UK, Thinking of Buying G Nexus, Advice Sought! - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hi guys - currently have a Desire HD on a 24 month contract that will end at the end of August or so. Thinking of buying a Galaxy Nexus and getting a cheap SIM free contract when my current one ends. Just a couple of questions.
1. Would you suggest the above plan, or waiting until the the contract runs out and getting a new contract with the Nexus included? Thinking about potential upgrade to whatever the next nexus is.
2. How are updates in the UK? Direct from Google or Samsung? Better SIM free or with a carrier?
3. Is it worth flashing ROMs on the Nexus, or fine just sticking with stock? Kind of tired of reinstalling apps all the time etc, would be nice to be able to stick to OTA updates from now on!
Thanks guys
Sent from my Desire HD

1: If you want to save cash long term buying the phone outright and getting a cheap contract is the way to go.
2: Updates are from google
3: Stock ICS/Jellybean is great although lots of benefits with ROMs. The Nexus is designed to be rooted and its really simple to try lots of different ROMs
Nexus is great but has now been overtaken in the hardware stakes by the HTC OneX and SIII. For pure Google Android the Nexus is the way to go though as we will get the updates first.

Get your carrier to offer a good deal
My 24month deal finished as the gnex came out, I said cancel my existing contract i'm going elsewhere (after asking for a quote) .. about 7 days before the date they rang and offered a deal which was cheaper than a buy myself, sim only + data package.. The carrier was Vodafone i squeezed a gnex at £20 per month, free phone,500Mb, 600mins and 6k texts which I thought was good in that, all they would offer me a month before was £36 for 500Mb/300mins/unlimited txts/free phone.
My other thought was to buy a sim free version and go GiffGaff as their sims looked pretty good... as the gnex has dropped quit a bit now it might make a better price option..
Good luck..
PS Gr8 phone... first one that just does everything you need..

The phone is actually pretty awesome, if you can try and buy it outright, i bought mine for £280 new from ebay, flashed the Yakju build on it and it runs awesome, everything is stock and it makes a change coming from the Motorola Milestone and Atrix 4G.
Either way it's on Jelly Bean now just for messing around and checking out the new features, but honestly, buying the phone outright and go APE with GiffGaff internet (i used to tether to my tablet and download Torrents in college lol) it's pretty much the best combo.
Plus you're getting everything from Google pretty much When it's out OTA or from the updates page here.
* Btw im not even sure if GiffGaff has a data limit but if it does then it sure as hell ain't 3GB lol

Thanks for the feedback, could get one for about £260 atm, very tempting to go with the Nexus 7!
Still can't decide whether to stick with stock or use ROMs. Its the data wipe that winds me up (even more so with no external SD for music).
Sent from my Desire HD

dannycorker said:
Thanks for the feedback, could get one for about £260 atm, very tempting to go with the Nexus 7!
Still can't decide whether to stick with stock or use ROMs. Its the data wipe that winds me up (even more so with no external SD for music).
Sent from my Desire HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your worried about losing music when. Wiping for a new ROM, don't panic. A wipe WILL NOT delete anything on the /sdcard directory but unlocking the bootloader will. I would unlock the bootloader anyway as soon as you get it, then whatever you decide in the future, your music and media are safe.
EDIT: Ballsed that quote/reply up
Sent from my Jelly Belly using xda app-developers app

Oh so it still has an SD card directory? That's handy
Sent from my Desire HD

dannycorker said:
Oh so it still has an SD card directory? That's handy
Sent from my Desire HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. A standard wipe of data in CWM will leave everything intact. Last thing you want to do is load your phone up with media then unlock the bootloader as you will lose the lot. I unlocked my bootloader, rooted and made a nandroid of stock within 15 mins of ripping the box open . That way I knew I was prepared for flashing in the future and keeping my data intact.
Sent from my Jelly Belly using xda app-developers app

OK definitely going ahead with the plan now - been poking round the forums and not sure where to start really, looking forward to it though. Will try and flash the build to ensure google updates I guess and sort root, then just play around and wait for the JB update
Sent from my Desire HD

Related

Return SGS2 - Wait for Nexus?

