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Another phone thread: Nexus S or G2?

I'm sure a lot of people on here are considering these two phones.
I'm currently using a Blackberry Bold that's quickly dying. I'm tired of having a limited number of apps, slow browser, etc. For the past year, I've been envying my roommate's Moto Droid (with 2.2). Since then, I've been hooked on Android.
The two phones I'm considering is the Nexus S and the G2. From what I've researched, both of these phones are pretty comparable. The G2's slideout keyboard is a plus, but not necessary.
I'm honestly not turned off by some of Nexus S's missing features (no SD expansion, etc.), and even the missing 4G (I'd like to try it though). Both are pure Android experiences, perfect for my first Android phone.
Any input is appreciated!

G2 because the keyboard and the chance to over clock up to 1.4GHz!!!

Even g2 doesnt have 4G [Not sure ] If it has and you want to use it then choice is pretty clear
Among those two, I belive nexus S should be better provided you are okay with 16GB and no qwerty.

T-Mobile have been a bit naughty and are calling the HSPA+ support (which the Nexus S doesn't seem to have) "4G". But of course it's not 4G at all, just like HSPA wasn't 4G either, EDGE wasn't 3G, etc, etc.

Nexus S, but if your willing to expand your choices Desire HD is nice, but you have to pay full price

steviewevie said:
T-Mobile have been a bit naughty and are calling the HSPA+ support (which the Nexus S doesn't seem to have) "4G". But of course it's not 4G at all, just like HSPA wasn't 4G either, EDGE wasn't 3G, etc, etc.
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Sprint's WiMAX and Verizon's LTE isn't technically 4G so T-Mobile has every right to deem their HSPA+ network 4G as well.
I think you should also consider the Mytouch4G. It is a slate form factor like the Nexus S, a front facing camera like the Nexus S, the "4G" speeds of the G2, and a MicroSD slot like the G2. Only downer here is the MyTouch4G doesn't use Stock Android and from my person experience the battery life isn't very good (I previously owned the G2 and it had better battery lfe)
All 3 devices have their Pros and Cons, I truly don't think you will go wrong with any of them but if I had to choice I would say the Nexus S. It may not have "4G" but it still has HSPA reaching a downlink of 7.2 which is higher than what MOST people normally see on the HSPA+ network (I normally see between 4 and 5mbps on the Mytouch4G, a speed that will also be attainable with the Nexus S)

G2
After you overclock it to 1.4ghz you'll notice that every other phone out there is a lot slower.
HSPA+ isn't exactly 4g but it. Can reach some insane speeds. Depends where you live.
It's easy to root and unroot
Keyboard is amazing, the hinge could be better but honestly it works fine.
Everyphone has it's pro's and cons do some searching and you'll see the g2 doesn't have many cons
Oh and PURE ANDROID!!!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

whats G2 ?

The G2 anyday! even though it only has 800mhz & the Nexus has the new 1ghz processor. The g2's 800mhz processor can outperform any 1ghz processing phone out there. The physical keyboard & its the second generation snapdragon processor whereas nexus has a first generation hummingbird (I think theres a difference lol)
PLUS! the G2 has alot of development & what not. So its worth the money

Google is your friend
Bashar . said:
whats G2 ?
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derekthejw said:
G2
After you overclock it to 1.4ghz you'll notice that every other phone out there is a lot slower.
HSPA+ isn't exactly 4g but it. Can reach some insane speeds. Depends where you live.
It's easy to root and unroot
Keyboard is amazing, the hinge could be better but honestly it works fine.
Everyphone has it's pro's and cons do some searching and you'll see the g2 doesn't have many cons
Oh and PURE ANDROID!!!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
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Can the 1ghz CPU on the Nexus S (and other similar devices) be overclocked? (I'm actually not sure, asking)
G2 is only easy to unroot because when you reboot it, it unroots itself
Keyboard is nice, but not necessary. I thought I needed one which is why I bought a G1. Since using the Fascinate though I have gotten used to an onscreen keyboard and type just as fast.
Nexus S will have pure Android, pure Gingerbread!

tekkitan said:
G2 is only easy to unroot because when you reboot it, it unroots itself
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You're only about a month late.

Antenna/radio not as good as OG Photon?

Friends Photon on Sprint and running AOSP JB is getting much better dDm/speed, and no disconnects from EvDo compared to my Photon Q... Even my other friend SGS3 on Sprint stock is able to pull faster speeds and no disconnects....... Did Motorola cheap out on the antenna/radio just cause they thought LTE would be enough? I'd rather have steady 3g than LTE any day. Can software/firmware improve this at all?

