 and say an iPad wouldn't make any sense.

Now, for a lot of people, the Note 2 may be crossed off their list because the screen is too large, but that's just the same as say a One X would be crossed off someone's list because it doesn't have a removable battery or sd card storage. It's just a feature that consumers weigh up and cross off consciously or subconsciously until they decide on a product. The Note 2 just has a niche appeal with it's stylus/large screen, but even with these two features, it still is direct competition to other high-end smartphones out there.

It's just another smartphone with a list of features, just as every other smartphone has. It's not a new line of product, it's not some 'middle-ground' product. It's just a large smartphone.

 

[Mobius360]

I think both devices are great and I'd be willing to bet the Note 2 even outsells the Nexus. These phones are not comparable though in my opinion. The Note 2 is just a different class of phone. Can you really go wrong with any of the top devices from any of the big Android manufactures right now? They all have great internals, beautiful screens, great battery life, etc...

I've said it before having owned a Samsung Touchwiz phone I know that the software updates being a little slower is not really what I want. Touchwiz adds some great things though to Android and I'd be happy with a GS3. I really do like the route Motorola is taking and I hope the RAZR HD sells well for them. I would be perfectly happy with a RAZR HD Maxx on Verizons great LTE network. The phone that continues to just catch my eye is the HTC One X+, I think I could live with Sense on that phone. Ultimately from what I'm seeing with the new LG line is they are playing hardball now, it looks like they hit everything great except the camera which is probably still way better than my Galaxy Nexus. Having used a Nexus for the last 6 months I've realized it's the perfect Android experience for me, so I ultimately have no reason to go outside of the Nexus OS. If Sprint can get LTE to me, I will gladly upgrade my Galaxy Nexus to the LG Nexus as long as it has 32GB or more of storage, I even prefer the 8MP camera because it's flush with the back and even appears to take better pictures than the 13MP. That 8GB BS just will not work for my needs. The Note 2 for me is just bigger than what I want to carry around on a day to day basis, but it does have some pretty cool features.

 

[qnet]

Right now I'm leaning toward the Nexus but, I'm watching two new Note 2's on Ebay. I'm just waiting until the Nexus actually comes out. I'm also still hoping multiple nexus devices release. The Razr Maxx HD is tempting also.

 

[cognus]

the product manager in me agrees.
its an interesting market that I think [and hope] has matured past the "hopeless fragmentation" stage and I think one aspect of such maturity is that people cross some invisible line-in-sand about "gee whiz these things are HUGE" and once they're over it, a 5.5 doesn't seem like such a leap. I thought the galaxy S's were huge... now they don't look so big anymore.
The Note 2 is just another, with some added features that some will want and others will not.

one wild card in this is just the choice of the 'partner'; LG. I have been surprised to the Plus side by my experience with LG things, and the customer support. ever tried contacting ASUS for tech support? waste of time. in fact in some cases its worse than a waste of time because they might actually try to be responsive, and give you an answer that will wreck your device.
LG seems to have good design values and good QC. we shall see if it stands the test. Meanwhile Samsung is the devil we know better...

You see, I disagree with that. I do believe the Note 2 is in direct competition with the LG Nexus, HTC One X, Galaxy S3, iPhone 5 etc. They are directly comparable because people would by a Note 2 or a Galaxy S3, or a HTC One X, or an iPhone 5. People would consciously choose a Note 2 over the other phones, thus are directly competitive and a consumer option when looking at smartphones.

What you're saying is that they can't be compared, that would be more like a tablet or a smartphone. Would someone make a decision and either get a tablet or a phone? No. People would generally buy a phone and also have a tablet. They're not mutually exclusive. But that's not the situation the Note 2 is in.

It's not like people would buy an LG Nexus and then also have a Note 2 in their pocket. People would make a decision on a smartphone, and one of those options would possibly be the Note 2. In the same respect, people who have a Note 2 would still consider getting a tablet, so the Note 2 an tablets aren't in direct competition and the comparison between a Note 2 and say an iPad wouldn't make any sense.

Now, for a lot of people, the Note 2 may be crossed off their list because the screen is too large, but that's just the same as say a One X would be crossed off someone's list because it doesn't have a removable battery or sd card storage. It's just a feature that consumers weigh up and cross off consciously or subconsciously until they decide on a product. The Note 2 just has a niche appeal with it's stylus/large screen, but even with these two features, it still is direct competition to other high-end smartphones out there.

It's just another smartphone with a list of features, just as every other smartphone has. It's not a new line of product, it's not some 'middle-ground' product. It's just a large smartphone.

 

[Winterfang]

I'm getting the Nexus, but the Note is a much better phone.

 

[Syrential]

I think it's a really tricky question. I'm also considering either the Nexus 4 or the Note 2.
The price difference isn't exactly that huge anymore, as over here they sell for slightly above 500? at the moment, only 150? for a phone with a larger display (which again might even be too big for me, I have yet to actually go see it in a store).

