Pros/Cons of HTC Rezound vs. Galaxy Nexus

[DatAgginDee]

I am a Rezound owner and I actually purchased my phone a day before the GN Launch. Had no clue it was launching the following day as I thought it was pushed back until January. Coming from the Bionic, Droid 3, Charge, Thunderbolt, X, Incredible 1 & 2, and D1 (Yeah I'm a phone nerd lol) I finally have to pick an Android device that will at least last me until next summer (pending iPhone 5 launch.) Although I'm not a big fan a HTC Sense I chose the Rezound over the Razr just because I was upset Moto and Vz launched the phone 30 seconds after I purchased the Bionic. I was actually impressed by the speed, camera quality, battery life (I live in a strong 4G area DC), build quality, and RF. The next day I went into my local Verizon store and played with the GN for about an hour and realized although ICS is great the phone itself felt cheap, camera quality was just Ok, and I was getting full bars on my Rezound where the GN was pulling in only 2 bars. Call quality was not that great either. I think the biggest deciding factor to me was the fact Samsung went backwards with the camera. I'm sorry but 8mp should be the standard on ALL high end smartphones. As far as the processing speed, technically the Rezound should be faster but both moved page to page and opened apps with ease. I can be a good judge on battery life as I did not take the phone out of the store but I've read that the Rezound has a higher batter life. For those who says the GN's screen is the best in the game, I don't think they have downloaded a full HD movie to the device. When I played Rise, Planet of the Apes on my Rezound the rep at the Verizon store even thought that it would look crisper on the Rezound (Think I helped him get a sale lol), All in all I ended up keeping my Rezound and will just wait for the official ICS update for it. Praying they get rid of Sense, I believe long term the Rezound is the better buy unless you even know what the GPU does for you (95% of the country doesn't) go with the Rezound as it is probably Vz's best Android phone to date. Remember I HATE Sense. Oh and the free headphones, why not lol!

 

[XFistsClenched]

I think many people think it feels cheap because they are coming from Moto or HTC phones. I've own three android phones, the DX, D3 and now, the rezound. All of them feel like they are made of higher quality material. Even the parts that are plastic feel like higher-end composite. Since you're paying the same price, there's nothing wrong with expecting the same quality in exterior build. But like I read somewhere, the material used on the GNex feels like it belongs on a $100 phone.

I'm coming from a Droid X and I greatly prefer the feel and look of the Galaxy Nexus. I don't expect any build quality issues for the life of the GNex.

 

[TheXFactor]

So, I went back (for the third time) to play with the nexus. I won't waste space writing how the rezound is better at this and the nexus is better at that, or the constant debate about sense, displays, lag, etc.

What I do know is this. The nexus has some real world problems with reception. For some, they can live with that. I simply cannot. Eventually if you wish to do so, you can probably remove sense, permanently. You will never be able to change the way the nexus keeps/gets/maintains a signal (4G or 3G). The software (updates) may trick you into thinking otherwise, but I know a dud when I see one.

 

[BlueBiker]

I chose the Rezound over the Razr just because I was upset Moto and Vz launched the phone 30 seconds after I purchased the Bionic.

So VZW should've put the RAZR on ice for another month to make you happy?

I was getting full bars on my Rezound where the GN was pulling in only 2 bars.

Bars are largely a placebo and don't mean anything when comparing different phone models. The dB values are useful, but even then the Nexus is apparently measuring LTE strength where most other phones are measuring 3G or 1X. What matters is how reliable your connections are and the download & upload speeds.

I'm sorry but 8mp should be the standard on ALL high end smartphones.

Please stop with the megapixel myth, it is not one of the top five values that determine the quality of a cellphone camera.

As far as the processing speed, technically the Rezound should be faster

Not measurably. A 1.5GHz Rezound achieves about 5% higher dhrystone MIPS than a 1.2GHz Nexus, which is too small a difference for anybody to notice.

Praying they get rid of Sense

Can't see that happenning, but I'm curious whether HTC will add any major new features or just do a straight port of Sense 3.5.

You will never be able to change the way the nexus keeps/gets/maintains a signal (4G or 3G). The software (updates) may trick you into thinking otherwise, but I know a dud when I see one.

We don't know that. Radio flaws can be completely fixed in software, worked around reasonably well in software, or not improved at all. In at least some cases the Nexus is getting an unfair bad rap when the radio works perfectly well but users are discouraged by unexpectedly low bars or dB values.

