Nexus S vs. Galaxy S 4G

[frenzy757]

with all of the new hardware coming out every 2 months, I think the only way to get a phone that will at least seem like the new thing is to get a Nexus to get the latest software...

Software is where the biggest advancements will be made now...that being said I always want the latest software.

 

[czechplastik]

with all of the new hardware coming out every 2 months, I think the only way to get a phone that will at least seem like the new thing is to get a Nexus to get the latest software...

Software is where the biggest advancements will be made now...that being said I always want the latest software.

This is my thinking. I love android, especially in vanilla form, all that HTC sense overlay wasn't doing it for me anymore. Things like camera res. and other hardware improvements aren't massively important to me on a phone. Browsing and app functionality are, I'd rather stick with a Nexus for quicker updates. Think a lot of people will come to realise this in time.

 

[elemteacher2be]

This is my thinking. I love android, especially in vanilla form, all that HTC sense overlay wasn't doing it for me anymore. Things like camera res. and other hardware improvements aren't massively important to me on a phone. Browsing and app functionality are, I'd rather stick with a Nexus for quicker updates. Think a lot of people will come to realise this in time.

I think that's what I'm thinking as well. Although having a camera and video for quick last minute things, it's not a huge factor when I have my regular digital. As you said, browsing and app are going to be my main interests, so yea... maybe Nexus is the way to go for me. Thank you for putting it that way!

 

[elemteacher2be]

What are the chances of the White Nexus S making a debut in the states?

 

[B2L]

What are the chances of the White Nexus S making a debut in the states?

Who knows. But the only difference is that the back battery cover is white. And you could just as easily buy the regular Nexus S and buy a white back for it.

 

[elemteacher2be]

Who knows. But the only difference is that the back battery cover is white. And you could just as easily buy the regular Nexus S and buy a white back for it.

Yea. Do regular (non t-mobile/best buy) stores have accessories for the nexus? Or do Galaxy/Vibrant accessories (like cases, etc) fit the nexus?

 

[jinwons]

From what I've been able to figure out T-Mobile is going to be cheaper for me than Verizon. I've also had people tell me (who've had both networks) that T-Mobile is faster for them (people living near me).

My brother is on T-Mobile, so that's a plus.

Verizon would have kept me if the iPhone were better, but I've seen too many not-so-good comments (esp. from consumer reports).

The Nexus also made me more convinced to go to T-Mobile.

So over all, you all think that between the 3G on the Nexus and the 4G on the myTouch - it's not going to be a huge difference for day-to-day use? Is the 3G REAL speed and 4G REAL speed a huge diff. or not...I think that's my biggest hold up on which of the two phones I should get (mytouch or Nexus).

I see. T-mobile is actually my second favorite carrier after Verizon. I didn't like them before, but they seem to have improved their network over last couple of years. Though I don't think their HSPA+ is true 4G, it seems certainly faster than Verizon 3G which is only 1~2Mbps at most. But I like large coverage and stability of Verizon 3G when I move around outside my resident area. My only concern for T-mobile is how reliable it is in suburban area.

Regarding the phone lineup, Verizon will also have impressive array of new android phones this year beginning with Thunderbolt this month. So I would watch how that and Verizon 4G LTE data plan turn out at least before deciding on Nexus S. There is also rumor that Incredible 2 with dual core might come to Verizon before Bionic in Q2. T-mobile lineup looks great too with phones like Optimus 2X, HTC Pyramid. But we should wait a little to see all these phones in the first half of this year.

 

[elemteacher2be]

I see. T-mobile is actually my second favorite carrier after Verizon. I didn't like them before, but they seem to have improved their network over last couple of years. Though I don't think their HSPA+ is true 4G, it seems certainly faster than Verizon 3G which is only 1~2Mbps at most. But I like large coverage and stability of Verizon 3G when I move around outside my resident area. My only concern for T-mobile is how reliable it is in suburban area.

Regarding the phone lineup, Verizon will also have impressive array of new android phones this year beginning with Thunderbolt this month. So I would watch how that and Verizon 4G LTE data plan turn out at least before deciding on Nexus S. There is also rumor that Incredible 2 with dual core might come to Verizon before Bionic in Q2. T-mobile lineup looks great too with phones like Optimus 2X, HTC Pyramid. But we should wait a little to see all these phones in the first half of this year.