Is anyone else who had the original Photon experiencing this.. where the new Q LTE version has weaker radios? That's the main reason I like Motorola phones, and if this is the case I doubt I'll make the upgrade.

I guess I don't have another Moto to compare to, but this Q blows away my old 4s and other Sprint devices on service alone... let alone the rest of the speed

arrrghhh said:
I guess I don't have another Moto to compare to, but this Q blows away my old 4s and other Sprint devices on service alone... let alone the rest of the speed
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Agreed wholeheartedly on the service quality- voice calls are much improved over other Sprint devices I have used, and data service is solid. Just waiting for Sprint to turn on LTE in the DC area...
Just joined XDA with my Photon Q, had an LG Optimus S before, so primarily used androidforums as the Optimus forum there was solid. Arrrgggh, just wanted to say thanks for the recovery you put together, works great thus far. And thanks to the other devs working on this new device. Couldn't post in the development section until I have enough posts here!

Data service is solid... where ever it is abundant... but at my University it isn't and here is where my friends' Sprint phones beat my PQ...

On the fence for this phone, just have a few last minute questions

Background: Coming from an aging LG G2x which I flashed to ICS using EB's build. Came with problems outta the box which necessitated rooting/flashing to keep it usable. It's gotten really slow over the nearly 3 years since I first got it and it's now unable to run games like Iron Man 3. I just had a few questions I was hoping you guys answer:
1. I understand Kitkat updates have been rolling out. What're the chances Moto will continue updates for this phone going into 2015? Is it likely to get long-term support like the X may receive?
2. How's the HSPA+ 42mbps connectivity? I'm migrating from HSPA+ 21mbps and debating getting this phone or the Galaxy Light which comes with LTE on top of HSPA+ 42mbps. Would really like high-speed tethering and finding that my speeds are kind of slow indoors.
3. How easy is it to root/flash this phone? Is there a locked bootloader, the unlocking of which would void my warranty?
As I understand it, there's already a fast growing dev community for this phone, which really pushes me in the direction of this phone since my G2x would've been dead in the water if not for working XDA roms!

There is an unlocked bootloader. Motorola voids warranty on all non-developer devices including all moto gs at present. HSPA I think is at 21mbps, not 42 like a Nexus 4, and no LTE of course. The galaxy light though is unlikely to have a strong developer community and is overall a worse device....
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk

1. Nobody knows except motorola.
2. This phone only supports HSPA+ 21, not 42 or lte.
3. Bootloader is unlockable, but unlocking voids the warranty as with most non-dev phones.

Arg. 21mbps only?! Ahhhh!
And yeah, developer support is a huge one for me. If the Galaxy Light gets none, that's a dealbreaker from day one.
Guess I'm going to have to wait until Motorola updates their X series to LTE and the G series to HSPA+ 42mbps, assuming that's the plan.

HSPA 42mbps uses two towers, as such it does not scale and is not being included in newer T-Mobile phones which will use LTE instead for "4g" communication.
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk

PloniAlmoni said:
HSPA 42mbps uses two towers, as such it does not scale and is not being included in newer T-Mobile phones which will use LTE instead for "4g" communication.
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk
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Interesting. So does that mean LTE is the next natural step?

For a prepaid device meant for BRIC countries? Probably not, they're still building out their 3g networks.
sent from my Moto G using Tapatalk

Moto G/Cricket Wireless

Does anybody here have the Moto G (GSM) on Cricket Wireless? If so how is it. Debating on buying myself out of my Verizon Contract and going with Cricket. I'd save $600 a year.

rebretz000 said:
Does anybody here have the Moto G (GSM) on Cricket Wireless? If so how is it. Debating on buying myself out of my Verizon Contract and going with Cricket. I'd save $600 a year.
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While I can't comment about how a Moto G would work with Cricket Wireless, I can advise that a Moto X works great with it. I live in the Gainesville area in Georgia and I get 8 meg per second downloads and between 3 and 5 megs a second for my uploads according to speedtest.net.
My Wife is using Cricket on a Galaxy Nexus and her speeds aren't quite as nice as mine due my phone having LTE, but for her it's around 3 megs download and about 500K to 1 meg per second upload speeds.
we had previously been using Straight Talk and Net10 running on the same AT&T network and speeds were comparable to what my wife is getting currently, however we both used to have a lot of frustrating periods where our data connections would run slow or time out on us. We haven't had that problem with cricket, which is awesome.

