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Worth the $$$ to buy Nexus One (T-mobile) now?

schaffzin

Lurker
Aug 17, 2010
1
0
Hi everyone,

I have been lurking around this site and find it a great resource for all things Android. This is why I come to you for advice. I realize that this seems to be a FAQ, but I was hoping for some new eyes on this question.

I have a piece of **** Sony Ericsson w580i phone with an AT&T plan which is showing signs of age. Over the past few months, I had a number of friends show me their Nexus One and I fell in pseudo-geek love :D. However, when I heard that Google was going to stop selling the phones I was very disappointed.

When I heard that Google was planning to re-sell these phones as part of their developer program, I started to think some more about the phone. I checked out other Android phones and the only other one that I liked was the Samsung Galaxy-S, but I really REALLY want to drop AT&T since their QoS is between horrible and pathetic.

Because of this, I was wondering if it would make sense for me to get a Nexus One and then use it with an Android friendly plan. Here's some other facts that I considered:

PROS:
- Great phone from hardware standpoint (nice screen, fast processor, etc.)
- T-Mobile Phone plan looks reasonably priced, even fully loaded
- It's not an iPhone (though lots of my brainwashed friends have those too and think they are good enough for "my needs")

CONS:
- $500 something for a PHONE?! That seems a bit high...
- I don't see myself developing apps for Android, but I do consider myself somewhat technical (not sure if this is a "PRO" or a "CON" :cool:)
- Google's lack of "hardware" support makes me wonder if it's a good "long term" investment (long term meaning 2+ years)
- Not sure how easy it is to get peripherals for this (e.g. car dock, desk dock, batteries, etc.)

If it is not worth buying one, then I can always make do with my current "dumb" phone, but I really don't want to unless I have to.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

*** NOTE: Changed "lack of support" to "lack of hardware support" ***
 
Before going to TMO, make sure it works well in your area.

As for the phone, I don't know of any state that doesn't get taxed through Google's site, so the phone comes out to $600 ($530 + tax + dev registration). I personally would not spend that much on the N1, especially when the phone is on Craigslist for under $400.

If you're dead set on getting it brand new through Google, my answer to your question is "no, it's not worth it".

*edit: Oh, for accessories:
http://shopamerica.htc.com/accessories/accessory_result.htm?pgId=0

No batteries there though, but docks are.
 
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Well....

If you like the Galaxy S there is a T-Mobile version called the Vibrant. It runs the same hardware. I would only caution you to try it out and make sure you like the skin that it is running, from what I have seen it looks very iphoneish.

Since you are some what late to the N1 game you will have to pay the full price of the phone. T-Mobile use to offer it for $179.99 (I believe) and at that price the phone is well worth it. But the reason you are paying all that money is because the N1 comes as an unlocked phone, in other words you won't have to lock into a contract. When you see other android phones at $199.99 etc it's because you are also signing up for a two year contract. In my case, I spent $550 to use my N1 with At&t service. If tomorrow I no longer want At&t I can call up and cancel with them without incurring any early termination fees.

"Google's lack of support"- This kind of shocked me. The N1 was the first phone to receive froyo and we all had it about a month before any other phone got it. We will probably be the first phone to get gingerbread also. Not to mention we all have the full version of flash running on this phone. I have also dealt with google's customer service reps and it was probably the best experience I ever had. They are very helpful and committed to helping you out.

I believe HTC now sells there peripherals on there site, have to check that.

I think if you are serious about the N1 you might want to check ebay first, you might be able to pick one up for $400-$450.

Also I loved the Sony Ericsson phone, it was my favorite phone behind the N1.
 
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500 for a phone is not high at all. the first android phone.. the G1 was priced at 479 during its time aswell. Infact, while I was searching for phones, most unlocked phones on amazon were 500-700 aswell. So it might as well be a top of the line (for now) phone that you're getting.
 
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Hardware support is under HTC and not Google. They will commit to their one year warranty.

Since you're with AT&T, you can buy a (lightly) used AT&T N1 on Ebay, which will be less than $500. Just a thought, that's what I'll do unless you've had bad experience with AT&T and want to jump ship.

If you're jumping ship, you might want to check out the other Android phones with Sprint and Verizon like the HTC EVO 4G, the Droid X, Droid 2 where you can get them subsizdized on contract.
 
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The G2 will be nice, but in no way a "Nexus One killer". It has a slower processor, for one thing. Second, it will not be unlocked and will likely not get updates as quickly as the Nexus One does. The Nexus One killer will be whatever the next Dev phone is.

Why so quick to judge? Isn't that like saying Pentium 4 3.2GHz is faster than Core i5 2.8GHz? Unless it's already been known that the Scorpion is the same architecture as the Snapdragon.
 
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Why so quick to judge? Isn't that like saying Pentium 4 3.2GHz is faster than Core i5 2.8GHz? Unless it's already been known that the Scorpion is the same architecture as the Snapdragon.

It is possible that the performance may match that of the Nexus One's processor, sure, but my point was it won't be a N1 "killer." It doesn't exceed the Nexus One's specs in any way.
 