It's a very tricky question to be honest. One thing I fear about the Nexus 4 is the resell value. The Note 1 still sells for over 300? a year later, considering the low price of the Nexus 4 it'll be very surprising to see for how much they sell in a year (can't exactly compare it to the current Nexus as the initial price was enormous).

 

[anon(590893)]

Like it's been said, the Note 2 and Nexus 4 are two different animals. In my opinion, the Note 2 caters to those who want expanded productivity and creativity (S Pen) with lots of power, whereas the Nexus 4 caters to those who want an equally powerful phone that has less interventions by an OEM or carriers. Both these phones are powerful. Both ship with the latest OS (good call Samsung, good call). And both are amazing at what they do. Now of course, they also have their limitations. But in this tight race (where Android has matured so much and phones compete heavily with each other), it's all down to what you want and need.

 

[doublebullout]

Well, they're not in different categories as far as I'm concerned. I'm cross shopping the Note 2 and Nexus 4. After seeing and handling a Note 2, I'm confident that size isn't an issue for me. Price is also not a deciding factor for me. It really comes down to this question: would I use the S-pen features enough to justify being stuck on 4.1 for some unknown length of time? I love what I've seen of 4.2 enough for me to prefer the Nexus 4 over the S3 or HOX, no doubt about it. The last Android device I used was an HTC Hero. So how much weight should I give to the hassle of waiting for Android updates from Samsung and AT&T? Should the certainty of Android updates with the Nexus 4 outweigh the S-pen of the Note 2?


Sent from my The New iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TheUI]

I'm incredibly tempted by the Note every time I think about, but then when I go look at it - I'm like, nice but no way, not for this guy.

 

[Ry]

How dare you list those things as cons. lol.

 

[ctfrommn]

I'm tempted in theory, but I just cant bare the idea of being one of the Samsung "sheep"....nice phone, but I like Android in it's purest, direct from the maker, form. I suspect I miss out on some cool stuff by having this opinion, but I just cant bring myself to be one of a flock.

 

[6tr6tr]

How are these a comparison? A Phablet vs a phone? They're not quite the same category. The better question:

* nexus 4
* LG Optimus G
* Galaxy S3

 

[Syrential]

How are these a comparison? A Phablet vs a phone? They're not quite the same category. The better question:

* nexus 4
* LG Optimus G
* Galaxy S3

For me, the Galaxy S3 is not a comparison because:
- AMOLED has some flaws that I find horrible (grayish white for example, the Note 2 Display is SO much better)
- Only 1GB RAM
- Quite a much higher price, which the sd slot doesn't compensate for

Also, if compared to the LG Optimus G, I see absolutely no advantages over the Nexus 4, maybe the LTE but that I personally don't care about since my carrier doesn't even have it.

 

[Fairclough]

Note 2 is way to big for my liking. To be honest I really want updates.

 

[OffKilter]

Interesting points put out by everyone! While I think the Note 2 and the Nexus 4 are in slightly different categories, but there will be people looking at both, like I am.

I see the Note 2 as the best hardware android has the offer at the moment, big beautiful screen (not the highest PPI around but still good), GREAT battery life, LTE speeds, microSD support (I have a 16GB card ready to go), the S Pen and its useful apps, multiple apps running at the same time, and many more features. I am not worried about it's build quality, I'll slap a case on it right away. At first I didn't like Samsung's plastic builds, but when my HTC Legend's digitizer died and I picked up a GS1, I started to like how light it was in my pocket. I definitely like the idea of getting a case with a kickstand so I can prop the Note 2 up on a desk for watching vids and browsing. If I got really crazy I could use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse for productivity purposes. I like how versatile the Note 2 is, plus I could get a Note 2 for $199 instead of $349 for the Nexus 4 (which I know is an amazing off contract price, and there is the 8 GB option - but I really wouldn't consider it)

So those are all great reasons to get the Note 2, but the Nexus 4 only needs one. Updates. I remember waiting anxiously for Froyo to come to my Legend as an OTA update (apps2SD especially due the tiny internal memory on it), and I am officially stuck on Gingerbread on my GS1 which feels ancient compared to ICS, never mind 4.2 (even though the Nexus S is getting 4.2 with IDENTICAL hardware). So the potential for OTA official updates are important to me. I know I can root and flash roms, but I've always been worried about flashing my daily driver and messing things up, I need my phone to be stable, not potentially buggy just for an update, I want it to be rock solid.

If you took the Note 2 and made it a Nexus, it would be the best phone on the planet hands down. That's why I have such a dilemma with this. In the end I think I will get the Nexus 4, the ability to get updates and be on the cutting edge for software as soon as it's announced is too tempting to resist I think. Maybe next year HTC will make the Nexus 5......make it happen Rubin! Thanks for the responses everyone!

 

[Lanhoj]

While both have their respective pros & cons, for my use the pros of the Nexus 4 outweigh its cons whereas on the Note 2 its size & Touchwiz outweigh its pros making my decision for me - Nexus 4.

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