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Explain to me!
- Thread starter MooresLaw
- Start date
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- galaxy nexus
cereal killer
Android Expert
It's all personal preference. I would choose the SGSII over the Nexus in a heartbeat. Some may tell you to get the Nexus because it releases with ICS and gets updates first. If thats your thing you have to go with that. If you want to go with what I believe to be one of the best smart phones of the year that outperforms anything out right now and coming out I'd get the SGSII.
The SGSII will not get lost in shuffle among the newcomers. If you want ICS right away,not have to wait for updates and want the newest go with Nexus. If you want the best Android handset to date snatch up the SGSII. It's got the looks and performance the Nexus doesn't have and once it gets ICS.....wow
The SGSII will not get lost in shuffle among the newcomers. If you want ICS right away,not have to wait for updates and want the newest go with Nexus. If you want the best Android handset to date snatch up the SGSII. It's got the looks and performance the Nexus doesn't have and once it gets ICS.....wow
OfTheDamned
The Friendly Undead
The main reasons to buy this phone over any other is a pure Google Android experience and having the latest version of the OS. Other Android devices from Samsung, HTC, LG and Motorolla have a custom UI woven into the OS. With a Nexus device you are getting stock Android the way Google intended it. This also offers the ability to get updates sooner than any other phone and it will start with Ice Cream Sandwich while it may take 6 weeks to over a year for other phones to see this. Samsung is notoriously bad about issuing updates in the US, BTW.
sean76
Android Expert
100% true....If u must have the newest from Google....this is pretty much your hands down best bet!
bouchigo
Android Expert
The SGSII is not available on VZW, so that's a big negatory for me and most frequenters here that want to stay with VZW.
For those of us that want to stay with VZW the GNex and Razr are the best choices out there right now, and I personally have chosen the GNex for various reasons that I've already posted throughout these threads.
Unfortunately for me the SGSII has been lost in the shuffle since it's release.
Medion
Android Expert
I respectfully disagree. The CPU in both phones are exactly the same (dual-core A9 @ 1.2ghz). So, that leaves the GPU, and perceived performance differences in the UI due to hardware acceleration. To date, the new Touchwiz was king in terms of UI consistency an fluidity. ICS looks to meet or exceed that, which would be pretty impressive. That leaves the screen and the GPU as the main differentiation, IMO.
In terms of screen, it's pick your poison. SGS2 uses an 800x480 4.3" or 4.5" non-PenTile display (depending on your carrier or international version). The Nexus uses the PenTile display, but 720p and 4.65". So, larger screen capable of 720p, or higher quality but smaller and lower resolution screen?
As for the GPU, it's the PowerVR SGX540 (Nexus) vs. the Mali400MP (SGS2). Now, here's an area that's been blown way out of proportion. The Mali has higher fill-rate, meaning that it scales to higher resolutions better. That's useless on an 800x480 display. The SGX540 has higher geometric performance, which scales better as newer games become more detailed and demanding in that regard. Since games are often set to run at a device's native resolution, the SGS2, due to the lower fill-rate requirement, plays games better today. But, due to the geometric differences, that likely will change in the future.
So, in that regard, it's also a case of "pick your poison." The SGS2 is an amazing phone, no doubt about it, but these two devices are far closer than I think that you implied. If I want a straight up media device, I'd lean towards the Nexus. If I want a gaming device, I'd go with the SGS2 for the simple fact that I often recommend purchasing something based on what it can do now, not what it might do in the future. That lower resolution screen is still more than adequate for games and won't hinder performance to the same degree that a 720p display will.
Doubleatheman
Member
Pure Google Experience
Android 4.0 to boot
Screen Pixel density
Android 4.0 to boot
Screen Pixel density
cereal killer
Android Expert
I have to disagree.
SGSII is tried and true and there is something to be said for that. This subject would be worth revisiting once the Nexus hits.
Doubleatheman
Member
From the sample pics and vids from the camera on the Galaxy Nexus, I have been very impressed, don't fall for the numbers game, 8mp is not always better than 5mp.
sean76
Android Expert
Such a question can't be answered until some of us get the GNex in our hands. Samsung has the absolute best optics available in a phone today...numbers don't really matter as the Charge proved alot of people wrong with its 5 megapixel shooter.
It may come down to screen and resolution, and how the pics come out. I'm a super Amoled fan, so I'd have to really see a match up in person to make a solid decision between the SG2 and GNex.
Comparing the Razr is far fetched also. As so many have pointed out, moto's cameras suck real bad. Again, a real hands on is needed to pick an absolute winner
ratchetjaw
Android Enthusiast
? I thought the GS2 had the Exynos dual core processor
Medion
Android Expert
That's where the confusion sets in. Exynos is a SOC (System on a Chip), not a processor. The SOC contains multiple components, to include the CPU and GPU. The SOCs in both phones us a Cortex A9 @ 1.2ghz on the 45nm die process.
To put it into PC terms, imagine companies like Dell not labeling which CPU they use. So, you're trying to decide between the 2ghz Dell, or the 2ghz HP. In both cases, after digging, you find that they both use a 2ghz Intel Corei5. That's the closest that I can explain this.
mightymoose02
Well-Known Member
I'm not a hardcore phone user or anything... just using it for normal purposes like... talking, texting, e-mail, surfing, GPS, music, camera, etc.
The thing that got to me was...
1. No shutter lag camera. My Infuse 4G and iPhone 3GS had lag just like any phone out there probably. (Infuse has major shutter lag for me) For example, I want to be able to take a shot of my dog (who moves a lot)... but that one INSTANCE that she stays still w/ a good posture... BOOM PICTURE. YEP.
2. VERY THIN w/ a NEW design. Loved Apple's products when they came out but they haven't come up with anything appealing in terms of design within the last 2 years.
