Should I get a Nexus 4?

[Prash7]

Hey guys!

I've been looking at the N4, and it looks awesome. Currently, I'm rocking the BB Curve 9360 and have been for a year. It's great, freezes up at times but I LOVE having all my email all the time and the physical keyboard.

Few questions:

1) Not used to touch screen keyboards. I'm no noob to Android, though. How's the N4 to type on, stock keyboard or a downloaded one?

2) Battery life. This is HUGE for me. I need something that will last me a whole work day. I mean, I use my phone a lot, but nothing super heavy. I'd call myself a heavy user, but not over the top. Will the N4 last?

3) Is it slow? I mean, is it capable of running fine, no random freezing up or framerate lag? I've been looking into the BBZ10 (only because I wanted to stick to the BB family!) and that looks great, just pricier than the N4.

4) I send a lot of short texts/email; how is the phone to use with one hand? Just picking up for 5 seconds, reading and then reply.

5) I kind of want a new phone soon-ish, but should I wait? SGS4 comes out in a few months, but I'm not sure whether it's worth the wait, especially considering prices. Are there any OTHER Android phones I should consider that are out now/coming soon?

6) Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

 

[andrews317]

Hey guys!

I've been looking at the N4, and it looks awesome. Currently, I'm rocking the BB Curve 9360 and have been for a year. It's great, freezes up at times but I LOVE having all my email all the time and the physical keyboard.

Few questions:

1) Not used to touch screen keyboards. I'm no noob to Android, though. How's the N4 to type on, stock keyboard or a downloaded one?

2) Battery life. This is HUGE for me. I need something that will last me a whole work day. I mean, I use my phone a lot, but nothing super heavy. I'd call myself a heavy user, but not over the top. Will the N4 last?

3) Is it slow? I mean, is it capable of running fine, no random freezing up or framerate lag? I've been looking into the BBZ10 (only because I wanted to stick to the BB family!) and that looks great, just pricier than the N4.

4) I send a lot of short texts/email; how is the phone to use with one hand? Just picking up for 5 seconds, reading and then reply.

5) I kind of want a new phone soon-ish, but should I wait? SGS4 comes out in a few months, but I'm not sure whether it's worth the wait, especially considering prices. Are there any OTHER Android phones I should consider that are out now/coming soon?

6) Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

1) It takes a few days to get used to touchscreens coming from physical keyboard. Stock keyboard is really great. You should also try swype, it's pretty cool if you practice it often.

2) I wouldn't say battery life is the best out there but it ain't bad either. Powerful processors, huge screens and heavy usage drain a lot of battery. In this case I keep a charger at home, at work and at my car just in case. I'm a mid-heavy user and my phone may last 15-16 hours a day in average.

3) This is one of the fastest/smothiest phones you can get right now. Nothing more to be said.

4) Depends on your hands size. Swype could also help a lot with this.

5) In my opinion, the only way you could say you upgraded from a N4 is if you buy a Note 2. When the GS4 hits the market I'm sure it's going to be the best phone out there, but it won't be cheap. Compare the price of those two with the N4 and it's a no brainer.

6) If you are new to Android, getting a Nexus device is the best way to get to know it. It's a pure Android experience and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

[JunBringer]

Yes.

 

[Android802]

Hey guys!

I've been looking at the N4, and it looks awesome. Currently, I'm rocking the BB Curve 9360 and have been for a year. It's great, freezes up at times but I LOVE having all my email all the time and the physical keyboard.

Few questions:

1) Not used to touch screen keyboards. I'm no noob to Android, though. How's the N4 to type on, stock keyboard or a downloaded one?

I really love the keyboard on Jellybean. The "swype-like" typing is really simple and easy to learn. you'll pick it up fast if you like that sort of thing. but if you are someone who likes to peck each letter out, i think you'll like it too.

2) Battery life. This is HUGE for me. I need something that will last me a whole work day. I mean, I use my phone a lot, but nothing super heavy. I'd call myself a heavy user, but not over the top. Will the N4 last?

You should have no problem getting at least 12hrs out of the phone. if you havn't already, get into the habit of having a charger handy. lol

3) Is it slow? I mean, is it capable of running fine, no random freezing up or framerate lag? I've been looking into the BBZ10 (only because I wanted to stick to the BB family!) and that looks great, just pricier than the N4.

Not at all. The N4 is fast and smooth as butter. Apps load quickly and transitions are smooth and looks great.

4) I send a lot of short texts/email; how is the phone to use with one hand? Just picking up for 5 seconds, reading and then reply.

probably one of the easier phones i've had in terms of one hand use. its a little awkward at first but you'll get used to it. you'll be able to open up, read, and respond to emails lightning quick especially if you get used to swype.

5) I kind of want a new phone soon-ish, but should I wait? SGS4 comes out in a few months, but I'm not sure whether it's worth the wait, especially considering prices. Are there any OTHER Android phones I should consider that are out now/coming soon?


Other than the GSIV... maybe the GSIII or Note II? People have seemed to like those as well.

6) Anything else I should know?

Im someone who loves using their phone's camera. Overall i am satisfied with the camera and love the shots that come out of it, however there has to be a very good amount of light in order for oyur shots to come out great. HDR and some of the enhancements help, but the better your shot is from the start.. the better it will be overall (wow im tired).

Thanks!

Welcome!

 

[Prash7]

Really appreciate the replies. I mean, it looks great and all...the price is super duper awesome. The ONLY two things that are holding me back is that the back is glass and I'll have to get a case, and the battery life in *some* reviews isn't the best. Meh, I'm sure it's fine, just wish it had a removable back!

