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Nexus S vs ???

S

smklos

Lurker
Looking at all the new dual core and 4G phones coming out, is there really going to be a disparity in overall performance in phones compared to the NS? If you lined the Bionic, Thunderbolt and Atrix up against NS will the typical user experience vary significantly with regards to speed, processing and general usage, that is be lessor somehow? I know the questions many variables but it seems the NS which is optimized for the platform should hold its own against these formidable devices? It seems these devices have hug engines that the phone companies cant back up (yet) with service and coverage on a consistent basis?
Savvy vets please weigh in!
Thanks!
 
When u line up those phones against the Nexus it most likely will come down to carriers and features in my book. I mean you can make an Argument for wifi, but I always like to look at network speed in the real world. The Bionic and Thunderbolt will be on vzw's new LTE Network, so if the speed lives up to the hype, those phones are going to eat just about everyone up right now as far as speed goes. And feature wise, its a slaughter, more Mega pixels in the cameras if your into the Mega pixel wars, HD Video, and most likely much better build quality. I wont get into the Atrix because in my eyes at&t doesn't even have a strong 3G service, so where they're talk of 4G came from I have no idea....more like 3G and a half...LOL! But we'll see what they bring to the table. The phone is interesting with all the dock capabilities I must say.

My take is if you must always have the newest running OS in Android, get the Nexus S. I played with it, and I like it. The form factor is really good IMO, the screen is awesome, and for the most part it felt like a newer version of my Fascinate, which I like a lot, for the exception of zero updates. However, with that said, I feel that Samsung jipped out on the nexus a bit. No HD video, that's a bummer. No camera zoom, no Gorilla Glass, and no micro SD slot? Those things to me became a deal breaker when I held it in my hands a few days ago, especially the SD slot. That's just plain hard to not have in my eyes.

Then there's being tied to T-Mobile, and just they're 3G service with the Nexus, when they already offer somewhat 4G? Its a tough decision, but I would wait it out to see what's in the pipeline, and try out some of the phones you mentioned. Pure Google is awesome, but with a few more bells and whistles would make me a bit happier. Good Luck!
 
I was set on the NS, but with the LG Optimus 2x coming out so soon I'm finding it hard to ignore. It's not just the (possible) increased speed, but other things like the better camera and HDMI output. I just feel that my HTC Hero needs to be replaced with a real step up in hardware and the NS only goes part of the way compared to the LG. Saying that, I will have to accept that Android 2.3 would be the end of the road for the LG unless I use a custom vanilla ROM.
 
I always say it and I will say it now: phones will always be better and faster. However, there is one question you could ask yourself: Where do I need my phone for? Of course, dual-cores will bring some extra battery life to the table, as well as more efficient multi-tasking, but what about speed? The Nexus S just is fast, with almost no lag at all. So, what's faster than fast? Look at it this way: if there would be a Nexus S that's just the same as the current Nexus S, except for a dual-core processor, how fast would it be? If you ask yourself this question, you'll realise that for the features that the Nexus S has, you don't need a faster processor.

So where would you need a dual-core processor for, then? One simple answer: gaming. The only reason computers are becoming faster and faster, is because of games. It's as simple as that. Of course, there are other features that need better processors, but I don't see a reason at the moment to buy a dual-core phone, except to play better games.

Bottom line is, don't buy a dual-core phone just because of the specs. If you are happy with the features that the Nexus S has, then you should just buy it. The Nexus S is very fast, and even if it would have ultratripplequad-core, it wouldn't be that much faster. Oh, and remember this: the Nexus S is from Google. It is fun to have a faster phone, but what about updates, huh?

I hope this helps!
 
Androyed said:
I always say it and I will say it now: phones will always be better and faster. However, there is one question you could ask yourself: Where do I need my phone for? Of course, dual-cores will bring some extra battery life to the table, as well as more efficient multi-tasking, but what about speed? The Nexus S just is fast, with almost no lag at all. So, what's faster than fast? Look at it this way: if there would be a Nexus S that's just the same as the current Nexus S, except for a dual-core processor, how fast would it be? If you ask yourself this question, you'll realise that for the features that the Nexus S has, you don't need a faster processor.

So where would you need a dual-core processor for, then? One simple answer: gaming. The only reason computers are becoming faster and faster, is because of games. It's as simple as that. Of course, there are other features that need better processors, but I don't see a reason at the moment to buy a dual-core phone, except to play better games.

Bottom line is, don't buy a dual-core phone just because of the specs. If you are happy with the features that the Nexus S has, then you should just buy it. The Nexus S is very fast, and even if it would have ultratripplequad-core, it wouldn't be that much faster. Oh, and remember this: the Nexus S is from Google. It is fun to have a faster phone, but what about updates, huh?

