How are the Galaxy Nexus users finding their phone? And how about the apps?

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  ATD on 10/02/2012 - 17:06

  "Please share your experience and tell me how easy it is to use and how many apps are available."

  Given that it's an Android phone…go check out Android market to see if there is enough apps to satisfy you/her.

  Read this - seems a good article to ponder on: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/02/why-aussie-galaxy-nexus-wo…

  Edit: This seems like a good summary of current phones http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/01/what-will-be-your-next-sup…

  • 

    Postulative on 11/02/2012 - 11:31

    -2

    Gah… I clicked on the link before reading where it was pointing! Please, no more Gizmodo/Lifehacker etc. links, you've made me go and wash my hands.

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  shawn_low on 10/02/2012 - 17:34

  So you basically want to give her a gift that you yourself can play with? :-)

  If the iPhone suits your needs (easy to use, decent apps to download), why not just get her an iPhone? In white of course.

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  ShortyX on 10/02/2012 - 17:50

  +3

  It's probably politically incorrect to say this but most girls would choose an iPhone over an Android.

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  Austin 316 on 10/02/2012 - 18:06

  Haha. I think you are all getting my point. Damn. Anyways, I was hoping the android phone would be easy enough since its google. And I am tired of the iPhone. I can get her the nexus now, and then if she doesn't like it I can tell her to use it until the iPhone 5 is out and then I get the nexus. :)

  • 

    RandomNinja on 10/02/2012 - 18:37

    Why not give her your iPhone and you get the Nexus?

    Edit: Oh, gift… add a bunch of flowers?

    • 

      Postulative on 11/02/2012 - 11:34

      That's what I did when I bought my Motorola:). And I agree with Stix, my experience is that women generally prefer a phone that just does what they want, without all the options to change it to how they might like it.

      Apple = works out of the box, doesn't let you change too much
      Android = hours of fun fiddling with the settings to make sure it's just right.

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  auna on 11/02/2012 - 03:08

  +1

  I don't recommend buying her one. There are certainly problems with the phone.

  Software buttons are definitely a mistake and a step backwards. They move everywhere, cause slight burn in and are just a pain in the arse for IMO zero gain. I was annoyed at the removal of the search button also.

  The speaker is a joke. Surely Samsung and/or Google tested it before making the phone?

  I keep looking for improvements and I see some performance increases. The settings are still all over the place, I find the old way better slightly. There are tons of important settings hidden in stupid dialler codes.

  Overall, avoid. Get the S2 LTE HD or Galaxy Note.

  The owner of the Nexus keeps asking "Why can't my Phone do that?" The answer? Your phone doesn't have Touchwiz and any Samsung software. No free games, no support for features plain Android is missing etc. You get practically nothing in return for this…

  • 

    BuyoTheCat on 11/02/2012 - 14:20

    can you elaborate on what it cannot do?

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  cashcow on 11/02/2012 - 11:21

  Have to agree, the SGS 2 is the way to go.

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  leonheart1 on 11/02/2012 - 12:08

  I don't have a Galaxy Nexus but I have a Nexus S and an SGS2.
  The only thing that bothers me with the Nexus S is the lack of a MicroSD slot.
  Considering I've got 48 gbs on my SGS 2(32 microSD + 16 internal), it's a massive downwards step.

  I'd rather get the Galaxy Note. It's a bit big but you can take notes with ease using the stylus and the battery lasts for 2 days. I recharge daily on my SGS2.

  • 

    Postulative on 12/02/2012 - 11:30

    You know your SGS2 will take a 64gb microSD?

    I've got one in my Motorola Atrix 4g - is good:).

    • 

      leonheart1 on 13/02/2012 - 20:07

      I've also seen the prices!
      The $/gb ratio is way too high. Might as well carry around 2 32gb cards instead. =P

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  ngf on 11/02/2012 - 16:08

  I have a galaxy nexus. Battery life is 'poor' if you run it hard (ie. constant browsing/calling) but can only be expected with the big screen. Apps were initially a problem with quite a few being incompatible with ICS but it's just about sorted now.
  It takes a reasonable bit of tinkering, and to really get good value out of it (and most other androids) I think you need to be using Tasker. In saying all of that it will work fine straight out of the box.
  On the one time that it has hit the ground (from a bench) it took the hit fine.

  I agree with auna, the speaker is lacking.

  At the end of the day it makes calls and sends messages which is the main thing.

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  Austin 316 on 13/02/2012 - 11:59

  This has made my decision harder now :( Seems like everyone (well almost) believes that iPhone is the way to go for non-geeky users. The problem is, I don't want to get an iPhone now since a new version might come up in the next few months. Should I convince my other half to wait till mid-year for her anniversary gift?

  With the android apps, are they made specific to individual phones? It was like that for the Nokia N900 and in the 1 year we had it, there were no new apps added to the OVI store. So, does the android app market have apps that can be downloaded to any device?

  • 

    scotty on 13/02/2012 - 12:46

    +1

    I don't want to get an iPhone now since a new version might come up in the next few months…

    On the other hand, new Android phones most certainly come up every month or two…

    With the android apps, are they made specific to individual phones.

    The apps that you have purchased is linked to your Google account, and can be installed on all Android devices that come with Market. For example I currently have 3 Android devices linked to my Google account (1x phone + 2x tablets) and once I purchased an app from the market, I can install on all 3 of them.

