Galaxy Nexus --> S4 or wait for S5

[sweenish]

I didn't give a single piece of advice to anyone in this thread. Read my posts. I was talking about my situation. Reading comprehension.

And opining on something you obviously know nothing about.

Go handle a Moto X at a carrier. Then tell us how obvious it is that it's under-powered. Bet you can't.

In the last year, we've finally entered the era of "good enough" for parts. In the same way that you don't really need an i7 for a gaming rig, you don't really need the S800 for a cell phone.

 

[seepy83]

And opining on something you obviously know nothing about.

Go handle a Moto X at a carrier. Then tell us how obvious it is that it's under-powered. Bet you can't.

In the last year, we've finally entered the era of "good enough" for parts. In the same way that you don't really need an i7 for a gaming rig, you don't really need the S800 for a cell phone.

The MotoX hardware is outdated. That's an absolute fact that cannot be denied. It's not my opinion, it's a fact. The user experience is fine today? Sure, it might be...I don't dispute that and nothing I've said in this thread has disputed that. But, when I change devices, I'm on that phone for the next (approx) 2 years until my contract is up...I don't pay full retail for phones, or upgrade on a whim by purchasing used/like-new phones online. Here is the first OPINION that I've entered into this thread: It's foolish to invest in outdated hardware when you will be using it for 2 years. That's my opinion, and that's why I'm personally not investing in a MotoX.

This thread has seriously digressed away from what it was supposed to be about.

 

[dguy6789]

No reason to get the Moto X when the Moto G exists. Moto G gives you 99% of the user experience of the X for much less money. Moto X should never have been released. Camera, battery life, and processor are individually bad enough to make it a no show at the price it goes for but all three being as poor as they are is just ridiculous.

I don't think it'd be a mistake to get an S4 now. If she's fine with a Galaxy Nexus then she probably would not notice the difference between an S4 and S5.

 

[poofyhairguy]

But, when I change devices, I'm on that phone for the next (approx) 2 years until my contract is up...I don't pay full retail for phones, or upgrade on a whim by purchasing used/like-new phones online.

Then you missed the whole point of the Moto X. It is $300 outright on Swappa- the same as an on-contract Note 3!

So you buy the Moto X today, ditch the ancient Nexus, and then still have an upgrade in a year when/if something better hits.

The Moto X is not a two year device, but its not priced like one. Personally I would take a Moto X over trying to keep a Gnex limping by into 2014. There is no guarantee Verizon is going to throw out another Nexus lifeline sometime soon...

 

[s44]

No reason to get the Moto X when the Moto G exists. Moto G gives you 99% of the user experience of the X for much less money.

Disagree. On GSM it's maybe 80% (no LTE, no active notifications or always listening). But on VZ it's much, much different. First you can't even use the G on postpaid, second the G doesn't have LTE which is absolutely essential on a CDMA-based network, and third -- the Verizon X is huge because there aren't and may never be any other Google-skin devices on Verizon, certainly not at the current reasonable off-contract price.

I agree the S4 is a very nice VZ option, though you have to get the right one if you want to flash stuff.

TLDR: forget the X on GSM, consider it strongly on VZ

 

[Roland00Address]

Oh, sorry. You're right. I should make my buying decisions based on what someone on an internet forum tells me to do. Give me a F'n break. There are plenty of products I've never used that I don't purchase based on specs, reviews, and comparisons to other products available.

You own a MotoX and you're happy with it? Good for you. It's not the phone for me right now. Move along.

We can use appeals to authority such as Brian Klug using the moto x as one of his main drivers even though due to his job he uses over a dozen phones a year as ananadtech smartphone editor.

 

[seepy83]

We can use appeals to authority such as Brian Klug using the moto x as one of his main drivers even though due to his job he uses over a dozen phones a year as ananadtech smartphone editor.

And if I was the smartphone editor for a tech website, and it didn't cost me (personally) anything to change to whatever phone I wanted to use at the moment, I would probably be using a MotoX right now, too. You think he's going to be using a MotoX in 12-18 months?

