VZW GNex vs. VZW S3

[icu]

Just hoping to get a few opinions to help me make up my mind. I had pretty much decided to pick up the GNex this Black Friday to upgrade from my Fascinate. I had decided that even though the S3's chips, battery and camera (and screen to a degree) outperform the GNex I wanted to walk the stock walk.
I love flashing ROMS and I love the stock "Vanilla" Android experience (since ICS). I had kind of decided that the GNex would be the best choice as it would be likely to get updates for much longer than other phones (although later than the other Nexi). I also assumed it would get more ROM dev attention longer.

My question - there's a good chance that on Black Friday the GNex and S3 will be sold for very similar or the same amount. In fact it's not inconceivable that both could be available for $.01 or less. Since I'm more than likely going to root and install CM10 or AOKP on either one of these phones nearly immediately and will likely continue to try different ROMS over its entire life - is it in fact silly of me to turn down the superior hardware? If I wasn't going to play with different ROMS I'd definitely go GNex, but to me it's nearly half the the fun of owning these devices.

Knowing what you know now (and how the VZW version is not getting the same love) if you were going to Root n' ROM would you still choose the GNext TODAY over an S3 if they were both on the table for the same price? Any opinions are welcome - I've been see sawing back and forth. The thought of finally having a Nexus device does get me very nerd-excited, but if I'd essentially be running the same software on either what's the point really?

 

[dcastillo]

if your going to root/rom.... then I see no reason to buy the GNex... except form factor, buts thats your preference....

I bought the GNex cause I dont want to Root my phone, I just want stock android.... (no time to get addicted again)

 

[dmmarck]

if your going to root/rom.... then I see no reason to buy the GNex... except form factor, buts thats your preference....

I bought the GNex cause I dont want to Root my phone, I just want stock android.... (no time to get addicted again)

I disagree; if you root/rom, there's no better device than the GNex. It has the best developer support out there, not only in terms of roms, but kernels, mods, and other flashable goodies. It's also a great phone to learn the basics on, mainly because it's so simply to unlock, root, and flash--even manually!

 

[2defmouze]

I disagree; if you root/rom, there's no better device than the GNex. It has the best developer support out there, not only in terms of roms, but kernels, mods, and other flashable goodies. It's also a great phone to learn the basics on, mainly because it's so simply to unlock, root, and flash--even manually!

To add.. And ROMs are more stable on it in general as it's an AOSP supported device, they are easier to develop for, and if you screw anything up Google gives you factory images to easily take your device back to stock no matter what.

 

[dmmarck]

To add.. And ROMs are more stable on it in general as it's an AOSP supported device, they are easier to develop for, and if you screw anything up Google gives you factory images to easily take your device back to stock no matter what.

This. Ask a GS3 user how stable CM10, AOKP, etc. is on their device then ask a GN user. Worlds of difference .

 

[dcastillo]

Good points

sent from a Nexus, nothing less will do...

 

[ultravisitor]

Knowing what you know now (and how the VZW version is not getting the same love) if you were going to Root n' ROM would you still choose the GNext TODAY over an S3 if they were both on the table for the same price?

I would absolutely get the Nexus over the SIII. Rooting and ROMing is so easy on the Nexus, and the developer support is incredible. Hell, I had Jelly Bean running on my phone less than 24 hours after it was announced at I/O!

However, at this point, I'd probably opt for the latest Nexus rather than get a Galaxy Nexus.

 

[dmmarck]

I would absolutely get the Nexus over the SIII. Rooting and ROMing is so easy on the Nexus, and the developer support is incredible. Hell, I had Jelly Bean running on my phone less than 24 hours after it was announced at I/O!

However, at this point, I'd probably opt for the latest Nexus rather than get a Galaxy Nexus.

Same.

 

[icu]

Thanks for your replies - I guess I want to be talked back from the GS3 ledge. I want the brand new hotness, but I have been planning to jump on the best Black Friday deal for a while - I'm cheap and can't justify the extra $200-$300. I've also always wanted a Nexus phone even this one is the bastard child of the bunch.

I guess I'd just plan on getting an extended battery and handling my own updates. Believe me either phone is going to be a huge leap over what I have and I would like things a bit more stable.

* yeah - well brand newer hotness

via I500 AOKP tap, tap, taparoo

 

[dmmarck]

Thanks for your replies - I guess I want to be talked back from the GS3 ledge. I want the brand new hotness, but I have been planning to jump on the best Black Friday deal for a while - I'm cheap and can't justify the extra $200-$300. I've also always wanted a Nexus phone even this one is the bastard child of the bunch.