 

[TheXFactor]

We don't know that. Radio flaws can be completely fixed in software, worked around reasonably well in software, or not improved at all. In at least some cases the Nexus is getting an unfair bad rap when the radio works perfectly well but users are discouraged by unexpectedly low bars or dB values.

Go re-read some of the threads in the nexus forum. It's not just about lower (or I should say higher dBm values). It's about users experiencing dropped calls, no 4G/3G (in a highly saturated coverage area), slow data transfers, the inability to maintain a signal. One user (who claims to have been a verizon galaxy nexus tester) stated that all of the updates pushed to his/her device did nothing to fix the issue.

If I owned the nexus and had these issues and you told me there may or may not be a fix (software) in the works (according to some twitter post), I'd laugh at you. While you say radio flaws can be fixed with a software update, I say nonsense. The placebo effect of showing more bars does not make the radio more effective.

You can tell when a phone has exceptional signal/reception capabilities. That capability comes when you move about from stronger to slightly weaker areas of saturation. The good radios can get and maintain a signal. The poor ones (nexus) cannot. These are real issues, faced by real owners of the nexus. Can anandtech explain that?

There is no official word from verizon yet about why the radio in the nexus is so weak. I suspect that's just the way the device operates. You may see an update, but I doubt it will change much of anything.

 

[BlueBiker]

Go re-read some of the threads in the nexus forum. It's not just about lower (or I should say higher dBm values). It's about users experiencing dropped calls, no 4G/3G (in a highly saturated coverage area), slow data transfers, the inability to maintain a signal. One user (who claims to have been a verizon galaxy nexus tester) stated that all of the updates pushed to his/her device did nothing to fix the issue.

If I owned the nexus and had these issues and you told me there may or may not be a fix (software) in the works (according to some twitter post), I'd laugh at you. While you say radio flaws can be fixed with a software update, I say nonsense. The placebo effect of showing more bars does not make the radio more effective.

You can tell when a phone has exceptional signal/reception capabilities. That capability comes when you move about from stronger to slightly weaker areas of saturation. The good radios can get and maintain a signal. The poor ones (nexus) cannot. These are real issues, faced by real owners of the nexus. Can anandtech explain that?

There is no official word from verizon yet about why the radio in the nexus is so weak. I suspect that's just the way the device operates. You may see an update, but I doubt it will change much of anything.

That was a superb post, XFactor. I didn't mean to suggest that the radio problems are all or mostly imaginary or that I know for sure that a software fix will cure everything.

Just observing that some users complain about suspicious readouts without actually experiencing any poor connectivity, and some phone radios do improve dramatically w/software updates. I agree that the Anandtech article was naive (even unprofessional) and that a more robust analysis would certainly have included multiple handsets tested in multiple locations.

FWIW, I was a longtime Nexus follower who only jumped ship for Rezound 'cuz of the crazy $50 deal, but I wouldn't do an even Nexus swap now because of the questionable radio behavior (and to a lesser extent the volume and camera issues). I'm definitely jealous of the Nexus dev support, but I wouldn't commit to a phone w/critical problems and no remedies in sight.

 

[TheXFactor]

That was a superb post, XFactor. I didn't mean to suggest that the radio problems are all or mostly imaginary or that I know for sure that a software fix will cure everything.

Just observing that some users complain about suspicious readouts without actually experiencing any poor connectivity, and some phone radios do improve dramatically w/software updates. I agree that the Anandtech article was naive (even unprofessional) and that a more robust analysis would certainly have included multiple handsets tested in multiple locations.

FWIW, I was a longtime Nexus follower who only jumped ship for Rezound 'cuz of the crazy $50 deal, but I wouldn't do an even Nexus swap now because of the questionable radio behavior (and to a lesser extent the volume and camera issues). I'm definitely jealous of the Nexus dev support, but I wouldn't commit to a phone w/critical problems and no remedies in sight.

I appreciate that. I didn't mean to post that your post had no validity to it or that I am an expert in the matter. I respect your opinion. I'm just saying if it were me and I had to spend (new, signed 2 year contract) extended time with the nexus, full well knowing about this problem, I couldn't.

I've seen this happen too many times before. You get stuck with a device (and these things aren't cheap) that does not function as it should and you hope that the promise of a fix will be forthcoming. And for what? Because you love/need/can't live without it?

What about the users who have no problems? Good for them. Those that do should get out now or regret it later. Those that are the fence about these 2 devices are fortunate enough to know the issue before making the switch.

