The Google Phone - Then and Now

[AGx]

I've been following Android since before Android was known as Android, before Google bought up the project, and before the [HTC] Dream came to life. Having said that, I myself find it odd that I've never owned a Nexus device. Finances got in the way with the Nexus 1, Best Buy got in the way with the Nexus S, and competition for in the way with the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4.

When the Nexus One was released I was still using a G1! Back then we were overclocking and squeezing every bit of juice we could out of our G1's and Hero's and then the Nexus One came along, the first Android utilizing a 1GHz CPU and it blew us away. It was labeled a superphone by many. I wanted one but sadly couldn't afford one.

Fast forward to to today and after watching 4 generations of Nexus devices pass me by, finally having the financial means to get my hands on the kind of phone I'd always wanted, a powerful device running Stock Android, I actually have to ask myself, do I even want it?

I have a Galaxy Note 3 sitting on my desk, which is arguably one of the most powerful smartphones on the market, and in an age where I can, will, and always have rooted and threw a stock ROM on it, I really have to question whether a Nexus is worth it anymore.

Neither the Galaxy Nexus nor the Nexus 4 blew me away the way the Nexus One did and while the Nexus 5 has a lot going for it, it's only major advantages over its comparably specced competition is HDR+, Android 4.4, and that lovely design. It's not the only beautiful device out there, 4.4 will come to other devices, and HDR+ sounds like something that will eventually be emulated in an app.

My question to all who view this, after all the hype and build up, are you blown away by the Nexus 5 and will you still pick it over the competition?

 

[Wolfedude88]

I've been following Android since before Android was known as Android, before Google bought up the project, and before the [HTC] Dream came to life. Having said that, I myself find it odd that I've never owned a Nexus device. Finances got in the way with the Nexus 1, Best Buy got in the way with the Nexus S, and competition for in the way with the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4.

When the Nexus One was released I was still using a G1! Back then we were overclocking and squeezing every bit of juice we could out of our G1's and Hero's and then the Nexus One came along, the first Android utilizing a 1GHz CPU and it blew us away. It was labeled a superphone by many. I wanted one but sadly couldn't afford one.

Fast forward to to today and after watching 4 generations of Nexus devices pass me by, finally having the financial means to get my hands on the kind of phone I'd always wanted, a powerful device running Stock Android, I actually have to ask myself, do I even want it?

I have a Galaxy Note 3 sitting on my desk, which is arguably one of the most powerful smartphones on the market, and in an age where I can, will, and always have rooted and threw a stock ROM on it, I really have to question whether a Nexus is worth it anymore.

Neither the Galaxy Nexus nor the Nexus 4 blew me away the way the Nexus One did and while the Nexus 5 has a lot going for it, it's only major advantages over its comparably specced competition is HDR+, Android 4.4, and that lovely design. It's not the only beautiful device out there, 4.4 will come to other devices, and HDR+ sounds like something that will eventually be emulated in an app.

My question to all who view this, after all the hype and build up, are you blown away by the Nexus 5 and will you still pick it over the competition?

Sure 4.4 will come to other devices but how long will it take? How many GS4s are on 4.3? Nexus devices will always get updates almost immediately.

How could anyone not be impressed with this device? Even if you don't buy it, it is still one of the topped spec devices on the market now and it can be bought outright for about the same price as a Galaxy Note 3 on contract.

That in itself is impressive, I'm not saying other devices are great but the Nexus 5 is without a doubt impressive.

If it was coming to Verizon, I would buy it, but doesn't look like that is an option.

 

[AGx]

Sure 4.4 will come to other devices but how long will it take? How many GS4s are on 4.3? Nexus devices will always get updates almost immediately.

How could anyone not be impressed with this device? Even if you don't buy it, it is still one of the topped spec devices on the market now and it can be bought outright for about the same price as a Galaxy Note 3 on contract.

That in itself is impressive, I'm not saying other devices are great but the Nexus 5 is without a doubt impressive.

If it was coming to Verizon, I would buy it, but doesn't look like that is an option.

I'm torn on it. I love My Note 3 but I've been waiting for news on the N5 and I like what I see so far (save for the onscreen navigation). I really want to try one out. I could sell my Note 3 and have change leftover after buying the N5.

 

[Rxpert83]

NExus S, GNEX, and now the nexus 5

However, this is the first I've purchased when it was still considered "new"

 

[Brian706]

This is my first, and it's not even in my hands yet.

 

[joeblackis]

Upgrading from my N4.

I wouldn't say the N5 will BLOW ME AWAY.. but I expect it to be a nice little upgrade from the N4 . If coming from an older phone before the N4 was released then it will probably will be a huge upgrade to you.

 

[Orion]

I've only owned the Galaxy Nexus. The Nexus 5 will be my second. Once you go Nexus, you never go back.

 

[jhawkkw]

Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7(2012 Wifi), Nexus 7 (2013 LTE), and now Nexus 5. This is the best line of phones and it simply can't be beat.

