Nexus One vs. Galaxy S

[PassingStranger]

Hi there.

I searched around the forum a bit for similar topics, but I have some slightly different questions that I think warranted a new post. I've decided I'm finally making the jump to an Android phone, and, because I'm on T-Mobile, I'm left with these two candidates.

Up until just recently, I was expecting to buy the Nexus one. Not so much because of the hardware, but because Google still adores it and has had pretty unprecedented post-release support. Getting 2.2 before any other phone is the latest example.

However, I've been hearing a lot about the Galaxy S's superior screen and processor. Assuming it gets 2.2, would the better CPU/GPU help with things like flash performance? And is it safe to assume that it will actually get Froyo?

And my last real question is about Samsung's own UI that they're throwing onto it. Is it possible to disable it outright and have the traditional Android interface like the Nexus One has? I'm mostly very hesitant because I had the misfortune of using a few of Samsung's pre-Android touch devices, and they seemed to have no idea how to design this kind of interface.

Thanks a lot.

 

[ari-free]

The x-factor for N1 is that it is google's baby. The x-factor for galaxy s is that it will be available all over the world and many carriers which means many more developers will optimize their apps for its core (gpu, gyroscope, screen, etc).

 

[macprv]

i really doubt you will be able to turn off touchwizzzz.... vibrant's screen and cpu/gpu are awesome, i still wish i had hdmi, ffc, and vanilla android =(

 

[aci78]

You can basically be sure that because the N1 is Google flagship phone, that it will be first to recieve the updates. If software updates are the most important to you, go with N1. IF you can stand to wait a little longer and want better hardware, the Galaxy S is for you.
Bigger screen, Super Amoled display, hummingbird 1gz processor( def. faster than Snapdragon) are a better reason to grab this phone. (which I did) BTW, I'm sure I am forgetting a few features

 

[PassingStranger]

You can basically be sure that because the N1 is Google flagship phone, that it will be first to recieve the updates. If software updates are the most important to you, go with N1. IF you can stand to wait a little longer and want better hardware, the Galaxy S is for you.
Bigger screen, Super Amoled display, hummingbird 1gz processor( def. faster than Snapdragon) are a better reason to grab this phone. (which I did) BTW, I'm sure I am forgetting a few features

Is it safe to assume that the Galaxy S really will get the 2.2 update? I'm mostly wary because of what happened back with the Behold II where users were promised an update to 2.1, but it never came.

However, I also have heard about the rooting and custom roms, but I still don't know anything about it.

 

[The K-Zoo Kid]

Is it safe to assume that the Galaxy S really will get the 2.2 update? I'm mostly wary because of what happened back with the Behold II where users were promised an update to 2.1, but it never came.

However, I also have heard about the rooting and custom roms, but I still don't know anything about it.

I'm gonna get the galaxy s... and installing customs roms is pretty simple. i would be amazed if samsung did not come out with 2.2 for this, i could be wrong but i think they promised it. if they dont, im sure you could easily get a rom for it. i would count on 2.2 though.

 

[The K-Zoo Kid]

Samsung says all Galaxy S phones will get Android 2.2 -- Engadget

 

[aci78]

Samsung says all Galaxy S phones will get Android 2.2 -- Engadget

Good someone threw up the link- Makes it a lot easier to get this phone knowing I'll be able to save to my sd card with 2.2

 

[ari-free]

i really doubt you will be able to turn off touchwizzzz.... vibrant's screen and cpu/gpu are awesome, i still wish i had hdmi, ffc, and vanilla android =(

ffc is useless unless the carrier is willing to support videochat. Sprint does but they are pushing the envelope by going with Qik.

 

[mrqs]

thing is, even if samsung upgrades the galaxy s to froyo (yes, they promised, but they've done that before...), as a galaxy owner stuck on donut, i'd bet they won't upgrade it to gingerbread

and it's pretty damn sure the nexus one will get gingerbread

 

[aci78]

I think Google's attitude will be similar to HTC (or was it Motorola?) on the software updates for their phones. If they don't feel the phone will be upgraded/benefitted by installing their newest software, i.e. thier phone can't handle it, they won't release it for that phone. I guess we'll have to see what the requirements are when Gingerbread is released.

 

[OMJ]

samsung has a terrible history of software updates on their phones. Not just android phones but all their phones. That alone would be enough to get me to buy the Nexus if I were you

 

[tmzbeme]

i have both phones. the nexus with 2.2 is lightning fast compared to the galaxy on 2.1, but the screen is just so much better and bigger on the galaxy ...it looks actually much bigger than the nexus although specswise it is not. an update to froyo then it will be fantastic.
you cannot disable touchwiz, but it is actually a big improvent over stock android, i like it, except for the iphone like launcher which can be replaced with another launcher so that's not a big deal.
the nexus strangely enough has a much better still camera that the galaxy, especially when it comes to low light shots. it must have a better or bigger sensor.