 

[barco13]

Good, informative thread. I've spent the past two days playing around with each phone (yeah, not much to do over lunch). I am coming from an original HTC Incredible and have enjoyed the phone although the g-bread update seemed to cause issues with it (yeah, I know I can root it--I do that on my tablet, don't care to on my phone too much).

I really wanted to like the Nexus. Each demo unit in the store had the cover coming off or taped on (yeah I know they are handled a lot). I liked the camera layout better on the rezound and it felt better in my hand. I'm used to Sense so it isn't a huge deal for me and I am pretty sure I can wait on ICS. If there are any questions about signal strength (and it seems there are), that is enough to make me shy away. The real kicker is it looks like I can get the rezound at costco for $199 with accessories included. So for me the rezound is a better value and I liked it better than the nexus. Of course part of me just wants to wait a couple months to see what is on the horizon

 

[BlueBiker]

Good, informative thread. I've spent the past two days playing around with each phone (yeah, not much to do over lunch). I am coming from an original HTC Incredible and have enjoyed the phone although the g-bread update seemed to cause issues with it (yeah, I know I can root it--I do that on my tablet, don't care to on my phone too much).

I really wanted to like the Nexus. Each demo unit in the store had the cover coming off or taped on (yeah I know they are handled a lot). I liked the camera layout better on the rezound and it felt better in my hand. I'm used to Sense so it isn't a huge deal for me and I am pretty sure I can wait on ICS. If there are any questions about signal strength (and it seems there are), that is enough to make me shy away. The real kicker is it looks like I can get the rezound at costco for $199 with accessories included. So for me the rezound is a better value and I liked it better than the nexus. Of course part of me just wants to wait a couple months to see what is on the horizon

LOL, you waited 17 months after joining for that first post.

To be fair, Nexus connection issues only matter if you have problems on your particular phone in the particular places you use it (so you could try one for a week and switch to Rez if it's not good enough). But I'm verrrry happy with my Rezound, and it sounds as if you will be too.

 

[TxGoat]

What are the headphones like on the Nexus?

 

[turbon50]

I have a gn and must say the reception sucks. I'm very sad because I like the design and how slim it is, but I have to remember that this is a phone and without reception it is worthless. I love the pure android os, but the battery life also sucks. I figure I'll return this and wait to see if the radio gets fixed so I don't get stuck with an atnt type of reception phone on verizon. Too bad the rezound is too thick for my liking.

 

[TheXFactor]

I have a gn and must say the reception sucks. I'm very sad because I like the design and how slim it is, but I have to remember that this is a phone and without reception it is worthless. I love the pure android os, but the battery life also sucks. I figure I'll return this and wait to see if the radio gets fixed so I don't get stuck with an atnt type of reception phone on verizon. Too bad the rezound is too thick for my liking.

I have to say, while I do own the rezound and I did check out the nexus, I'm not so sure it's a major factor. The rezound has that excellent feel and weight. But to each his own.....

 

[TxGoat]

I have a gn and must say the reception sucks. I'm very sad because I like the design and how slim it is, but I have to remember that this is a phone and without reception it is worthless. I love the pure android os, but the battery life also sucks. I figure I'll return this and wait to see if the radio gets fixed so I don't get stuck with an atnt type of reception phone on verizon. Too bad the rezound is too thick for my liking.

What about the thickness don't you like? I find it easier to hold over some of the other wider phones.

 

[barco13]

LOL, you waited 17 months after joining for that first post.
Wow, that was harsh. Actually, I sort of forgot I had an account.

To be fair, Nexus connection issues only matter if you have problems on your particular phone in the particular places you use it (so you could try one for a week and switch to Rez if it's not good enough). But I'm verrrry happy with my Rezound, and it sounds as if you will be too.

I'm sure everybody saw this, but makes the decision easy for me.
Amazon.com: HTC Rezound 4G Android Phone (Verizon Wireless): Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[turbon50]

I am one to use a case on my phones and the rezound would be too thick in my pocket with my wallet. Anyhow, I returned the nexus and went back to using my droid x. I'll rebuy it later if they fix the bugs or just wait till the next best thing comes out. Honestly, I think others don't see issues with the weak signal because they are in an area that has decent reception. It is when you go to an area that strong antennas barely have any signal that you will notice that the nexus will have no reception. On top of this issue, the speakerphone is quite weak and I don't want to risk using an app to boost it because when I turned it up on certain louder ring tones and phone calls, it seemed to distort already.