I am debating returning my sgs II, while I still have 15 days left to return it to wait for the Galaxy Nexus. I love the hercules, and im not returning it because of problems, I just want ICS and I feel like even though its a top rated phone, it will take forever to get ICs on it. I also think the Galaxy Nexus GSM version will be available around the same time as verizon version. Anyone have any input?
brian6685 said:
I am debating returning my sgs II, while I still have 15 days left to return it to wait for the Galaxy Nexus. I love the hercules, and im not returning it because of problems, I just want ICS and I feel like even though its a top rated phone, it will take forever to get ICs on it. I also think the Galaxy Nexus GSM version will be available around the same time as verizon version. Anyone have any input?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you will be waiting atleast a couple of months after it released on verizon before you see the GSM version. Plus there are quite a few devices either identicle or very similar to ours. So I think once one gets ics the porting will be much easier.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Monk4Life said:
I think you will be waiting atleast a couple of months after it released on verizon before you see the GSM version. Plus there are quite a few devices either identicle or very similar to ours. So I think once one gets ics the porting will be much easier.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its a hard decision because I really like this phone....just don't wanna pass up the time I am able to return it for full price, and then regret not returning it. You really think it will be a couple months for a gsm version? Why do you say that?
return it, cancel it, and get another SGS2 from another store
then you auto extent to another 15 days
Be careful with this. Took my Tmobile gs2 back because of the screen issues and rebooting. Got a new one with minimal line issues and it seems snappier, but the guy told me it was the last exchange in the store. Me thinking I had 10 more days. Apparently since I returned an amaze and bought a BRAND NEW phone, the 14 days did not reset for me. I was always told anytime I had a new device it would reset the return period.
AllGamer said:
return it, cancel it, and get another SGS2 from another store
then you auto extent to another 15 days
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
AllGamer said:
return it, cancel it, and get another SGS2 from another store
then you auto extent to another 15 days
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I bought outright, so i actually get 30 days to return Its only 15 days if you buy with contract at a discounted price. And I have thought of that also...i still have til the 15th so ill give it a few more days and see if we get any news about the nexus I guess.... i dunno
Galaxy Nexus comes mid November 17 to 28 according to the fans in the GN forum.
personally i'm not excited at all about the GN, it's like a side-upgrade compared to SGS2
if you want a HD 720 device that is as best as you can get for Tmobile
otherwise SGS2 is the top of the hill at the moment spec wise
Considering how long it took for the Galaxy S2X to show up on Telus doorstep I wouldn't hold my breath for any upgrades.
It sucks as two good phones will be out but you'll have to decide of which two has the more important features and myself I love the screen on the Galaxy S2X
its verizon exclusive as most people have said so u will be waiting a while
movieaddict said:
its verizon exclusive as most people have said so u will be waiting a while
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm thinking of preorder galaxy nexus from uk.
but i just wish [email protected]#$ing google update their website!
i worry after i preordered from uk, then google open up their website and i can order the phone directly from google.
AllGamer said:
Galaxy Nexus comes mid November 17 to 28 according to the fans in the GN forum.
personally i'm not excited at all about the GN, it's like a side-upgrade compared to SGS2
if you want a HD 720 device that is as best as you can get for Tmobile
otherwise SGS2 is the top of the hill at the moment spec wise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with the hardware being a side-upgrade...its ics that I want
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
movieaddict said:
its verizon exclusive as most people have said so u will be waiting a while
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not so sure...didn't Verizon take the exclusive off their banner? Also, nothing has been announced of it yet..
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Also lets hope the Galaxy Nexus does not suffer with the screen lines and blobs that we are
brian6685 said:
I'm not so sure...didn't Verizon take the exclusive off their banner? Also, nothing has been announced of it yet..
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They did. But you will still will be waiting 3-4 months for a gsm version also keep in mind importing it might be more money then just waiting for the release. It is suppose to be released on Verizon right after black Friday. It was stated by various android sites recently. I wouldn't upgrade to it. If we get cm support or miui we will probably get ics within weeks after source drops.
Killbynature said:
They did. But you will still will be waiting 3-4 months for a gsm version also keep in mind importing it might be more money then just waiting for the release. It is suppose to be released on Verizon right after black Friday. It was stated by various android sites recently. I wouldn't upgrade to it. If we get cm support or miui we will probably get ics within weeks after source drops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully...either way maybe we will be auprised and the GSM nexus will be offered at the same time at best buy or something like that. I just wish they would tell us SOMETHING
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
im keeping mine ,the leaked speculation for the next galaxy phone are incredible...5mp camera and no sd slot ,that imo is going backward .i know the resolution is there and so is ICS but i can wait for it and if the next galaxy phone is anything close to being as planned then i would think it would be the right decision to keep the phone....unless you just got a bunch of money to blow then go for it
stick with the GalaxyS2 boss! like someone said earlier in this thread - we'll get ICS support fairly quickly with a ROM after source hits. specs are better on our phone and the lack of microsd card was a bit of a deal killer for us.
i'm getting galaxy nexus with 1280x720 resolutions! that is like putting your home desktop monitor in your pocket! haha
and 4.65 screen which the GS2 can never give me!
brian6685 said:
I am debating returning my sgs II, while I still have 15 days left to return it to wait for the Galaxy Nexus. I love the hercules, and im not returning it because of problems, I just want ICS and I feel like even though its a top rated phone, it will take forever to get ICs on it. I also think the Galaxy Nexus GSM version will be available around the same time as verizon version. Anyone have any input?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm debating doing the same. FWIW, I think the int'l GSM version of the GN will be available perhaps even before the Verizon version. If you're willing to pay full retail, it's an attractive option.
hobakill said:
stick with the GalaxyS2 boss! like someone said earlier in this thread - we'll get ICS support fairly quickly with a ROM after source hits. specs are better on our phone and the lack of microsd card was a bit of a deal killer for us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully..I'm leaning towards keeping it..using my nexus s right now. I unrooted and restored my gs2 today and packed it back in the box..maybe I'll go unpack it tonight lol. I'm using ics port right now btw. It's nice, that's why I want ics..I should stop teasing myself
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Sell or not sell this phone [LTE/CDMA]

