I currently have a VZW Galaxy Nexus. Love the phone's design, screen, and stock ICS... but have really been disappointed by the radio/antenna and the camera. The radio is such that I am rarely on 4G, and even when I am, I'm barely getting anything better than 5-7 mbps down. Not to mention the 3G/4G handoff issues that have plagued the phone from launch. The camera, while fast with minimal shutter lag, is disappointing in actual image quality.
With that in mind, I preordered the white Galaxy S3 a short while back, but I'm having second thoughts. I have no doubt the camera will be better, so that's a plus. I think I'll like the slightly larger screen, the improvement in the pentile display, the white form factor, and some of the Touchwiz improvements that make the phone more fun to use.
However, I am admittedly pessimistic about the radio/antenna. By all accounts, the reception seems fine in the GMS version of the phone, and even the Sprint CDMA version so far. However, I have low confidence that Samsung will get this right on Verizon's LTE network. Do we really even know exactly what the problem was with the Gnex? Bad radio? Bad antenna? Software problem? Who knows... If the reception isn't markedly better on the S3, then I will come away disappointed.
I'm also concerned about bugs and glitches with the Samsung software overlay. I really like the stock ICS experience without having to worry about carrier or manufacturer bugs and annoyances. I also like the ease at which I've been able to unlock, root, and install custom roms on the phone. But I guess the S3 will be quickly rootable (I know it's already available for the current versions that have released) and development on the VZW version should be plentiful, right?
Sorry, just thinking out loud... probably the smartest thing would have been to wait to order the phone until after reviews of the VZW version came in, but that really wasn't an option since I am upgrading and want to keep my unlimited data.
I guess there's always a return policy... (minus the $35 restocking fee)... definitely keeping my Gnex until I know I like the S3.
With that in mind, I preordered the white Galaxy S3 a short while back, but I'm having second thoughts. I have no doubt the camera will be better, so that's a plus. I think I'll like the slightly larger screen, the improvement in the pentile display, the white form factor, and some of the Touchwiz improvements that make the phone more fun to use.
However, I am admittedly pessimistic about the radio/antenna. By all accounts, the reception seems fine in the GMS version of the phone, and even the Sprint CDMA version so far. However, I have low confidence that Samsung will get this right on Verizon's LTE network. Do we really even know exactly what the problem was with the Gnex? Bad radio? Bad antenna? Software problem? Who knows... If the reception isn't markedly better on the S3, then I will come away disappointed.
I'm also concerned about bugs and glitches with the Samsung software overlay. I really like the stock ICS experience without having to worry about carrier or manufacturer bugs and annoyances. I also like the ease at which I've been able to unlock, root, and install custom roms on the phone. But I guess the S3 will be quickly rootable (I know it's already available for the current versions that have released) and development on the VZW version should be plentiful, right?
Sorry, just thinking out loud... probably the smartest thing would have been to wait to order the phone until after reviews of the VZW version came in, but that really wasn't an option since I am upgrading and want to keep my unlimited data.
I guess there's always a return policy... (minus the $35 restocking fee)... definitely keeping my Gnex until I know I like the S3.