Should I get a Nexus 4 or Galaxy S3? - General Questions and Answers

I have an oppurtunity to get the Galaxy S3 on T-Mobile for free (on two year contract), but the Nexus 4 isn't in stock and will cost me $200 on a two year contract. It's a hard decision for me, since the Nexus 4 is quad core and a Nexus phone. On the other hand, the S3 has expandable memory, costs me less money, and I can get it now, rather than wait for Nexus 4 to come back to stock.
I know I'll get updates slower on the S3, but I plan on installing a custom rom (Cyanogenmod or AOKP) and I believe the S3 on T-Mobile has a good developer community.
What should I do?
I'm currently using an OG Droid on Verizon.
Verizon is getting way too expensive and I figured I can save lots on T-Mobile.
Thanks

Kyle Chen said:
I have an oppurtunity to get the Galaxy S3 on T-Mobile for free (on two year contract), but the Nexus 4 isn't in stock and will cost me $200 on a two year contract. It's a hard decision for me, since the Nexus 4 is quad core and a Nexus phone. On the other hand, the S3 has expandable memory, costs me less money, and I can get it now, rather than wait for Nexus 4 to come back to stock.
I know I'll get updates slower on the S3, but I plan on installing a custom rom (Cyanogenmod or AOKP) and I believe the S3 on T-Mobile has a good developer community.
What should I do?
I'm currently using an OG Droid on Verizon.
Verizon is getting way too expensive and I figured I can save lots on T-Mobile.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S3 is clearly a better deal here. If you were going for the Nexus, it'd be better to buy it unlocked from Google (no contract).

Please use the sticky in this section for all phone decision questions. Thread closed.

Related

AT&T customer, renewing on the 18th...

Well I'm on the verge of smashing my TP2 daily, and the 18th of this month could not come soon enough. That is when I will be eligible to upgrade and renew my contract. I was originally looking at the Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S), but the Nexus S is coming out Thursday for T-Mobile, and I have heard that it will be unlocked from the factory, which to my understanding means that it will work with AT&T....is this correct? I have watched a couple reviews on the tube, and do understand that the Nexus S is basically a dressed up Captivate with Gingerbread, a flash, front facing camera, and no expandable memory. But for me, I wouldn't mind paying the $200 for the Nexus, knowing that I can have the Captivate for free through WRFLY.
My question is: Will I be able to get the Nexus S for AT&T without paying full retail ~$600, and if so when and where. Or are there any better options that are no more than a few months away, because I'm going to smash my TP2 Office Space style if it locks up on me again.
Thanks for the advice guys.
EVOIXGSR said:
Well I'm on the verge of smashing my TP2 daily, and the 18th of this month could not come soon enough. That is when I will be eligible to upgrade and renew my contract. I was originally looking at the Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S), but the Nexus S is coming out Thursday for T-Mobile, and I have heard that it will be unlocked from the factory, which to my understanding means that it will work with AT&T....is this correct? I have watched a couple reviews on the tube, and do understand that the Nexus S is basically a dressed up Captivate with Gingerbread, a flash, front facing camera, and no expandable memory. But for me, I wouldn't mind paying the $200 for the Nexus, knowing that I can have the Captivate for free through WRFLY.
My question is: Will I be able to get the Nexus S for AT&T without paying full retail ~$600, and if so when and where. Or are there any better options that are no more than a few months away, because I'm going to smash my TP2 Office Space style if it locks up on me again.
Thanks for the advice guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really want the Nexus S, then go for the AT&T Nexus one because they have almost identical specs except a few. Plus there are currently no suggestions from Google that an AT&T version will be out, that is it could in the future, but for now you have manage with EDGE, also No you cant get the Nexus for discount or rebate, as AT&T doesnt seem to be interested in google phones.

