Up for an Upgrade Next month and Really considering The Nexus

[BenjaSands]

As to battery life, I use the extended battery. Since I just restored my gNexus to factory default a couple of days ago, we can get an idea of battery life. You can see on the attached screenshot that I am a bit over a day and a half with about a third of the battery left. I had about a half dozen calls, 3 or 4 texts and I checked and returned email about 5 or 6 times during this period. I hope this documentation helps your decision making process.

WOAH. That is STELLAR battery life. Sounds impressive. Light usage sounds about what I would do with it probably with a few more texts but regardless thats really really good. My current Photon 4G and my old Nexus S 4G are the types of phones that even without being used AT ALL and just having them sit idle somewhere the battery just dies by the afternoon (fully charged in the morning) and does not last more than a day EVER... as opposed to my old Blackberry Tour 9630 that would last a couple days on the battery if I just used it lightly and a damn week if I just left it idle haha

 

[BenjaSands]

You can check on lte coverage on sensorly. Com, and there is no way that I would go on contract for that phone.

It will be 3+ years old when you are done, some things are very lacking with it, and better phones can be had for 150$ or less.

Sent from the nexus of the Android world, the SGS3.

Good point. I guess it is going to be a decision I make once I am at the Sprint store. Who knows if anything else will be released though in the coming weeks.

- - - Updated - - -

I would never get sucked into a contract over a device that can be had for $100 on Craigslist.

Now a note 2 on the other hand...

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

Speaking of the Note 2 my friend just got one on T-Mobile. I have yet to ask him for his opinions on it though.

 

[BenjaSands]

My usage should match yours, but I just can't help myself. This is a very excellent computer/toy that also makes phone calls. I wanted to stay close to stock, but just couldn't resist the apps. As of yesterday I had well over a hundred apps on my Sprint Galaxy Nexus. The battery life was getting really bad, about 1/2 a day with my play attitude. I also carry a juice vault that will give about 2 recharges if I need it. When it was stock I got about 2 days of use, a few calls per day and perhaps a few texts. So last night I just restored the gNexus to factory stock, 4.1.1. Guess what, only a couple of percent drop in the 4 hours I have had it off charger. So to answer your question, as long as I stay disciplined the battery life is acceptable, but hey, the reason I went with Nexus in the first place was to have a "pure Android" without the bloatware. (better toy for the tweaker in us all, right?) BTW, Sprint has or at least had a free extended battery program for the gNexus:

​

Re: How can i get my free Galaxy extended battery ? To get your free battery go here - Sprint - Shopping Cart

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PHONE_ID=SPHL700KIT&categoryRefName=Chargers+%26+Batteries&selectedAccessoryID=BXS3780Q

​

Add the battery to your cart, Place BATTERY1 in the promo code area, Apply, It will charge you $6.50 for shipping only.
As for me, I am perfectly satisfied with the Sprint Galaxy Nexus with one exception. Next time I will just save up the money and buy directly from Google. I get dangerously impatient waiting for Sprint to send me an Android update.

Yup this sounds like me! One of my biggest concerns about the battery is it dying without me even using the phone. I remember my old Nexus S 4G would die without even being used that was the most frustrating part cause if it dies without using it imagine I try to download an app or somethin? And Thanks for that free battery promotion Link I am hoping if I decide to get the Nexus I can still get that free battery. Another poster posted a screenshot using an extended and the battery life seems grreeeat with it

 

[shaggie04]

I bought mine on Amazon Wireless for $50 new a few months ago, but it did lock me in for two more years (I don't care about that). Right now, it says an upgrade will run you $39.99. The only difference between buying it from Amazon vs Sprint is the return policy, which wasn't a concern for me. So far, I don't have a lot of battery issues using the standard battery. I cruise the web quite a bit (over wifi), listen to a lot of music (on-device via bluetooth in the car, mostly, not streaming unless over wifi), text, and talk, and rarely have to recharge before the end of the day. Several times a week, I use the GPS for tracking my runs through the neighborhood (Map My Run app) while listening to on-device music with minimal drain. With heavy surfing, sometimes I'll give it a quick boost before I leave work or in the car on the way home, but today for some reason I have resisted charging, and after 7 hrs on battery, 71% remaining after some light browsing, a few texts, and a few calls. For what you say you want to do, I think you'll be just fine, especially with the extended battery. I've also noticed that it charges fairly quickly, especially with the charger you get with the phone.