    • 

      Austin 316 on 13/02/2012 - 15:51

      Thanks for that bit of info Scotty. So, it is just like the iPhone then. Any app can be installed on any android device. Well that certainly is nice to know. As I said earlier, I don't mind getting the android phone (infact I am more in favor of getting one), but I don't want to give hard times to my missus as I already have given her a little daughter (turning 1 soon). That takes care of giving her all the troubles :)

      I now want to give her a phone that is very very easy to use, as easy as the iPhone.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 13/02/2012 - 21:58

        Somethings to consider

        What does she want? You talk about not getting a phone now in case there might be a new one in a few months time. Is she interested in the latest tech? or is it you?

        If she isn't then why not give her your iPhone, you buy either a low cost android and wait for the next iPhone, or you buy the best Android on the market and go that route. I just dont see you buying her the Android if she wants an iPhone.

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  Austin 316 on 14/02/2012 - 09:35

  Ozpete, I am surely considering buying an android phone now. I do not want an iPhone now, as I already have the 4S, so don't want to get another 4S for my wife. I will better wait for the iPhone 5 or whatever name they give it. If I am to get an android phone, then I want the galaxy nexus. It's mostly me that is interested in the latest tech, but she wants something relatively new and easy to use.

  I can't really give her my iPhone as its a bit old now, so doesn't make for a good present :(

  • 

    scotty on 14/02/2012 - 11:12

    +1

    For $700+ you intended to buy an iPhone 4S, you can indeed get the top of the range Android phones right now. However what's troubling me at the moment with high end Android phone is — they are all freakingly big, especially when you compare them with iPhones. That along might deter females from getting high-end Android phones.

    Moreover iPhone might be a better "babysitter" for kids (not sure about 1yo though) because of the quantity and quality of its educational games.

    That won't really help you though, if the toy is ultimately for you :) After all Android ftw if you are a guy who love tinkering with things :)

    • 

      Austin 316 on 14/02/2012 - 11:51

      Yes, the size is definitely a factor. The nexus is very large compared to the iPhone and if it doesn't have nice apps, then I think I have another plan now. I will buy her something else for now, and will get her the next version of the iPhone when it is out and will get myself the latest android at that time (probably the sgs 3).

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  superadmin on 15/02/2012 - 16:56

  I don't personally have one. But I do know of several people who have one and 100% they are happy with it. For those that went Samsung Galaxy SII. Why not go for the HTC Evo 3D? in terms of price versus performance… it is not that bad…. $359 for the going price RRP. Versus SGII for $200 which a big increase. Although both are dual core at 1.2Ghz. The chipsets are not the same.

  I tested both on the LATEST roms over the period of a few months and found that the HTC Evo 3D loaded web pages faster. Likewise contacts. Some applications loaded around the same time on both. But it was always about the same time except web pages where there was more of a wait. I found games loaded around the same time as well.

  I found for pictures that when printed the HTC Evo did fine on the SGII or out performed. Probably because it is a 5 megapixel camera versus 8 megapixel camera. So not much difference on a screen or computer unless you are printing for say a professional advertisement which is big like a wall / large poster. So the 5 megapixel shots were clearer. However slightly more contrasted than an Apple.

  One difference. Side by side you can tell the difference. Not on their own.
  SGII is using the latest Super AMOLED screen. The HTC Evo 3D is using some super LED screen, but not the same.
  The difference you can see is that the HTC Evo 3D when taking a video of both appears to be on a higher contrast than the SGII. Either that or because of the 3D screen. So it's personal preference. But you can also visibly see this. Not such a big issue.

  In terms of testing on the Sydney Morning Herald. HTC Evo 3D loaded faster than the SGII. Both were tested on Firefox.

  Not such a big issue unless you can't wait milliseconds to seconds.

  A difference was sighted by myself and 2 others. Font.
  The font was clearer on the HTC Evo 3D. The very small font on the SGII was not as clear.
  However, with either device you could read the SMH.
  Comparison would be like the way you can see clear fonts from an Apple phone versus Android.

  Not such a big issue. You would not notice if they were not side to side.

  Screen size. Same.

  Size: HTC Evo 3D is thicker. Not much of a big issue, as both fit in the pocket.

  Build - HTC Evo is easier to hold. Personal preference. Feels less plastic like and stronger. But does not compete against Apple and one solid piece of metal. I think both you can change the back cover to aluminium.

  Other difference: One has 3D. It's a bit gimmicky. 3D is only relevant for: 1) if you have 3D games 2) if you have 3D movies. Currently both 3D games and 3D movies are limited. You can really only use it as a 3D camera. A 3D camera about the same specs is from $100-$200. In reality you will be sending most pictures in 2D. There is also a dedicated youtube 3D channel. Again limited to what people upload and 3D is definitely not standard. There is a 3D movie channel in the US something like netflix can't remember the name.

  Other difference: HTC Sense verus SGII. This is a personal preference.

  Now the major difference with Google Nexus - other than processor - Ice Cream Sandwich.
  Both the SGII and HTC Evo 3D will have this.

  So that's the reason I didn't get it….. yet + price versus perceived value.

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  dealhunt on 15/02/2012 - 21:16

  Did anyone ever heard about this Xiaomi phone?

  It's Android and very similar to Sansung, at the web link there is even a comparison chart: http://www.aliexpress.com/activities/xiaomi/index.html

  I've no idea if this is any good also I'm not in need to buy one, but I thought it was pertinent to this discussion so other users could give better opinion.