Galaxy nexus vs. galaxy S 3

My original galaxy s is getting long in the tooth. I'm due for an upgrade. I was thinking of going with the new S 3 when it comes out, but if its 300$, I think they'd a but much for a phone, and was thinking of getting the nexus.
Do you think that the nexus will still be a decent phone 2 years from now when I can upgrade, our should I get the S3 to keep me until june 2014?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
I'm getting a GNex soon. So it will be even older! Yes, I think the hardware will last
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
olyloh6696 said:
I'm getting a GNex soon. So it will be even older! Yes, I think the hardware will last
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the nexus is better, am waiting for the the next one, dont like capacitve buttons on ics
eppo12- said:
Do you think that the nexus will still be a decent phone 2 years from now when I can upgrade, our should I get the S3 to keep me until june 2014?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is 2 years a hard or soft limit? (i.e. contract or no contract?) I'm planning on keeping my Nexus for two years, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.
The good news is that the nexus is cheap (off google play or expansys) hence good for buying unlocked. I would not buy it from Verizon, for instance; the updating status on the CDMA variants is questionable.
(Also, yeah, S3 hardware buttons sux.)
naaa you guys have gone soft get the s3 or wait to see the nexus 4
i have the gnex won it from a giveaway and personally i think its dog**** if you have the chance get the s3 not the nexus crap or as i said wait for the next nexus romurs are that it will have a s4 quadcore ship clocked at 1.5ghz sounds sexy also its based on a15
I have verizon, and unless the rules have changed, you can upgrade after 18 months, and get $50 off at a 24 months. Why pay so much for a phone, when your not sure for an upgrade? So I would have to wait 18 months minimum.
Have there been any releases of what the going price would be for the S3 in the US? I ready font want to spend $300 for a phone.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
id prefer the s3, because of its outstanding benchmark, and some new features in smartphones but the design nexus is better,
eppo12- said:
I have verizon, and unless the rules have changed, you can upgrade after 18 months, and get $50 off at a 24 months. Why pay so much for a phone, when your not sure for an upgrade? So I would have to wait 18 months minimum.
Have there been any releases of what the going price would be for the S3 in the US? I ready font want to spend $300 for a phone.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend against the verizon version of the nexus, for the reasons above. Though of course, my opinion is not the end-all.
Buying a phone outright gets you more flexibility and, if you go with prepaid, lower costs overall. As you said, you have to wait > 18 months to get a new one under your plan [and you'd have lost out, with your increased rates, if you don't]. I can get my next phone anytime [and am subject to low rates all the time]. My nexus, for example, is definitely good for this year, but I don't want to count on my prophetical powers for anything longer. If it gets broken, or just plain outclassed, I want to be able to grab the newest thing on the market right away.
(Note: Prepaid vs contract is a much more complicated issue than I might have made it sound above; you'd have to shop and probably have to use something besides Verizon, for one thing.)
Another recent thing to note: Verizon is removing unlimited upgrades (you'd be forced onto a tiered plan), though you can keep your old plan if you get your new phone on your own.
I'm not sure what the exact pricing is, but for arguments sake, lets say that the nexus is 200 with contact, and 400 without, pushy the going rate 400? How would you get out any cheaper? And I'm sure no where near $200.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
eppo12- said:
I'm not sure what the exact pricing is, but for arguments sake, lets say that the nexus is 200 with contact, and 400 without, pushy the going rate 400? How would you get out any cheaper? And I'm sure no where near $200.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The price differential over 24 months adds up.
For example, T-mobile has a $30 100 minute 5 gig prepaid, and Straight Talk has a $45 unlimited prepaid; there are others to shop around for, but those are the most commonly cited. Assuming you even get the cheapest Verizon plan, $40 (450 minutes talk) + $10 (1000 smses) + $30 (2 gb data) = $80 (per month)
Verizon's $80/month is already $35/month more than ST. That means you save $840 over 24 months by going even the more expensive prepaid. (Compared to this, the puny $200 subsidy is nothing.)
For the t-mobile plan, the differential is a whopping $50, and you save, holy hell, $1200 over 24 months.
In other words, the subsidy is just a psychological scam make you think you've got a discount, when really, the higher prices per month make all the difference.
thebobp said it quite well.
But I'm hoping to sign a new contract and keep my grandfathered unlimited plan. I'd liked to upgrade to the S3 with unlimited grandfathered LTE, but that's hoping that the S3 is available before Verizon starts pushing the shared data plans (at which point I can't upgrade to LTE and keep unlimited data).
If the S3 isn't coming out before then, then I'm thinking I should just get a Gnex so I can start enjoying unlimited LTE data.
