Nexus Prime Specs are out!

[Abyssgh0st]

You heard from one source that the OS was still laggy. A source which was testing a phone which had been manhandled by multiple people at a large event. A phone which probably isn't even a final unit. And somehow managed to label it as a disappointment. If that's not convincing then I don't know what is.

Like I said, I'm a recent convert over to iOS, and while I think it's definitely more polished, I still have experienced stutters and lag with it. As much as I have on various Android phones I've owned. That's to say nothing of troubleshooting bunches of customer's iPhones that were slow or lagging. It's going to happen. Smooth is going to be a matter of opinion. My Nexus One was one of the smoothest phone's I've ever owned and in my personal opinion held it's own against my current 4S. That's to say nothing of the various customization I could do with it that I can't with my 4S.

I really could care less about the fanboy thing as I never called you one. I don't really care what you buy. I do however question the logic of someone calling someone a fanboy when he/she is making some grand proclamation on a message board about how "Google has lost you forever!!11!!" because of lag on a phone you haven't even demoed yourself.

This is about the worst argument I've ever heard. I'm about to demolish everything you said in a few short words.

1. This was sure as hell the final, or EXTREMELY near final unit. This thing is allegedly launching around 11/10, and there is no way Google is going to radically change anything to solve this lag.

2. GOOGLE THEMSELVES said that the reason you can't actually 'close' apps but rather remove them from the 'active apps' card stack was because they said the user doesn't need to be able to do that, nor should they need to! (talk about restricting, eh?) Google is making the very bold claim that their multitasking doesn't need to involve closing applications, so it shouldn't matter if ever app on the device had been used- they say it's ready for it.

3. This phone (Galaxy Nexus) has 1GB of RAM for god's sake! How on earth can it lag and have multitasking issues? The iPhone 4S doesn't have this problem (last night I opened all stock apps and about 10-15 downloaded apps and tried using the phone and experienced no lag as if only one application was open) and it's a phone with a processor clocked 400Mhz lower, with half the RAM!

 

[lilo777]

As I've already asked, what's wrong with glass? It's a $20 replacement if it cracks and none of our (me, nor my girlfriend, her parents, her sister and her husband, my mother, father, brother, grandmas, nor any of my friends with iPhone 4 or 4S's) have ever cracked the back! We've got people with Otterboxes, Incase Sliders, Speck Candyshells, naked phones, Invisible Shields, cheap China cases, etc. and none have had a cracked back! And even if we did, it's $20 to fix THROUGH APPLE! You could do it yourself in 5 minutes and have whatever color/material back you want for $15 on eBay.

As far as the front being glass, nothing is different there- iPhones have always been this way and are no more prone to cracking when dropped than any other phone.

And what is good about glass? It's slippery and fragile. Let's just read the following message from our fellow Macrumor-er (posted yesterday):


Hello, I've replaced the screen on my iPhone 4 today and it seems to work, but since it's on a tethered jailbreak I can't get it past the apple logo because the home button isn't working.

I removed the flex from my old home button and put it on the new one but the silver drum came off and I used a little super glue to put it back on. Do you think that's what did it or do you think it's the flex cable?

The flex cable with the little clamp that holds it in pushed down will come out even if clamped down so I'm thinking the flex may be a little worn.


And here is q quote from another Macrumors member:

The front can be replaced and it is closer to $200. The back can be replaced for $29. The back is just a cover, whereas the front is an touch screen. A lot more going on in the front.


Remember that the front glass on iPhone 4(s) breaks much easier than on all other phones because of the phone design (screen edge is exposed thus making the glass very vulnerable).

 

[thenerdal]

i was debating about getting a iphone 4s or the new galaxy nexus glad i chose the iphone 4s. I love android too but ios does things better its just smooth.

But anyways here is a link describing hows theres still lag when shifting to other screens and also the camera samples cant touch the iphone 4s.

http://thisismynext.com/2011/10/18/galaxy-nexus-android-ice-cream-sandwich-pictures-video-hands-on/

There's no lag in that video. Don't know what you're talking about.

 

[lilo777]

This is about the worst argument I've ever heard. I'm about to demolish everything you said in a few short words.