I hope this helps!
Click to expand...
This all makes sense now - however as most people will have the phone for up to 2 years, it is impossible to ignore what the long term implications are. My Hero (although perfectly quick enough when I got it) seems noticably slower now than my son's Desire which came out just a few months later. Admittedly I play the odd game or two, but many recent games are now unplayable on the Hero. I'm sure that a year from now (or less) there will be many new applications written (and older ones updated) that will perform faster and more efficiently with dual core devices - this will also result in superior power management. At present, there may be little or no perceivable benefit, but that doesn't mean the same will be true a year down the line. Android's strength is it's multi-tasking so surely it is logical that this is managed with a multi-core processor? - I do accept though, that being able to update Android so easily and without delay with the NS is a compelling argument in it's favour.
 
phillevy said:
This all makes sense now - however as most people will have the phone for up to 2 years, it is impossible to ignore what the long term implications are. My Hero (although perfectly quick enough when I got it) seems noticably slower now than my son's Desire which came out just a few months later. Admittedly I play the odd game or two, but many recent games are now unplayable on the Hero. I'm sure that a year from now (or less) there will be many new applications written (and older ones updated) that will perform faster and more efficiently with dual core devices - this will also result in superior power management. At present, there may be little or no perceivable benefit, but that doesn't mean the same will be true a year down the line. Android's strength is it's multi-tasking so surely it is logical that this is managed with a multi-core processor? - I do accept though, that being able to update Android so easily and without delay with the NS is a compelling argument in it's favour.
Click to expand...

I feel that the biggest advantage to the Nexus S is the fact that it's Google's current development platform. In other words, Android is created to run on the Nexus S, compared to these new dual-core phones which are created to run Android. Google has custom tailored the Android OS for the Nexus. Because of this, it also sets a very good standard for app developers to code for.

To take this even further, I don't see the dual-core aspect coming into play until late this year. Android hasn't been optimized for multi-core systems, and neither have any of the apps, which means that second core is usually just going to be sitting there on its ass.

Now, as mentioned earlier, these new, beefier phones will have an advantage when it comes to gaming, but the Nexus S is no slouch. Its SGX540 is second only to the Tegra 2's graphics power, and it's a close second. Again, it wont be until late in the year that anything considerably more powerful comes out, after which it will take several more months for applications to start making aggressive use out of it.

So in terms of the future of the Nexus S, I feel it will remain a top performing device until the end of this year, and it won't be until the middle of next year that you'll start finding apps that require a more powerful device.
 
quantumrand said:
I feel that the biggest advantage to the Nexus S is the fact that it's Google's current development platform. In other words, Android is created to run on the Nexus S, compared to these new dual-core phones which are created to run Android. Google has custom tailored the Android OS for the Nexus. Because of this, it also sets a very good standard for app developers to code for.

To take this even further, I don't see the dual-core aspect coming into play until late this year. Android hasn't been optimized for multi-core systems, and neither have any of the apps, which means that second core is usually just going to be sitting there on its ass.

Now, as mentioned earlier, these new, beefier phones will have an advantage when it comes to gaming, but the Nexus S is no slouch. Its SGX540 is second only to the Tegra 2's graphics power, and it's a close second. Again, it wont be until late in the year that anything considerably more powerful comes out, after which it will take several more months for applications to start making aggressive use out of it.

So in terms of the future of the Nexus S, I feel it will remain a top performing device until the end of this year, and it won't be until the middle of next year that you'll start finding apps that require a more powerful device.
Click to expand...
Your points are all justified and make the NS hold it's own in face of the coming "competition". My heart says go for the NS for the reasons you state, however I can't help thinking that before the year is up (maybe much sooner than we think), that the next Google phone will hit the market with a multi-core processor and an Android along with emerging apps to fully utilize it. With at least a further year of my contract to go at that point, what phone would I be happier to have - the NS or a 1st gen dual core?
 
phillevy said:
Your points are all justified and make the NS hold it's own in face of the coming "competition". My heart says go for the NS for the reasons you state, however I can't help thinking that before the year is up (maybe much sooner than we think), that the next Google phone will hit the market with a multi-core processor and an Android along with emerging apps to fully utilize it. With at least a further year of my contract to go at that point, what phone would I be happier to have - the NS or a 1st gen dual core?
Click to expand...

It's a tough choice. One benefit of the Nexus S is that you can get it now, compared to waiting a month (or possibly until March) for one of these new phones (though I've heard the Optimus 2X is available in Europe - not sure on that though). Coming from a Hero myself, it's definitely time to upgrade. I'd have a tough time waiting any longer.

Also, keep in mind that the only version of Android to support multi-core CPUs is Honeycomb, which is part of the Tablet only branch of the Android pipeline. I really don't think we'll see multi-core support for the Smartphone pipeline until Q4, so these dual-core phones will have manufacturer patched code to utilize the extra core. Developers won't have access to mutli-core SDK's until that Q4 estimate. Sure, that MotoBlur on the Motorola Atrix will run nice, using both cores, but Angry Birds will still use only one.

Also, as mentioned by someone else, games are the big reason for more power. These new Tegra 2 phones really don't have a lot more video processing power than the Nexus S.

I really don't think there will be an app that the Nexus S can't run (and run well) until H2 of 2012.
 