Thanks again

 

[Krunk83]

Really appreciate the replies. I mean, it looks great and all...the price is super duper awesome. The ONLY two things that are holding me back is that the back is glass and I'll have to get a case, and the battery life in *some* reviews isn't the best. Meh, I'm sure it's fine, just wish it had a removable back!

Thanks again

Don't you get a case for every phone pretty much? I don't have a case because I am very careful with my phones and I love the look of it. I just have a dbrand skin on the back. Also, the battery drain is all dependant on the user. Depends on what apps are being used etc. I can tell you that with 4.2.2 battery is 10 times better. Google fixed all the wakelock issues.

 

[sharkizzle]

Swiftkey 4 - best keyboard out there. The predictive text is amazing and now it has swype capabilities.

 

[Android802]

Really appreciate the replies. I mean, it looks great and all...the price is super duper awesome. The ONLY two things that are holding me back is that the back is glass and I'll have to get a case, and the battery life in *some* reviews isn't the best. Meh, I'm sure it's fine, just wish it had a removable back!

Thanks again

Honestly, the glass back isn't and hasn't been an area of concern for me since i received my nexus 4 around christmas. I just put a zagg screen protector on the front and back of my phone and Ive had nothing to worry about. I dont like bulky cases on my phone so I ordered the rearth ringke slim case and love it. But i am really careful with my phones so i dont have to worry about dropping it as much as some other people do.

I have dropped my phone in the past and nothing has happened. A lot of those reviews were before the 4.2.2 update. After google sent out that update, battery life improved significantly! i wish i still had the screen shot but I had close to 2 days on 1 charge! But in the end its up to you. Personally... I will never go back to a non nexus phone. Im hooked.

 

[chong67]

Only thing I didnt is that I wish the move the bottom 3 button out of the screen.

I really like the wide screen and the loud speaker.

 

[andrews317]

Only thing I didnt is that I wish the move the bottom 3 button out of the screen.

I really like the wide screen and the loud speaker.

Rooting and flashing a rom would solve this.

 

[frostyisgod]

I'm coming from an iPhone 5 and yes I'd definitely recommend the nexus 4 hands down. It's just as smooth as the iPhone which was my biggest complaint with android, and the lag as well has also been cured.

Get the phone u won't be disappointed and yes SwiftKey is the bomb. The battery life with 4.2.2 is a heck of a lot better simply cuz it can actually standby properly now and the wake lock issue has been fixed. Of the course the battery could be better, but it'll last u all day here's my battery with light to moderate use. Now mind u when in St work it struggles to maintain 2 bars so.

 

[SiempreTuna]

I agree with most of points above, however not sure about battery compared to Curve: the Curve is a previous generation phone and that previous generation did tend to get much better battery life than the current generation.

I think you have to qualify the claims above about the N4 by saying that it's fine .. compared to current generation.

 

[john30308]

Battery life on the phone is good compared to most current generation phones. It is NOT the same as a BB Curve. Those days are gone for a while (unless you're into the Motorola MAX scene). Hopefully, with smarter, more efficient processor, screen and battery technology coming every almost month, we'll be back to speaking of battery life in terms of "days" and not "hours" again in a year or two.

 

[luckyheel]

I'm getting tired of my Droid Charge and have been looking at the Nexus 4.

However, does the lack of 4G impact anyone's opinion?

 

[lunatic59]

Zero. 4G is not available from AT&T where I live and I spend 90% of my day within range of Wifi.

 

[trvlrschick]

I'm getting tired of my Droid Charge and have been looking at the Nexus 4.

However, does the lack of 4G impact anyone's opinion?

Nope. I switched from an iPhone 5 to the Nexus 4, and the lack of 4G/LTE hasn't bothered me at all. Yes, it's a little slower but eh... not enough to worry about.

 

[john30308]

I came over from a LTE Galaxy Nexus on Verizon - and I live in Atlanta where the signals are all strong. I was expecting a minor ding in speed but I don't notice it at all. There is no real difference in using the phone at all. Videos, music - it all still works fine. The biggest differences are actually positive! Battery life (much better on the N4 because no LTE) and the mobile network connection is quicker and always there - it doesn't jump back and forth between LTE and 3G.

 

[MT Rotor]

1. Don't need swift key

2.Don't need a ROM

3.No lag

4. Better than any iphone

 

[sean76]

@ the OP...

Very simply...Yes

the N4 is probably one, if not the best phone I've ever owned, and I've owned em all!

 

[luckyheel]

I came over from a LTE Galaxy Nexus on Verizon - and I live in Atlanta where the signals are all strong. I was expecting a minor ding in speed but I don't notice it at all. There is no real difference in using the phone at all. Videos, music - it all still works fine. The biggest differences are actually positive! Battery life (much better on the N4 because no LTE) and the mobile network connection is quicker and always there - it doesn't jump back and forth between LTE and 3G.

The N4 is not available on Verizon's network, correct?

 

[lunatic59]

The N4 is not available on Verizon's network, correct?

The Nexus 4 is strictly a GSM phone. So, no. No Verizon.

 

[john30308]

The N4 is not available on Verizon's network, correct?

Correct, I left Verizon and went no contract with StraightTalk.

 

[striker325]

Here is my input on why you should get the Nexus 4.
1. Stock Jelly Bean (no preloaded apps)
2. Wireless charging (Makes less wear on the phone's micro usb port)
3. Super Responsive
4. Boot up time is great!