Dual core now or later?

[kylera]

I just bought a Nexus S, but I think I have to return it because it has 3G connectivity issues. This leads to a dilemma: Should I swap for another Nexus or get a dual-core model instead like the Atrix or the Galaxy S II?

I originally got the Nexus because I didn't like how LG took forever in bringing 2.1 to the Optimus Q (a Korea exclusive model) and I wanted to take advantage of speedy updates in the future...but the specs of the Atrix or S II are really attractive.

Specs aside, is 2.2 or 2.3 optimized enough to take advantage of dual core? Much thanks in advance.

 

[shenfrey]

People make a huge fuss over these duel core phones, but with weather its with my Nexus S which I have only been using briefly mind, or my previous iphones or even my old Ipad, I have never once sat there and went.. I wish this was much faster.

Just my 2 cents. Ask yourself that question and you may also have your answer.

 

[Usta]

For most people single cores are perfectly fine.
I was playing today with an SE Xperia Play, and noticed here and there menu lags.
That is a strong incentive to look for more powerful phones...

 

[Guamguy]

I just bought a Nexus S, but I think I have to return it because it has 3G connectivity issues. This leads to a dilemma: Should I swap for another Nexus or get a dual-core model instead like the Atrix or the Galaxy S II?

I originally got the Nexus because I didn't like how LG took forever in bringing 2.1 to the Optimus Q (a Korea exclusive model) and I wanted to take advantage of speedy updates in the future...but the specs of the Atrix or S II are really attractive.

Specs aside, is 2.2 or 2.3 optimized enough to take advantage of dual core? Much thanks in advance.

Dual core or not, the Nexus S will always get the first updates before anyone. That's the bottom line. If updates is priority for you, the Nexus S is your bag.

Should you decide to swap for a dual core, the current dual cores are one OS revision behind, which is 2.2, though its logical we can expect Gingerbread for the Atrix and the SGSII comes with Gingerbread. However, even with Gingerbread on the SGSII, assuming a long term approach, the Nexus S will be first to get there with 2.4 or even 3.1.

Android 2.2 already takes advantage of multicore. Anything that multitasks and multithreads already takes advantage of multicore. But this exploitation is a matter of degrees.

Android 2.3 takes further advantage of the multicore, because unlike Android 2.2, 2.3's file system is multithreaded one, not single threaded. When it comes to file I/O or database searches. 2.3 will be a lot faster.

Android 2.4 or 3.1 as rumored to be, will take even greater advantage of multicores with further "architecting" parts of the OS to use more multithreads.

Please note, especially if you're still using Task Killers, TKs further invalidate the advantages you get with using multicores. So don't use them.

 

[kylera]

Guamguy and Shenfrey, thank you both for your replies. I've decided to go with what my gut was demanding first, and stuck with the Nexus S. Strangely enough, I don't feel like I'm regretting it

 

[Roze]

I can't say for the other phones but the Nexus S was much much smoother than my Atrix. GB also has hardware acceleration, making transitions between screens quite smoother.

Android 2.2 already takes advantage of multicore. Anything that multitasks and multithreads already takes advantage of multicore. But this exploitation is a matter of degrees.

I don't think you notice this as much with 2.2. Not sure with 2.3, but once the OS is really optimize for Dual core, supposedly with 2.4 (?), that's when you should get the next dual core phone

 

[shawn1224]

My .02 cents is to get a single core smartphone of your choice like perhaps the Inspire 4G and if you need dual core technology, then there are a multitude of dual core Android tablets on the market that are actually utilizing the dual cores with 3.0 Honeycomb. Honeycomb was written for dual core and there are no Honeycomb Android phones ... period.

Me personally, I'll be getting the ASUS Defender as soon as it's back in stock. I'll be able to tether my Inspire so no need for a 3G/4G radio.