 

[BenjaSands]

I bought mine on Amazon Wireless for $50 new a few months ago, but it did lock me in for two more years (I don't care about that). Right now, it says an upgrade will run you $39.99. The only difference between buying it from Amazon vs Sprint is the return policy, which wasn't a concern for me. So far, I don't have a lot of battery issues using the standard battery. I cruise the web quite a bit (over wifi), listen to a lot of music (on-device via bluetooth in the car, mostly, not streaming unless over wifi), text, and talk, and rarely have to recharge before the end of the day. Several times a week, I use the GPS for tracking my runs through the neighborhood (Map My Run app) while listening to on-device music with minimal drain. With heavy surfing, sometimes I'll give it a quick boost before I leave work or in the car on the way home, but today for some reason I have resisted charging, and after 7 hrs on battery, 71% remaining after some light browsing, a few texts, and a few calls. For what you say you want to do, I think you'll be just fine, especially with the extended battery. I've also noticed that it charges fairly quickly, especially with the charger you get with the phone.

WOW. Everytime I second guess getting it a post like yours comes along and I go back to being hell bent on getting it haha... I was going to go through Amazon to get it for that cheap but it seems it is really complicated to order it through Amazon so I might not even try it :-\

 

[shaggie04]

but it seems it is really complicated to order it through Amazon so I might not even try it :-\

I don't recall it being complicated. There may be several steps, but it seemed to be fairly painless. It's been a few months, though, so I don't remember everything I had to do. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[GranPaSmurf]

I got my Galaxy Nexus from Sprint last summer. Seems to me like it cost me $99 with a 2 year agreement. If I remember correctly the Amazon and Walmart ? or Radio Shack ?, maybe Best Buy? price was $49 at the time, but the lower price was for starting new service. I am on a plan that has 5 phones on it that has been in place for several years. So it was simply an upgrade. BTW my wife has an iPhone 4. When she asks me how to do something on it, I try, but sometimes I grumble about how much Apple makes all the decisions for me. On my Android, I can change this and that and it's my decision. And comparing it to the size of my G-Nexus, the iPhone feels kinda'...dinky? toy-like? Oh, and about the voice search with Google Search, it very rarely mis-understands my words.
Oh, hey guys, anyone have any idea when Sprint will get around to 4.2? That's something else I grumble about.

 

[msndrstood]

I got my Galaxy Nexus from Sprint last summer. Seems to me like it cost me $99 with a 2 year agreement. If I remember correctly the Amazon and Walmart ? or Radio Shack ?, maybe Best Buy? price was $49 at the time, but the lower price was for starting new service. I am on a plan that has 5 phones on it that has been in place for several years. So it was simply an upgrade. BTW my wife has an iPhone 4. When she asks me how to do something on it, I try, but sometimes I grumble about how much Apple makes all the decisions for me. On my Android, I can change this and that and it's my decision. And comparing it to the size of my G-Nexus, the iPhone feels kinda'...dinky? toy-like? Oh, and about the voice search with Google Search, it very rarely mis-understands my words.
Oh, hey guys, anyone have any idea when Sprint will get around to 4.2? That's something else I grumble about.

I read on one of the forums over the weekend that 4.2.1 is ready for roll out for the Sprint Gnex and will start OTA somewhere around the second week of February. I'll try to find the link and post it.

What?! ...I'm msndrstood.
via Gnex

 

[msndrstood]

Here the link for the Sprint update news for the Gnex JB 4.2.1
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/01/16/sprint-galaxy-nexus-4-2-update-verizon-galaxy-nexus/

What?! ...I'm msndrstood.
via Gnex

 

[shaggie04]

If I remember correctly the Amazon and Walmart ? or Radio Shack ?, maybe Best Buy? price was $49 at the time, but the lower price was for starting new service. I am on a plan that has 5 phones on it that has been in place for several years. So it was simply an upgrade...Oh, hey guys, anyone have any idea when Sprint will get around to 4.2? That's something else I grumble about.

To be clear, the $39.99 I quoted earlier is the current Amazon price for the GNex on Sprint with an upgrade. It's $0.01 for a new line of service if anyone is interested. As for the 4.2 update, I'm grumbling right there with you, but I also saw (as msndrstood said) that it is there on Google's servers waiting for rollout and speculation for a Feb release. You can also go get it yourself now, but I'm going to try to hold tight a couple more weeks so I don't mess anything up. I might get too impatient though.

 

[BenjaSands]

I got my Galaxy Nexus from Sprint last summer. Seems to me like it cost me $99 with a 2 year agreement. If I remember correctly the Amazon and Walmart ? or Radio Shack ?, maybe Best Buy? price was $49 at the time, but the lower price was for starting new service. I am on a plan that has 5 phones on it that has been in place for several years. So it was simply an upgrade. BTW my wife has an iPhone 4. When she asks me how to do something on it, I try, but sometimes I grumble about how much Apple makes all the decisions for me. On my Android, I can change this and that and it's my decision. And comparing it to the size of my G-Nexus, the iPhone feels kinda'...dinky? toy-like? Oh, and about the voice search with Google Search, it very rarely mis-understands my words.
Oh, hey guys, anyone have any idea when Sprint will get around to 4.2? That's something else I grumble about.