I'm going to look at any other phones that come out between now and when I buy my phone (which will 99% be on the 4th or 5th of March).

While I want the newest and best, I have to keep in mind that it should be most friendly for social networks/email/web-browsing, etc.

Which leads me to another question. I was googling news the Nexus and I found a new review that mentioned something about it not being set up well for social networks (facebook/twitter). I find that hard to believe, but I thought I'd ask here.

 

[No_Nickname90]

Words to take into heavy consideration. I don't care if a phone has a 12MP camera; without a flash, it's pretty much worthless for 90% of indoor situations and anything other than fairly bright days.

Elemteacher2be, since you're waiting until March, it's best just to pay attention to your options and make a choice once you're ready to make the purchase. I'd say that the Nexus S is by far the best choice compared to the Vibrant 4G and MT4G, but March will probably bring a few more phones. It's possible that a nice dual core phone with a bit better future proofing over the NS will be available for you.

Dude!! Are you kidding me? I had the Vibrant, and that took better pictures than some of these $300 12MP digital cameras that had flash. The Camera software was perfect. I took this picture in the dark, and there was still light from my outside porch light. The picture was just like how I was seeing it. I had to turn on the option for night mode and there it was. The picture was practically flawless. I don't know if the picture quality would have been the same with flash, since flash adds to the camera program. Meaning, not so good in low light, but you have flash. The other choice being no flash, but you can take better pictures. Although flash is always good, I was taking uber smooth pictures with the Vibrant. Also, I think you're able to take pictures faster as well. I had a rapid snap mode. Saves 9 pictures in like 2 seconds I think. I was driving in tested it out. I didn't even look like the terrain was moving. I haven't seen that since the Samsung Memoir.

Though I understand what you mean. The times it was dark, I really wanted that flash, or that extra boost in light, because Night mode still wasn't pulling in enough light. So flash is a good feature, but don't think flashless phones are pointless. Quality or Convenience.

 

[B2L]

I'm going to look at any other phones that come out between now and when I buy my phone (which will 99% be on the 4th or 5th of March).

While I want the newest and best, I have to keep in mind that it should be most friendly for social networks/email/web-browsing, etc.

Which leads me to another question. I was googling news the Nexus and I found a new review that mentioned something about it not being set up well for social networks (facebook/twitter). I find that hard to believe, but I thought I'd ask here.

I don't see how that's the case. It's just as capable as any other android device when it comes to any social network site. Although some ui like htc sense and touchwiz make it slightly easier accessible. But bog down your phone.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

T-Mobile's 4G is real 4G, as is LTE and WiMax. Prior to last month, none of the so-called 4G networks could be considered real 4G; however, the ITU recently changed the definition of the 4G standard such that HSPA+, LTE, and WiMax are all 4G networks.

In all honesty, T-Mobile has the largest and fastest 4G network, even faster than Verizon's tiny LTE network; nonetheless, I still feel that T-Mobile, despite having the most 4G coverage and fastest speeds, has the worst 4G network. This is because HSPA+ does very little to improve network latencies, to which both LTE and WiMax provide significant improvements.

I feel that 5mbps is wholly adequate for nearly any mobile application, so the speed increases seen in 4G networks are mostly unnecessary. Speeds above 5mbps will have essentially no affect on the mobile data experience. In order for further progress to be made on the mobile data front at this point, latencies need to be reduced near broadband equivalents.

Actually, T-Mobile's HSPA+ has better latency that WiMax and LTE. I just wish they'd get those upload speeds above 1 Mbps on average.
Verizon LTE vs T-Mobile HSPA+ vs Sprint WiMAX - Phone Arena

And speeds above 5 Mbps matter if the user downloads files and tethers. Most of the 4G smartphones out come with some form of tethering functionality.

 

[quantumrand]

Actually, T-Mobile's HSPA+ has better latency that WiMax and LTE. I just wish they'd get those upload speeds aboves 1 Mbps on average.
Verizon LTE vs T-Mobile HSPA+ vs Sprint WiMAX - Phone Arena

And speeds above 5 Mbps matter if the user downloads files and tethers. Most of the 4G smartphones out come with some form tethering functionality.

