Verizon Galaxy Nexus First Impressions/Reviews

[CarbonOak]

I doubt it's the phone. It depends on what region you are in, but in general I'd say if you are in an area with good coverage, you should be getting better speeds. There is some guy in NY who was posting speeds of 60-70Mbps, which I have never come close to. With 3-4 bars, I average around 25Mbps, which is pretty good.

Brandon

I'm pretty much in the same boat as budmaster. I live in So Cal in the Inland Empire with plenty of good coverage, but I only average 6-9 down. It's not that big of a deal to me, though it'd be great if I got more.

 

[rlb81]

I guess this is as good of a place as any to post my annoyances. I've previously owned 3 smart phones: OG Droid, DroidX, and Bionic (for 13 days). So I'm no Android hater. ICS is bring a lot of coolness but also stepping backwards in a few ways:

Removing search and menu buttons - Why? I find it to be a struggle to get to the microphone search button using one hand. Holding down the old search button is (IMO) 1000>than search bar at the top. And the nomadic menu button is really annoying. Choose one spot google...preferably at the bottom of the screen. Or just give us the old buttons again...

Browser - Why do we need 3 actions to access the bookmarks? Also the choppy zooming is annoying.

Text Messaging - I notice the option to only show mobile numbers is gone once again. That was a nice GB option while it lasted.

Super slow screen rotation - I can't be the only one bothered by this

Slow scrolling - Also annoying, given that every other android phone I've used has scrolled very quickly

Power/Volume button location - Does anyone else accidentally change the volume of their phone every time they lock/unlock the screen?

Ok complaining over, I like the phone overall. In time all of my software gripes will be fixed and/or hackable I'm sure, but they're still annoying. This phone is still way better than the Bionic, I'm glad I bought that puppy back to the store. I truly believe that the Galaxy Nexus is the best VZW phone available, but I wish that google didn't take a few steps backwards as part of all the ICS innovation.

 

[bplewis24]

Browser - Why do we need 3 actions to access the bookmarks? Also the choppy zooming is annoying.

Slow scrolling - Also annoying, given that every other android phone I've used has scrolled very quickly

Power/Volume button location - Does anyone else accidentally change the volume of their phone every time they lock/unlock the screen?

I had trouble finding the bookmarks at first. But one solution I find to be helpful is to go to Settings>Labs>Quick Controls. It allows you to press near the edge of the screen (or swipe in from the edge) and get to the Bookmarks area more quickly.

Where exactly is your slow scrolling occurring? I find ICS scrolling so much more fluid than in GB.

And yes, I accidentally change the volume a lot. Because of the location of the volume/power button, when you are trying to hit grip the phone by one hand and change the power button with the same hand, you are naturally going to gain leverage by positioning your other fingers right around where the volume buttons are. That is probably my biggest gripe with the phone.

I'm also very concerned with that location of the power button because whenever the desktop dock is released, you'll see that the power button is laying facing into the dock. So there had better be a touch-screen control to turn off the screen while it's docked. But then what if you want to wake the phone again?

Brandon

 

[rlb81]

I had trouble finding the bookmarks at first. But one solution I find to be helpful is to go to Settings>Labs>Quick Controls. It allows you to press near the edge of the screen (or swipe in from the edge) and get to the Bookmarks area more quickly.

Where exactly is your slow scrolling occurring? I find ICS scrolling so much more fluid than in GB.

I haven't flashed 4.0.3 yet so bookmarks aren't on the quick controls. As for scrolling it seems like it's not as sensitive as past builds. You could do a "mini" flick quite easily before, but now it takes a little more effort. I guess the sensitivity was turned down a notch so I just need to get used to it?

 

[bplewis24]

I haven't flashed 4.0.3 yet so bookmarks aren't on the quick controls. As for scrolling it seems like it's not as sensitive as past builds. You could do a "mini" flick quite easily before, but now it takes a little more effort. I guess the sensitivity was turned down a notch so I just need to get used to it?

I'm on 4.0.2 as well. What I do is swipe/press for the quick controls and select the top option, and then hit the bookmarks button at the top. It could still be faster, but it works for the time being. And of course, there are always other browsers.

Brandon

 

[AL_M]

10 Days experience with Galaxy Nexus

Galaxy Nexus CDMA/LTE Verizon 32Gb

Purchase and activation Date December 16th 2011

After more than 10 years on AT&T (short time on Sprint with poor data and voice in an important area for me and back to AT&T) I moved over to Verizon.

