Nexus 5 is better than the iPhone.

[mrsmumbles]

Good thing we have you around to preach morals to the other posters then with your own fine examples.

Sent from my Sony Xperia Z1

You're welcome. Thank you for the fine compliment, Rule 9...

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Adranalyne]

Havent tried running ART on the X yet. Running it now on my Nexus and it seemed to give it a slight boost in performance (placebo perhaps?). Will give it a go on the X this weekend when I have a bit of time to play with it. The X even while not running ART is pretty darn close to the Nexus when it is running ART.

You make a good point about the X, One, Note 3, etc., having a single, signature, standout feature that the Nexus may lack. This perfectly illustrates what's great about Android and the choices we have. There is something to match everyone's tastes. The Nexus' standout feature I suppose would be top tier hardware at a budget price along with updates direct from Google. The latter is what has always kept me coming back to the Nexus. If other devices start to follow the lead of the Moto X and get updates as quickly as it got 4.4, the second point may not matter as much in the future.

Edit: I do agree with you on the speaker on the Nexus. It is pathetic and inexcusable. I use my phones as my alarm clock and I can not even think about using my Nexus 5 for an alarm as I'd sleep right through it (especially after a late night with my favorite beverage). I'll withhold final judgement on the camera until we see an update or two. The X has improved significantly in the last two updates. Hopefully the same will happen for the Nexus.

What has me encouraged is Google is actually taking strides to separate some things about the Nexus 5 from other iterations of the Nexus. The launcher, for example. If they can provide something outside of the cost and the updates on the software side that separates themselves from other phones, I'll be far more interested.

 

[mrsmumbles]

Havent tried running ART on the X yet. Running it now on my Nexus and it seemed to give it a slight boost in performance (placebo perhaps?). Will give it a go on the X this weekend when I have a bit of time to play with it. The X even while not running ART is pretty darn close to the Nexus when it is running ART.

You make a good point about the X, One, Note 3, etc., having a single, signature, standout feature that the Nexus may lack. This perfectly illustrates what's great about Android and the choices we have. There is something to match everyone's tastes. The Nexus' standout feature I suppose would be top tier hardware at a budget price along with updates direct from Google. The latter is what has always kept me coming back to the Nexus. If other devices start to follow the lead of the Moto X and get updates as quickly as it got 4.4, the second point may not matter as much in the future.

Edit: I do agree with you on the speaker on the Nexus. It is pathetic and inexcusable. I use my phones as my alarm clock and I can not even think about using my Nexus 5 for an alarm as I'd sleep right through it (especially after a late night with my favorite beverage). I'll withhold final judgement on the camera until we see an update or two. The X has improved significantly in the last two updates. Hopefully the same will happen for the Nexus.

I think there are several stand out features on the n5 which may be why it's hard to identify a single one.

Its innards are premium kick ***. Its screen is the best on any phone (not including phablets). Its form factor and design are excellent (best I've had). And its OS is the fastest Android yet.

Put all of that together and I'll gladly say this is the best phone as of late November 2013.*

* I really don't care about cameras, and speakers are adequate for speakerphone calls. I always use earphones to listen to music. So I don't factor those features into my subjective judgment.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[yfan]

For someone who keeps pointing out that you can't be objective when determining if a phone is superior to another, you keep bringing that word up a lot. Using the devices in question as opposed to making comments like I have? It does provide the ability to be impartial, something in which you made a huge fuss about earlier. Let's talk facts, though, because since you want to go that route and ignore your entire tirade on there not being objectivity in these things, I'm more than capable of supplying them:

Oh, good.

-In reference to the Moto X vs Nexus 5 speed question: The Moto X, especially after 4.4, is every bit as fast in day to day use as the Nexus 5. It gets smoked in synthetic benchmarks, but both run 4.4 smoothly and effortlessly. One does not hold a signficant advantage over the other in that department. Fact. If you've used both phones, especially side by side, you'd know this.

"Smooth" and "effortless" are subjective terms, not objective ones. You cannot measure smoothness, or effortlessness. What you can measure is speed. And on that, you are right, the Moto X gets smoked. We also saw the video on AC that showed - and I have been over this before - the Moto X taking 6 seconds to complete the same task the Nexus 5 completes in 3. That's 100% differential (from voice command ending to Google Now search result display). That's significant. It's also only 3 seconds, and so slight. And I'm certain that most people will never notice the speed difference in day-to-day use (as as most people driving my current car will not notice that it has less horsepower than my previous one). But the benchmark tests and the video - verifiable ways of measuring speed, are the only way to say whether there is a *significant* difference in speed. There is. But it's also often unnoticeable. You're talking about user experience, and I have never claimed that the Nexus 5 gives you better user experience - that would be dumb of me, since I have said that the key ingredient in user experience is the *user*. But the Nexus 5 IS faster.

