3 ms·

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

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?
- lutusp 12y ago
  Many people who own and use smartphones don't know they can charge them while driving by attaching them to the car's power by way of a cigarette lighter power adaptor. The irony of the cigarette lighter outlet in a modern car is that it's not likely to be used for its original purpose, but it won't disappear from cars because it's a convenient way to charge a small electronic device.
  - GregQuinn 12y ago
    It will disappear. A lot of new cars in Europe already have a USB port built into the dashboard.
    - lutusp 12y ago
      That sounds more practical. A lot of equipment exists that assumes the presence of a cigarette lighter socket, but I wouldn't be surprised if they declined over time because the USB socket is cheaper and more versatile.
      - icebraining 12y ago
        It'll be fun when people start buying USB-powered cigarette lighters because they've been obsoleted from cars :)
        pjc50 12y ago
        The joke going around is "can you unplug your book, I need to charge my cigarette": the lighter will be obsoleted too in favour of e-cigs. Generally it's better for things not to be on fire.
        mrottenkolber 12y ago
        > Generally it's better for things not to be on fire. Maybe in your bubble.
michaelcampbell 12y ago
If his need is the actual PHONE (as in, the part you make calls with), I think he'd be better off with an old RAZR or other flip-phone - those things are a dime a dozen and last days if not the better part of a week on a charge, while making tons of calls. (So, I'm old - can you even get these anymore?)
- luckyno13 12y ago
  Im not sure about the old RAZR specifically, but there are still a number of feature phones available that not only will provide similar battery life you are talking about, but also require a much cheaper plan. But as a real estate agent, he is probably leveraging other uses from his smartphone that would make this an unattractive option. I guess it would either be carry a smartphone and a feature phone, or a smartphone with some spare batteries.
- majorsc2noob 12y ago
  I bought a Samsung E2370 as a hiking phone for 70USD. The usual one-day battery time is no good if you plan to hike for weeks. According to the specs it has 90 day standby. According to the web site its only 65 (not sure why it differs).When I had it idling on my desk I had to charge it after 70 days. I guess this is what you get with a modern bulky battery if you just scale down on features.

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?

lutusp 12y ago
Many people who own and use smartphones don't know they can charge them while driving by attaching them to the car's power by way of a cigarette lighter power adaptor. The irony of the cigarette lighter outlet in a modern car is that it's not likely to be used for its original purpose, but it won't disappear from cars because it's a convenient way to charge a small electronic device.
- GregQuinn 12y ago
  It will disappear. A lot of new cars in Europe already have a USB port built into the dashboard.
  - lutusp 12y ago
    That sounds more practical. A lot of equipment exists that assumes the presence of a cigarette lighter socket, but I wouldn't be surprised if they declined over time because the USB socket is cheaper and more versatile.
    - icebraining 12y ago
      It'll be fun when people start buying USB-powered cigarette lighters because they've been obsoleted from cars :)
      - pjc50 12y ago
        The joke going around is "can you unplug your book, I need to charge my cigarette": the lighter will be obsoleted too in favour of e-cigs. Generally it's better for things not to be on fire.
        mrottenkolber 12y ago
        > Generally it's better for things not to be on fire. Maybe in your bubble.

michaelcampbell 12y ago

If his need is the actual PHONE (as in, the part you make calls with), I think he'd be better off with an old RAZR or other flip-phone - those things are a dime a dozen and last days if not the better part of a week on a charge, while making tons of calls. (So, I'm old - can you even get these anymore?)

luckyno13 12y ago
Im not sure about the old RAZR specifically, but there are still a number of feature phones available that not only will provide similar battery life you are talking about, but also require a much cheaper plan. But as a real estate agent, he is probably leveraging other uses from his smartphone that would make this an unattractive option. I guess it would either be carry a smartphone and a feature phone, or a smartphone with some spare batteries.
majorsc2noob 12y ago
I bought a Samsung E2370 as a hiking phone for 70USD. The usual one-day battery time is no good if you plan to hike for weeks. According to the specs it has 90 day standby. According to the web site its only 65 (not sure why it differs).When I had it idling on my desk I had to charge it after 70 days. I guess this is what you get with a modern bulky battery if you just scale down on features.