 

[sweenish]

The MotoX hardware is outdated. That's an absolute fact that cannot be denied. It's not my opinion, it's a fact. The user experience is fine today? Sure, it might be...I don't dispute that and nothing I've said in this thread has disputed that. But, when I change devices, I'm on that phone for the next (approx) 2 years until my contract is up...I don't pay full retail for phones, or upgrade on a whim by purchasing used/like-new phones online. Here is the first OPINION that I've entered into this thread: It's foolish to invest in outdated hardware when you will be using it for 2 years. That's my opinion, and that's why I'm personally not investing in a MotoX.

This thread has seriously digressed away from what it was supposed to be about.

Odd. I don't recall stating that the innards were new and shiny. Interesting argument that you gave/attributed to me and then skillfully refuted.

Good enough does not equate to new or top of the line as you claim. It equates to you won't notice the difference. Especially when Android has been slimming down for two consecutive releases. In other words, dismissing the X on nothing other than the CPU is stupid. It's like my comparison of the i7 not being necessary for a gaming rig. A rig that would serve you well for years, mind you. If we were to refine that argument, I could say that today, you could buy an Ivy Bridge i5 and it would be just fine. You don't need Haswell, and you certainly don't need a Haswell i7.

Basically, the "CPU is old" argument is garbage, even for your usage scenario.

I take it you won't be bothering to even handle one and generate an opinion based on personal experience, but will instead stick by the Android spec e-peen standard which has absolutely always equated to better/smoother experiences, especially for Samsung owners of late.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Honestly if I am using a phone 2 years, access to updates is more important than new hardware.

I could stand a dual core phone, I could not stand being on ICS anymore.

So I think the Moto X would be maybe the best two years phone you could buy today, as Google will make sure it gets updates long after the HTC Ones and LG G2's of the world no longer do.

 

[IeraseU]

In all fairness, I think the major issue people take with the Moto X is that the price was just too high at launch. It was being sold for $500-$550 new (16/32gb).

If it had launched at the $350-$400(16/32gb) 'Cyber Monday' price, or even the current $400(16gb) price, I feel confident that it would have been much better received. It's actually a great alternative to the Nexus 5, and at a $100+ savings, it looks pretty good against something like the Galaxy S4 also.

You only get one chance to make a first impression though, and in a lot of people's minds the Moto X will always equal mid-range hardware being sold at at a premium price. I personally don't think that's true anymore, but that's the 'lingering' impression on many people's minds.

 

[bearxor]

In all fairness, I think the major issue people take with the Moto X is that the price was just too high at launch. It was being sold for $500-$550 new (16/32gb).

If it had launched at the $350-$400(16/32gb) 'Cyber Monday' price, or even the current $400(16gb) price, I feel confident that it would have been much better received. It's actually a great alternative to the Nexus 5, and at a $100+ savings, it looks pretty good against something like the Galaxy S4 also.

The winner right here. The MotoX is a fine device. Honestly, I'd probably choose it over any other Android device out there. But not at $600. $350-400 is perfect. For $600, I'll opt to fight the spec war.

 

[s44]

So I think the Moto X would be maybe the best two years phone you could buy today, as Google will make sure it gets updates long after the HTC Ones and LG G2's of the world no longer do.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

No.

GNex.

 

[Kelvinz]

+1 for the LG G2. Or wait for the Galaxy S5.

OR you could get a HTC One as well.

 

[Thegonagle]

Eww! Neither. I've had one Galaxy phone (yes, the Nexus on Verizon), and that's not a mistake I intend to repeat soon.

What I really want to hold out for is another Nexus device on Verizon, but I have a feeling that isn't going to happen this year. I just want to run stock Android...no TouchWiz or other manufacturer UIs.

Moto X or latest Motorola Droid series are pretty close. No big changes; nothing about the visual UI is really changed at all. It just has a few extra features that are actually useful.

