Tough decision to make tomorrow

[macguy59]

I have my choice of a 16GB Nexus 4 (LG) or the Samsung S3. Looking for reasons why the Nexus 4 would be the better choice. I'm on AT&T and they don't have LTE around here yet so that really isn't a factor in the decision. Thanks !

 

[hossman12]

The N4 would be the better choice if you really want stock Android, and if getting Android updates before anyone else/as fast as possible is also high on your list of priorities. Keep in mind that your menu, home, and back buttons are on the display itself with the nexus, so you're going to have a little less screen space at your disposal.

I'd go with the S3 but either is a good choice. My S3 is an extremely powerful, reliable, and efficient device. Never freezes or crashes and can handle absolutely anything I throw at it. Plus, it's been out for over six months, so there is a wonderful amount of accessories and developer support for it. While some people have their complaints, I find using the TouchWiz user interface to be a seemless experience. I'd also be very nervous about the all-encompassing glass material on the Nexus4 and the level of delicacy it instills.

At the end of the day you really have to decide what features are most important to YOU. Do you want a beast of a phone with a ton of accessories and enormous user community? Or do you want a monster of a device running stock android that's sexy as hell?

You can't go wrong.

Sent from my MetroPCS GS3

 

[Mellimel22]

It depends on if u are ordering online or purchasing in store? Because the n4 is backordered to hell lol. Plus the s3 is still a good phone

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus Rockin 4.1.2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bens42608]

I'd definitely go with the s3

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

 

[Hubertsng]

I'd definitely go with the s3

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

Real helpful, it's my opinion and i will put no defense for it whatsoever.

well anywaysss....
Nexus 4 is stock android and gets the updates first which is really nice. The Nexus 4 also has a more premium feel but is easy to break but the S3 isn't as easy and has a removable back and has a microSD slot. The Nexus 4 atm doesn't have many storage (only 8/16) while you can get 128GB on the S3 with an SD card. The SD is only on 4.1.1 while Nexus 4 is 4.2 and it'll take a couple months to roll out. The screen of the S3 is larger but not by much if you get rid of the capacitative buttons on the Nexus 4 (more when there is the buttons)
I like the UI of the Nexus 4 but I like the saturation of the S3 but I think you can root to increase saturation.
Basically it comes to preference
Do you want a more premium feeling phone with the latest hardware (it's somewhat better) and version for a lesser price or do you want a cheaper phone but better use and has some added features that the Nexus 4 does not have.

 

[yfan]

I have been a big fan of vanilla Android for a while now, and I want my updates right away. There isn't even a question that I would pick the Nexus 4 over the Galaxy S III. Especially given that T-Mobile's HSDPA works well for me.

That said, the GS3 is a great device, and depending on your network, it may support LTE. But if that's not a factor, then you should get the N4 and switch to T-Mobile.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[Clone9]

The low price of the unlocked N4 and the ability to go contract-free and give the middle-finger salute to Verizon was enough for me to switch. Overall the S3 may be the better device, but its not worth the cost, IMO. The N4 is the first premium device at the price point and I'm loving my $40 savings per month over Verizon.

 

[davey11]

The n4 for hackability and unlocked gsm ftw. I like to hack and the nexus cannot be beat in that regard.
Getting an unlocked gsm device and getting on an mvno like straigh talk, solavei etc is MAJOR. No contract and $45 a month is a big win in my book.

 

[cnguyen0320]

Although you don't have LTE in your area yet, AT&T will probably get it to you within a year or so. I think it's a bad idea to say "it isn't a factor" because LTE will become standard very soon. I'd sugguest getting the S3 or wait for S4

 

[yfan]

Although you don't have LTE in your area yet, AT&T will probably get it to you within a year or so. I think it's a bad idea to say "it isn't a factor" because LTE will become standard very soon. I'd sugguest getting the S3 or wait for S4

To the extent that LTE is going to be a standard, it already is. However other high speed mobile data options, such as HSPA+ will continue to exist and expand. No one is going to require LTE, at least not in the next couple of years. That timeline is important, as that or shorter is expected to be the length if time one would keep the phone, whichever is purchased.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[KitN]

The S3 is a beast under the hood but it's encased in some of the cheapest plastic I've ever had the displeasure of holding. No joke. The hand-feel kills it for me. Not to mention ganky Touchwiz and Samsung taking forever with updates. Those things alone made me step away from the S3.

Think about what's most important to you in a phone and choose accordingly.

For me, it was immediate OS updates straight from Google, no junky UI, premium materials for a premium feeling device, latest hardware, years of support to come for my device and wireless charging out of the box-- no need to hunt for wireless charging backs or cases.

NOTE ON LTE: I'm on T-Mobile. Ain't no LTE here (yet!!) but when it goes live in 2013 the Nexus 4 has the LTE chip inside to work on it so I'll have LTE on my N4 the second TMO lights it up in my area. :thumbup:

As for now, I have HSPA+ speeds that meet and often exceed some LTE speeds so I'm happy as a clam with my N4!

Sent from my Nexus 4