 

[TheXFactor]

I am one to use a case on my phones and the rezound would be too thick in my pocket with my wallet. Anyhow, I returned the nexus and went back to using my droid x. I'll rebuy it later if they fix the bugs or just wait till the next best thing comes out. Honestly, I think others don't see issues with the weak signal because they are in an area that has decent reception. It is when you go to an area that strong antennas barely have any signal that you will notice that the nexus will have no reception. On top of this issue, the speakerphone is quite weak and I don't want to risk using an app to boost it because when I turned it up on certain louder ring tones and phone calls, it seemed to distort already.

I hear ya. I am one that does not use a case. I like to be able to slide into my back pocket or a shirt pocket. And to me, with the way the back of the phone has that non-slip texture, it works out perfect.

The only phone I owned that had a case was the iPhone 4. The back of that phone is like ice. Slippery as heck.

 

[Medion]

I hear ya. I am one that does not use a case. I like to be able to slide into my back pocket or a shirt pocket. And to me, with the way the back of the phone has that non-slip texture, it works out perfect.

The only phone I owned that had a case was the iPhone 4. The back of that phone is like ice. Slippery as heck.

I like well-made TPU cases. They have the shock absorption of silicone cases and the hard protection of plastic cases, with the perfect degree of grip and not lint gathering. Also, they don't add much bulk to a phone. Finally, they work perfectly with the adhesive on the Tetrax Xway, meaning they can easily be mounted in-case to my dash. Used the Verizon High-Gloss Silicone case on my Incredible (it's a TPU case), and I use the SGP Capsule series on my SGS2.

Here's the Verizon version for the Rezound:
Set Your Location

 

[boojay]

I've read every wonderful post in this thread and have decided on the Rezound.

Thanks guys for helping me with my decision!

 

[NightAngel79]

I've read every wonderful post in this thread and have decided on the Rezound.

Thanks guys for helping me with my decision!

You're welcome!! Love my Rezound!

 

[celticpride34]

Another GNex owner, here to say that this phone has some serious issues with it. And as the debate between devices like the Nexus vs the rezound goes on, it doesnt get any easier. Each has pros and cons. My problem, as several posters have eluded to, is that I truly am in love with a lot of aspects of the phone. The formfactor is great, I like the screen size, and its very root friendly. I rooted my incredible and it wasnt near as easy as the google branded nexus. Re-locking the bootloader and restoring the stock image was a breeze. I even flashed a leaked 4.0.3 version of the radio which did help with locking on to a signal but it was still a clusterF*ck. But as much as I love the fact that its a developer phone, it shouldnt be on us, the consumer, to flash leaked radios to fix a problem so rampant and important that basically turns the device from a phone into a tablet with poor batt life and no reception.

I finally took back my launch day nexus for a new-NEW! replacement nexus and was stoked to have done so(peace of mind is worth a lot). That is, until I got home and am now unable to get a 3G signal AT ALL. My htc incredible gets full bars and great Dbm here. In the store there was a diff of 15-20 Dbm between all LTE devices and the lackluster GNex (the worst in the bunch). Forget 4G, its a nice idea and all but its a battery hog and unless your directly ontop of a tower and you gots to watch the nfl network game or what not, do we really need those type of speeds? I can deal without. (for now). 3G would be nice though. For those talking about the back battery cover of the Nexus I can say that a)I have had no such problems and b)there are far more pressing issues with this device. I have experienced a few random reboots, fresh outta the box on my first one (when it wasnt even rooted) and it puts a bad taste in your mouth, paying so much for the flagship model, not only for terrible battery life, not only for HORRIBLE reception to NONE at all, but then when your showing a friend ICS, it reboots automatically. "Huh?...thats a cool feature of the OS." A salesman told me about the rezound and I am too thinking of switching to that from this, my second GNex, which is not able to get a 3G signal yet (Ive had it here for bout 10 hours now and nada nutta!)