-In reference to the iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 camera question: The iPhone 5S, from the hardware down to the functionality, -right now-, is the better camera. Anyone who has used both would know this because the Nexus 5 takes forever to focus and has the ability to take some horrendous pictures. It's ceiling, however, is higher, provided Google fixes those issues. Fact.

Again, "better" is a subjective term. What is objective is shutter lag, color saturation, things of that nature. And yes, in those departments, the iPhone 5S's camera is superior to Nexus 5's - definitely so in having significantly smaller shutter lag. I never disputed that.

-In reference to the Nexus 5 not being the best smartphone available: My stating this was being impartial because while I prefer the Nexus 5, I recognize that overall other smartphones are better. Those that review these phones for a living tend to agree, as evidenced by some (or maybe all) of the people who review phones for this site. I've already explained why in a different thread so I'm not going to repeat myself.

And we're back to square one. I don't have a problem with your contention that other phones are "better" than the Nexus 5; I'm certain that in your experience they are. Hence, 'better' is a subjective term. I have a problem with you insisting that whatever is better for you is the objective measurement of something ("better") that cannot be objectively measured.

 

[mrsmumbles]

mumbles is going to add virtually nothing,

And that's Mrs Mumbles to you. [Flounce]

---SnippyDrama

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[aggie]

I think there are several stand out features on the n5 which may be why it's hard to identify a single one.

Its innards are premium kick ***. Its screen is the best on any phone (not including phablets). Its form factor and design are excellent (best I've had). And its OS is the fastest Android yet.

Put all of that together and I'll gladly say this is the best phone as of late November 2013.*

* I really don't care about cameras, and speakers are adequate for speakerphone calls. I always use earphones to listen to music. So I don't factor those features into my subjective judgment.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

I agree that the innards are great. It essentially has the same innards as the G2, Note 3, etc. I meant a standout feature that was exclusive to the device that others don't have (example: boomsound, s-pen, etc.-something to make it stand out from the crowd). Don't get me wrong, I love my Nexus 5. If I had to pick only one of my devices to keep, it would be definitely be the one although only by the slightest of margins over the X. Disagree on the display, I think the G2 has the best display available by a mile to my eye. Something about that near bezel-less display I just loved. Couldn't get used to the volume button placement though and hated LG's skin so I sold it. All in all though the Nexus presents the best value of any phone on the market right now while competing on the spec sheet with the flagships from LG, HTC, Sammy, etc. It's not even close.

 

[mrsmumbles]

I agree that the innards are great. It essentially has the same innards as the G2, Note 3, etc. I meant a standout feature that was exclusive to the device that others don't have (example: boomsound, s-pen, etc.-something to make it stand out from the crowd). Don't get me wrong, I love my Nexus 5. If I had to pick only one of my devices to keep, it would be definitely be the one although only by the slightest of margins over the X. Disagree on the display, I think the G2 has the best display available by a mile to my eye. Something about that near bezel-less display I just loved. Couldn't get used to the volume button placement though and hated LG's skin so I sold it. All in all though the Nexus presents the best value of any phone on the market right now while competing on the spec sheet with the flagships from LG, HTC, Sammy, etc. It's not even close.

Maybe the standout feature of the n5 is that it's the Mr Potato Head of phones. It's undressed which means the user gets to play with adding features. You can add, subtract, etc. Yes, this can be done on any Android but on most others there isn't the plain potato to start with. They add the hair or whatever which one often wishes they could at least style themselves if not trim it, but short of possibly bricking the phone can't be done.

Pure or vanilla Android isn't as evocative for me as the mental image of Mr Potato Head. To me the lack of manufacturer and carrier add on features would be the standout feature. And motox, not to put it down or elevate it either, it's its own flavor. I'd say the Nexus and Motox lines are sort of cousins. Related but very distinct.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Haalcyon]

I find that I like a little flavor on my salad, not the plain lettuce that Nexus is. I find that I don't mind them adding a little dressing in the kitchen. ...and I don't mind a skin on my phones. I just don't want so much dressing that I feels like there's no lettuce at all. There needs to be a good balance between lettuce and toppings. I'm very happy with LG's balance as the hardware is still nastily sliq in its performance, IME.

G Pad 8.3

 

[anon5664829]

I find that I like a little flavor on my salad, not the plain lettuce that Nexus is. I find that I don't mind them adding a little dressing in the kitchen. ...and I don't mind a skin on my phones. I just don't want so much dressing that I feels like there's no lettuce at all. There needs to be a good balance between lettuce and toppings. I'm very happy with LG's balance as the hardware is still nastily sliq in its performance, IME.

