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Idiots Guide to Buying the Nexus 4

B

Bob Loblaw1

Android Enthusiast
So my Nexus 1 just died and now I need a new phone. I don't have a lot of time to spend shopping and comparing so I figure I'll just get the newest version of my old phone. A few quick questions.

1. Should I buy it from Google Play or the T-Mobile store?
2. When is the earliest I can buy it or order it?
3. What is the best plan to get? I've heard talk of a $30 pre-paid plan and the pre-ordering of a micro-sim. Is that the best way to go and how do I get the sim? Do I get voice minutes with that plan or do I have to do some kind of internet calling and google voice? I think my plan is $60 right now unlimited web/text and a few hundred minutes I guess.
4. Will I be able to use the phone as a hot spot or tether it to my tablet?

Basically if somebody could just walk me through all the steps they are doing to prepare for the arrival of this phone I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
 
1. Buy the phone directly from Google unlocked and contract free. Can be found:
- https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb

2. This phone is available on Tuesday, November 13th

3. It depends on what you need. T-Mobile has a $30 a month plan w/ unlimited texting, unlimited data (throttled after 5GB), and 100 minutes a month. Straight Talk has unlimited calling, unlimited texting, and 2GB a month data for $45 a month. This phone will require a Micro SIM card no matter which you choose. Once you figure out which provider and plan you want you can go about getting their Micro SIM card.

4. If you root you will be able to install a 3rd party tethering program. Not sure about stock.
 
Banished Angel said:
1. Buy the phone directly from Google unlocked and contract free. Can be found:
- https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb

2. This phone is available on Tuesday, November 13th

3. It depends on what you need. T-Mobile has a $30 a month plan w/ unlimited texting, unlimited data (throttled after 5GB), and 100 minutes a month. Straight Talk has unlimited calling, unlimited texting, and 2GB a month data for $45 a month. This phone will require a Micro SIM card no matter which you choose. Once you figure out which provider and plan you want you can go about getting their Micro SIM card.

4. If you root you will be able to install a 3rd party tethering program. Not sure about stock.
Click to expand...

Well I'm on T-Mobile now so I figure I'll just stick with them. Can I go in to a store and just buy a sim from them or do I need to order it on-line? If it's not too much trouble, can someone post a link if I need to order it online? I definitely use more data than voice. I used my Nexus 1 as a hot spot all day and surfed on my tablet.
 
I'm still trying to debate what plan to go with. Right now I've got the Even More Plus which is 500 talk/unlimited text/unlimited web for $60.

I don't think 100 minutes would cut it for me, even if I used wi-fi calling at home
as I've already used 220 min. in this billing cycle and I still have 5 days remaining.

Also, I plan to either upgrade my plan or root my phone in order to be able to use it as a hot spot so I don't think the Straight Talk plan with it's 2GB of data will suffice either.

I've been told I've got a really good plan as it is and I should just stick with it.
I actually bought a Galaxy Note II just b/c my phone died the day before I was leaving on a trip and I needed something right away. I'm going to return it though cuz I can't afford it ($700) and it does way more than I need. My question is can I just use the micro-sim from the Galaxy Note II in the Nexus 4?
 
Bob Loblaw1 said:
My question is can I just use the micro-sim from the Galaxy Note II in the Nexus 4?
Click to expand...

If you have the Note II through T-Mobile you should be able to use the Micro SIM you already have and keep your plan no problem. Since this phone is unlocked all you have to do is put the Micro SIM in and you're good to go.
 
The networks appear to be pricing the Nexus 4 like it costs around the same as an SIII, in other words: they're chariging way too much.

If you have the cash, it's generally WAY cheaper to buy the N4 from Play and then find yourself a cheaper plan. My N4 actually cost me the same as T-Mob wanted to charge me for an upgrade to an SIII (they don't do the N4 yet in the UK).

Buying from Play means no 24 month contract, stock, unfudged Android and no operator between me and Android updates. Complete no-brainer.

As for getting your hands on the Nexus 4: I signed up for e-mail notification on the Play page and sure enough, an hour before the second tranche of stock was made available in the UK, I got an e-mail from Google so the minute it was released, I was there, ready and waiting. I've now had the phone around 3 weeks and am absolutely loving it.
 
You guys are talking in this thread like it's still November. The phone probably won't be available through the play store until February at the earliest.

I'm not trying to come off as a jerk or an elitist here and maybe it's because I sell these phones for a living but people that act like they don't know how to use Google when in reality they are just too lazy to do it themselves are really annoying.

I can't tell you how many people I deal with day in and day out that just come out and tell me they are too stupid and don't know anything about this stuff but at the same time don't feel like putting forth the effort.

I come here because I don't want to deal with this in my personal life.

My apologies for ranting but I am 100% positive if OP searched the forums he would find all the answers he is looking for without starting a new thread.

We are not your personal IT support. /rant
 
andrews317 said:
I read somewhere that T-mobile might have it this month.
Click to expand...

I say February only because before the phone was officially "Out of Stock" on the play store people were getting estimates of 8 to 9 weeks.

Obviously I have no proof of this, it is just my best estimate using the knowledge I already have.
 
As NeXus4 implies, no-one outside LG and Google has information on when there will be more stock.

As I mentioned above, the best bet is to register on Play and have Google e-mail you when there's stock.

I registered, got the e-mail and got my N4.
 
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