I dont want the rezound though for a few reasons that have already been mentioned here. I hate sense, I'd rather know for sure that ICS was on the device than hope for an update, and Im sorry, the beats by dre thing is just a ploy to be able to charge the higher markup and to brag to the kids at school about your crappy monster headphones (they make overpriced cables at bestbuy, Not headphones for audiophiles, like they pretend to). Is not this phone just a Dinc2, but with an LTE radio? Looks a lot like it to me. Funny/sad thing is that my last phone was a Dinc1, with Cyanogen and it worked...like a champ (for the most part). Its ironic that myself and others are not keen on tying our hopes to a companies "promise" of rolling out ICS on it, yet, as of now us Nexus owners are just hoping that Google fixes the bevy of issues with this phone. More so than that though, we hope they are fixable and not hardware related a la antannagate. I really am in love with the GNex. When its on wifi, and I dont have to be anywhere and I have my 3 batteries handy, its a great phone. And no, Im not even being sarcastic (well...), the problem is, I WANT this phone to work. The rooting/un-rooting/imaging process was a joy. I still say that Google is a good company and as its flagship device, I doubt theyll leave us all in a lurch, however...thats exactly what has happened so far.

For those of you debating petty things like the megapixel count, build quality (with regards to the back door, which, if there is one, its much easier to fix than a radio hardware issue) and even the differences between ICS (YES!) and Sense (F No!), at the heart, the issue is weather or not the device can perform when mobile. I can live with terrible battery life, but the more days I wake up to see that I dont have a signal, cant get a signal and must keep on preying to the Google gods that some type of fix comes along, well, it makes the days that much harder. Im not a fan of the rezound, in the least bit, but if it works better than the seemingly non-functional Nexus, shouldnt rationality point to that one? We will see. Just know that I still have hope for the nexus, will be again swapping it out today and have been waiting, with baited breath for it since CES last year. Im on verizon and have always wanted the google phone. Now that its here, well, Ive been less than underwhelmed. Just my 2 cents. Its a horrible predicament to be in.

Oh and also, theres many threads going on with screenshots of people living in places like Mechanicsville, Virginia, South Carolina, and Lawrance KS, where not only do they not have the poor radio issues, they have blazing fast LTE (think 40+mps: https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/762346). To me...its just pouring salt in the wound. At this point Id be close to happy if my new-NEW! nexus could get and hold a 3G signal, but it cant. Because either I have horrible luck with lemon phones or because samsung has a real QC problem going on with their mobile division.

 

[schimm]

Another GNex owner, here to say that this phone has some serious issues with it. And as the debate between devices like the Nexus vs the rezound goes on, it doesnt get any easier. Each has pros and cons. My problem, as several posters have eluded to, is that I truly am in love with a lot of aspects of the phone. The formfactor is great, I like the screen size, and its very root friendly. I rooted my incredible and it wasnt near as easy as the google branded nexus. Re-locking the bootloader and restoring the stock image was a breeze. I even flashed a leaked 4.0.3 version of the radio which did help with locking on to a signal but it was still a clusterF*ck. But as much as I love the fact that its a developer phone, it shouldnt be on us, the consumer, to flash leaked radios to fix a problem so rampant and important that basically turns the device from a phone into a tablet with poor batt life and no reception.

I finally took back my launch day nexus for a new-NEW! replacement nexus and was stoked to have done so(peace of mind is worth a lot). That is, until I got home and am now unable to get a 3G signal AT ALL. My htc incredible gets full bars and great Dbm here. In the store there was a diff of 15-20 Dbm between all LTE devices and the lackluster GNex (the worst in the bunch). Forget 4G, its a nice idea and all but its a battery hog and unless your directly ontop of a tower and you gots to watch the nfl network game or what not, do we really need those type of speeds? I can deal without. (for now). 3G would be nice though. For those talking about the back battery cover of the Nexus I can say that a)I have had no such problems and b)there are far more pressing issues with this device. I have experienced a few random reboots, fresh outta the box on my first one (when it wasnt even rooted) and it puts a bad taste in your mouth, paying so much for the flagship model, not only for terrible battery life, not only for HORRIBLE reception to NONE at all, but then when your showing a friend ICS, it reboots automatically. "Huh?...thats a cool feature of the OS." A salesman told me about the rezound and I am too thinking of switching to that from this, my second GNex, which is not able to get a 3G signal yet (Ive had it here for bout 10 hours now and nada nutta!)

