Galaxay Nexus vs Droid Razr

[the gig]

I find both devices suit specific wants from a user, but found the reception of the Gnex around where I live and work to be weaker for wifi and 3g/4g to the point of no comparison with the Razr. Ditto on the call quality, but cool you like your choice

The 3g/4g issues are impacting different devices and it is like a combination lock of issues, depending on where you are and what radio used (this is per VZW). The migration to a 4G network is more complicated than they expected.

We are looking at least (probably) another six months of rolling issues, due to the network migration, but hope it is not as silly as lately.


Added:

As far as custom kernels and roms, I saw a need on the G1 and Incredible, but do not on the Razr. ALL radios work fine (sans the network issues), fast, good battery life and I use Launcher Pro for a simple UI. Razr is also rooted, so no bloat and have the Volume + app, which works GREAT to improve volume for both 3.5mm and the speaker. Volume + does a great job on the Gnex too.

The reasons I would add kernels and roms are not an issue on the Razr.

I hear you, and a lot of other users will agree with you. Maybe it was my device, but the switchover dead time on MY Razr led me to swap out. It's funny- I do have fewer "bars" on the gnex for both wifi and LTE, but the device seems to utilize the signal it has better than the Razr it replaced. I guess maybe I had a defective unit, or maybe I'm just in a minority or users with this experience.

 

[you2]

If the nexus has an lte signal; bw will generally be better - not because it 'utilze' the signal better - well in a sense it does; it has a category 3 lte chip and the razr category 2. Basically the 'category' determines the max bw the chip can handle as well as a faster cpu (moving 20Mb/s is not cheap).

-

I hear you, and a lot of other users will agree with you. Maybe it was my device, but the switchover dead time on MY Razr led me to swap out. It's funny- I do have fewer "bars" on the gnex for both wifi and LTE, but the device seems to utilize the signal it has better than the Razr it replaced. I guess maybe I had a defective unit, or maybe I'm just in a minority or users with this experience.

 

[BubbaNexus]

the razr, although a good phone, is not in the same league as the GN as far as specs and OS.

they're the same price, so why not get the latest and greatest?

 

[jroc]

the razr, although a good phone, is not in the same league as the GN as far as specs and OS.

they're the same price, so why not get the latest and greatest?

Yea...the orig RAZR. You are absolutely right.

The Droid RAZR can hold its own next to the G Nex. And I'm talking about real world use....not just specs. You would be surprised.

 

[bdal1]

I don't know if you did get your answer or not but don't get into constantly flashing Roms if you haven't started.

I've been doing it for years with OG, then a few tablets, then my thunderbolt and although it is sort of fun....it just gets old after a while. New Roms provided subtle changes but nothing to write home about and honestly there's always bugs (hence the having to flash updates every day)

I got the razr because I'm sick of that crap and I'm more of the "set it and forget it " belief these days.

Usually the stock os is just fine.

 

[Kelmar]

I think nexus has the better build feel and the nexus has the better call quality been proven over and over. And i think razr build isnt that great. Nexus wont have no phone near it till mid 2012.

That's what makes Android great! We each have our choices and can pick the phone that suits our individual needs the best.

While I personally disagree with your statements, all of the items are subjective and respect that while I may prefer item X and you prefer item Y.

 

[HTTR]

Hey folks, new to the Razr. I had a Nexus for 3 days....went through 2 units and 2 sim cards with Verizon. The data connection was non existent. Wifes Tbolt and my old Fascinate had full data connection and I had nothing 2 feet away. I loved the idea of the ability for the ROMs, but needed the phone to work.

Took back and picked up the Razr. Best connection that I have had with any phone. I am in a 3g/4g area. Sitting in the same spot where the Nexus had no connection, the Razr rolled with full 4g bars and a solid connection. (I know there has been some posts about the Nexus bars not being true indicators of connection strength). I actually took screen shots of web sites timing out and the absence of bars on the Nexus to show the Verizon folks.

Have a lot to learn about this phone, but I can only speal to my experiences with both phones and the data connection (for me) was a landslide win for the Razr.

 

[rankman]

compared to the fischer price feel of the gnex.

This made me laugh!

 

[Trooper]

jroc,

Anything new to report on the Gnex?

 

[tbcpn]

I've got both the Razr and the GNex. Had the Razr since mid-November, and the GNex the day it (finally) released in December--don't recall the date.

My wife's been using the Razr since I got the GNex. I really, really liked the Razr from the day I got it (rooted to debloat, still with stock recovery)--killer build quality, really fast, and best voice connection I've had with any phone ever. Every time I now occasionally pick up my wife's Razr, I'm still amazed at how fast and smooth it runs, and love the thinness and the build quality.