Haha some of my friends have iPhones and yeah not once has it crossed my mind to get one. It just feels like girly in my hand and its like I dont know so tiny.

 

[WordPainter]

I have Sprint and upgraded to the GNex in December. I went through Amazon Wireless and it cost me 1 cent. Yes, that's right. A penny. Don't mind the contract since I am happy with Sprint in my area. Love this phone.

 

[BenjaSands]

I have Sprint and upgraded to the GNex in December. I went through Amazon Wireless and it cost me 1 cent. Yes, that's right. A penny. Don't mind the contract since I am happy with Sprint in my area. Love this phone.

Lucky! Ahhh I am tempted to do it this way now. I ordered a Nexus battery from the Sprint website for 6.50 and I got it yesterday so now its like Man I have no other choice! Haha Now I just gotta wait a couple more weeks and hope it goes down in price for Sprint since I am probably just going to a store and getting it

 

[BenjaSands]

So I got the Nexus yesterday. I got the OTA to Jelly Bean 4.2.1, I downloaded & installed some old apps I used to have (using Wi-Fi), some pictures, had it set up how I liked. Everything was working fine. Smooth. Battery was great. Then two things happened towards the end of the day:

1. I realized the phone was almost unusable because I only have 3G. I live in an area called Downey in L.A County and apparently we dont have LTE yet. I have not even seen the 4G logo flash once temporarily on my phone. The network status thing was set to "LTE/CDMA" but I changed it to just CDMA since it is apparent I am not getting LTE. And boy with this 3G I cant do anything. Downloading a 2mb App takes like 10 minutes n whatnot....

2. My phone started acting up towards the night. My friend called me and we were talking on the phone (the call quality was great and he said I sounded better and clearer than I ever have with any other phone) and after 10 minutes or so the call stopped and bam I look and it is my phone restarting. So when the phone starts back up I see him calling me back I hit answer and the phone just freezes and it restarted AGAIN. This happened like 5 times straight. With both the extended battery, and the regular one. The last time it froze but it made an ugly loud noise like a static sound NON STOP... until it finally restarted. I panicked and used a Nexus Toolkit to downgrade from 4.2.1 to 4.1.1. I am going to use this for a couple days and see how it goes but if I cant make phone calls without the phone restarting then man I might have to return it. I am not installing any apps or anything to see if it might have been anything I installed. Right now I am running 4.1.1 with pretty much nothing on it but my Google Account synced.


Have you guys experienced Problem #2 at ALL? Might it be a Jelly Bean 4.2 problem? Particular to my device? And do you guys have any tip on getting better 3G if I am going to have to use it until LTE comes out here.

 

[GranPaSmurf]

Never had that happen. Mine just upgraded to 4.2 this morning, Sprint, OTA.
I haven't looked at everything new quite yet, but I believe the battery is slower to drop and every screen is lots smoother. New format of the opening screen before unlock is pretty spiffy. I disabled my Thumb Keyboard to experiment with the stock Android, but I don't have a verdict yet.
Back to your question, no, never happened to me and I agree it's pretty scary.

 

[BenjaSands]

Never had that happen. Mine just upgraded to 4.2 this morning, Sprint, OTA.
I haven't looked at everything new quite yet, but I believe the battery is slower to drop and every screen is lots smoother. New format of the opening screen before unlock is pretty spiffy. I disabled my Thumb Keyboard to experiment with the stock Android, but I don't have a verdict yet.
Back to your question, no, never happened to me and I agree it's pretty scary.

Yeah man. So crazy just when I would be in a phone call it would reboot. I did so many other things and not once did it reboot. Anyway, I am on stock Jelly Bean 4.1.1 and all seems well for now. It just takes to getting used to 3G. Even HSPA 4G was liiightyears ahead of this 3G. It is really like having Cable Internet and then going down to 56k haha

 

[tommyjoesanders]

It looks like another update is coming very soon. Just seen this online and wanted too share it
Android 4.2.2 Update Tested - AndroidPIT

 

[BenjaSands]

I was going to start a new thread, but I will just ask here. I am on 4.1.1 but for some odd reason by 3G signal is ABISMAL. I mean it took me like 30 minutes to download a 5MB app :-(. The funny thing is my friend who had the Nexus a couple months ago and lived like two blocks down said he used to get 4G LTE here. It wasnt super fast but he said he got it. Also, I read online somewhere that someone with a Nexus also got signal at a nearby hospital here. Spotty LTE but around 12MB.

I might go to downtown L.A over the weekend and I heard LTE is widespread here. If I go and I dont get it could there be a problem with my phone? The thing that really concerned me was that my friend who lives a couple blocks down used LTE when he had Sprint and a Nexus and I remember seeing it for myself too. But I have yet to see anything but 3G up on my notification bar. (and yeah I have it set on LTE/CDMA). Any ideas what I can mess with to fix this?