doctor_evil said:
While I can't comment about how a Moto G would work with Cricket Wireless, I can advise that a Moto X works great with it. I live in the Gainesville area in Georgia and I get 8 meg per second downloads and between 3 and 5 megs a second for my uploads according to speedtest.net.
My Wife is using Cricket on a Galaxy Nexus and her speeds aren't quite as nice as mine due my phone having LTE, but for her it's around 3 megs download and about 500K to 1 meg per second upload speeds.
we had previously been using Straight Talk and Net10 running on the same AT&T network and speeds were comparable to what my wife is getting currently, however we both used to have a lot of frustrating periods where our data connections would run slow or time out on us. We haven't had that problem with cricket, which is awesome.
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THANK YOU.
Currently I have the Moto X Dev on Verizon and my wife has the Droid Ultra. Would really like to take them with us but the LTE wouldn't work. Just tired of paying so much money.

rebretz000 said:
Does anybody here have the Moto G (GSM) on Cricket Wireless? If so how is it. Debating on buying myself out of my Verizon Contract and going with Cricket. I'd save $600 a year.
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Works great. However, it is an XT1032, so no tmobile aws should you switch. No wifi tethering though you can bluetooth it with pdanet+.
And the bootloader is locked and no way to unlock via motorola. that's the biggest gripe.
Want mine? I just went to a us gsm model.

sprockkets said:
Works great. However, it is an XT1032, so no tmobile aws should you switch. No wifi tethering though you can bluetooth it with pdanet+.
And the bootloader is locked and no way to unlock via motorola. that's the biggest gripe.
Want mine? I just went to a us gsm model.
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No thanks. I was going to go with the US GSM Model from Motorola if I go. Or get a Nexus 5.

rebretz000 said:
No thanks. I was going to go with the US GSM Model from Motorola if I go. Or get a Nexus 5.
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I switched my wife over to a unlocked Moto-G for her cricket wireless service, it's been flashed with CM11 nightly and is running very well for her, speeds are comparable to what she was getting. I think if you don't mind paying a little more the new 4G LTE version of the Moto G would work well for you.

Is it really worth going from Nex4 to Nex5?

I have a Nexus 4 and am pondering if it is really worth buying a Nexus 5.
I do not want Nexus 6 when it comes out as those phones are getting tooo big. the Nexus 4/5 are my limits as far as size go.
So again, is it really worth it buying a Nexus 5?
Thanks all in advance.

Honestly,... With the release of partial L-release source in AOSP showing official support for nexus 4, I'd say no. Hang on to your money for now. See what Google has up their sleeves in 2015

If you game a lot, the nexus 4 will surely be sluggish compared to the Nexus 5. Besides that, nexus 5 will be future proof (at least for another year).
If you don't play games, I really don't see the need to switch. Sure, the nexus 4 is out of it's update cycle. But it still has a strong developer support so I'm pretty sure any new updates will be ported over!

I have a Nexus 4 still and see no reason to get a nexus 5. The nexus 6, following current trends, will probably be 5.2", so it shouldn't be in phablet territory. I only got mine in October in the sale though, so it would be too early for me to upgrade now anyway. Wait and see, the nexus 6 might even be 64 bit compatible.

I own both phones and the only big benefit is gaming. I wouldn't recommend upgrading if you don't game a lot. As others have said. Both are amazing phones

Yes

Kool, thanks for all your inputs! I think I will wait. But...I don't trust myself. If I visit a store and play with the Nexus 5 and like it, I might just impulsively buy it then n there.
Again, thanks for all your resonses.

If I had the nexus 4 I would wait for nexus 6 at least. It's not like the nexus 4 is slow yet.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

I have both. Yes in term of hardware 'upgrade' it is worth it. But it depends on your primary use of your N4. If you're into serious gaming, then you should. Otherwise, just hang to it until it 'die' of naturally.

I'm really happy with the N5 but if I had the N4, I wouldn't be able to justify the upgrade to myself.

If you can wait...
If you can wait maybe get a Moto X+1. But it will be a lottery because not much is known about this device (mainly the rumored specs) but judging by the Moto G and Moto X it could be very good.

AndroidMilos said:
I have a Nexus 4 and am pondering if it is really worth buying a Nexus 5.
I do not want Nexus 6 when it comes out as those phones are getting tooo big. the Nexus 4/5 are my limits as far as size go.
So again, is it really worth it buying a Nexus 5?
Thanks all in advance.
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Click to collapse
No one seems to have mentioned the biggest difference between the N4 and N5 -- LTE. The N4 does not support LTE, while the N5 does. In my opinion, that alone was worth the upgrade to the N5. But then I have solid and fast LTE on AT&T in and around the Los Angeles metro area. If you don't use data much, or don't have LTE service in your area, that won't matter as much. But for me, the LTE, in addition to the much faster quad-core processor, the N5 is a no-brainer upgrade over the N4.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