Having said this, I'm really enjoying the GNex, as well. Probably biggest thing keeping me on the GNex is the wonderful time waster / distraction flashing ROMs and kernels can be.

And, I disagree with the comments re poor build quality of the GNex. To be sure, the Razr is superior, but I find the GNex to be very solid feeling and fit and finish is good.

What a treat to have two truly great devices to choose from--love it!

 

[jroc]

jroc,

Anything new to report on the Gnex?

Nothing new really, just keep comparing internet reception.... And my g nex keeps failing my tests. in good, great reception areas it does fine. weak areas its Jekyll n Hyde. Phone reception does fine, data doesn't.

Wont root or unlock the boot loader unless I keep it. Wanna compare them stock vs stock. I agree build quality isn't bad on the phone to me. And there are some colors and icons I don't like on ics. Like the browser on ics. don't like the dailer. Like the location of the volume buttons better on the g nex. Really curious about the developer options. Overall I really like the look n feel of ics.

Oh....my 12 y.o. daughter said she likes the g nex looks better...lol. She likes the curves.

Rushmore did a great job with his phone vs phone review. My input really isnt needed....lol.

 

[you2]

Have you run wifi analyzer to see which has a stronger wifi signal ?

(wifi analyzer is a free market app); just curious; some folks at xda were complaining that the razr had weak wifi signal reception).

Nothing new really, just keep comparing internet reception.... And my g nex keeps failing my tests. in good, great reception areas it does fine. weak areas its Jekyll n Hyde. Phone reception does fine, data doesn't.

Wont root or unlock the boot loader unless I keep it. Wanna compare them stock vs stock. I agree build quality isn't bad on the phone to me. And there are some colors and icons I don't like on ics. Like the browser on ics. don't like the dailer. Like the location of the volume buttons better on the g nex. Really curious about the developer options. Overall I really like the look n feel of ics.

Oh....my 12 y.o. daughter said she likes the g nex looks better...lol. She likes the curves.

Rushmore did a great job with his phone vs phone review. My input really isnt needed....lol.

 

[asmallchild]

droid razr maxx coming out, id pick that

 

[jroc]

Have you run wifi analyzer to see which has a stronger wifi signal ?

(wifi analyzer is a free market app); just curious; some folks at xda were complaining that the razr had weak wifi signal reception).

Based on Wifi Analyzer and speed tests, the G Nex. I have a one bedroom apt. My router is in the loving room. I tested in the bedroom. The signal dropped some for both phones, and the G Nex did better.

I mentioned this somewhere the other day about the G Nex doing better with Wifi. Thats what happens when you post on different sites....hard to keep up with it all.

The G Nex also held the wifi signal better, it kept going up n down more on my RAZR.

 

[you2]

Based on Wifi Analyzer and speed tests, the G Nex. I have a one bedroom apt. My router is in the loving room. I tested in the bedroom. The signal dropped some for both phones, and the G Nex did better.

I mentioned this somewhere the other day about the G Nex doing better with Wifi. Thats what happens when you post on different sites....hard to keep up with it all.

The G Nex also held the wifi signal better, it kept going up n down more on my RAZR.

Do you remember the dbm difference between the two phones ?

 

[Trooper]

Thanks for the reply jroc.

My main concern is both phone and data. I do use wifi a fair amount so having a stronger signal from that regard is appealing to me. I have a strong 4g signal both at home and at work.

But if the phone call quality sucks and people can't hear me like I'm reading about on the gnex forums not cool.

How has call quality been for you on the gnex?

Thanks.

 

[Kelmar]

Kinda funny story....

My wife and I each have Razrs and love them. My brother (who develops anti virus software) and his wife each have Razrs and love them.

My mother, who barely knows how to text, has never even owned a smartphone, doesn't pay bills online, has never used a debit card and still writes checks (just so you know the kind of person she is), JUST got a GN.


Lol!

 

[jroc]

Do you remember the dbm difference between the two phones ?

Both are dead right now from using both and not charging them up earlier today. Off the top of my head, the G Nex was around -60 and -50's, the RAZR -60's n -70's. Whatever it was the G Nex was consistently better than the RAZR. Might charge them up and post results later.

Thanks for the reply jroc.

My main concern is both phone and data. I do use wifi a fair amount so having a stronger signal from that regard is appealing to me. I have a strong 4g signal both at home and at work.

But if the phone call quality sucks and people can't hear me like I'm reading about on the gnex forums not cool.

How has call quality been for you on the gnex?

Thanks.

Call quality is whats surprising and kinda hard to get a read on. But still surprising. At times I thought I wasnt hitting the speakerphone on the G Nex, it was the mic or speaker cutting out? I read about this issue in the G Nex forums at another site.

