Why does everyone want the Nexus 4?

[aurora40]

The Nexus One was arguably the first game-changing open Android phone. The Nexus S brought us NFC. The Galaxy Nexus brought us a huge 720p display, LTE, etc. What does the Nexus 4 bring us and what's the hype?

That's some reach you have there. NFC, that was a real game changer with gingerbread...

It seems obvious what the Nexus 4 brings, you only listed what it doesn't. But you missed that it doesn't bring a contract, or much sticker shock. Can you name a phone that brings more for less?

 

[techrider62]

Because I do.

 

[Android802]

There actually is capability for LTE on-board, but it is disabled.

This is not true. Yes there is an LTE chip but thats only because the Optimus G has LTE and thats what this phone is based off of. The phone is lacking the proper LTE radios and other essential hardware that is needed for LTE to work properly. Google isn't going to make an LTE nexus 4 for VZW or Sprint. They have stated that it was a horrible experience for both users and Google themselves. Verizon was notorious for blocking updates to GNexus phones and it made it very difficult for google to keep their promises to all of the people who owned the phone when it came to new OS updates.

I don't see it as a step backwards at all. The truth is that some of the things you listed (which are seemingly important to you) do not matter to many folks. I can survive w/o expandable storage, and I like the HD IPS+ display more than I like SAMOLED.

I agree with you on all of these points. While I do think that there should of been a 16 and 32 GB versions of the phone instead of 8 and 16GB, 16GB is plenty especially if you get in the habit of using cloud storage and other tools that are available for use.

But I think that what it really boils down to is that people want the latest and greatest tech and the nexus 4 is ne exception. I too am very excited about getting all the new updates to teh Android OS. I have a 16GB nexus 7 and I cant begin to describe to you the feeling I got when I saw the notification that I had a system update ready for me for 4.2 JellyBean.. I'll be honest, I giggled like a little school girl.

 

[Deleted User]

I wanted it cos the internet told me I wanted it.

 

[strausd]

For me, it is the device that made me venture outside the Apple camp.

 

[Bexy]

The Nexus 4 is the first Nexus phone I actually want. Perhaps it's because I've fallen in love with the Nexus 7 but, I don't think so.

I think the first two were ugly :s. The third one, I was tempted to get but, I got an S2 instead at that time, as the camera which I use quite a bit, was better. 5mp just doesn't do it for me . However, after having to sell my S3 last week, I need an Android phone again. I miss my S3 but, I'm very tempted by the Nexus 4 because it has the specs I want and is at a much better price. The only negative for me is the lack of an SD slot. My 16GB internal memory on the S3 was all used up and 16GB of my 32GB card is used up.

My only other issue with the Nexus 4 is it's made by LG and not Samsung lol. But, then again I do feel that Samsung held back on the Galaxy Nexus and put the good specs on their phones instead which is why I got the S2 then the S3. If Google release/announce a 32GB version I will definitely be getting it to go with my 32GB Nexus 7 .

 

[knoxieman]

Its not about hype its about demand, demand from people that dont want carrier tie ins and bloatware, that want a phone that is half the price of its rivals (assuming your are not a mentalist and pay some Ebay douche twice the list price for one)

I am annoyed at the way Google have handled this though and the skeptic in me thinks it has been handled this way to cause exactly this, forum posts, debate, news coverage on lack of supply etc, so if there is any hype about this phone it has been created by Google.

Lack of LTE is no issue for all the reasons already mentioned, neither is memory card, the amount of time my memory card has messed me about thats a good thing to be honest.

I think for people that like the gloss the locked in phones off they may find the simplicity of the software on the Nexus a little boring, that said there is the other camp who hate all that stuff and want a totally uncluttered experience and thats your choice.

The thing is get a nexus, root it and pick your ROM I am more annoyed at Google and was going to pick another phone however I am now going to wait even if it takes a few months to get the phone, I only ever change a phone every 2 years anyway, I can wait..

 

[krouget]

However, why is everyone interested in the Nexus 4?

I want it because it's the new shiny device from Google.