3. Pure Google experience. I don't even know what that means!!!!!!! BUT sounds great. Love Google. To me, with Steve gone... Google (with Samsung) is the next KING. (if not already)
4. Ice Cream Sandwich tastes and sounds better than Gingerbread or Honeycomb. It's all about the name.
5. The screen. AMOLED or w/e looks great. In fact, that was love at first sight when I saw the Infuse 4G with its bigger screen and SUPER AWESOME AMAZING GREAT AMOLED screen.
6. Gives me an excuse to switch over to Verizon.
The thing that got to me was...
1. No shutter lag camera. My Infuse 4G and iPhone 3GS had lag just like any phone out there probably. (Infuse has major shutter lag for me) For example, I want to be able to take a shot of my dog (who moves a lot)... but that one INSTANCE that she stays still w/ a good posture... BOOM PICTURE. YEP.
2. VERY THIN w/ a NEW design. Loved Apple's products when they came out but they haven't come up with anything appealing in terms of design within the last 2 years.
3. Pure Google experience. I don't even know what that means!!!!!!! BUT sounds great. Love Google. To me, with Steve gone... Google (with Samsung) is the next KING. (if not already)
4. Ice Cream Sandwich tastes and sounds better than Gingerbread or Honeycomb. It's all about the name.
5. The screen. AMOLED or w/e looks great. In fact, that was love at first sight when I saw the Infuse 4G with its bigger screen and SUPER AWESOME AMAZING GREAT AMOLED screen.
6. Gives me an excuse to switch over to Verizon.
D
Deleted User
Guest
Great explanation, Medion. I actually didn't know about the SGX540's superior geometric performance (though I did know the Mali-400 had the higher fill rate).
Medion
Android Expert
That's what worries me about the Mali. The geometric performance is adequate for today.Now, if you keep your phone for 2 years, are you ever going to upgrade the screen? You can't, it's not a desktop PC, so the fill-rate requirements won't change much (certain effects do raise fill-rate requirements). However, as games become more detailed, you'll see the affects of the geometric differences.
The question is, how long does this take to happen? One year? Two? More than two? If Two or more, then you want the GPU that's better today, because by the time it becomes worse, you're upgrading anyway. But if it happens faster than that, you want the chip that will outperform for longer.
Honestly, I don't think that the change will be that rapid, and that the Mali is the safer bet for most. At the same time, I'm not saying "the sky is falling" just because the Nexus didn't get that chip. Both are very competent and would be solid on a 2-year device.
D
Deleted User
Guest
I completely agree that both are extremely competent GPUs. Even assuming that the SGX540 had NO superiority whatsoever, being the second fastest GPU on the market is not exactly a massive disappointment.
Also, I hope you don't mind, but I dropped a link to your post into my FAQ thread here:
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...ture-something-you-read-check-here-first.html
I just thought it was well said and might put some fears at rest.
Also, I hope you don't mind, but I dropped a link to your post into my FAQ thread here:
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...ture-something-you-read-check-here-first.html
I just thought it was well said and might put some fears at rest.
The GPU shouldn't matter unless you are a hardcore gamer who is seeking the most eye candy.
Most games are going to be designed to run on lower spec hardware because it allows the game to reach a wider audience. Why release a game that can only run on 10% of devices when you can make it run on 90% of the market.
If the game runs too slow on a phone, the developers will scale back the resolution and detail to make it run smooth, just like on a PC. You might miss out on some of the latest eye candy, but I doubt that there is going to be any games that can't run on it in the next two years.
The SGX540 is no slouch and it will be stupid for developers to not support it if it ends up on a large number of devices.
If the GPU is the most important feature than the SGII is the phone to get. If you want a bigger screen and latest version of Android, then the Galaxy Nexus is the better choice.
Most games are going to be designed to run on lower spec hardware because it allows the game to reach a wider audience. Why release a game that can only run on 10% of devices when you can make it run on 90% of the market.
If the game runs too slow on a phone, the developers will scale back the resolution and detail to make it run smooth, just like on a PC. You might miss out on some of the latest eye candy, but I doubt that there is going to be any games that can't run on it in the next two years.
The SGX540 is no slouch and it will be stupid for developers to not support it if it ends up on a large number of devices.
If the GPU is the most important feature than the SGII is the phone to get. If you want a bigger screen and latest version of Android, then the Galaxy Nexus is the better choice.
Beetlesauce
Newbie
I just switched to android from iPhone about four months ago and I wanted the SGS2 really bad. Even more so after I played with it at a Sprint store. But I had switched from ATT to Verizon thinking they'd get the phone, which they didn't. So, I want the Galaxy Nexus because 1) it's the next best thing to the SGS2 on Verizon 2) when I switched I got the Samsung charge then returned it for the Moto Bionic for dual core. Hate the Bionic's camera, loved Samsung's camera 3) pure google experience. As someone who just switched after 2 years with iPhone, I simply don't know where android starts/ends and all the manufacturer's skins begin/end. MotoBlur, Sense, Touchwiz is so integrated into Android. I actually use Go Ex launcher now. Quite honestly, I think Google should have demanded that ALL manufacturers provide the option of selecting pure vanilla android at setup 4) I want a phone for the next 18 to 24 months. This should fit the bill.
ratchetjaw
Android Enthusiast
Booya
Well-Known Member
Do you think that issue will be solved with the Galaxy Nexus?
moondrius
Android Enthusiast
Well they have nothing to do with the updates for this phone so it wont matter either way.
bouchigo
Android Expert
Google will be in charge of the updates for the Nexus, not Samsung. That should answer your question
mrvirginia
Android Expert
well said, mate. couldn't agree more with this. i want the GNex because i want a pure Google phone. especially from a developers standpoint, it makes sense.