LG Google Nexus 4

[TameRacingDriver]

I think if this thing has a half decent camera, decent SQ from the headphone port and is as fast as the Quad Core internals make you think it is, this will be my next phone.

The clincher? £239 for the 8 Gb model and £279 for the 16 Gb model. Yep, thats SIM free!!

Unbelievable value for a quad core beast like that.

I wasn't that bothered about it until I read the price.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/mobile-phone/34077...

[TameRacingDriver]

172ff said:

That's great value!

I love my galaxy nexus and don't know why there are so few people who use them.

Damn right.

LCR265 said:

So is the Samsung Galaxy S3 really worth £130+ more than this?

My brother was just about to order one this evening, but now he's very confused!!

I would say not. My girlfriend has the s3 and I've got the galaxy nexus. Despite the fact that the s3 on paper leaves the nexus in the dust, my nexus is faster in day to day use than hers even with the jelly bean update. This will be quicker again.

[TameRacingDriver]

I would have liked the sd card as well but at this price you can't complain really.

[TameRacingDriver]

ApexJimi said:

Don't get me wrong, if the physical quality of the device is good then I'll be in

I'm just worried that the price combined with LG's reputation of a middle tier manufacturer......

You weren't the only one, I wasn't bothered about this when I thought it was going to be £400 - £500 however at this price, and with those specs, it definitely raises the interest issue a few notches.

Having owned lots of Androids, including my current Galaxy Nexus and old Nexus One, I'd say the Nexus phones represent the best way to experience android. I'm sure its down to the timely updates and lack of bloat which means my "old" Galaxy Nexus outperforms my GFs SGS3 in the real world (speed, smoothness, stability). And yes, hers has got JB on it!

LGs recent reputation was for poor software. That should be a moot point now its a Nexus.

[TameRacingDriver]

Just watched that video on the verge (linked on previous page), the phone really does look fantastic for the money, but worryingly, its also made me want the Nexus 10 (I already have a Nexus 7 which is nice for the price, but the N10 looks in a different league).

[TameRacingDriver]

Well all I can say as I have a Galaxy Nexus and a Nexus 7. I'd say if anything the Galaxy Nexus ran smoother than the Nexus 7. My girlfriend has an S3 and I'm not impressed TBH, good hardware, rubbish software, it runs slower than my Nexus which has approx half the CPU/GPU potential.

These software overlays that HTC, Samsung, Sony, LG etc all use slows these machines down considerably. They also tend to look worse (OK HTCs implementations are fairly pretty I'll give you that but they are more bloated than most).

With a Nexus device you just don't get this. Faster, smoother and more stable.

[TameRacingDriver]

Richyvrlimited said:

I'll just add that Touchwiz (Samsungs crappy UI) is the work of the devil.

Indeed, it was pretty much this that made me get rid of my SGS2 in favour of the Gnex. I tried running these much lauded AOSP / AOKP / Vanilla ROMs on it, but frankly, they never ever work properly or to their potential, battery life and stability suffers, and you can always tell it wasn't designed that way. You also don't get the onscreen buttons (well you can but again it eats into your screen estate and renders your soft buttons pointless).

I think as much of an assault on rivals as Apple as this is, these devices are aimed at making people (and maybe even the manufacturers themselves) just how much better Android is without the bloatware.

[TameRacingDriver]

I'm pleased your happy with it, thats all that matters, but my GFs is demonstrably less smooth than the Nexus. I was quite surprised, as TBH that was never really that much of an issue with my old S2... although the Nexus is STILL smoother.

Its pretty much WP7.5 / iOS smooth.

Even the HTC One X I used wasn't quite there either though. Either way it surprises me as they should have the raw power to overcome any bloat, but until you've used one without, then you may not realise it.

[TameRacingDriver]

I'll wait and see, I've got the GNex which I'm more than happy with to be fair. To be considered for an upgrade for me, it'll need to be a better screen, camera, battery life and at least equal sound quality from the headphone jack. I'm sure it'll do all of those things.

To be honest, with the Nexus, it'll go from strength to strength. The current Jelly Bean 4.1.2 is far better to use than ICS which what was on the GNex when released.

[TameRacingDriver]

Complex said:

Still considering this phone. Have just been given a HTC One X by a friend. Worth selling it on Ebay for around £230 and making up the difference to grab this device? The screen on the HTC is amazing but the lack of Jellybean update even though it's supposed to have been 'rolled out' over the last few days, I don't know anyone who has received it yet.

It depends how important having Vanilla Jelly Bean is to you, or having the latest "Krait" class Quad Core CPU is.

The One X has a better camera and screen and has more storage capacity, and Sense UI (which although many berate overlays, many people do actually like as its pretty and has some extra functionality).

Its really personal preference.

[TameRacingDriver]

ApexJimi said:

I've been holding off since July, so I've properly got that new gadget itch now!