1. This was sure as hell the final, or EXTREMELY near final unit. This thing is allegedly launching around 11/10, and there is no way Google is going to radically change anything to solve this lag.

2. GOOGLE THEMSELVES said that the reason you can't actually 'close' apps but rather remove them from the 'active apps' card stack was because they said the user doesn't need to be able to do that, nor should they need to! (talk about restricting, eh?) Google is making the very bold claim that their multitasking doesn't need to involve closing applications, so it shouldn't matter if ever app on the device had been used- they say it's ready for it.

3. This phone (Galaxy Nexus) has 1GB of RAM for god's sake! How on earth can it lag and have multitasking issues? The iPhone 4S doesn't have this problem (last night I opened all stock apps and about 10-15 downloaded apps and tried using the phone and experienced no lag as if only one application was open) and it's a phone with a processor clocked 400Mhz lower, with half the RAM!

How is your Siri (does not) work? Have you seen a thread about iOS 5 bugs on this very forum? Don't look surprised that software may have bugs. We have yet to see how smooth Galaxy Nexus is but we already know that Galaxy SII is every bit as smooth (and even faster) as iPhone 4S.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

And what is good about glass? It's slippery and fragile. Let's just read the following message from our fellow Macrumor-er (posted yesterday):


Hello, I've replaced the screen on my iPhone 4 today and it seems to work, but since it's on a tethered jailbreak I can't get it past the apple logo because the home button isn't working.

I removed the flex from my old home button and put it on the new one but the silver drum came off and I used a little super glue to put it back on. Do you think that's what did it or do you think it's the flex cable?

The flex cable with the little clamp that holds it in pushed down will come out even if clamped down so I'm thinking the flex may be a little worn.


And here is q quote from another Macrumors member:

The front can be replaced and it is closer to $200. The back can be replaced for $29. The back is just a cover, whereas the front is an touch screen. A lot more going on in the front.


Remember that the front glass on iPhone 4(s) breaks much easier than on all other phones because of the phone design (screen edge is exposed thus making the glass very vulnerable).

I'd go out on a limb and say that plastic is equally if not more slippery than glass- without a doubt, plastic is no 'tight' material.

The edge of the iPhone's screen is not exposed.. not sure what you're talking about! The screen has a bezel on all sides and while the glass on the top and bottom of the device may be connected to the screen glass, it doesn't make the screen more breakable. Any device with a glass screen that you drop is more likely than not to crack if it lands face down on a no-flat surface.

How is your Siri (does not) work? Have you seen a thread about iOS 5 bugs on this very forum? Don't look surprised that software may have bugs. We have yet to see how smooth Galaxy Nexus is but we already know that Galaxy SII is every bit as smooth (and even faster) as iPhone 4S.

Siri works fantastic for me. Haven't had more transcription/understanding issues than I can count on two hands, and that's while testing out a plethora of things rather than actual usage. Yep, I've seen the thread on iOS 5 bugs. If you'd read all that I posted in this thread you'd know that I've had iOS 5 since June and am well aware of the bugs that existed (none that currently effect any of the family members and acquaintances I listed in this thread, with the exception of battery life on my 4S, and the source of that is not determinable as of now), but don't have any issues with my iPhone.

Who cares if we have seen in person how smooth it is? I know what the lag is like with an Android phone, and so does Joshua Topolsky. If he says it's still there, it's still there! Don't you think the absence of something is more noticeable than the same condition existing?

About the Galaxy S2- look at this. That is a guy who has alleviated his lag on his S2 by rooting and hacking with the default software (2.3.3, something I used on my Nexus S LAST CHRISTMAS, and he wasn't on 2.3.4 because it was too bad!)- sure doesn't sound like the S2 is "as fast as or faster than the 4S," especially out of the box.

 

[Vegastouch]

As I've already asked, what's wrong with glass? It's a $20 replacement if it cracks and none of our (me, nor my girlfriend, her parents, her sister and her husband, my mother, father, brother, grandmas, nor any of my friends with iPhone 4 or 4S's) have ever cracked the back! We've got people with Otterboxes, Incase Sliders, Speck Candyshells, naked phones, Invisible Shields, cheap China cases, etc. and none have had a cracked back! And even if we did, it's $20 to fix THROUGH APPLE! You could do it yourself in 5 minutes and have whatever color/material back you want for $15 on eBay.