Prior phones in order, modern day…
Blackberry curve (AT&T) a workhorse but short on features, iPhone came out and made it look archaic
iphone 3g (AT&T)
Evo 4G Sprint (9mos) Poor signal and reception with Sprint at workplace
Inspire 4G AT&T (AT&T) Very good signal and data speeds all around. Very poor battery life) internal battery side loaded no available replacement. Had to drop carrier (AT&T) for galaxy Nexus

Galaxy Nexus (Verizon)
I decided to drop AT&T after several years in favor of a phone that I am hoping is the best all around performer with respects to (in order of importance) Battery life, screen size, voice quality, Data speeds, latest operating system and access to updates.

Now even though the latest OS and updates came last it is important and the reason I did not select a phone like the samsung galaxy S2 or similar. I was tired of the manufacurer skinned themes. I wanted the pure Google OS (Ice Cream Sandwich for now) experience. (so I thought). at least some of it.

Rushed to pick up phone on Dec 16th 1 day post release, as I was working a 24hr shift the day before. Stopped at local Verizon corporate store. They were sold out. "we had 20 or so they went quick". Off to Best Buy. They had plenty and I purchased at $299. Back off to Verizon for a Corporate discount I had coming to me and to have them Port my number. I was not trusting of Best Buy to handle the number Port. While at Verizon I was sold the Verizon Case and holster with car charger. Not a bad deal for the package I think $39. No extended batteries in stock then. Off home I went. Verizon case is ok, does not protect top and bottom of phone edges. Feels good in hand and the bottom in, slide in, is ok for the most part, easy enough access to phone.

The next 24hrs spent starring and setting up my phone to have the apps and widgets and settings as similar as my prior phone. This is where Apple has it all over google. Picking through the Android Market trying to visually spot in my list of purchased and downloaded apps what was on my phone vs. what was on my ASUS slider was frustrating. Hours of scanning my phone and tablet and arranging things. Using MyBackup pro to get access to APK files that would not download to the Nexus.

Google needs to have a system of setting up new phones with as similar as possible software loads as another. Just a pain in the neck.

1st and 2nd day battery life was acceptable. I was not away from the house or car much and as a force of habit plugged in and kept it charged up hoping for an extended period of time away. I know you should let the battery drain and then charge fully overnight but it was hard to put the phone down. By day 2 I had a full discharge and recharged overnight. The next day I made it to evening with a full 25% left. I then forgot to plug in and left the phone on my desk, when I awoke the next morning I realized it and figured it would have been discharged. NO it was not. It had at least 15% left. Not bad. My old Inspire would have been belly up for sure.

Always looking for more staying power later that day I was off to Verizon to check on the extended battery. Yes, they had some in stock. $24.99+tax and I was out with the new battery and new back cover. However I had questions as to whether the current case would fit. At home I popped the original battery out and in with the new, ever so slightly larger battery. On with the new back cover. and then on with the Verizon case. As expected the side grabbing Verizon case, just by a millimeter or so, failed to fully click with security onto the bottom of the phone. I pushed and squeezed, but no go. With little prys and shakes I could not make it fall out, but it is not in there fully and securely. A drop would surly see it pop off and see the phone free and sliding. I tried putting the original back cover on but not much better fit, and I felt that the new back was there for a reason and the old back might fatigue at stress points and crack over time. So I put the cover that came with the extended on and I live with the cover as is for now. I have seen others in there quest for an early solution with no good ones out there. I am not leaving the back off and exposed to dust and moisture as I have seen one guy do with the Seidio surface case. I hope in time someone will come up with a viable case that does not take too much away from the sleek design of the phone and works with the slightly larger battery cover on.

Several days have gone by and I have really liked the speed, voice quality, and responsiveness of the phone. I have learned a bit about my local Verizon coverage. They lit up LTE in my area of Poughkeepsie, NY on Dec 15th and it is fast where it is available. Unfortunately not in my house for the most part. But I don't see that as much as a problem as my WiFi is all that I would use anyway. 4G should be for when you have no access to wifi anyway. Verizon 4G LTE is really fast as most can attest to, very impressive. I just need to get used to my new signal areas and low spots and dead spots for Verizon.

Data and Voice simultaneously was an issue I thought I might notice. Not so much. I might see a hint of it while navigating and being on the phone if you try and get directions at the same time. But that is about it for me. Less phone talk and more data use with text etc. for me.

The latest things I have done are to install a couple of launchers. ADW launcher EX and NOVA launcher. I now have to full customized Home screens set up. One for each and I can say I like the enhancement it has added. Especially the ability to see the home screens in landscape mode. I have seen very little impact on responsiveness while running both and no real crashes of Force closes. Nova Launcher keeps things looking the most like the ICS standard interface with the little additions I was looking for. So that covers my desire for Stock ICS with a little tweak here and there with out a full on Skin by a manufacturer. That is what I think Google and stock android is all about. Open ability to make it yours.