The internals are very nice, and after using one, it turned out to be a snappier better built version of my Galaxy Nexus, a phone I've come to love (save for the horrendous battery life). Toss this all in at a very competitive unlocked price, which allows a ton of flexibility, and it's a very tempting device.

And speaking of the LTE vs HSPA thing, I performed another test while on the Nexus 4, with my LTE Galaxy Nexus sitting just next to it. Granted, my GN wasn't getting the greatest reception, but that's all part of the game, since I care about coverage in areas I actually frequent.

For kicks, I asked my friend to send his LTE results from the Rogers network, up in Canada...he thoroughly embarrassed anything I had, here.

 

[MaddawgTL]

I want a n4 because I'm tired of virgin mobile having a phone from 1 to 2 years ago, plus what if it is true that google and dish network are thinking of going into the cellular business? Can we say real game changer, if it is true.

 

[Rcarnes91]

Me personally I think I would seriously think about getting the GSIII over the Nexus if it was unlocked and same price range( sorry wont buy used would have to be new) but that wont happen so no point in spending over a grand on phones for me and my old lady when i can spend 700 and get phones just as good

 

[Rcarnes91]

I want a n4 because I'm tired of virgin mobile having a phone from 1 to 2 years ago, plus what if it is true that google and dish network are thinking of going into the cellular business? Can we say real game changer, if it is true.

Yeah virgin mobile is horrible there is a reason it is only $25 a month I have had them for a year and it was a huge mistake, should have spent a few extra bucks and got a t-mobile pre paid plan or straight talk

 

[burtonvdp]

Honestly I'm just tired of waiting for software updates... I have an AT&T S3 with NO LTE in my area and who knows when it will actually get here and when it does its already behind a version...... My area just barely got the back hauled HSPA or what not so LTE is not an issue for me. I love the S3s hardware but I'm tired of always being one step behind AND I'm tired of skins. The touchwiz interface is decent but at least once a week I get "Touchwiz has stopped responding" message and I have to wait for it restart before I can use my phone... Not to mention bloatware that I can't get rid of.

Yeah I can root my phone, back it up, install custom roms, and then.... possibly get a stable phone that I didn't brick with all of the functions working. Why the heck do I really want to go through all of that? The whole reason I left the iOS platform was because I felt that jailbreaking my phone to get it to do what I wanted was ridiculous.

Lets face it, this phone is NOT bleeding edge, its newer tech at a great price. Designed for developers and purists at a good price. That being said I think they could have bumped the price to 399$ maybe even 450$ for an optional LTE antenna along with the 299$ models. Not to mention the fact that they can't leave the other OEMs out in the cold. They needed to make a good phone but not a perfect phone in order to keep ties with manufactures imho.

 

[JunBringer]

Vanilla Android straight from Google for 300 bucks. Period.

 

[blahblahyoutoo]

this is coming from someone who bought the nexus one. The nexus one was revolutionary, the nexus s was revolutionary in its own way, and the galaxy nexus changed all of that. However, why is everyone interested in the nexus 4?

The nexus one was arguably the first game-changing open android phone. The nexus s brought us nfc. The galaxy nexus brought us a huge 720p display, lte, etc. What does the nexus 4 bring us and what's the hype?

It lacks lte. It lacks a microsd card. By all means except software (the inclusion of 4.2), it seems to be a step backwards. My galaxy s3 runs the latest cm10 build, has nfc, lte, a microsd card slot, a huge gorgeous superamoled display, decent battery life, and more. Why is the nexus 4 so much better than that?

Can someone please explain the hype behind this phone to me?

slcd2 >>>>>> amoled

 

[MyTjSux]

$325 on eBay

Brand new .....didnt think so :smokingsomb:

 

[MyTjSux]

man the gs3ers left this room quick......

 

[jova33]

I'm on a VZW GNex, and until the nexus 4 gets 32GB, I'm not even going to consider it

 

[Thats]

FYI: The LTE Chip is dormant, but that doesn't matter, because an LTE antenna nor any of the power outputs for an antenna exist on the phone or mobo. Give up hope for LTE on the phones we have purchased in the past week or going on until 2013. It's HSPA+, not LTE. NOT CDMA. Sorry.