G Pad 8.3

My favourite balance is of the Moto X.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Rule9]

You're welcome

I demand that you retract this. I never said thank you.

Sent from my Sony Xperia Z1

 

[Aquila]

Guys, I hate to interrupt, but I would much prefer to see threads that remain productive, on topic, and most importantly - respectful to all participants. If you do not feel like you are about to contribute in that manner, please do the adult thing and just move along. There are other threads that require your expertise in a much calmer manner. If you feel a member is violating forum rules, please hit the report button and we'd be glad to check it out. Thanks!

 

[Rule9]

Roger that boss.

Sent from my Sony Xperia Z1

 

[Adranalyne]

Oh, good.


"Smooth" and "effortless" are subjective terms, not objective ones. You cannot measure smoothness, or effortlessness. What you can measure is speed. And on that, you are right, the Moto X gets smoked. We also saw the video on AC that showed - and I have been over this before - the Moto X taking 6 seconds to complete the same task the Nexus 5 completes in 3. That's 100% differential (from voice command ending to Google Now search result display). That's significant. It's also only 3 seconds, and so slight. And I'm certain that most people will never notice the speed difference in day-to-day use (as as most people driving my current car will not notice that it has less horsepower than my previous one). But the benchmark tests and the video - verifiable ways of measuring speed, are the only way to say whether there is a *significant* difference in speed. There is. But it's also often unnoticeable. You're talking about user experience, and I have never claimed that the Nexus 5 gives you better user experience - that would be dumb of me, since I have said that the key ingredient in user experience is the *user*. But the Nexus 5 IS faster.


Again, "better" is a subjective term. What is objective is shutter lag, color saturation, things of that nature. And yes, in those departments, the iPhone 5S's camera is superior to Nexus 5's - definitely so in having significantly smaller shutter lag. I never disputed that.


And we're back to square one. I don't have a problem with your contention that other phones are "better" than the Nexus 5; I'm certain that in your experience they are. Hence, 'better' is a subjective term. I have a problem with you insisting that whatever is better for you is the objective measurement of something ("better") that cannot be objectively measured.

Then let's put this to bed, then. I'll agree that my statements are subjective, but definitely impartial (as I've maintained for quite awhile now). While subjective, I still feel they hold a lot more weight considering my experience. You clearly are all about what you can measure--that's fine. If we're going by that, then yes, the Nexus 5 is faster than the Moto X. Unfortunately, that's not what I was talking about. In day to day use, the difference between the two is negligible. You're pointing out one instance in which the Nexus 5 performed faster, whether significant or not. The camera opens quicker on the Moto X, especially with 4.4 now. Does that mean the Moto X is significantly faster? No. If you've held both devices side by side, especially with them both being on 4.4 now, you really can't make the case that the Nexus 5 is signficantly faster. You'd have to point at the benchmarks for that. If you're all about what can be proven with numbers, then the Note 3 is better than the Nexus 5. It benchmarks higher in almost every category. It has a significantly larger battery which translates to superior battery life. It has a 13 MP with OIS. It's screen is larger and has the same resolution.

Do I really feel that way? No, but you can't measure smoothness, right? So for all intents and purposes, by your standards, the Note 3 is faster, lasts longer, has an equal display, and has a better camera. Except it's not faster, it does last longer, the screen is equal, and the Nexus 5 has the better camera. My point? It's not all about what you can measure. When you get to use these devices, you'll get what I'm talking about. Until then, you can continue to think you know what you're talking about based on your experience viewing YouTube video comparisons. I'll keep sharing my hands-on experience.

 

[alexlam24]

IPhone rocks because dual core is better than quad core. Snapdragon is such a stupid name. A7 is simpler. My phone also comes in gold. My phone has the world's first finger print sensor. #hipster

Sent from iPhone 5Shet on T-Mobile

 

[aggie]

Then let's put this to bed, then. I'll agree that my statements are subjective, but definitely impartial (as I've maintained for quite awhile now). While subjective, I still feel they hold a lot more weight considering my experience. You clearly are all about what you can measure--that's fine. If we're going by that, then yes, the Nexus 5 is faster than the Moto X. Unfortunately, that's not what I was talking about. In day to day use, the difference between the two is negligible. You're pointing out one instance in which the Nexus 5 performed faster, whether significant or not. The camera opens quicker on the Moto X, especially with 4.4 now. Does that mean the Moto X is significantly faster? No. If you've held both devices side by side, especially with them both being on 4.4 now, you really can't make the case that the Nexus 5 is signficantly faster. You'd have to point at the benchmarks for that. If you're all about what can be proven with numbers, then the Note 3 is better than the Nexus 5. It benchmarks higher in almost every category. It has a significantly larger battery which translates to superior battery life. It has a 13 MP with OIS. It's screen is larger and has the same resolution.