Hi community! I acquired a galaxy nexus (CDMA) recently and I wanted to know if I should keep it. I'm going to give you a few details and ask a few questions.
Details: phone has no LTE card, and the battery door is in tact but needs to be replaced because it wont stay attached, VZW said they can't run these phones on their month to month plans and the phone is stuck in a boot loop but I'm not sure if it's stock or a flashed ROM running. (I'm able to access a recovery menu but it looks to be stock).
Questions:
1. Is this phone more valuable for me to keep as stock or flash?
2. Is there any way to get VZW to run this phone in their month 2 month plans?
3. Are there any other carriers this phone can be flashed to?
4. Ultimately, should I keep or sell based on the condition?
Thx!
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App
Stock
No
No
Keep if you enjoy it or need a new phone
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Personally (even on stock), this phone is great. Flashing new roms will only make it better. I'm not familiar with US carriers, but you can only use on another CDMA provider. In Canada, all the Gnexs are GSM.
If you were to return, what phone would you get? Another Android, Blackberry, iPhone, WP7?
The RAZR looks good and so does the new Xperia S. Personally, I'd stick with the Nexus if you like it!
1. The best part about this phone is the fact that it is not locked down and the dev community is amazing. Stock is good (no VZW bloatware). But IMO, custom ROMs and kernels are the way to go.
2. No idea
3. It may be possible in the future. The VZW Samsung Fascinate was able to be flashed to straight talk and cricket.
4. It's up to you.
ARchamps said:
Personally (even on stock), this phone is great. Flashing new roms will only make it better. I'm not familiar with US carriers, but you can only use on another CDMA provider. In Canada, all the Gnexs are GSM.
If you were to return, what phone would you get? Another Android, Blackberry, iPhone, WP7?
The RAZR looks good and so does the new Xperia S. Personally, I'd stick with the Nexus if you like it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't return it, I didn't buy it from VZW. I paid 100 for it because it needs work and the person I bought it from doesn't flash phones.
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App
I'll Buy it
I'll give you what you paidfor it
automaddux said:
I'll give you what you paidfor it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
200 is what I'm looking for. I know what it's worth and can do the work on it but I didn't know who would be in the market for it other than to sell it to one of the local unlock shops. I didn't know if I should sell it unlocked or locked to those shops of I sold it. I'd keep it of VZW did non contract plans with this phone.
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App
If you know how to fix it.. why are you only asking 200?
JJHunterx said:
1. The best part about this phone is the fact that it is not locked down and the dev community is amazing. Stock is good (no VZW bloatware). But IMO, custom ROMs and kernels are the way to go.
2. No idea
3. It may be possible in the future. The VZW Samsung Fascinate was able to be flashed to straight talk and cricket.
4. It's up to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this info. I haven't flashed a phone from a CDMA carrier to cricket since the touch pro 2 so I'm out of the loop on CDMA flashing. Currently I'm "flashing" GSM phones.
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App
joshnichols189 said:
If you know how to fix it.. why are you only asking 200?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I know what it's worth lol. Like I said, the battery door needs replacing and I'm not going to research how much those are. Also, I haven't begun much
research on the flashing of this product. The only difference between me and the "local shop" guys is that if their software won't "fully" flash newer phones, they don't come here to flash it, they sell it stock or with a partial flash. You want the hassle for 200, you got it lol!
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App
JJHunterx said:
1. The best part about this phone is the fact that it is not locked down and the dev community is amazing. Stock is good (no VZW bloatware). But IMO, custom ROMs and kernels are the way to go.
2. No idea
3. It may be possible in the future. The VZW Samsung Fascinate was able to be flashed to straight talk and cricket.
4. It's up to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I truly Hope it can be flashed to cricket or something. This phone would be worth more to cricket users.
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App
Won't cost much to fix battery door that's forsure. Flashing is soooooo easy if ya can handle the fun
2 bills for it sounds good, knowing a new one would be tops right now vzw new two yr 229 or 299 last time I checked.. Good luck tho on the decision man!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Help deciding on a new phone