Wow, I've never thought about it that way. I always thought those other providers offered a lower level of service? I know t mobile has crap service around here, so you can't be using all of verizons network.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
eppo12- said:
I always thought those other providers offered a lower level of service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Lower level of service" is just company propaganda. The only relevant question is which one offers good enough service for you, for the cheapest price. And unfortunately, there's no easy way to answer that except to try them out, preferably cheapest to most expensive. Even reviews aren't all that relevant, simply because service can vary so wildly depending on location. Thankfully, prepaid is a natural platform for "just trying a service out", but it does require a compatible phone.
I don't know what you mean by "tmobile using all of verizon's network"; they're completely distinct. Straight talk (and many others) are carried over AT&T and t-mobile's networks, though.
Thanks a lot for all your replies.
As far as the network goes, I thought tmobile used verizons network, because when 4g came out, they were the only other ones saying they used 4g lte. So I just assumed they used verizons network.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
I'm in a similar situation, right now I'm waiting to see what the S3 looks like in the US. If its not to my liking I'll probably get the Nexus, and a + for the Nexus is it will be getting Android 5.0 aka Jellybean. I would also buy it from the Google Play Store so it doesnt have any bloatware, however that is $299.
If you've made it this long with the Galaxy S, I say wait for the next Nexus. Especially with the rumors of several different manufacturers being able to build their own Nexus device.
I would take the samsung nexus. The S3 doesn't offer enough power difference in my opinion to spend the extra money on. Most of its software features aren't that good imho. And if they are you can find a similar app on the market for it.
blackthundaar said:
I would take the samsung nexus. The S3 doesn't offer enough power difference in my opinion to spend the extra money on. Most of its software features aren't that good imho. And if they are you can find a similar app on the market for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you heard anything about the S3 US version being dual core? because i would think that the Nexus being Dual Core, vs the S3 being quad core would be a big difference.
I'm going to have to look around to see when the next nexus is getting released.
my S1 annoys me a bit, but maybe i'm just getting the itch to get a new phone. every once and a while it stops responding to touch, if you hit the power button, and then unlock the phone again, its been coming back. also, playback skips when i first start playing something in dog catcher, and some games... yeah, I know.. i guess its more of an itch than anything else, but at least this way, i can make an informed decision if/when my phone completely dies.
i am running gingerbread rom, i recently reinstalled it from scratch, and then reinstalled my apps, but its still the same.
I guess i'll try and hold onto this phone as long as i can. I do like the service with verizon, and get a hefty discount from my job, so i'm a bit weary to switch carriers.
eppo12- said:
Have you heard anything about the S3 US version being dual core? because i would think that the Nexus being Dual Core, vs the S3 being quad core would be a big difference.
I'm going to have to look around to see when the next nexus is getting released.
my S1 annoys me a bit, but maybe i'm just getting the itch to get a new phone. every once and a while it stops responding to touch, if you hit the power button, and then unlock the phone again, its been coming back. also, playback skips when i first start playing something in dog catcher, and some games... yeah, I know.. i guess its more of an itch than anything else, but at least this way, i can make an informed decision if/when my phone completely dies.
i am running gingerbread rom, i recently reinstalled it from scratch, and then reinstalled my apps, but its still the same.
I guess i'll try and hold onto this phone as long as i can. I do like the service with verizon, and get a hefty discount from my job, so i'm a bit weary to switch carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you seen the difference between the Quad core One X and the dual core version? No? Neither has anyone else.
eppo12- said:
Have you heard anything about the S3 US version being dual core? because i would think that the Nexus being Dual Core, vs the S3 being quad core would be a big difference.
I'm going to have to look around to see when the next nexus is getting released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S3 LTE will most definitely be a dual core, because no quad core supports LTE.
Rumors about Nexus launch date say thanksgiving.
eppo12- said:
As far as the network goes, I thought tmobile used verizons network, because when 4g came out, they were the only other ones saying they used 4g lte. So I just assumed they used verizons network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no 4g; it hasn't come out yet. The 4g standard requires 1Gbps data, while LTE is capable of max 300Mbps data and, in practice, can get as low as a single-digit Mbps. See this article for more information. Basically, the marketing departments here in the US realized they could get away with calling crap 4G, and that's what we have now.
The much more relevant question is how fast a particular service is in your area (because it can vary so wildly), and that can't be answered by anything except trial and error.