Androyed said:
I always say it and I will say it now: phones will always be better and faster. However, there is one question you could ask yourself: Where do I need my phone for? Of course, dual-cores will bring some extra battery life to the table, as well as more efficient multi-tasking, but what about speed? The Nexus S just is fast, with almost no lag at all. So, what's faster than fast? Look at it this way: if there would be a Nexus S that's just the same as the current Nexus S, except for a dual-core processor, how fast would it be? If you ask yourself this question, you'll realise that for the features that the Nexus S has, you don't need a faster processor.

So where would you need a dual-core processor for, then? One simple answer: gaming. The only reason computers are becoming faster and faster, is because of games. It's as simple as that. Of course, there are other features that need better processors, but I don't see a reason at the moment to buy a dual-core phone, except to play better games.

Bottom line is, don't buy a dual-core phone just because of the specs. If you are happy with the features that the Nexus S has, then you should just buy it. The Nexus S is very fast, and even if it would have ultratripplequad-core, it wouldn't be that much faster. Oh, and remember this: the Nexus S is from Google. It is fun to have a faster phone, but what about updates, huh?

I hope this helps!
Click to expand...


Quoted for truth
 
The Nexus S can play all the games I want it to. I love gaming on my phone, but I still use the emulators more than anything else.

I love stock android, and the Nexus S is more than powerful enough for everything I need. I see no reason to go anywhere else.

Plus I'm going to save about $25 a month on my bill by switching to T-Mobile, so its a win-win!
 
I want a better phone too, faster cpu, higher resolution, like I want super amoled plus on nexus s too. but the reality is, if google gives me a 800*480 display and a 1g cpu, I'll assume that it's what google thinks is enough for a phone, at least last a year, so there is no need for me to pay extra money for dual cpu which google thinks is not necessary.
 
leemarkin said:
I want a better phone too, faster cpu, higher resolution, like I want super amoled plus on nexus s too. but the reality is, if google gives me a 800*480 display and a 1g cpu, I'll assume that it's what google thinks is enough for a phone, at least last a year, so there is no need for me to pay extra money for dual cpu which google thinks is not necessary.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately a year is not enough for many of us facing 2 year contracts. With my current phone (Hero) it was the 12-18 month period that it started to show it's age and this is what I'm thinking about now when looking at hardware specs as opposed to software.
 
MartinS said:
ANY phone will look old after 2 years.
Click to expand...
Yes, but will a 1st gen dual core appear equally old as the NS at 18 months - especially as by then I assume there will actually be dual core support in Android and many apps? I agree at 2 years any phone will appear old, but I'm looking at 12-18 months when it might not be so clear cut.
 
That's a chance you take with technology progression I guess. I'm not clued up quite enough but I know that there are plenty of people on here who say that the Tegra 2 isn't so far ahead of Hummingbird + GPU (Nexus S) performance wise.

Personally I find it easier as I am happy to buy a phone off contract every year.

Right now, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the NS. It speeds along. New 3D games such as Jetcar Stunts, Dungeon Defenders, Turbofly 3D, etc speed along.
 
MartinS said:
in addition, some FPS and Benchmark figures comparing the 2 processors.

Nvidia Tegra 2 - Graphics Performance Update - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

I won't be rushing out to exchange my NS tomorrow!
Click to expand...
These are purely graphics benchmarks and dont compare processors as such. Other non-graphics benchmarks show the differences are more marked. Also the dual cores are not being put to use yet - 12 months time will see much more optimized software.
Also I'm not talking about exchanging a phone now that I already have - I have yet to get mine.
 
Based on a 12 monthly phone replacement cycle I agree that the NS is as good (and in somes respects better) than the upcoming competition. However myself (along with many others I suspect) cant afford or justify getting a new
 
phillevy said:
These are purely graphics benchmarks and dont compare processors as such. Other non-graphics benchmarks show the differences are more marked. Also the dual cores are not being put to use yet - 12 months time will see much more optimized software.
Also I'm not talking about exchanging a phone now that I already have - I have yet to get mine.
Click to expand...

Exactly! What is your phone's interface based on? And games..?
 
AndreaCristiano said:
in the end when that dual core is stuck on 2.2 and the Nexus next year is running 2.7 will your dual core be that impressive?
Click to expand...
This is very true and a reason I'm still looking at the NS - however LG have promised 2.3 for the Optimus 2x and feedback seems to indicate that they aren't the worse company out there for updating. Developers seem the have rooted it and are showing gathering interest. My Hero has been running froyo for some time now so this needn't be an obstacle.
I do acknowledge your point though and it is a concern. Hopefully by the time the LG phone lands on March 18 there will be a better indication of update schedule for 2.3 and developer interest.
 
MartinS said:
Exactly! What is your phone's interface based on? And games..?
Click to expand...
Playing Quake is a very different proposition to speed of an app launching, web browsing, video processing and anything that operates in 2 dimensions. And I'm talking more about when you've got your shiny new phone in 12 months time and I'm stuck with mine for another 6 months at least!
 
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