New phone decision

[leadmundo]

Hi all,

I have been using a nexus one since it was launched and have finally decided to upgrade. Have loved the nexus one and especially android.

Now I'm a bit stuck as to which way to go. I'll be buying the phone sim free, with the following options:

1. galaxy nexus: loads of positives that make me want to get this phone, with 2 drawbacks 1) release date is uncertain and 2) samsung phones are often quite 'plasticy' compared with HTC/iphones.

2. samsung galaxy s2: again, looks great and is probably my cheapest option but the two drawbacks are 1) 'plasticy' and 2) is the Samsung android version a step back from the version on pure android nexus phones?

3. iPhone: always said I'd never do it but now tempted by comparative build quality. Major drawback is of course no android!

I would appreciate any informed views on the concerns I have listed for each - are they valid or am I misguided?

All the best

 

[nyydynasty]

personally, i think the build quality of the GS2 is pretty good. It feels solid in my hand and doesnt feel like its going to break at any moment. I dont see how its a step down from the nexus phone, though.

 

[leadmundo]

thanks nyydynasty. I am assuming gs2 would be a step down from a nexus one in terms of android software since samsung devices, I believe, have a samsunged version of android...

 

[Stuntman]

thanks nyydynasty. I am assuming gs2 would be a step down from a nexus one in terms of android software since samsung devices, I believe, have a samsunged version of android...

I don't necessarily think it is a step down. Manufacturers do add their own UI skin to their phones to add features. I personally have an HTC Desire Z. When I compare it to my friend's Nexus S, I found that the Desire Z comes with more widgets than on the Nexus S. I advised him to try out some widgets and was surprised to find that they weren't present on the Nexus S. I'm not familiar with Samsung's TouchWiz, but I assume it would have certain things not on pure Android phones. You may or may not like TouchWiz.

 

[No_u]

What? The iPhone is horribly built. They put GLASS all around it. Drop it once and there goes your overpriced toy. Almost everyone I know has an ugly case on their iPhone which completely ruins the thinness and usability of the device, IMO.

Gorilla glass > normal glass

The Galaxy Nexus is looking way better than the same old looking iPhone 4s and as far as I have seen they actually put a lot of effort in the built quality of the Nexus (the anti-slip back).

 

[leadmundo]

Regarding iphone build, I hear you... my issue really is that an HTC built nexus was a solid feeling phone and I loved the os. Now it's a bit old and sluggish (compared to the new stuff) and what I'd really like is another nexus but the samsung's build, to me, is low quality, plasticy (and I'd therefore prefer the iphone build to the samsung build). Guess I'll have to wait til I can get my hands on the galaxy nexus to be sure of whether it's solid enough.

 

[Stuntman]

Regarding iphone build, I hear you... my issue really is that an HTC built nexus was a solid feeling phone and I loved the os. Now it's a bit old and sluggish (compared to the new stuff) and what I'd really like is another nexus but the samsung's build, to me, is low quality, plasticy (and I'd therefore prefer the iphone build to the samsung build). Guess I'll have to wait til I can get my hands on the galaxy nexus to be sure of whether it's solid enough.

Maybe you can get a case for the Galaxy Nexus that will make it feel more solid.

All kidding aside, if you want a phone that feels light, the Samsung ones are the ones you want as they use more light-weight plastic. If you want a phone that feels solid as a brick, the HTC ones have more metal in them.

My HTC Desire Z feels like a brick when I first got it. The weight is partly due to the extra material needed for the physical keyboard. Still it is heavier than my old Nokia N97 which also has a keyboard, but uses more plastic.

I'm reminded of some iPhone commercial where the guy claims it has a security feature. The guy's friend tried to take something out of his bag and the guy with the iPhone chucked his phone at his head stunning his friend. If he had used an HTC, he probably would have broken his skull.

 

[chanchan05]

In some ways, TouchWiz and Sense are better than pure Android in that they add additional functionality and ease of use. Some things are built in and no need for additional apps. Not really familiar with Sense or Pure Android as much as I am with Tw, but a few stuff that are present on Tw but not on stock Androids or some apps are the easy swipe in the contacts app: swipe to the right on a contact and it calls default number, swiping to the left automatically opens up that contacts sms thread for texting. Another is video calling to any phone regardless of make or apps installed as long as the receiving party's phone and network supports it. No need for Skype or the like. There are also a few other little things.

 

[leadmundo]

Hey, thanks for all the replies. I checked out the sgs2 today and was pleasantly surprised by the build quality.

Still looking for clean android version though but can wait for the galaxy nexus in the knowledge that samsung can make solid phones.

 

[leadmundo]

update - I borrowed a friend's iPhone for a couple of weeks and didn't really get on with it. There was nothing wrong with it as such but just wasn't right for me. So I eventually went for the galaxy nexus a couple of weeks ago and love it. The slightly bigger screen makes web browsing a very good experience for a mobile phone - of course not as good as something like an iPad or an actual laptop but it's not far off. The Samsung build quality is very good and the new os is just so cool!