My Maxx just got KitKat a couple of days ago, so that's pretty good by Verizon standards.

One day, I might consider or even buy a Samsung again, but not today. I'm not a hater. For example, I swore off Motorola after the V3C "RAZR," but times change, and my Droid Maxx has been superb.

 

[Thegonagle]

I would want a MotoX if it had a better CPU. The MotoX specs were outdated when the phone launched.

It's only pushing a 720p display, so it works fine. In fact, it's better than fine, because both the display and the processor can be made more energy efficient for better battery life.

P.S. You've got eagle eyes if you can see the difference between 720 and 1080p on a 5-inch display.

 

[jacktesterson]

P.S. You've got eagle eyes if you can see the difference between 720 and 1080p on a 5-inch display.

I see this stated all the time.

I wear glasses. I still can see a difference. I've had a S4, G2 and Xperia ZL in the past. Its not nearly the jump from qHD to 720p, but there is a noticeable difference, especially when web browsing with text involved.

That being said, 720p is plenty for a smartphone.

 

[foghorn67]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

No.

GNex.

GNex used a TI OMAP processor. TI dropped out and support immediately halted.

 

[s44]

GNex used a TI OMAP processor. TI dropped out and support immediately halted.

Look, everyone has an excuse. (HTC too.) Bottom line is, Google has never promised more than 18 months of support on a device and you'd be a fool to expect more.

If you want long-term updates, get an open bootloader.

 

[foghorn67]

Look, everyone has an excuse. (HTC too.) Bottom line is, Google has never promised more than 18 months of support on a device and you'd be a fool to expect more.

If you want long-term updates, get an open bootloader.

That is out of a Nexus device. Moto isn't a Nexus device. Not by a long shot.

 

[Buttzilla]

Get the G2... battery live, S800, newest phone.
The S4 she gets will be locked down (bootloader), unless she's OK with that.
Try all of the phones in-store first though.

Disclaimer: Never used a G2 only reviews, own an S4 (GPe rom).

I picked up the G2 on monday and so far so good. However, I came from a Samsung Nexus (I also have an Iphone4 for work) so anything would be an upgrade at this point.

Battery life is amazing, screen is amazing, camera good in good lighting conditions, top notch specs. Carrier is Verizon so the usual bloatware is installed, will root to remove. Don't think i'll be running CM as I like the stock so far.

double tap to unlock screen is amazing! so simple and intuitive, i find myself tapping my old phone and iphone to unlock...the volume/power button relocation to the back actually makes sense when holding a phone that big. my only gripe is a nipple is needed on the power button.

 

[s44]

That is out of a Nexus device. Moto isn't a Nexus device. Not by a long shot.

Sure, but Moto's track record with updates is worse than Google's, not better.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Look, everyone has an excuse. (HTC too.) Bottom line is, Google has never promised more than 18 months of support on a device and you'd be a fool to expect more.

Sure, but 18 months is a pretty long time in Android. Honestly as long as you aren't stuck with a version more than a year you are doing good, so with an 18 month cycle that won't happen in a two years period.

Only Samsung has come close to Google's support timeframe so far. Other vendors like HTC, LG, etc seem to only support their devices for a year at best.

I am really hoping the S4 GPe sets a new record for support, since it is a combo of the best two.

 

[shortylickens]

S5!


http://www.theweek.co.uk/technology/56872/samsung-galaxy-s5-get-super-sharp-screen


WOOOT!!!

 

[poofyhairguy]

Sure, but Moto's track record with updates is worse than Google's, not better.

Google is forcing them to do a better job. Hence the Atrix HD jumping from 4.1 to 4.4:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Motorola-adds-six-more-phones-to-its-upgrade-to-KitKat-list_id49502

 

[Buttzilla]

S5!


http://www.theweek.co.uk/technology/56872/samsung-galaxy-s5-get-super-sharp-screen


WOOOT!!!

dammit!