As far as the front being glass, nothing is different there- iPhones have always been this way and are no more prone to cracking when dropped than any other phone.

I dont want the hassle of having to fix it. Ive dropped mine a handful of times and it hasnt broke. Last time was facedown on the asphalt on some pebbles and it didnt break and i have a plastic back and the front is gorilla glass and i dont have the best case on it. It is a Mesh Case which acts as a shock and sometimes even falls off when i drop it.

And i dont care if i have my favorite football team logo is embedded on the back of my phone, it is going to get covered up with a case so who cares if it looks "more professional"? I couldnt care less about that. And as for "feeling more sturdy", it may feel more sturdy because the glass makes it heavier but the fact is, it isnt sturdier.

I dont buy a phone to have it be a conversation about how it looks.
My iPhone 2G was way too slipery with that aluminum back and the plastic backs are slippery too so it need a case with a better grip. I dont need a otterbox case but a decent one i can hold on to.
I dont want my phone encased in glass. Just isnt for me and what i do.

 

[playtillyadrop]

There's no lag in that video. Don't know what you're talking about.

Read the article the writer states it in his conclusion based on a hands on with the demo unit.

 

[Savor]

Now I know why Apple focused alot on Samsung in their lawsuits. I would be worried too because I think Samsung is a very, very dangerous opponent. Apple could have went after LG just the same since the LG Arena and their S-Class UI looked similar to iOS too. But attacking LG which also provides the Retina Display wouldn't be enough. Apple wanted to deal with an even stronger opponent.

The new trend in phones is going to be about the quality of the SCREEN. HDTV in our pocket is going to be the new turf war. And Samsung knows HDTV better than Apple.

I feel Samsung and HTC surpassed Apple awhile back in certain areas. I think HTC surpassed Apple in build quality and Samsung is about to surpass iPhone in screen quality.

I like that back cover of that GSII. Very cute. Easy to remove and customizable.

More pictures found here -
http://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-nexus-hands-on-18189125/

 

[lilo777]

I'd go out on a limb and say that plastic is equally if not more slippery than glass- without a doubt, plastic is no 'tight' material.

The edge of the iPhone's screen is not exposed.. not sure what you're talking about! The screen has a bezel on all sides and while the glass on the top and bottom of the device may be connected to the screen glass, it doesn't make the screen more breakable. Any device with a glass screen that you drop is more likely than not to crack if it lands face down on a no-flat surface.

I meant the edge of the front glass which is exposed. Samsung uses special plastic which they call "soft-touch plastics". They emphasized this in today's presentation. Galaxy SII has it too (and it's not slippery) but they said today that the one in the Nexus is even softer (we'll see).

 

[thenerdal]

Read the article the writer states it in his conclusion based on a hands on with the demo unit.

Engadget said there was no lag and it was surprisingly fast. Odd.

 

[xraytech]

yawn...

android...

 

[lilo777]

Read the article the writer states it in his conclusion based on a hands on with the demo unit.

And here is what Engadget guy had to say about his own experience:

Our text unit was actually running 4.0.1 for reasons unknown, but as we mentioned in our Galaxy Nexus hands-on, it was as smooth as ever. Without question, this is easily the slickest, most polished version of Android yet, and we invite you to take a tour yourself via the hands-on gallery below.


Link.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

Just isnt for me and what i do. Thats whats wrong with it.

So because it isn't right for you, it isn't right for anyone (as you're stating that's what's "wrong")? Nice logic.

Also, I have to say that to this date the iPhone 2G was/is the most robust and comfortable phone I've ever used. I'd pay double the price of the 4S if it was similar in design to the 2G more thin.

 

[thenerdal]

So because it isn't right for you, it isn't right for anyone (as you're stating that's what's "wrong")? Nice logic.

Also, I have to say that to this date the iPhone 2G was/is the most robust and comfortable phone I've ever used. I'd pay double the price of the 4S if it was similar in design to the 2G more thin.

So because having plastic on a phone isn't right for you, it isn't right for anyone? Nice logic.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

So because having plastic on a phone isn't right for you, it isn't right for anyone? Nice logic.