Loving the phone 10 days in. I already have a friend converted from his Moto DroidX. Need to check in with him and see how he is doing and show him my tweaks.

One additional note. I installed Volume+ Free. That has greatly improved the stock volume of stock notifications and ringtones. Along with some downloads of louder beeps and notification sounds I am sure not to miss anything. The stock volume and installed suite of sounds was a bit on the meek side.

Al Menard

Android Central member for just over a year and thankful to all the information I get from this site on a daily basis. I hope this gives back a little. Io have always appreciated the experiences of others in helping me decide on my phones and software.
Personal: I am a 45yo medical profesional, Mac centric on the computer side. Aid to all things tech to friends and family.
Other devices
Apple iMac 27in i7
PS3
Logitech Revue
Apple TV
Asus eee Pad Slider: use for CPOE medical record and order entry
iPad2

 

[AirSushi]

Something that not many people have mentioned is the awesome notification light included on the nexus. Notification lights are something that I simply can not live without. On phones (Droid Charge) without a notification light I was forced to use apps in the market to duplicate the notification lights.

Enter Light Flow. Greatest little notification light app ever. Kudos to Google/Samsung for not skimping on the notification light. I can chose 18 different colors albeit some are more effective than others.

Best........Notification Light............Ever!

 

[youngzayiles]

Something that not many people have mentioned is the awesome notification light included on the nexus. Notification lights are something that I simply can not live without. On phones (Droid Charge) without a notification light I was forced to use apps in the market to duplicate the notification lights.

Enter Light Flow. Greatest little notification light app ever. Kudos to Google/Samsung for not skimping on the notification light. I can chose 18 different colors albeit some are more effective than others.

Best........Notification Light............Ever!

I agree I love the notification light and how its more then 3 freaking colors.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[ccjjr59]

Overall very happy with my GN.

Few things I don't like:

1.Pressing volume rocket changes off of silent or onto silent at bad times, I would like to have an option to turn that feature off.

2. Zooming choppiness on web browser, some slow transitions between apps

3. If I leave the web browser and come right back to it the page reloads fully, this one makes me mad because it probably uses more battery and data to do this.

4. The soft keys at the bottom of the screen seem like they require more pressure or finger surface area to make them register, sometimes they also seem to lag after pressing. Anyone else seeing this?



Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Orioncigars]

A quick phone history:

iPhone and Blackberry on AT&T or Verizon

Last phone was a Blackberry Storm

My 1st Impressions:

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD I LOVE THIS NEXUS

After Using the Nexus for Two Weeks:

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD I LOVE THIS NEXUS

My comparison to iPhone et al:

I love the different look and feel of the Google OS. I had become so bored with Apple and their locked down OS. I was sick of being locked into iTunes and their "Stepford Wive" culture. I was truly sick and tired of everything Apple.

The Blackberry Storm is not even worth talking about. It was a work phone and a nightmare. Blackberry is the worst cell phone producer known to man...

What I Love About the Nexus:

I love the speed and the ability to create folders to organize my apps.
I have no complaints about rotation speed of the screen or zooming in the browser.
I love that there is no bloat and I will get all of the Google updates as they come out.
I love the 32gb capacity and using cloud services feel no need for an expansion slot.
Zero lag shutter on camera.

What Could Be Improved:

Some apps crash on this phone because they haven't been updated for Ice Cream Sandwich (I'm sure that will change soon).
The camera is nothing to write home about, but it's good enough for my use.
No way to create different notification sounds for e-mails vs texts etc.

As a whole I think this phone is a brilliant combination of hardware and software. I will be very happy for the next 2 years until my next upgrade is available

 

[rlb81]

No way to create different notification sounds for e-mails vs texts etc.

Under Settings>Sound you can set a default notification tone for the device. Then you can go into text app and go under settings and choose to use that default notification sound or a different one. Same for email Hope this helps!

 

[bunique4life05]

I am interested in the Galaxy Nexus however not to sure about the build quality of Galaxy Nexus. I want hear from owners what there thoughts are on the quality as well how the size of device fairs? Also how's the weight and balance of device in your hand feel?

 

[Undertoad]

The common complaint is that the volume control is on the opposite side of the unlock button and you tend to hit the volume inadvertently sometimes.

Its weight is substantial, and if you put it in your sweatpants pocket, you have to tie your drawstring. Don't take that chance.

I appreciate the rubberized rear cover which is actually intended to help you not drop the phone. Apple designs are intended to cause you to drop the phone.