Switching from iPhone to Android

Hey,
Im currently an iPhone user (4S 64GB factory unlocked) and want to switch to android.
Im in a contract with telus that ends in september and am thinking of renewing it. The phones they carry that interest me are the One X and the S2 X, unfortunately they dont have the galaxy nxs anymore. Otherwise i could switch to a provider that carries the nexus.
I want a phone with a good development which still has newer components. I'm not a fan of the s3. And I like good build quality!
Opinions?
I would just get a GSM Nexus. They are so damn cheap anyway.
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2
Nexus
I would take the Nexus. There you have the latest Android updates and a big screen
the One X is a great phone, I highly recommend it
Welcome to the light.. I also left the Iphone and its the best decision I've made. I would also recommend the GSM Nexus! We have 2 in the family and they love it.
Android really rules!
Sent from 9.7 inch RK2918 Tablet
Sell your 4S for a nice chunk of change. Then buy a Galaxy Nexus which is $350, and pocket the rest of the money.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
definitely nexus bro! my friend use it and the ROM update is a lot faster than S3.
I've written extensively on why you shouldn't sign a contract in general, or choose your phone based on your provider.
thebobp said:
The price differential over 24 months adds up.
For example, T-mobile has a $30 100 minute 5 gig prepaid, and Straight Talk has a $45 unlimited prepaid; there are others to shop around for, but those are the most commonly cited. Assuming you even get the cheapest Verizon plan, $40 (450 minutes talk) + $10 (1000 smses) + $30 (2 gb data) = $80 (per month)
Verizon's $80/month is already $35/month more than ST. That means you save $840 over 24 months by going even the more expensive prepaid. (Compared to this, the puny $200 subsidy is nothing.)
For the t-mobile plan, the differential is a whopping $50, and you save, holy hell, $1200 over 24 months.
In other words, the subsidy is just a psychological scam make you think you've got a discount, when really, the higher prices per month make all the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thebobp said:
Buying a phone outright gets you more flexibility and, if you go with prepaid, lower costs overall. As you said, you have to wait > 18 months to get a new one under your plan [and you'd have lost out, with your increased rates, if you don't]. I can get my next phone anytime [and am subject to low rates all the time]. My nexus, for example, is definitely good for this year, but I don't want to count on my prophetical powers for anything longer. If it gets broken, or just plain outclassed, I want to be able to grab the newest thing on the market right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However, you will probably have to do the prepaid research yourself, since all the current research seems to be for the US. (In particular, you should calculate that my conclusions above are still valid for your options.) The lack of a $350 Nexus in Canada also sucks; I think you can get it for around $400.
You can pick up the galaxy nexus at best buy or future shop with telus no problem
JT-on said:
You can pick up the galaxy nexus at best buy or future shop with telus no problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also pick up a nexus at mobilicity for $300 outright. Pretty sweet price
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Get the nexus or one X. But I recommend the nexus since it is Googles phone. Always guaranteed he latest firmware.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Good call on switching from the dark side!
I would either go with the Nexus or the One X. I've used both phones briefly, and they are both quick and solid. If I had to choose one of them, I'd go with the Nexus... it IS Google's baby after all.
HTC One X
Superb Phone really enjoying it!
I'd reconsider the S3. Exchangeable battery (you'd be surprised how important this could be, especially if you are switching from Apple) plus microSD (ditto). If you are all over the phone shell material, go for the One Z.
Good Choice
Knorkator said:
Hey,
Im currently an iPhone user (4S 64GB factory unlocked) and want to switch to android.
Im in a contract with telus that ends in september and am thinking of renewing it. The phones they carry that interest me are the One X and the S2 X, unfortunately they dont have the galaxy nxs anymore. Otherwise i could switch to a provider that carries the nexus.
I want a phone with a good development which still has newer components. I'm not a fan of the s3. And I like good build quality!
Opinions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is better in almost all categories except screen res and camera quality
I own both the iPhone and some Android devices, mostly Samsungs and I wouldn't say that any of the them is better than the other. They are just different, both have good and bad sides. I am definitely having more fun modifying and hacking Androids while I prefer iPhone for everyday calling. What I really dislike is bias in any direction. It doesn't matter though since you've already made a decision. Then in your place I would get a Nexus. It's solid, looks good and gets the most frequent updates.