Do I really feel that way? No, but you can't measure smoothness, right? So for all intents and purposes, by your standards, the Note 3 is faster, lasts longer, has an equal display, and has a better camera. Except it's not faster, it does last longer, the screen is equal, and the Nexus 5 has the better camera. My point? It's not all about what you can measure. When you get to use these devices, you'll get what I'm talking about. Until then, you can continue to think you know what you're talking about based on your experience viewing YouTube video comparisons. I'll keep sharing my hands-on experience.

But but but Samsung cheated!

Your best post so far in this thread. Agree with pretty much everything there (except the Note 3 camera lacks OIS). If I was going strictly on specs alone and which phone is the most "beastly", i'd definitely go with the Note 3. I just can't stomach Touchwiz and the effect it has on the user experience. The green toggles in the notification bar take me back to the gingerbread days. No matter how much I spruce it up with Nova, etc., I just can't get past the look of the settings menu, etc. This kind of goes back to what you were saying about the Moto X and how it competes with the Nexus 5, no matter how beastly of a device the Note 3 is, thanks to Touchwiz it is actually slower in day to day operation. Great hardware is only part of the experience, software optimization is what really makes a device and that's why the X is such a fantastic device with "lesser" hardware. Same for the Nexus when compared to the Note 3. The Note 3 really shines when playing games and watching videos, doesn't skip a beat, and dat screen...it is perfect for media consumption / game play.

 

[Adranalyne]

But but but Samsung cheated!

Your best post so far in this thread. Agree with pretty much everything there (except the Note 3 camera lacks OIS). If I was going strictly on specs alone and which phone is the most "beastly", i'd definitely go with the Note 3. I just can't stomach Touchwiz and the effect it has on the user experience. The green toggles in the notification bar take me back to the gingerbread days. No matter how much I spruce it up with Nova, etc., I just can't get past the look of the settings menu, etc. This kind of goes back to what you were saying about the Moto X and how it competes with the Nexus 5, no matter how beastly of a device the Note 3 is, thanks to Touchwiz it is actually slower in day to day operation. Great hardware is only part of the experience, software optimization is what really makes a device and that's why the X is such a fantastic device with "lesser" hardware. Same for the Nexus when compared to the Note 3. The Note 3 really shines when playing games and watching videos, doesn't skip a beat, and dat screen...it is perfect for media consumption / game play.

You're right about OIS. I keep thinking it came on the Note 3 because they talked about it ad nauseum before the launch.

 

[JeffDenver]

yes, the Nexus 5 is faster than the Moto X. Unfortunately, that's not what I was talking about. In day to day use, the difference between the two is negligible.

I guess that comes down to what you consider negligible. The delay between the two using google now in Jerry's video was definitely not negligible IMO.

 

[aggie]

You're right about OIS. I keep thinking it came on the Note 3 because they talked about it ad nauseum before the launch.

Yep it's a damn shame. Every single pic I try to take of my kids comes out blurry. Trying to get a 3 year old to sit still for 3 seconds is alot harder than it sounds.

 

[Adranalyne]

I guess that comes down to what you consider negligible. The delay between the two using google now in Jerry's video was definitely not negligible IMO.

Hold onto that one instance of slower speed, Jeff. Ignore the countless other things it's just as fast at, but focus on that one instance. Hold onto it, even now, when the Moto X is now running 4.4 and that video becomes irrelevant. You add "IMO" into everything, and you're allowed to have that opinion. Considering you've never used the Moto X, nor used them side by side with the Nexus 5, it's an opinion that holds very little weight.

And again, because it amuses the hell out of me, I have to point out that the author of that video, Jerry, states this in light of that video:

"Lots of numbers here. They all favor the Nexus 5 (unless a temperature sensor counts). You can look at these all day, and form whatever opinion you like, but the fact is that Motorola's custom micro-architecture — dubbed X8 — drives Android as fast or faster than the "superior" hardware in the Nexus 5. Until we have apps that require a certain screen density, or four (or more) cores for CPU threading — and those will come — whatever magic Motorola did with the MSM8960 works. And it does it for a lot longer."

Guess when you know what you're talking about, you can use words like "fact" when it comes to these things.

 

[aggie]

IPhone rocks because dual core is better than quad core. Snapdragon is such a stupid name. A7 is simpler. My phone also comes in gold. My phone has the world's first finger print sensor. #hipster

Sent from iPhone 5Shet on T-Mobile

I see what you did there.

iPhone 5s is a fine device. Stellar camera. Great build. I won't go as far as bashing it. I really like it but I just can't make it my daily driver. Finger print sensor is a good idea but I constantly have issues with it reading my prints. Still a better implementation than the Moto Atrix was but not quite where it needs to be.