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I can see how that could be the case. They wouldn't have had my $650 even two years ago, but its possible they would have had a better result than they did in 2

by phaus 12y ago

I can see how that could be the case. They wouldn't have had my $650 even two years ago, but its possible they would have had a better result than they did in 2014. In the future, I think Amazon still may have a shot at producing a decent phone at a reasonable price. Hell, I just bought a Galaxy Nexus (from Amazon) to replace the LG G2 that I broke (didn't feel like spending $600). In spite of its age, its hands-down a better phone than the G2. If they get the form-factor and the software right, there are lots of people who won't even care if the CPU isn't the latest and greatest iteration.

tadfisher 12y ago
Stock Android really is the best experience. You can tell it was designed with a sort of consistency and fluidity that all of the manufacturer skins lack. I would also take a Galaxy Nexus over any skinned Android device; with the exception of HTC Sense, which has really improved since the disastrous Gingerbread days.
- bellerocky 12y ago
  I just install Aviate or some other thing on top of TouchWiz on my Galaxy 5. Who cares what the default UI is like, you can replace it is enough on Android. I think you can get any kind of Android UI you like, you're not stuck with what you get from the manufacturer.
  - TylerE 12y ago
    Not all of it. In one of the recent HTC updates they pushed some incredinly inane "features", for instance a "volume warning" that forces you to click ok to move the volume past about the halfway point - even if it's the BLUETOOTH volume.
    - eigenvector 12y ago
      Volume warning is actually from stock Android.
      - ansible 12y ago
        N4 running stock here. I've never seen that.
      - ufmace 12y ago
        I've got a HTC One GPE, keep it bone-stock, never seen any volume warnings.
- rodgerd 12y ago
  I'm pretty fond of Sony's (generally mild) changes from stock from the 4.0 era on. These days they seem to put most of their efforts into apps (where it belongs) to differentiate the camera, media players and so on.
- pjc50 12y ago
  I generally refer to the OEM software as "value subtracted software"; it's only there as a weak effort at de-commoditising the hardware.
hkmurakami 12y ago
One thing that's great about the GN phone is that you can swap out the batteries to obviate the need to carry around a portable battery. You can't do this with the N4 (can't take off backplate) or the N5 (you can take off the backplate, but there's a metal brace holding the battery in place). My friend still has his GN phone from its original launch and carries 2 extra batteries with him at all times (he's a real estate broker so he needs to always be available via phone)
- prewett 12y ago
  If the only reason for not getting the Nexus is the ability to change batteries, he could just carry around one of those portable phone charger batteries, and then he could enjoy a Nexus and be always charged. http://www.techradar.com/us/news/portable-devices/other-devices/best-portable-chargers-14-we-recommend-1178873 http://www.techradar.com/us/news/portable-devices/other-devi...
  - techsupporter 12y ago
    Grandparent post: One thing that's great about the GN phone is that you can swap out the batteries to obviate the need to carry around a portable battery. I do the same thing, deliberately have a phone that has user-swappable batteries. Why? I can insert a second battery that is fully charged instead of having to plug in the external battery (along with keeping track of the charging cable) and let it charge the internal battery. As a nice side bonus, I can also buy batteries which are larger than the stock battery. My Galaxy S4 GPE has aftermarket batteries available (mine is from Anker) that are essentially two stock batteries strapped together, or 5200mAh of capacity versus 2600mAh stock. Yes, the phone gets one "battery height" thicker but having two solid days of my normal use is outstanding.
- jamesaguilar 12y ago
  Just curious: what does a real estate broker do where he needs to be away from electricity for the time it takes to replace his batteries twice? Maybe he works in a big city and uses public transit?
eclipxe 12y ago
The G2 was one of the best Android phones I ever used (and I used a lot - GS2, GS3, GS4, Note, Nexus One, Nexus 4, Nexus 5). The G2 has outstanding battery-life, great UI tweaks, great size, minimal bezels, great audio, etc.
- phaus 12y ago
  The G2 is definitely a nice phone. I was rather sad when I dropped it and smashed the screen. I just happen to think that the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android phone ever made.

by phaus 12y ago

tadfisher 12y ago

Stock Android really is the best experience. You can tell it was designed with a sort of consistency and fluidity that all of the manufacturer skins lack. I would also take a Galaxy Nexus over any skinned Android device; with the exception of HTC Sense, which has really improved since the disastrous Gingerbread days.

bellerocky 12y ago
I just install Aviate or some other thing on top of TouchWiz on my Galaxy 5. Who cares what the default UI is like, you can replace it is enough on Android. I think you can get any kind of Android UI you like, you're not stuck with what you get from the manufacturer.
- TylerE 12y ago
  Not all of it. In one of the recent HTC updates they pushed some incredinly inane "features", for instance a "volume warning" that forces you to click ok to move the volume past about the halfway point - even if it's the BLUETOOTH volume.
  - eigenvector 12y ago
    Volume warning is actually from stock Android.
    - ansible 12y ago
      N4 running stock here. I've never seen that.
    - ufmace 12y ago
      I've got a HTC One GPE, keep it bone-stock, never seen any volume warnings.
rodgerd 12y ago
I'm pretty fond of Sony's (generally mild) changes from stock from the 4.0 era on. These days they seem to put most of their efforts into apps (where it belongs) to differentiate the camera, media players and so on.
pjc50 12y ago
I generally refer to the OEM software as "value subtracted software"; it's only there as a weak effort at de-commoditising the hardware.

hkmurakami 12y ago

One thing that's great about the GN phone is that you can swap out the batteries to obviate the need to carry around a portable battery. You can't do this with the N4 (can't take off backplate) or the N5 (you can take off the backplate, but there's a metal brace holding the battery in place). My friend still has his GN phone from its original launch and carries 2 extra batteries with him at all times (he's a real estate broker so he needs to always be available via phone)

prewett 12y ago
If the only reason for not getting the Nexus is the ability to change batteries, he could just carry around one of those portable phone charger batteries, and then he could enjoy a Nexus and be always charged. http://www.techradar.com/us/news/portable-devices/other-devices/best-portable-chargers-14-we-recommend-1178873 http://www.techradar.com/us/news/portable-devices/other-devi...
- techsupporter 12y ago
  Grandparent post: One thing that's great about the GN phone is that you can swap out the batteries to obviate the need to carry around a portable battery. I do the same thing, deliberately have a phone that has user-swappable batteries. Why? I can insert a second battery that is fully charged instead of having to plug in the external battery (along with keeping track of the charging cable) and let it charge the internal battery. As a nice side bonus, I can also buy batteries which are larger than the stock battery. My Galaxy S4 GPE has aftermarket batteries available (mine is from Anker) that are essentially two stock batteries strapped together, or 5200mAh of capacity versus 2600mAh stock. Yes, the phone gets one "battery height" thicker but having two solid days of my normal use is outstanding.
jamesaguilar 12y ago
Just curious: what does a real estate broker do where he needs to be away from electricity for the time it takes to replace his batteries twice? Maybe he works in a big city and uses public transit?

eclipxe 12y ago

The G2 was one of the best Android phones I ever used (and I used a lot - GS2, GS3, GS4, Note, Nexus One, Nexus 4, Nexus 5). The G2 has outstanding battery-life, great UI tweaks, great size, minimal bezels, great audio, etc.

phaus 12y ago
The G2 is definitely a nice phone. I was rather sad when I dropped it and smashed the screen. I just happen to think that the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android phone ever made.