 

[PassingStranger]

thing is, even if samsung upgrades the galaxy s to froyo (yes, they promised, but they've done that before...), as a galaxy owner stuck on donut, i'd bet they won't upgrade it to gingerbread

and it's pretty damn sure the nexus one will get gingerbread

I'm still pretty fuzzy on how custom roms actually work. If they end up not releasing upgrades past 2.2, the phone could be upgraded with a non-official rom to whatever new version of android comes out?

samsung has a terrible history of software updates on their phones. Not just android phones but all their phones. That alone would be enough to get me to buy the Nexus if I were you

It's looking more and more like the Galaxy S will be my best choice, actually. I just found out recently that my family plan account isn't eligible for a discounted upgrade. That few hundred dollar difference is a lot to pay for speculation about future upgrades, even though I agree entirely.

i have both phones. the nexus with 2.2 is lightning fast compared to the galaxy on 2.1, but the screen is just so much better and bigger on the galaxy ...it looks actually much bigger than the nexus although specswise it is not. an update to froyo then it will be fantastic.
you cannot disable touchwiz, but it is actually a big improvent over stock android, i like it, except for the iphone like launcher which can be replaced with another launcher so that's not a big deal.
the nexus strangely enough has a much better still camera that the galaxy, especially when it comes to low light shots. it must have a better or bigger sensor.

So despite the better hardware, the Galaxy S is slower navigation-wise than the Nexus One? Hmm, is this because of touchwiz being slow, or are there actually speed improvements in 2.2?

And thanks a lot for the answers so far, everybody.

 

[chrisinsocalif]

The reason why the N1 is faster in browsing is due to it having 2.2. When the Vibrant gets 2.2 it will perform better.

 

[iTyler]

I really dislike how the SGS looks, both in terms of the device itself, and touchwiz. Between the two I'd go Nexus One for sure.

I'm deciding between the Desire and N1, and leaning towards the N1 simply because it's Google's child, and I love getting the software right away.

 

[estefana]

Has anybody had a chance to use these two bad boys(N1 & Galaxy S)? I'd like to know battery life comparisons and general usage comparisons.

Also, to those worrying that Samsung might be stingy with the updates for this phone, I'm pretty sure that because the Galaxy S has been released to so many carriers, they're going to be forced to keep updating this phone for at least the next couple of years. There are just going to be too many GS owners to be ignored. But then again, big corporations can be pretty stupid sometimes.

 

[macprv]

ffc is useless unless the carrier is willing to support videochat. Sprint does but they are pushing the envelope by going with Qik.

I've done video chat many time from N1 to N1 on T-Mobile ... it works just fine

 

[sanzboi18]

mate iv got samsung galaxy s,battery is not gud,wifi signal is rubbishhhhh,im jus next door to the hub and it says poor signal,so if ur web freak,this is not for u unless u want to sit just by the modem.

 

[Jammy]

Can't you disable Touchwiz by using Launcher Pro or ADW Launcher?

 

[opticalshadow]

as a rule of thumb on top of lazy updates from samsung it has a custom UI over the android, which means the update is even slower to coming to it, custom ui phones will always be the last dog with offical updates.

if you are worried about the updates def go with the N1, like its stated above its googles flagship, and it will get all the attention it can possibly get, one of the biggest reasons i got it.

 

[PassingStranger]

thing is, even if samsung upgrades the galaxy s to froyo (yes, they promised, but they've done that before...), as a galaxy owner stuck on donut, i'd bet they won't upgrade it to gingerbread

and it's pretty damn sure the nexus one will get gingerbread

However, can't you use a custom rom and run 2.1 on your Galaxy? And likewise once Gingerbread comes around with the Galaxy S.

Granted, I completely see your point. It shows a lack of respect for customers or just plain laziness on the part of Samsung. Neither is something you want to see from a company you rely on for updates. However, after finding out the Nexus One doesn't allow upgrading from family plans, it has basically been eliminated from the running for me. It's unfortunate, but the idea of custom roms is promising.

 

[mrqs]

However, can't you use a custom rom and run 2.1 on your Galaxy?

in theory, yes; in practice... we'll see
there is a 2.1 project called gaosp for the galaxy, but the camera still isn't operational and it's slightly unstable (it's on public beta 2 - not intended for daily use)

as much as google might try to say otherwise, fragmentation is a huge problem for android and will be a key issue in choosing my next phone when the time comes

 

[estefana]

I've been weighing the two in my mind, and I've decided that I will first try to get the Samsung Galaxy S (which may be difficult as I am on Rogers in Canada) and will fall back on the Nexus One if I can't get the Galaxy S. My reasoning is this:

Galaxy S
- Superior Screen (larger, brighter more vivid than the N1)
- Faster CPU
- Faster GPU (there's not a whole lot of good games for android now but that will change)
- 8-16gb of internal memory plus miniSD
- Slimmer and Lighter Weight (not everyone agrees that lighter weight is better)
- The knowledge that it is going to be such a widely used phones that Samsung would be stupid to not release regular updates...hopefully I won't be kicking myself come gingerbread =P

Nexus One...which does not have as much going for it as I would want
- Vanilla Android that will definitely get updates from Google
- Flash Led
- Psychedelic trackball which is pretty awesome
- Bad things include crappy screen (touch and brightness/vividness), small amount of internal memory, weird touch buttons...that's about it.

Hopefully my reasoning can be of some use to whoever needs it. Sorry if I missed anything!