With me getting very bad reception in my apt, its hard to tell if its the speaker or the phone getting ready to drop the call. A plus for the G Nex is whatever the case is, it hasnt dropped a call yet. This is from me either holding it to my ear or laying it on a window sill or my computer desk. I've been calling the Atomic Clock number in Colorado. The calls last about 3 minutes before the other side ends the call. I have a family plan. I may have to call each phone and see how long a call can really last.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081031154453AAJ2StP

I can walk around my apt and drop a call at anytime. I havent really done a test like that yet. Might do that too along with another wifi test.

 

[HTTR]

Thanks for the reply jroc.

My main concern is both phone and data. I do use wifi a fair amount so having a stronger signal from that regard is appealing to me. I have a strong 4g signal both at home and at work.

But if the phone call quality sucks and people can't hear me like I'm reading about on the gnex forums not cool.

How has call quality been for you on the gnex?

Thanks.

The call quality was fine for me..data was horrible. And I mean.horrible. As sweet as the phone looked , I need it to work. Thank God for the 14 free look. They even waived my restock fee.

 

[Trooper]

Thanks for the reply guys. Well ive had data issues with the razr too. The hand off sometimes while driving with GPS on has been bad in certain areas.

Not saying the gnex is any better but its hard to say since I don't own one. Im willing to give it a shot though.

On topic well sort of.

I hear gnex folks are using volume + due to the weak speaker.

Anyone here using it on the razr? Speaker is loud on speakerphone but I find the ear piece weak. If anyone here is using it. How is it and what are the recommended settings?

Thanks!

 

[redraptor]

To those who have owned both phones: Take the specs, the numbers, the tests and all the math and throw it out the window. Done? Good. Now think about both phones and how they feel data wise. Is it a significant difference (Dont go digging outside the window for numbers, I see you ) or is it all just hoo ha? I have used SEVERAL different smart phones on a 3G network and ALL felt the same data speed wise. I never used any tests or numbers or specs. I just used the device and they all felt the same, regardless of weather one was actually faster than the other. Is that true here too or is it very noticeable to those who simply graze the interwebs from time to time? What im saying is: I could care less weather the numbers or tests say one thing, if it feels as fast as it should and is performing as well as it should, then there should be NO quabbles from me.

 

[ncwildcat]

Has anybody compared these results to the rezound? I read it has the best reception of the three, but historically HTC phones have always lacked in bat department

 

[rushmore]

Thanks for the reply guys. Well ive had data issues with the razr too. The hand off sometimes while driving with GPS on has been bad in certain areas.

Not saying the gnex is any better but its hard to say since I don't own one. Im willing to give it a shot though.

On topic well sort of.

I hear gnex folks are using volume + due to the weak speaker.

Anyone here using it on the razr? Speaker is loud on speakerphone but I find the ear piece weak. If anyone here is using it. How is it and what are the recommended settings?

Thanks!

I use the free version and works great for speaker and 3.5mm

 

[Podivin]

Kinda funny story....

My wife and I each have Razrs and love them. My brother (who develops anti virus software) and his wife each have Razrs and love them.

My mother, who barely knows how to text, has never even owned a smartphone, doesn't pay bills online, has never used a debit card and still writes checks (just so you know the kind of person she is), JUST got a GN.


Lol!

Is she like JRoc's daughter and likes the curves?

 

[jroc]

To those who have owned both phones: Take the specs, the numbers, the tests and all the math and throw it out the window. Done? Good. Now think about both phones and how they feel data wise. Is it a significant difference (Dont go digging outside the window for numbers, I see you ) or is it all just hoo ha? I have used SEVERAL different smart phones on a 3G network and ALL felt the same data speed wise. I never used any tests or numbers or specs. I just used the device and they all felt the same, regardless of weather one was actually faster than the other. Is that true here too or is it very noticeable to those who simply graze the interwebs from time to time? What im saying is: I could care less weather the numbers or tests say one thing, if it feels as fast as it should and is performing as well as it should, then there should be NO quabbles from me.

To me... They both are fine in decent reception areas. Even tho the g nex should post faster speeds when they are both in ideal reception areas, since it has the latest lte tech, it hasn't been that great of a difference in my areas that have better reception. Its like carriers skipping over exynos chips cuz they can "only" do 21Mbps on lte...lol. I just now started seeing over 20Mbps down on my razr, about 25 now, and it wasn't a problem before.

I think browser software, software optimization makes a bigger difference. One is on gb, the other ics so it might be hard to compare. I remember reading motto did tweaks to the browser on the razr.

And the main difference between both phones is how they do with data in weaker reception areas. One reason I still am testing the g nex is my situation is so extreme, I might not matter for me. That and phone reception, even in my extreme situation did better than I expected.