 

[batmandroid]

There actually is capability for LTE on-board, but it is disabled. I don't see it as a step backwards at all. The truth is that some of the things you listed (which are seemingly important to you) do not matter to many folks. I can survive w/o expandable storage, and I like the HD IPS+ display more than I like SAMOLED.

This is coming from someone who bought the Nexus One. The Nexus One was revolutionary, the Nexus S was revolutionary in its own way, and the Galaxy Nexus changed all of that. However, why is everyone interested in the Nexus 4?

The Nexus One was arguably the first game-changing open Android phone. The Nexus S brought us NFC. The Galaxy Nexus brought us a huge 720p display, LTE, etc. What does the Nexus 4 bring us and what's the hype?

It lacks LTE. It lacks a microSD card. By all means except software (the inclusion of 4.2), it seems to be a step backwards. My Galaxy S3 runs the latest CM10 build, has NFC, LTE, a microSD card slot, a huge gorgeous SuperAMOLED display, decent battery life, and more. Why is the Nexus 4 so much better than that?

Can someone please explain the hype behind this phone to me?

I'm on a VZW GNex, and until the nexus 4 gets 32GB, I'm not even going to consider it

The hype for me is simply that it is a nexus. i still have the nexus s, and although the nexus 4 looks nice, and very powerful, the fragility, the built-in battery, the no micro usb, but that's ok, i expect that of a nexus device, but these things kind of turn me off.

so i'm torn a little bit, but 16gigs only?! i mean, come on. my nexus s, which is like 3 years old, has 16g storage. and it's full. i'm not putting down 360$ for a phone that is faster, and that will be full after the first day.

the battery doesn't seem that bad, it looks like you could technically replace it, but it's just not made to be easy.

there will be no LTE even though it has an LTE chip inside that does nothing. it needs more hardware than the LTE chip in order to run LTE.

idk, the nexus 4 is nice, i get why people like it, the price point is great, nexus phones in general are awesome, if i needed only 8 or 16 gigs then i'd be getting one, but all the cons, make me iffy, and no storage, makes the decision easy, yet heartbreaking. i really want a latest nexus phone, but it can't be this one.

 

[Tinmania]

For me, it is the device that made me venture outside the Apple camp.

A big me tooooo on that one!

Had iPhones since released in 2007.

Loving the N4! Tethering right out of the box when I was >< this close to changing my AT&T plan to tethering.

Since I don't think I will be leaving AT&T I'm thinking of buying an iPhone 5 just to sell.

Was considering an android device since the 4S came out--that I ultimately got. But when the i5 was another modest update I had had enough.




Michael

 

[donec]

I am wanting a Nexus 4 because it's price is within my range, has the ability to do all things Android (not crippled by some carrier) and is not tied to any particular carrier (I can move around through what is available) or for that matter does not even need a SIM card to function as a small portable full android device. I have never seen a device with these features before and have been looking for quite awhile.

 

[knoxieman]

Another reason to get the N4 that not many people have mentioned is the fact that you can charge it wirelessly, I have this feature on my touchpad and being able to just lie the tablet down and have it charge up is so nice.

I dont know of any other mobile phones that offer inductive charging at this price point, its something to consider and in time super cheap variants of charging mats and stands will become available.

 

[techrider62]

And now if they just had the dock out.

 

[MyTjSux]

FYI: The LTE Chip is dormant, but that doesn't matter, because an LTE antenna nor any of the power outputs for an antenna exist on the phone or mobo. Give up hope for LTE on the phones we have purchased in the past week or going on until 2013. It's HSPA+, not LTE. NOT CDMA. Sorry.

ummm
Nexus 4 LTE enabled using simple hack - SlashGear

 

[spriteboost]

ummm
Nexus 4 LTE enabled using simple hack - SlashGear

yay if it works I'm going to T-mobile prepaid plan. The sales rep at the store said they're rolling out lte in the coming years and Detroit area suppose to be bigger area for tmobile according to him so if this works with T-mobiles lte i'll be super happy though I'm sure hspa+42 will be plenty enough