Did I say that? I said that plastic phones should be a thing of the past, because we had plastic phones in the 90's- this is 2011. I can see you are a big proponent of recycling.

 

[thenerdal]

Did I say that? I said that plastic phones should be a thing of the past, because we had plastic phones in the 90's- this is 2011. I can see you are a big proponent of recycling.

I'd agree with you if most phones weren't made of plastic. But that's not true.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

I'd agree with you if most phones weren't made of plastic. But that's not true.

I know it's not true, because manufacturers are doing it because it's cheap and requires absolutely no innovation. There's no doubt a metal or liquid metal (god forbid carbon fiber) phone would cost significantly more to manufacture, and that's exactly why they're not doing it- withheld innovation and greed.

 

[yodaxl7]

No it isn't.

Yes it! Ice Cream sandwich started with a new font! Basically, bowing down to apple that iOS is better!

 

[KurtangleTN]

You really fall a prey to Apple myths. Just watch these two videos comparing Samsung Galaxy SII and iPhone 4S and see for yourself that SGSII is actually smoother than the week old iPhone:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp0HlX1ySGg&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1EBlCWBHHs&feature=relmfu

LOL

Well speed and smoothness are overrated anyway.

Anyway, this will by my next phone for sure. It's an amazing device.

The fact that they were able to push in a 4.65 inch display and not make it feel much bigger than a 4.3 by removing the bezel is brilliant.

A 720p display is going to be amazing not just for movies and videos but for web browsing as well. I remember how amazed I was at the difference in resolution jumping from the iPhone 3GS's display to the Motorola Droid's.. I'm guessing I'll get a similar feel out of the jump to 720p.

I hope this comes out early November, I'm so tired of waiting. My small town is about to be lit up tomorrow with 4G.. the freaking cards are really coming together.

 

[thenerdal]

I know it's not true, because manufacturers are doing it because it's cheap and requires absolutely no innovation. There's no doubt a metal or liquid metal (god forbid carbon fiber) phone would cost significantly more to manufacture, and that's exactly why they're not doing it- withheld innovation and greed.

Nexus prime is made of soft touch plastics and metal. So your statement is false. They can if they want to, but there's no need for it.

 

[tigress666]

Rumor has it that the Nexus Prime (Galaxy Nexus, whatever) will have a facial recognition lockscreen. And to those of you asking what's so different about it vs. the 4S, give me a break. 4.6" screen? 720p Super AMOLED HD display? 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU? LTE? NFC? Sure, some of that stuff is standard for an Android device but it's still a pipe dream in "Apple World". Don't get me wrong, I may still end up getting the 4S just because there's a lot of present (and future) apps that I don't want to give up, but you can't deny that from a hardware standpoint the Nexus is CLEARLY better. If I switch from the iPhone after being a loyal user for 3 years it'll be because of this device.

Oh, I can deny it. Because you know what, some of those specs are extreme enough that they will be a turn off to some and not considered "better".

4.6" screen? No thank you! 4.5" is already monstrously too big. Anything over 4" is way too huge to be practical as a phone (and I personally think Apple found the sweet spot but anything to 4" I'll at least consider if overall the phone is good. THey'd have to do something super super droolworthy to get me over any screen size bigger). Some of us would actually see that big screen as a huge negative believe it or not.

Curved screen? WTF?! Why would I want that? Solely so it can be used as a phone more comfortably (and less usable for everything else)? If I wanted something to be super good at a phone I'd get a dumb phone which I'm sure still does better as a phone than any smart phone. The best part of my iPhone being a phone is just that I don't need to carry a phone too. I use it far more like a mini tablet than a phone so why would I want it to have a screen that is more dedicated to being a phone than a tablet? I thought we have spent decades perfecting technology to have flat screens in our viewing items! The reason I have a smart phone is to have a computer away from my computer.

Faster processor? Ok, you got me there... except I wonder how well it will do with Android vs. iPhone's with iOS5?