I guess I'd just plan on getting an extended battery and handling my own updates. Believe me either phone is going to be a huge leap over what I have and I would like things a bit more stable.

via I500 AOKP tap, tap, taparoo

The brand new hotness becomes the hotness of months ago very quickly in the Android world. You have to either early adopt and deal with device envy or start moonlighting to stay ahead

Dropped by Felix from 24 Miles above the Earth

 

[svfd757]

I own a Gnex and my sister in law has the GSIII. When she got it she brought it over for me to look at and play with. I was impressed with the phone. It is fast and very good looking. What I didn't like about it, that I love about my Gnex, is the "skin" or basterized version of Android. I love stock Jelly Bean and I loved stock ICS. Touch Wiz, or whatever they call it, seemed to lag some, when compared to sotck JB which is not a "fair" comparison. I told her that she would love the GSIII because it is probably the top dog in the smartphone market. But, again, I am so impressed with stock Android that I may never go back to skins.

 

[bakerbert]

I would not make any set decisions yet
By the time Black Friday rolls around, there will be a a bunch of new hotness android phones out and about. (new Nexus on VZW...Fingers Crossed)

If you like to root and ROM, you can not beat a Nexus device. This is my First Nexus phone (got it on release day) and i am still blown away by the Developer support for this device.
It will take an amazing phone to get me off of a Nexus Device. (I keep glancing at the Note 2)

Some fun reading, this will make your choice much harder....... http://forums.androidcentral.com/rumored-devices/
Good luck on your choice.

 

[badkitties]

you guys do realize that Black Friday is more than a month away, right?

It is very possible that other hotter Android phones will be released by then. I wouldn't even be surprised if the upcoming Galaxy Note 2 drops to $99 for Black Friday sale.

 

[ConTejas]

Same.

This. Although it's apparent the OP is looking to spend as close to zero dollars as possible (on a subsidized device). OP, I bought my gnex on launch day and still absolutely love it. The nexi dev community is amazing and keeps things fresh. Feels like a new device regularly with constantly updated software and the hardware is still ,at the very least, respectable. Never owned a device that I could say that about nearly a year post launch. Take that for what it's worth. Still a tough call if you could find a gs3 for next to nothing as well. If you can save your pennies and/or hold out with your current device the next nexus will have the same support with the latest specs to boot. On a budget, the gnex is still a winner.

 

[ConTejas]

you guys do realize that Black Friday is more than a month away, right?

It is very possible that other hotter Android phones will be released by then. I wouldn't even be surprised if the upcoming Galaxy Note 2 drops to $99 for Black Friday sale.

I'm sorry but have you ever held or used a (smaller) note? I'm as impressed with the specs on the note 2 as the next guy but that thing feels ridiculous to use as a phone. I can't see it going mainstream as the forums might suggest. Great niche device, though.

 

[badkitties]

I'm sorry but have you ever held or used a (smaller) note? I'm as impressed with the specs on the note 2 as the next guy but that thing feels ridiculous to use as a phone. I can't see it going mainstream as the forums might suggest. Great niche device, though.

hey... that's exactly what the iPhone section of MobileNation says about the Galaxy Nexus and GSIII...

quote from a thread in iMore.com(sister site of AndroidCentral):
"the GSIII's screen is way too big... compared to my iPhone 5, the GSIII must be made for a sasquatch!"

I do know how big the OP's hands are.... OJ Simpson's hands wouldn't fit into those gloves... but the Galaxy Note 2 should fit comfortably... just have to smuggle one in for him!

 

[Nakrohtap]

You can already get the Gnex for free at Best Buy. Why wait until black Friday?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[badkitties]

You can already get the Gnex for free at Best Buy. Why wait until black Friday?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

how does one get it for free at BestBuy? I just checked and it's still $49.99 plus tax.

 

[anthony1117]

Had them both, first had a nexus, loved it, used my upgrade to get the s3, loved that phone too, but i dropped it and it died, so either pay 100 dollars or what i found was, they never actually used my upgrade, so, traded it in and got a Razr M, sucked hated it, and got my nexus again today and could not be more happier, can not wait to root. I know people complain about how awful verizon updates are, but with this phone the Dev community will have a working build of any new android os in a matter of like 2 days, Its ing awsome, I love this phone.

 

[ConTejas]

hey... that's exactly what the iPhone section of MobileNation says about the Galaxy Nexus and GSIII...

quote from a thread in iMore.com(sister site of AndroidCentral):
"the GSIII's screen is way too big... compared to my iPhone 5, the GSIII must be made for a sasquatch!"

I do know how big the OP's hands are.... OJ Simpson's hands wouldn't fit into those gloves... but the Galaxy Note 2 should fit comfortably... just have to smuggle one in for him!

LOL yeah of course "they" say that to defend their (nice) little phone even though most of their base has wanted a larger phone since the 3g. If you don't use your phone as a phone very often I could see the note 2 filling a "phablet" niche (as it will), but I couldn't see most people excusing themselves from a business meeting and putting their laptop to their ear to answer a call My hands aren't gigantic but far from small and the note feels awkward. I'm betting the note 2 will as well. I can use a 4.7"-ish device one handed without loss of functionality or fear of dropping it.