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It is possible that the performance may match that of the Nexus One's processor, sure, but my point was it won't be a N1 "killer." It doesn't exceed the Nexus One's specs in any way.

umm do some research first

The MSM7x30 chipset is second generation as opposed to the first generation QSD8250 found in the Nexus. It has the same CPU as your snapdragon just under-clocked to 800mhz but with a better GPU (adreno205).

per the horses mouth ...

"The MSM7x30 chips use the same ARM-based Scorpion applications processor as the QSD8250/QSD8650 Snapdragon chips, while adding 5.1 channel sound and more powerful graphics capabilities, including 12 megapixel camera support and 720p high-definition (HD) video encode/decode."

http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=16630&news=Qualcomm+Snapdragon+Processor+1.5GHz+1.3GHz

So yes, the G2 does have better specs than the Nexus
 
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umm do some research first

The MSM7x30 chipset is second generation as opposed to the first generation QSD8250 found in the Nexus. It has the same CPU as your snapdragon just under-clocked to 800mhz but with a better GPU (adreno205).

per the horses mouth ...

"The MSM7x30 chips use the same ARM-based Scorpion applications processor as the QSD8250/QSD8650 Snapdragon chips, while adding 5.1 channel sound and more powerful graphics capabilities, including 12 megapixel camera support and 720p high-definition (HD) video encode/decode."

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Family Is on a Roll, Moving to 1.5 GHz

So yes, the G2 does have better specs than the Nexus

First of all, calm down. It's just a phone. You don't have to be a condescending jerk about it. Try and be civil in your discussions. Not everyone can be an expert in everything like you. Just because the processor CAN do those things, doesn't mean it will do them in this phone. The other things you glossed over still apply. It won't be unlocked and won't be the first to get OS updates from Google like the Nexus One is. IN MY OPINION (which I'm allowed to say because it's my opinion) I would take my Nexus One over the G2 because of that. I very much value not being tethered to a carrier and love being the first one to get OS updates. Come to think of it, the Nexus One is pretty much dead anyway since no one can buy it now unless their a developer, so the argument is moot.
 
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Let's not stray from the point. I didn't ask for your opinion.

Your claim of the G2's processor being less-spec'd out than the Nexus is the issue at hand.

The extra drivel in your last post has no relevance. Claim refuted, now the balls in your court.

Eh, gonna drop the ball here for lack of caring, really. Not sure why you felt the need to start an argument and try to attack my personally over something that doesn't even have confirmed specs yet, but whatever. I take back my second post as I didn't mean to mention specs. We don't know the specs, other than the processor, so it's pointless to discuss that aspect. You want to keep discussing it, fine, but I'm done. Count it as a "win" if you like, too.
 
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I apoligize Duffin and sorry for coming across as condenscending. I've been caught up in all the hype of people dismissing the G2 as a viable high-end option just because the processor has been throttled down to 800MHz. I wasn't personally trying to call you out, just a little upset that most people assume it's not worthy because of the early released details.
 
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I apoligize Duffin and sorry for coming across as condenscending. I've been caught up in all the hype of people dismissing the G2 as a viable high-end option just because the processor has been throttled down to 800MHz. I wasn't personally trying to call you out, just a little upset that most people assume it's not worthy because of the early released details.

Understood and I wasn't saying that it's not a viable option. I was disputing that it would be a Nexus One killer, that's all. It may rival the Nexus One spec-wise and be just as good. In fact, it probably will. I was quick-on-the-draw on my comment on the processor. I was under the impression it was in the Snapdragon family. It would appear it is not. My point was it will still be locked to T-Mobile and it's not going to be Google's baby, so it won't likely get first OTA updates for future OS updates. And, in my opinion, unless it far exceeds the specs in all categories, it won't make people with Nexus Ones rush to get a G2. That is what I would consider a "killer": a device that makes people want to drop what they currently have to get that device.
 
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Understood and I wasn't saying that it's not a viable option. I was disputing that it would be a Nexus One killer, that's all. It may rival the Nexus One spec-wise and be just as good. In fact, it probably will. I was quick-on-the-draw on my comment on the processor. I was under the impression it was in the Snapdragon family. It would appear it is not. My point was it will still be locked to T-Mobile and it's not going to be Google's baby, so it won't likely get first OTA updates for future OS updates. And, in my opinion, unless it far exceeds the specs in all categories, it won't make people with Nexus Ones rush to get a G2. That is what I would consider a "killer": a device that makes people want to drop what they currently have to get that device.

All fair and valid points. I don't believe we'll see a device like that until the dual core processors come to fruition some time next year. For the most part all the high end devices out now are on an equal threshold when it comes to general performance and probably boils down to personal preferences i.e. physical keyboard, camera features, hi-quality gaming etc.
 
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All fair and valid points. I don't believe we'll see a device like that until the dual core processors come to fruition some time next year. For the most part all the high end devices out now are on an equal threshold when it comes to general performance and probably boils down to personal preferences i.e. physical keyboard, camera features, hi-quality gaming etc.

Yep, exactly my feeling. Eventually Google will have to come out with an updated Dev Phone. It may not be called the Nexus Two, but it will likely be the thing that sets the bar up higher again.
 
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