 

[Brian706]

Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7(2012 Wifi), Nexus 7 (2013 LTE), and now Nexus 5. This is the best line of phones and it simply can't be beat.

How would you know? You've never tried anything else. :vroam:

 

[kate]

Just one so far, but I might get the Nexus 5 at some point in the future

 

[AntimonyER]

I love my nexus devices, but I'm going to have to be satisfied with my Nexus 7 until Verizon either changes course or is forced to allow one on their network.

 

[jhawkkw]

How would you know? You've never tried anything else. :vroam:

I actually owned the Samsung Fascinate (GS1) and Droid Charge(GS1 + LTE) before I owned my Gnex. That was enough to turn me off skinned devices.

 

[Orion]

Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7(2012 Wifi), Nexus 7 (2013 LTE), and now Nexus 5. This is the best line of phones and it simply can't be beat.

You've got that right. I've pledged Nexus devices from here on out. Well, you can add the Moto phones to that list on some capacity..... since they're owned by Google.

 

[AntimonyER]

I actually owned the Samsung Fascinate (GS1) and Droid Charge(GS1 + LTE) before I owned my Gnex. That was enough to turn me off skinned devices.

To be fair they have gotten much better as of late. But Google continues to take the best ideas and incorporate it into Stock android with the next update.

 

[jhawkkw]

To be fair they have gotten much better as of late. But Google continues to take the best ideas and incorporate it into Stock android with the next update.

It is true, but after the Droid Charge's brown "poop" colored theme and getting a look at the Gnex/AOSP Holo theme in ICS I was sold. The old expression "First impressions last a lifetime" explains it best I think.

 

[DHO]

Gnex, just bought an N5

Also depends if you could the OG as a google device.... pretty much was one.

 

[tomato88]

Galaxy Nexus was the first one for me. Well, the OG Droid was the first for pure Google experience phone.

 

[jhawkkw]

Galaxy Nexus was the first one for me. Well, the OG Droid was the first for pure Google experience phone.

I think that honor belongs to the T-Mobile G1,not the og DROID. Doesn't get any more first than the first ever android device.

 

[JunBringer]

My first and only one so far is the Nexus 4. Can't wait to get a 5, just need $ first.

 

[tomato88]

I think that honor belongs to the T-Mobile G1,not the og DROID. Doesn't get any more first than the first ever android device.

Sorry, I meant OG Droid being "my" first pure Google phone.

 

[rhray]

finally having the financial means to get my hands on the kind of phone I'd always wanted, a powerful device running Stock Android, I actually have to ask myself, do I even want it?

I have a Galaxy Note 3 sitting on my desk, which is arguably one of the most powerful smartphones on the market, and in an age where I can, will, and always have rooted and threw a stock ROM on it, I really have to question whether a Nexus is worth it anymore.

Specifically here you make the point that should sell the Nexus product line itself. I remember the hype before the galaxy nexus. I bought the Verizon version, not aware of how much Verizon would royally screw up the updating process and installing bloatware, etc. I rooted, installed stock and was happy.

Why not get a phone that removes the whole "having to root and then load a stock rom" step in the first place. Then that point is furthered when you understand that carriers actually become the problem itself. Having to spend more money for a software and hardware branded phone that you have to completely wipe and flash to get what you want. Seems like a waste.

I skipped the N4 in favor of the galaxy s3 and I didn't make it more than a week before rooting just to removed that goddamn MetroPCS easy wifi icon. (I'm a minimalist, what can I say?). Now I'm freaking ecstatic to get a completely clean, carrier free, google experience.

And for you, AGx. The greatest part of this whole deal is you could hock that Note 3 on craigslist in less than 24 hours to pay for the N5 right now.

Godspeed.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Personally, I love the barebones setup of AOSP over any OEM UI. The performance gains are unmatched, plus the development on these devices are unparalleled. To date, I've owned HTC's Nexus One, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 7 (2013), and now the Nexus 5. I will likely continue to support Google's flagship devices because they all cater to my exact needs.

I think that honor belongs to the T-Mobile G1,not the og DROID. Doesn't get any more first than the first ever android device.

It was one of my favorites too, J.

 

[CarsnGadgets]

I have been waiting for the last 2 months since my old contract on my SGS2 ran out... I have been looking at the Huawei ascend P6, the Oppo Find 5 and N1 , the Note 3 and the Sony xperia Z1.

I bought the 32GB White N5 as soon as I could. I should get it monday.

The only 2 Cons for me are the lack of a SD card, but I expected that from a Nexus device, and the lack of an IR blaster.

The camera is bound to be good enough for my needs, I hardly ever take pictures, and so far the reports on the N5 camera have been promising anyway.

I think its the best value android phone on the market. Really impressed.

 

[mmoy]

Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 5 in a few days, Nexus 7. I use the Nexus 7, my son uses the Nexus 4, my daughter uses the Galaxy Nexus.

I use an iPhone 5 for a phone so I have iOS on the phone and Android as a small tablet.

 

[MartinS]

All of them with more inbetween. See signature. It could be an addiction...