I'm not so sure T-Mobile has better latencies than Sprint's WiMAX and Verizon's LTE, though your link does suggest otherwise. That wasn't really my point though. I was saying that HSPA+ is at an inherent disadvantage when it comes to latency.

WiMAX and LTE both use OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), which allows large groups of users to transfer data simultaneously by splitting a frequency band between each user. It drastically improves latencies by sacrificing some individual bandwidth. HSPA+ leaves the entire frequency band intact, giving users much more bandwidth, but forcing them to take turns sending packets.

Both WiMAX and LTE have the potential to reach latencies as low as 20ms, even under significant network saturation. HSPA+ will have a hard time achieving sub-70ms latencies even under ideal network conditions, and as T-Mobile's network becomes more saturated (which I'm sure it will with all of the new 4G and FFC phones being advertised) latencies will increase drastically.

As for my saying 5mbps is fast enough for any mobile application, please note that I said "mobile application." Of course a faster connection makes a difference when downloading individual files, but how often does one really download large files to their phone. At 5mbps, a music file will download in under 10 seconds, a 10 minute video in less than 90 seconds. A full length movie would take 20 minutes, at which point a faster connection would help, but if you're streaming it (ala Netflix for example), it would make no difference.

You're definitely right about tethering though. That's really the most prevalent place that a faster mobile connection would help you, but how often are you tethering such that internet speed matters? I know when I'm tethering, it's generally for things like RDP and VNP which rely more on latencies than bandwidth. I do sometimes do a bit of web design on the go, but that relies more on upspeed, which rarely gets over 1.5mbps regardless of being on HSPA or HSPA+.

 

[2FR35H]

I am buying my first Android in early March, and have been debating which phone to get.

At first I was convinced on the Nexus S. Then I began to wonder if I should get the MyTouch (my brother just got it and loves it). THEN I heard about the Galaxy S 4G and so I am now all the more confused.

Since people seem to say having a 3G phone isn't any worse than the 4G at this point, I don't know how important that should be to me (remember, I haven't used a data plan before). Then there is Nexus' 2.3. How important should that be in my decision? After all, that can be updated in the Galaxy, right? Will the Nexus' blank Vanilla slate be difficult for a new Android user? Or will all the add on's (like Inception!) be a headache and hassle to get OFF the Galaxy?

Anyone have answers or advice?

The Nexus S I will say is the best, purest, and smoothest android experience possible. It will be smoother than anything else. 4G shouldn't be an issue, Updates shouldn't ever be considered an issue if you buy it for the right reasons but Nexus S will always.. receive the latest ones for the year until a newer Nexus device arrives of which by then you would be able to upgrade anyways because t-mobile allows full upgrades each year. Nexus S is definitely the best android experience possible. What is truly great about a Nexus is the timely updates you do receive are optimized for the Nexus being that nexus phones are developer phones unlike other devices of which are gonna take additional months to get running to be compatible with any device. Super Amoled is Superb.

 

[2FR35H]

Yea. Do regular (non t-mobile/best buy) stores have accessories for the nexus? Or do Galaxy/Vibrant accessories (like cases, etc) fit the nexus?

As far as cases go its hard to find good ones as this technically isn't a t-mobile device t-mo wouldn't have them and the support accessory wise isn't as good. Most android accessories are universal though, you just wouldn't find many Nexus S specific accessories.

 

[ThatHarlemKat]

AMAZING: successor to the original Galaxy S that lit the Android marketplace on fire last year. Major (and largely expected) features include a 4.27-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED Plus display, an 8 megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture accompanied by a 2 megapixel cam up front, Gingerbread with TouchWiz 4.0, integrated NFC support (on some versions), and a shell measuring just 8.49mm thick, making it likely the thinnest smartphone ever to roll off an assembly line -- in fact, it's over 0.2mm slimmer than the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc's thinnest point. RIP Nexus S we hardly knew ye

 

[elemteacher2be]

According to all sources I've read this is coming out with 2.2 not Gingerbread. Where did you get your info?

