Thinking About Getting Nexus 5 - Could Use Input

nukchebi0 · Dec 9, 2013

After 4+ years of using a regular cellphone, I think I'm ready to join the second decade of the 21st century and procure a smartphone. As I'm on T-Mobile, I'll be needing to pay for the entire cost of the phone upfront. After reading numerous reviews, including Brian Klug's masterpiece on Anandtech, I've identified the Nexus 5 as the top candidate. The general consensus I got was that the Nexus 5 has a flagship quality display and processor, while the camera, speakers, and battery life are only a slight step beneath top tier. Nearly every review concluded that given the $350 price tag, these combine to make the Nexus the best value phone on the market, particularly for those who are buying the phone without a contract. I've gone to the T-Mobile store to play with it, and found it both attractive to look at (important in some small capacity for everyone, I feel) and comfortable to type with and use. I found the screen as pleasing as described in the reviews, and liked the cleanliness of stock Android.

Obviously, it sounds from the above that I've made up my mind. However, while the Nexus 5 seems compelling and I'm leaning heavily towards it, I am a neophyte with mobile technology and I want to be certain I am making the right call with my first Android phone. Thus, I would appreciate any verification or correction of the aforementioned reviews, any helpful accounts of using the Nexus 5, or any other input on what to be aware of or consider when getting a smartphone. Thanks in advance for any useful responses.

SiempreTuna · Dec 9, 2013

charliecc · Dec 9, 2013

You can't go too far wrong with the Nexus 5, a great device at an amazing price. IMO, the best value for money smartphone on the market, and I'll doubt you'll get too many arguing against that on this forum.

However, there are a few downsides, some of which you've touched on, but on the whole it's a very solid phone. If you're looking for a good quality smartphone at a reasonable price, I'd also have to suggest looking at the Moto G. I'm really surprised by that phone and it's value for money.

chukka63 · Dec 9, 2013

Ive had an iphone 4s,Sony Z1 etc but still prefer the N5,i always buy my phones outright.There may be a few niggles but you will get that with every phone you own.

MartinS · Dec 9, 2013

It's a great phone with a slick and clear interface.

I'm sure there will be a learning curve for you (like from going from a feature phone to any smartphone) but the Nexus 5 is a great way to start.

There's also a great community here to help you!

vanack · Dec 9, 2013

I was in the same boat as you two years ago when I got my Galaxy Nexus. Never regretted it even through the growing pains. I went with the N5 at the end of my Verizon contract and am signing with Straight Talk. .The N5 is a great phone for all the reasons above. I would stuck my GNex for a bit longer if it had been compatible with ST. Bottom line is Nexus is the only way to go IMHO.

zipred · Dec 9, 2013

nukchebi0 said:
After 4+ years of using a regular cellphone, I think I'm ready to join the second decade of the 21st century and procure a smartphone. As I'm on T-Mobile, I'll be needing to pay for the entire cost of the phone upfront. After reading numerous reviews, including Brian Klug's masterpiece on Anandtech, I've identified the Nexus 5 as the top candidate. The general consensus I got was that the Nexus 5 has a flagship quality display and processor, while the camera, speakers, and battery life are only a slight step beneath top tier. Nearly every review concluded that given the $350 price tag, these combine to make the Nexus the best value phone on the market, particularly for those who are buying the phone without a contract. I've gone to the T-Mobile store to play with it, and found it both attractive to look at (important in some small capacity for everyone, I feel) and comfortable to type with and use. I found the screen as pleasing as described in the reviews, and liked the cleanliness of stock Android.

Obviously, it sounds from the above that I've made up my mind. However, while the Nexus 5 seems compelling and I'm leaning heavily towards it, I am a neophyte with mobile technology and I want to be certain I am making the right call with my first Android phone. Thus, I would appreciate any verification or correction of the aforementioned reviews, any helpful accounts of using the Nexus 5, or any other input on what to be aware of or consider when getting a smartphone. Thanks in advance for any useful responses.

I think you will be thrilled with a Nexus 5, I know I am. After owning iPhones & other Android models my absolute favorite Smartphone is my Nexus 5 by a very wide margin.