I dont want the rezound though for a few reasons that have already been mentioned here. I hate sense, I'd rather know for sure that ICS was on the device than hope for an update, and Im sorry, the beats by dre thing is just a ploy to be able to charge the higher markup and to brag to the kids at school about your crappy monster headphones (they make overpriced cables at bestbuy, Not headphones for audiophiles, like they pretend to). Is not this phone just a Dinc2, but with an LTE radio? Looks a lot like it to me. Funny/sad thing is that my last phone was a Dinc1, with Cyanogen and it worked...like a champ (for the most part). Its ironic that myself and others are not keen on tying our hopes to a companies "promise" of rolling out ICS on it, yet, as of now us Nexus owners are just hoping that Google fixes the bevy of issues with this phone. More so than that though, we hope they are fixable and not hardware related a la antannagate. I really am in love with the GNex. When its on wifi, and I dont have to be anywhere and I have my 3 batteries handy, its a great phone. And no, Im not even being sarcastic (well...), the problem is, I WANT this phone to work. The rooting/un-rooting/imaging process was a joy. I still say that Google is a good company and as its flagship device, I doubt theyll leave us all in a lurch, however...thats exactly what has happened so far.

For those of you debating petty things like the megapixel count, build quality (with regards to the back door, which, if there is one, its much easier to fix than a radio hardware issue) and even the differences between ICS (YES!) and Sense (F No!), at the heart, the issue is weather or not the device can perform when mobile. I can live with terrible battery life, but the more days I wake up to see that I dont have a signal, cant get a signal and must keep on preying to the Google gods that some type of fix comes along, well, it makes the days that much harder. Im not a fan of the rezound, in the least bit, but if it works better than the seemingly non-functional Nexus, shouldnt rationality point to that one? We will see. Just know that I still have hope for the nexus, will be again swapping it out today and have been waiting, with baited breath for it since CES last year. Im on verizon and have always wanted the google phone. Now that its here, well, Ive been less than underwhelmed. Just my 2 cents. Its a horrible predicament to be in.

Oh and also, theres many threads going on with screenshots of people living in places like Mechanicsville, Virginia, South Carolina, and Lawrance KS, where not only do they not have the poor radio issues, they have blazing fast LTE (think 40+mps: https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/762346). To me...its just pouring salt in the wound. At this point Id be close to happy if my new-NEW! nexus could get and hold a 3G signal, but it cant. Because either I have horrible luck with lemon phones or because samsung has a real QC problem going on with their mobile division.

Don't get the Rezound. You will be miserable. That's what your post is telling me. Can you not just go back to your old phone and wait?

This is my first experience with Sense and like it in general despite a few faults like the way it leaves some signed messages on the server.....it is far better than Blur IMO. I also find Sense tightly integrated. If I add a few non Sense widgets I'll get a scrolling hesitation or lag otherwise. I haven't found a launcher I'm happy with speed wise. That said, the antenna/radio are outstanding and pretty much kills the Gnex. I personally don't think they can fix it and they've communicated to us publically they are only working on the bar display which is beyond lame. Good luck!

 

[secretLOVER]

I love sense and GPS lock!

 

[TheXFactor]

Wow, I feel your pain bro. I never know there was such distain for sense. If that's what's holding you back, root, unlock, debloat and desense. It's all there on the table now.

HTC said here you go, do whatever......

 

[Blackthanos]

I think I'd have to agree with schimm. It's obvious that you have had a lot of time to put all your hopes and dreams(phonewise)on the GNex and if you get the ReZound or ANY other phone you are probably just going to tear it apart and find reasons you don't like it no matter how well it performs. Still you have to have a usable phone. If I were you I'd make the switch again. If you have any problems what so ever out of the third unit I'd return it and go back to my old phone IF that's an option. You would be better off waiting until they either iron out the GNex's problems or come out and admit it's a hardware/QC issue and you have to rely on the luck of the draw for what type of unit you get.(seriously doubt they would admit that even if it were proven true). I know you have had your new phone "fix" when you purchased the GNex and you will probably be going through withdrawals when/if you have to return it and wait for another phone but it is better than the alternative. Paying top dollar for a "flagship" phone that you can't even make calls on all the while trying to justify it to yourself some how. I do truly wish you luck. You are in a really crappy situation where there doesn't seem to be a real 100% winning solution. Sorry.

 

[WizeGuyDezignz]

....and Im sorry, the beats by dre thing is just a ploy to be able to charge the higher markup and to brag to the kids at school about your crappy monster headphones (they make overpriced cables at bestbuy, Not headphones for audiophiles, like they pretend to).

How is the Beats integration and headphones a ploy to price the phone higher? It is priced no higher than the Nexus, Razr, etc that don't have beats or the headphones. And the specs are equal to or higher than the previously mentioned phones which would give it a reason to be $299. I don't understand that complaint.