trjlive said:
No one seems to have mentioned the biggest difference between the N4 and N5 -- LTE. The N4 does not support LTE, while the N5 does. In my opinion, that alone was worth the upgrade to the N5. But then I have solid and fast LTE on AT&T in and around the Los Angeles metro area. If you don't use data much, or don't have LTE service in your area, that won't matter as much. But for me, the LTE, in addition to the much faster quad-core processor, the N5 is a no-brainer upgrade over the N4.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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You have a good point there. Faster processor plus official LTE support. I have lots of LTE coverage (TMO) in my area and my Blackberry Z10,Q10 do get it. Good points and thank you also.
Anyway, I went to a TMO store, handled a Nexus 5, fell in love with it and ordered one from Google Play! I could not wait. I have started reviewing the Nexus 5 forums on XDA to prepare for arrival of my new Nexus 5.
My Nexus 4 will now become my "house phone" (using voip via csipsimple/pbxes/gvoice and/or Callcentric).

I have LTE most areas around me but not always strong. Even when it is I don't seem to notice a huge speed difference but I haven't really tested it side by side either.
That said I love my nexus and its the first android phone that my gf actually likes and considered getting one or a nexus 4. If you can afford a new nexus 5 though why not?
My house phone is a 4 year old HTC desire lol.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

AndroidMilos said:
Anyway, I went to a TMO store, handled a Nexus 5, fell in love with it and ordered one from Google Play! I could not wait. I have started reviewing the Nexus 5 forums on XDA to prepare for arrival of my new Nexus 5.
My Nexus 4 will now become my "house phone" (using voip via csipsimple/pbxes/gvoice and/or Callcentric).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love at first clutch. Welcome to the club :victory:

Wise move! Congratz and enjoy!!

bblzd said:
Love at first clutch. Welcome to the club :victory:
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Love at first clutch. lol. I keep chuckling over that one. haahaha

350Rocket said:
I have LTE most areas around me but not always strong. Even when it is I don't seem to notice a huge speed difference but I haven't really tested it side by side either.
That said I love my nexus and its the first android phone that my gf actually likes and considered getting one or a nexus 4. If you can afford a new nexus 5 though why not?
My house phone is a 4 year old HTC desire lol.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
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A little info regarding the LTE vs. HSPA speeds in different areas.
The actual LTE speeds you see on your device, even with strong signal, still depend on how much bandwidth the towers have available on their backhaul links. If your carrier has upgraded the towers to support LTE, but hasn't increased the backhaul links, you might be getting strong LTE signal but without a significant increase in bandwidth.
For comparison, in the Los Angeles area on the AT&T network (which is nearly 100% LTE upgraded, with enhanced backhaul links), while on HSPA+, I average between 6-8Mbps downlink speeds, and on LTE, I easily average between 20-30Mbps downlink speeds, depending on the area. It also depends on how many other LTE users there area on the network; in downtown LA, my speeds are around the 20Mbps speed, whereas in Irvine (Orange County), I get closer to the 30Mbps speed.
My neighbor, who is an AT&T network engineer, has told me that AT&T strives to deliver what they call the "80% backhaul" mark, which is to say that they like to have the backhaul to each tower delivering the bandwidth that 80% of the users on the tower are using 50% of the time (because not every user is using data simultaneously). This allows them to provide enough bandwidth for the majority of users without the cost of over-allocating too much bandwidth, and also allowing for 20% usage spikes. But it also means, that if you're in an area with relatively few LTE users, they may not have allocated enough bandwidth to the towers, meaning that just because your device can utilize higher-speed LTE, the towers simply don't have the bandwidth to give it to you.
Depending on the type of backhaul (copper, fiber optic, or satellite links) the carrier is using for the specific tower, it can be difficult to increase bandwidth. The newer fiber optic backhaul links are nice in that they allow the carrier to dynamically adjust the available bandwidth, in order to allocate more bandwidth as usage in an area rises, or reduce as usage drops. This is especially useful during sporting events, when a much higher percentage of users in small area will be using more data. But towers using copper or satellite (in rural areas) for backhaul don't necessarily have the ability to dynamically increase bandwidth. These towers are much more likely to have constrained bandwidth.
TLDR; Long story short, while there can be a significant difference between HSPA and LTE speeds, it's entirely dependent on the available bandwidth that the carrier has provided to the tower. Even with strong LTE signal, if the towers just don't have enough bandwidth, you'll still get HSPA-level speeds. But if the carrier's have upgraded the backhaul to provide additional bandwidth for the LTE devices, then you can get significantly faster speeds and lower latency with LTE compared to HSPA.

Good information to have. I am on Telus Mobility in Kingston Ontario Canada for what its worth.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app