 

[ThatHarlemKat]

Engadget, not sure if I can link it here or not:
Samsung Galaxy S II official: dual-core 1GHz CPU, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus, coming this month (hands-on with video) -- Engadget

 

[B2L]

AMAZING: successor to the original Galaxy S that lit the Android marketplace on fire last year. Major (and largely expected) features include a 4.27-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED Plus display, an 8 megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture accompanied by a 2 megapixel cam up front, Gingerbread with TouchWiz 4.0, integrated NFC support (on some versions), and a shell measuring just 8.49mm thick, making it likely the thinnest smartphone ever to roll off an assembly line -- in fact, it's over 0.2mm slimmer than the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc's thinnest point. RIP Nexus S we hardly knew ye

Lol the Nexus S is still not even close to being dead. My nexus s will be on 2.4 when that finally gets released with 2.3. And who knows how long that will take.

 

[ThatHarlemKat]

Lol the Nexus S is still not even close to being dead. My nexus s will be on 2.4 when that finally gets released with 2.3. And who knows how long that will take.

Reading is fundamental. The GS2 ships with gingerbread and the new hardware has me considering selling my MT4G. It would be an easy choice if I had the option to choose as a new customer.sorry about the RIP comment but WOW!

 

[B2L]

Reading is fundamental. The GS2 ships with gingerbread and the new hardware has me considering selling my MT4G. It would be an easy choice if I had the option to choose as a new customer.sorry about the RIP comment but WOW!

All I have to say is touchwiz or any other crapware is an automatic no go for me. But I can understand why you would want to switch cause you have a mt4g. So crapware isn't a big deal to you. But Imo I would take any nexus phone over something with crapware and specs like that. And I bet most Nexus S users would agree.

 

[elemteacher2be]

Mmm I think the issue here was that we were thinking that you were talking about the Galaxy S 4G, but indeed this is a different phone (that doesn't state whether it's 4G or not).

It makes no difference to me if it's not available for me in the next 2 weeks... so still Nexus for me!

 

[ThatHarlemKat]

All I have to say is touchwiz or any other crapware is an automatic no go for me. But I can understand why you would want to switch cause you have a mt4g. So crapware isn't a big deal to you. But Imo I would take any nexus phone over something with crapware and specs like that. And I bet most Nexus S users would agree.

Owned the Nexus One, been there done that son. Compared the Nexus S to G2 and MT4G and ultimately decided on Mt4G with NO regrets, just an overall better phone IMO. We are however comparing the GS2 to the Nexus S in this instance, try to keep up!

 

[2FR35H]

AMAZING: successor to the original Galaxy S that lit the Android marketplace on fire last year. Major (and largely expected) features include a 4.27-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED Plus display, an 8 megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture accompanied by a 2 megapixel cam up front, Gingerbread with TouchWiz 4.0, integrated NFC support (on some versions), and a shell measuring just 8.49mm thick, making it likely the thinnest smartphone ever to roll off an assembly line -- in fact, it's over 0.2mm slimmer than the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc's thinnest point. RIP Nexus S we hardly knew ye

Thats the Galaxy S2 not 4G they are two different devices. Nexus is far from dead but the specs on the S2 are amazing I might just give up my nexus as soon as a date is made available.

 

[B2L]

Owned the Nexus One, been there done that son. Compared the Nexus S to G2 and MT4G and ultimately decided on Mt4G with NO regrets, just an overall better phone IMO. We are however comparing the GS2 to the Nexus S in this instance, try to keep up!

Lol you act like I don't know which two devices you are comparing. I lmao pretty hard when you said you chose the MT4G over the nexus s.

The GS2 is nothing special sure it has some great specs but Imo it's nothing great enough to get rid of my Nexus S for. I absolutely love it and I don't plan on getting a new phone until the next nexus phone comes out.

 

[ThatHarlemKat]

Lol you act like I don't know which two devices you are comparing. I lmao pretty hard when you said you chose the MT4G over the nexus s.

The GS2 is nothing special sure it has some great specs but Imo it's nothing great enough to get rid of my Nexus S for. I absolutely love it and I don't plan on getting a new phone until the next nexus phone comes out.

I know exactly what I'm talking about son. This thread compares Samsung Galaxy S II and the Nexus S, if you cant keep up then keep quiet. I just so happened to mention that I own a MT4G.
Anyway, Im done with you, enjoy your Nexus S in good health!