New OS? So does iPhone. And I can almost guarentee you when Apple puts out new OS's for the next two years you'll be able to get them on your phone soon as they are out so it will stay relevant (sooner and longer when you think of many Android phones that never get around to supporting the newest OS, no need to they want to focus on their newest phone, not the one they already got the money for). No waiting for your carrier or manufacturer to support it on your phone.

Better camera... oh wait, no it doesn't.

NFC. Yep, that's nice, I agree. Though part of me says that's also meaning you can really get f'ed if some one steals your phone. But I'd probably use it anyways.

So no, those specs clearly aren't better. Some are so extreme that for some people they're a clear negative. Some are just confusing why people are making a big deal. Some are the same as the iPhone. ANd yeah, one thing I will agree it clearly has over the iPhone (NFC).

 

[thenerdal]

Oh, I can deny it. Because you know what, some of those specs are extreme enough that they will be a turn off to some and not considered "better".

4.6" screen? No thank you! 4.5" is already monstrously too big. Anything over 4" is way too huge to be practical as a phone (and I personally think Apple found the sweet spot but anything to 4" I'll at least consider if overall the phone is good. THey'd have to do something super super droolworthy to get me over any screen size bigger). Some of us would actually see that big screen as a huge negative believe it or not.

Curved screen? WTF?! Why would I want that? Solely so it can be used as a phone more comfortably (and less usable for everything else)? If I wanted something to be super good at a phone I'd get a dumb phone which I'm sure still does better as a phone than any smart phone. The best part of my iPhone being a phone is just that I don't need to carry a phone too. I use it far more like a mini tablet than a phone so why would I want it to have a screen that is more dedicated to being a phone than a tablet? I thought we have spent decades perfecting technology to have flat screens in our viewing items! The reason I have a smart phone is to have a computer away from my computer.

Faster processor? Ok, you got me there... except I wonder how well it will do with Android vs. iPhone's with iOS5?

New OS? So does iPhone. And I can almost guarentee you when Apple puts out new OS's for the next two years you'll be able to get them on your phone soon as they are out so it will stay relevant (sooner and longer when you think of many Android phones that never get around to supporting the newest OS, no need to they want to focus on their newest phone, not the one they already got the money for). No waiting for your carrier or manufacturer to support it on your phone.

Better camera... oh wait, no it doesn't.

NFC. Yep, that's nice, I agree. Though part of me says that's also meaning you can really get f'ed if some one steals your phone. But I'd probably use it anyways.

So no, those specs clearly aren't better. Some are so extreme that for some people they're a clear negative. Some are just confusing why people are making a big deal. Some are the same as the iPhone. ANd yeah, one thing I will agree it clearly has over the iPhone (NFC).

1.) Try out the phone before stating it's too big.
2.) Try out the phone before judging the screen.
3.) Nexus phones get the updates first.....
4.) I would agree if you're taking bigger pictures. 5 MP is decent enough. This is a phone, not a camera.
5.) Nexus specs don't matter like iPhone specs do because the software is optimized with the hardware. If you want specs, wait for the SIII.

 

[Vegastouch]

So because it isn't right for you, it isn't right for anyone (as you're stating that's what's "wrong")? Nice logic.

Also, I have to say that to this date the iPhone 2G was/is the most robust and comfortable phone I've ever used. I'd pay double the price of the 4S if it was similar in design to the 2G more thin.

Dude, you complained about every device you had/have. If you like a glass encased phone, does that mean everyone should? So its ok for you to say its ok but its not for me to say i dont want one?
More nice logic!
Sorry, i dont want a glass encased phone because some think it looks better. That isnt a good reason to me because it is less sturdy than the plastic backs. Ive yet to have a plastic back shatter into a thousand pieces but ive sure seen a few of my buddies and co-workers smash their glass back iPhones.

And yes, the 2G still is the best built Apple phone. But the aluminum back was way too slippery. Same with the chrome backs of the iPods.

 

[ctbear]

One hidden feature in ICS that deserves more attention...
https://plus.google.com/111962077049890418486/posts/EZzd8nBF29C
No more AT&T navigator or Verizon Vcast crap...yay!

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

1.) Try out the phone before stating it's too big.

Some things you don't have to see or touch in person to realize it's not for you. For anyone who doesn't want a phone that huge, I doubt holding it will give them a change of heart.