In the "Phablet" category, my Galaxy Note 3 is simply stellar. If it had the pure Android OS like Googles Nexus series it'd be perfect.

Just go out & buy a Nexus 5, you'll be very happy with your decision.

nukchebi0 · Dec 11, 2013

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'll be ordering the black 16GB version shortly.

Lettuce · Dec 11, 2013

Hopefully you've placed your order already, if not, get to it!

You definitely won't be disappointed with the Nexus 5. Yes there are Samsungs and HTC's and they're all very heavily marketed, especially the Samsungs, but I think owning a Nexus, a Google phone, is just a whole lot cooler. It feels great to part of the Nexus community, which feels like a bit of a secret club, as I've never seen another one out in the wild before.

It's stock Android, it hasn't been tampered with by Samsung or any other manufacturer, it's clean, it's so pure.

The camera and speakers, in my opinion, have been fixed by the recent updates. That's the other thing, you will always get the updates from Google first. The battery life, honestly it's fine. Give it a charge to full in the morning, top it up during the day when you put it down, airplane mode at night, it's absolutely fine. Don't worry about the battery life.

Perhaps if you really get into Android you might think about rooting it, and you couldn't have chosen a better device to do it with.

I feel excited for you knowing what special piece of hardware is on the way to you for Christmas!

nukchebi0 · Dec 13, 2013

Lettuce said:
Hopefully you've placed your order already, if not, get to it!

You definitely won't be disappointed with the Nexus 5. Yes there are Samsungs and HTC's and they're all very heavily marketed, especially the Samsungs, but I think owning a Nexus, a Google phone, is just a whole lot cooler. It feels great to part of the Nexus community, which feels like a bit of a secret club, as I've never seen another one out in the wild before.

It's stock Android, it hasn't been tampered with by Samsung or any other manufacturer, it's clean, it's so pure.

The camera and speakers, in my opinion, have been fixed by the recent updates. That's the other thing, you will always get the updates from Google first. The battery life, honestly it's fine. Give it a charge to full in the morning, top it up during the day when you put it down, airplane mode at night, it's absolutely fine. Don't worry about the battery life.

Perhaps if you really get into Android you might think about rooting it, and you couldn't have chosen a better device to do it with.

I feel excited for you knowing what special piece of hardware is on the way to you for Christmas!

Thank you. I'm just as excited to have my first smartphone, let as alone one as nice as the Nexus 5. Hopefully Google ships it before the 2-3 week wait mentioned on the Play Store; other threads here and around the internet have given me hope of that.

At this point, I suppose I have to give consideration to protection for the phone. Are cases and screen protectors still necessary given the advancements in technology? I really love the matte black look of the phone and would love to leave it exposed if its at all advisable. If not, what are good (preferably cheaper) cases that retain as much of the aesthetic appeal of the phone as possible? With regards to the screen, I was under the impression that Gorilla Glass 3 is resilient enough to avoid needing a screen protector. Is that true?

With regards to playing with the software, I'm sure I'll have numerous questions about unlocking the bootloader, rooting, useful apps and so forth, but those can wait until I have the phone in my hand.

chukka63 · Dec 13, 2013

i only use a basic gel case for work (construction).I never use a screen protector but look after my phone and had no problems in the last 10 years.I like my phones like my women,naked

g01851 · Dec 13, 2013

nukchebi0 said:
At this point, I suppose I have to give consideration to protection for the phone. Are cases and screen protectors still necessary given the advancements in technology? I really love the matte black look of the phone and would love to leave it exposed if its at all advisable. If not, what are good (preferably cheaper) cases that retain as much of the aesthetic appeal of the phone as possible? With regards to the screen, I was under the impression that Gorilla Glass 3 is resilient enough to avoid needing a screen protector. Is that true?

Check out the accessories sticky thread, lots of information about cases and such there.

BigCiX · Dec 13, 2013

Its a good phone. My only complaint as stated before in other threads is the lack of Beats Audio (only on HTC phones). Other then that the camera app is a little boring. With that being said I'd still choose this phone over an other.

Thinking About Getting Nexus 5 - Could Use Input

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