I really fancied the N4, but I'm increasingly tempted by the One X+...

My next phone was either going to be the N4, the One X+ or the Note II, and I went for the latter. Only had it since yesterday evening but its showing promise; If it passes my next tests, I may well declare it the best phone I've ever had by quite some distance.

As regards the One X+ versus the N4. To me, the N4 has 3 things in its favour. Vanilla OS (quick updates and a lightweight, streamlined OS), price, and the power.

However, the One X+ also has things in its favour, like the much much higher amount of storage, better camera, and better screen. It's also got one of the highest quality DACs around in a phone which will be important if you listen to music on it.

I would decide based on what's important, but for me, the One X+ eclipses it for my needs, but I can see many being lured in by the price, but I will say that while the N4 is very good, it may not live up to the hype for some.

[TameRacingDriver]

ApexJimi said:

Interesting.

I'm kinda surprised you went with a Note 2 (what with touchwiz etc) after coming from a Gnex with vanilla android.

How are you finding it?

Absolutely LOVE it.

I've wrote some impressions here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Once I skin a couple of the elements I'm not happy with, to make it look a little more "Vanilla" I'll be happy; not all of it is ugly either. But I'm going to replace the status bar and notification area, and I've replaced the Home Launcher with Nova Prime and an icon set.

I've got absolutely NO regrets.

[TameRacingDriver]

ApexJimi said:

Interesting stuff, TRD.

I was asking more from the software perspective, as there's no way I'm even gonna consider a Note 2 - it's miles too big. I've talked myself round to accepting the size of the One X etc but that's as big as I'm willing to go

Still wonder if the Razr i isn't a perfect solution...

Furry muff. From a software perspective, the N4 still looks more elegant and is less bloated and more streamlined. I DO wish the Note was AOSP based, but really, TouchWiz here isn't too bad - the worst criticism I can level at it is that, in some places, its a little ugly (but not everywhere) but it is VERY functional. Even the keyboard is excellent (normally the first thing I do on TW devices is ditch the keyboard).

172ff said:

Give it a week and when the shiny toy syndrome wears off..... You'll realise you cant put it in your pocket and look like a total penis walking down the street talking into something the size of a piece of A4 paper!

It easily fits in my pocket thanks, and as I don't wear gay skinny jeans, it looks just fine

[TameRacingDriver]

LCR265 said:

So if people don't manage to get the N4 in the next batch, what is the conclusion?

I think I will give in and buy a second hand S3 if I lose out again.

I got impatient and bought a Galaxy Note 2. But that was mainly because I wanted a device with lots of storage space, and a device that I could use as a single device instead of the phone and tablet, the latter of which didn't really get used all that much.

[TameRacingDriver]

rasto said:

Just out of interest, how often do you change your phone ? I remember you posting in the S2 thread when you got that, then when you swapped to a Nexus and now with the Note. I look forward to seeing what phone you swap to in 6 months time

I'm planning on getting my wife a Note 1 for Christmas as her current San Francisco is on its last legs and she really needs something with a bigger screen, I did consider the Note 2 but I'm not sure the extra £100 would be worth it for what she will be using it for. The only problem is that she tends to be a little 'clumsy' with her phones so I may have to take insurance out for the Note.

I have a habit of swapping just about everything too often

But for the record, I had the S2 for 12 months, which for me was good going!

I was actually reasonably happy with the Nexus but got it into my mind I wanted a new toy, and couldn't get one. It was then I realised I hardly used my Nexus 7 so thought I would consolidate the toys!

[TameRacingDriver]

Glad I didn't bother waiting and got the Note 2 now. Turning into a farce.

"Yes sir, you may have one of our very good VFM smartphones. IF you can find one."

[TameRacingDriver]

Manicminer said:

Hmm, just found myself bidding on a Note 2 on eBay. Curse you mr Tameracingdriver

You'll love it

Everyone I've shown (even some iphone people) have been very impressed despite (or perhaps because of) its size.

I've been tweaking my homescreens for a few days now and I have it looking drop dead gorgeous. N4? What N4?

Do it!

[TameRacingDriver]

Ask and you shall receive!

[TameRacingDriver]

eddieo said:

Another one who's been smitten by the Note 2. Don't think there's any reason I'd want a Google Nexus 4 now. The Note 2 is so slick in everything that it does it's unbelievable. I might be tempted by a Galaxy S4 when they come out but I couldn't live with an SIII due to its pentile screen.

Not sure I could go back to anything less than a 5" screen now either. Even my old Galaxy Nexus (4.65") and the OHs SGS3 (4.8") look TINY in comparison; that was nothing like as funny as comparing it with an iPhone 3GS the other day though, that was actually hilarious - the iPhone looked truly prehistoric!

[TameRacingDriver]

I paid 400 so I wouldn't pay more. Try gumtree.