So, I'm stuck in my contract with an iPhone 4 on Verizon. This phone is slower than tar. I can't take it anymore. I used to be an android user back when the original droid came out. I loved that phone. I think it's time to switch back as iPhone 5's cost way too much and I miss android a little bit.
I think the 2 phones I would consider are the Nexus and the S3. Now, I've noticed the S3 has a little better specs but is Samsung still really bad with updates? I had the original Galaxy S and it was stuck on 2.1? the whole time. I couldn't stand that phone for that reason. Is the Nexus vanilla android so it has the newest android software as soon as Google releases it? Which phone would be a better choice to root? I really like to mess around with the phone and customize as much as possible.
Sorry for all the questions and if this is the wrong thread. It has been a long time since I was last here. I'd just appreciate some input from everyone so I can purchase a new phone.
Nexus.
Simple to root and customize.
Updates straight from google when they are released. Unless you buy a Verizon branded Nexus, then Verizon will take a couple months to release the update.
speedyink said:
Nexus.
Simple to root and customize.
Updates straight from google when they are released. Unless you buy a Verizon branded Nexus, then Verizon will take a couple months to release the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has Verizon been pretty good about updates so far? The Verizon Nexus is the only option as of now.
Is battery life acceptable with this phone? Easily get a full days use out of it?
ScoobyDoo27 said:
Has Verizon been pretty good about updates so far? The Verizon Nexus is the only option as of now.
Is battery life acceptable with this phone? Easily get a full days use out of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I vouch for the s3 great battery life and quite decent camera .. works as it should.. no issues whatsoever only thing is when i turn data on and browse the web i can notice it getting some heat but thats for the tmo idk about verizon..
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
If you get the VZW Nexus, be ready to flash some custom ROMs as Verizon drags their feet with updates.
If you live in an area with good t-mobile service, which is most large cities, leave version and get a Nexus 4
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Write to External SD FIXED on LOLLIPOP!

This just in. It looks like the site to SD function will be coming back with Android 5.0. Straight from the mouth that matters.
https://plus.google.com/112333815159468020407/posts/4kxjY9JFemL
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
Happy, but I'm still irked about this reversal, since one of the reasons, but not primary reason, that I returned my AT&T GN4 was the difficulty in getting write permission to SD Card
That was your choice... I always recommend that people buy a phone for what it can do NOW, not what it might do later...
Who knows when AT&T will even release that version for the phone. If samsung releases it in December, it could still be July before AT&T gets done testing /modifying /approving.
Nice! This makes me so happy. I can live without root I think but it has been annoying realizing that only certain apps work with writing to the SD card.
JasonJoel said:
That was your choice... I always recommend that people buy a phone for what it can do NOW, not what it might do later...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exceeeeeeept when it comes to root, need dat asap thx
soraxd said:
exceeeeeeept when it comes to root, need dat asap thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why?
There's so much to love about the phone as it is, then when root comes it will just be that much better :good:

Getting it now a good idea?

I'm currently on S5, which needs to go back to warrenty. I consider selling it when it comes back and get an LG G3 instead as I'm severely tired of the damn phone and need root (with unroot possible).
Would it be a good idea getting an LG G3 now to avoid pre-lollipoped phones that may not be rootable right away or won't it matter? I've tried figured this out by searching but it's kind of vague. All I find is warnings against OTA's when rooted.
Go get it. It has good price and phone is great.
If I honestly had the chance again to buy this phone I'm not sure I would, I probably would go for a Samsung note 4, or a Sony Z4. The only reason I ended up with the G3 is because 3, here in the UK, gave me a good deal - £35 pm for unlimited 4g data, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 4gb PC tethering.
If you go for it I would personally root it and install twrp, FIRST, then you have a fresh stock rooted Kitkat, ready to go in case anything goes wrong with Lollipop, or ota. Don't forget to include the modem in the backup. Get yourself as big as you can afford sdcard, 32gb, 64gb, to keep a backup on.
You will get some lag, unfortunately the Lg software has many things in the background that are pure bloatware and cause a bit of lag. There are a few guides in these forums for what can be frozen with titanium backup.
Good luck.
JohnRM said:
If I honestly had the chance again to buy this phone I'm not sure I would, I probably would go for a Samsung note 4, or a Sony Z4. The only reason I ended up with the G3 is because 3, here in the UK, gave me a good deal - £35 pm for unlimited 4g data, unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 4gb PC tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know how would you get Z4 if its not out on market and even not announced.
The Z4 is thought to be coming out in the UK sometime around April. I was thinking of keeping my old Nexus 4 until the Z4 release.
I dont think so ,The version of G3 too much, and rom not very much
Thanks for the replies.
Yeah I've heard the G4 "may" be coming soon. This is always the situation however. A new phone i always on it's way and from a financial point of view buying the latest is a very poor choice. I purchased the S5 when it was released. It's at almost 50% of that price new now.

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