Upgrading from a VZW Gnex to a a VZW S3, and I have 2 questions.

1) Are there any potential drawbacks to getting a "developer" Verizon S3 over a normal off-contract Verizon S3? I would get a 32 gb pebble blue either way, I heard that the developer edition is just the normal one with an unlocked bootloader, and I noticed that on Samsung's website the developer version is $50 less for some reason. Why would it cost $50 less for your phone to with an unlocked bootloader? I read some old threads about the normal version "having a bigger community." Huh? The developer edition wouldn't be incompatible with anything that the normal phone isn't, right?
2) Just to be sure, I will be able to take my sim card out of my gnex and put it in my S3 and that won't interfere with my Verizon plan, right? I'm not sure if it's relevant but I don't have unlimited data or anything, just a normal plan.
Wallace_Brownie said:
1) Are there any potential drawbacks to getting a "developer" Verizon S3 over a normal off-contract Verizon S3? I would get a 32 gb pebble blue either way, I heard that the developer edition is just the normal one with an unlocked bootloader, and I noticed that on Samsung's website the developer version is $50 less for some reason. Why would it cost $50 less for your phone to with an unlocked bootloader? I read some old threads about the normal version "having a bigger community." Huh? The developer edition wouldn't be incompatible with anything that the normal phone isn't, right?
2) Just to be sure, I will be able to take my sim card out of my gnex and put it in my S3 and that won't interfere with my Verizon plan, right? I'm not sure if it's relevant but I don't have unlimited data or anything, just a normal plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A developer edition will have support through Samsung, not Verizon. Have problems - send to Samsung and be without a phone for weeks. You can unlock the bootloader easily and then return to stock if needed for warranty repair. Verizon phone here. I bought a certified used Samsung G3 off of Verizon's website for $450 (32GB).
Yes - take SIM out of old phone, put into new phone, boot it up. I just did this a few weeks ago.
I made the switch and im iffy about it. I do miss my gnex but in time the gs3 will shine
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I made the switch from a G.Nex to GS3 & I couldn't be happier.
The entire hardware system of the GS3 owns the G.Nex in every single way. Plus, there is a rich enough dev community for the GS3 to make me not miss ASOP on the G.Nex.
I thought I would hate TouchWiz, but I quickly came to really like it. It is in no way laggy or cumbersome, like most people complain about.
As far as getting a Developer version, that is wasted money, since you can unlock the bootloader yourself in under 5 minutes. Unlock/root/custom rom. No issues.
I switched from a Gnex to the S3 as well, best decision I ever made. And yeah as previously mentioned the process for unlocking the bootloader is extremely simple thanks to the great devs we have working on our device. I would just say go with whatever version is cheaper
No input on the first question.
Yes, just take your sim card out of the gnex and put it into the s3. It's that easy.
as far as the two phones are concerned, the S3 is insanely better/faster as far as hardware is concerned. The GNex owns the S3 in terms of AOSP compatibility. There are little nuances that don't work on the S3 like some of the power toggles, etc. That said, i'm sticking with CM10 because I do not like touchwiz at all.
thanks for the info guys, I feel more confident in my decision to make the switch.
My last important question though is: You can get an off-contract phone insured, right?
FYI i bought an unsubsidized (off contract) SGS3 for $500 including otterbox and sdcard.
As long have vzw as for carrier you can purchase insurance from them. I'm sure they'd love your money.
Sent from my CM10 Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2
I brought my GS3 from eBay for over $300. It had a small cream on the screen, but it was the 32gb version. I'm happy I made the switch. Just sold my Gnex on Craigslist 2 days ago. On the day I sold my nexus I accidently dropped the GS3 I had insurance on my phone line and got it replaced for $100.
The GS3 has some great roms available. It is very easy to root and if you mess any thing up you can always flash a stock room with Odin.
Real Life usage has been way better than the nexus. I look forward to this upgrade next year. The phone rocks with the extra ram. When they release the quad core version next year with 2gb ram, this phone will be even greater.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
They main difference for me when switching to the s3 was battery life. I get through a full day with the s3 when the gnex with extended battery would be dead by 3pm. That makes the s3 infinitely better for me. Also the camera is much better.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Wife went from a Nexus to a gs3. Better signal in her area at work (0% tws gs3 vs 20% tws nexus every day) and battery life. Not to mention the phone is just better all around for her.

