S3 still a good buy?

[JohnnyDerp]

Hi all, im currently using a Galaxy Nexus and im planning an upgrade.

Would the s3 still be a good buy or should i save for the note 2? Considering the tech is rapidly evolving. Thanks.

 

[ExtremeNerd]

Hi all, im currently using a Galaxy Nexus and im planning an upgrade.

Would the s3 still be a good buy or should i save for the note 2? Considering the tech is rapidly evolving. Thanks.

The GNexus is one of the worst phones I've ever bought. The S3 would be a HUGE upgrade for you. It is still a top end phone, but since it is nearly a year old, it has a budget price. The note2 and S3 are completely different phones and markets. Specs shouldn't play a factor. You should worry more about whether you can handle the 5.5" screen.

I would still recommend the S3 to anyone looking.

 

[funkylogik]

How about a Nexus4?
Id try Touchwiz first incase you hate it compared to Android

 

[JohnnyDerp]

The GNexus is one of the worst phones I've ever bought. The S3 would be a HUGE upgrade for you. It is still a top end phone, but since it is nearly a year old, it has a budget price. The note2 and S3 are completely different phones and markets. Specs shouldn't play a factor. You should worry more about whether you can handle the 5.5" screen.

I would still recommend the S3 to anyone looking.

Okay. Id like to know why though? Need info as much as possible. Thanks.

 

[Uncle Reemus]

The S3 is still very much a quality device.
I live mine... The note 2 was just too big for me..

 

[DragonSlayer95]

If anything, you could always revert to YouTube and watch several extensive review videos on both devices (I recommend by phonedog) and even there are several side by side comparison of the gs3 and note 2.

It's what I do whenever I'm in a bind between 2 or more devices

 

[GingaB]

Or if you can wait a month or two pick up s4??

 

[rapidturtle]

I was having some problems with my Motorola Atrix 2 connecting to our microcell at home. They sent me a Galaxy S3 as a replacement, and what a world of difference. This phone is awesome. I don't know how much better it can get.

 

[ExtremeNerd]

Okay. Id like to know why though? Need info as much as possible. Thanks.

More info on what? Why the GNex is terrible? Or why the S3 is better? I'll assume the latter

1) Beautiful screen. Side by side there is no comparison. S3 wins easily
2) Screen SIZE - The GNex has a 4.7" screen, but there is a significant loss because of the soft keys. Not a fan
3) Radios - The S3 gets a MUCH stronger signal nearly everywhere I go.
4) Form - S3 is much better looking. The GNex feels better in the hand, and build quality is far superior. The one place GNex may win.
5) Touchwiz > AOSP (In my opinion). The camera is amazing compared to the GNex. I hate the launcher, so I do use apex. Best of both worlds.

 

[trparky]

1) Beautiful screen. Side by side there is no comparison. S3 wins easily

I'd have to agree with you on that one. I've seen some Galaxy S3 and Note 2 phones and they both have better screens than the Galaxy Nexus. The Galaxy S3 and the Note 2 both have much more vibrant screens with brighter colors that just... pop right out at you.

2) Screen SIZE - The GNex has a 4.7" screen, but there is a significant loss because of the soft keys. Not a fan

Yeah, I'd like more screen too.

3) Radios - The S3 gets a MUCH stronger signal nearly everywhere I go.

Oh God, don't get me started on that. That will easily cause me to launch into a rant that will put all other rants to shame.

4) Form - S3 is much better looking. The GNex feels better in the hand, and build quality is far superior. The one place GNex may win.

That I'm not sure of. I've not actually held a Galaxy S3.

5) Touchwiz > AOSP (In my opinion). The camera is amazing compared to the GNex. I hate the launcher, so I do use apex. Best of both worlds.

You know, you really do have something there. I've done the whole AOSP thing for nearly a year now and while there are definite things to like about AOSP-based ROMs (constant updates from third-party ROM developers) but there are the downsides to it as well. AOSP Android is rather bland, nothing to make it look different from other people's phones that are also running AOSP Android. TouchWiz does add some very interesting things to Android and I look forward to a phone that has TouchWiz because of those features.

 

[jhawkkw]

More info on what? Why the GNex is terrible? Or why the S3 is better? I'll assume the latter

1) Beautiful screen. Side by side there is no comparison. S3 wins easily
2) Screen SIZE - The GNex has a 4.7" screen, but there is a significant loss because of the soft keys. Not a fan
3) Radios - The S3 gets a MUCH stronger signal nearly everywhere I go.
4) Form - S3 is much better looking. The GNex feels better in the hand, and build quality is far superior. The one place GNex may win.
5) Touchwiz > AOSP (In my opinion). The camera is amazing compared to the GNex. I hate the launcher, so I do use apex. Best of both worlds.

To be fair, I expect the GS3 to be better because it's 7 months newer than the Gnex and in this field, that's a long time.

 

[ExtremeNerd]

To be fair, I expect the GS3 to be better because it's 7 months newer than the Gnex and in this field, that's a long time.

@trparky, the S3 feels extremely cheap. It's light and made of slippery plastic. My biggest complaint with Samsung is their poor build quality. I use a TPU case just so I lose my grip on the phone less.

@jhawkkw, True, but I think I would still choose the S3 over the N4. The only appealing part to me is the price. After all the radio problems the Nexus line has had (aside from the N1), I'm apprehensive of Google phones. And after all, what good is a phone if you can't use it?

 

[jhawkkw]

@jhawkkw, True, but I think I would still choose the S3 over the N4. The only appealing part to me is the price. After all the radio problems the Nexus line has had (aside from the N1), I'm apprehensive of Google phones. And after all, what good is a phone if you can't use it?

Don't blame you there. I don't know how the gsm s3 radios are, but the Verizon ones, while better than the gnex, still aren't great. Cdma Samsung phones always seem to have crappy radios. I don't know about LG's quality though regarding the nexus 4 since I've never owned an LG smartphone.

 

[eyc]

I've used both the GNEX and the S3. My opinion is that the S3 is moderately better than the GNEX, but not a huge game-changer.

I agree with most of the points above, but should say the following:

1. I actually think the GNEX form factor is nicer than the S3. The dimpled back is easy to grip and it has more heft and solidity.

2. I hate Touchwiz. It is wildly different than AOSP (think email, messaging, typing, calling, etc.) I am running Carbon rom for the AOSP feel, but it's far from perfect.

That said, the S3 is much faster and has what seems like quadruple the battery life, better screen, and better call quality. These things are much more important. And, so on balance, I say the S3 is moderately better than the GNEX.