looking for my first android..

Im looking to get a new phone(gsm) off contract. Ive been looking at the nexus4 and the galaxy nexus both are the same price new but we all know you cant touch a nexus4 right now. I kinda want the galaxy nexus because at&t is putting lte in my town since Sandy tore up most of their network. What other phones are around the 300-400 range that are worth buying? I have a iPhone 4s right now.
the answers you may get are going to be pretty biased Just watch youtube 'versus' videos
It really depends on how badly you want LTE. The GNex is still a great phone and I'm keeping mine until there's a Nexus more compelling than the Nexus 4.
Galaxy S3 is nice too if you can get it off contract. Like others have said, it comes down to preference.
GS3 of course, but will be way too expensive without a contract.
N4 is a great 1st android.
Having owned both Nexus devices (currently own Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7) as well as HTC Android phones (Hero, EVO 3D), I must recommend the Nexus devices. The vanilla experience simply can not be beat.
The Nexus 4 looks like a great choice.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
siava1018 said:
Im looking to get a new phone(gsm) off contract. Ive been looking at the nexus4 and the galaxy nexus both are the same price new but we all know you cant touch a nexus4 right now. I kinda want the galaxy nexus because at&t is putting lte in my town since Sandy tore up most of their network. What other phones are around the 300-400 range that are worth buying? I have a iPhone 4s right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U won't get LTE on the gsm GNex. Same with the nexus 4. So depends if u want LTE or not
brandonarev said:
U won't get LTE on the gsm GNex. Same with the nexus 4. So depends if u want LTE or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly recommend a prepaid smartphone like one of the Huawei phones the ascend 2 and the ascend m865c both have root and have really nice Roms to go with them. They are very inexpensive to own the phone. It is around 100 dollars for the phone and for 45 dollars a month you can get unlimited data text and phone. With root and mod there are extra perks as well as saving money through Other entities of the device .
Sent from Neo on a Unleashed and Unlocked SPH-D600 through the Matrix uplink.

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