i-Phone 4 vs Google Nexus S

Danjamin1

I'm thinking of getting a new smartphone but I can't decide between getting the i-Phone 4 or the Google Nexus S.

I know they're both good phones & the only difference I can see is that the price plan Vodafone offer for the Nexus S is slightly better for data allowance & the phone itself is cheaper.

Three offer the i-Phone at a better price than Vodafone & the plan they have is better for the price you pay. The only problem I've heard is that the network itself isn't as good.

Does anyone have any feedback on any of this as I can't make up my mind?!

dodzy

Danjamin1 wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a new smartphone but I can't decide between getting the i-Phone 4 or the Google Nexus S.

I know they're both good phones & the only difference I can see is that the price plan Vodafone offer for the Nexus S is slightly better for data allowance & the phone itself is cheaper.

Three offer the i-Phone at a better price than Vodafone & the plan they have is better for the price you pay. The only problem I've heard is that the network itself isn't as good.

Does anyone have any feedback on any of this as I can't make up my mind?!

Oh dear......

Anyway, I'll make it easy for you. IP4.

Dutch_Druid

iPhone and Apple are now brands that people buy just to have. Don't get me wrong, still a great phone, but in my opinion, to generic and bland compared to the rest of the market. Check each phones stats& price plan, and see which is more useful to you

BBMcQ

dodzy wrote: »

Oh dear......

It's really a can of worms and totally down to personal preference. The Nexus S has a standout feature of NFC (near field communication) which will allow payment for things probably via google checkout by just swiping your phone over a paypad like the oyster card in the UK. Rest assured Ireland will be the last country to implement this infrastructure though.

Without getting too biased:
iPhone - great looking, upgrade coming in June, brilliant integration of software and hardware, iTunes, Apple TV/iPad communication, speed, great camera, great video, blanket system updates (every iPhone 4 can update to the latest iOS the second it comes out). You need to jailbreak the phone to get the best Apple uncensored apps. The price you pay for Apple censorship and things like no flash support, I think its made up for how smooth everything "just works". It's the Apple way (Apple won't implement NFC until it can perfect the "user experience". They're obsessed with it.

Nexus S - google backed OS (running the latest 2.3 OS, but Vodafone will decide when you get the next upgrade, probably 2.4). NFC as above, more comfortable in the hand case-free. Android marketplace is growing rapidly. Question into how secure the "open" ecosystem is, Google recently hit the kill-switch (removes from all phones) on over 20 Apps which were found to have malicious software. You might have to install antivirus on Android phones soon!

It's very hard to switch between iOS and Android once you make the decision, so choose wisely, both phones are brilliant, it's just which features are more important you what you want from a phone.

DubDJ

Danjamin1 wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a new smartphone but I can't decide between getting the i-Phone 4 or the Google Nexus S.

I know they're both good phones & the only difference I can see is that the price plan Vodafone offer for the Nexus S is slightly better for data allowance & the phone itself is cheaper.

Three offer the i-Phone at a better price than Vodafone & the plan they have is better for the price you pay. The only problem I've heard is that the network itself isn't as good.

Does anyone have any feedback on any of this as I can't make up my mind?!

I've had a number of debates on this with a friend who doesn't really like Apple. I've had a number of phones over the years and over the last 15 months i've had both the 3GS and iPhone 4. And now i'd never settle for anything less. Both iPhone and Nexus are strikingly familiar when it comes to stats and hardware etc. From my personal view the reason I chose iPhone over any other is the Operation System. I much prefer the iOS to Android. Much more simple and easy to use.
Plus A LOT more Apps.

Hope this helps,

romcdo

If you are thinking of getting an Android phone I would definitely consider getting a HTC Desire over the Samsung Galaxy or the Google Nexus S. It is the best Android phone by far in my opinion and the move towards Andriod for everyone else is only getting quicker as far as I can see.

This website is very good for advice on smartphones...

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/20-best-mobile-phones-in-the-world-today-645440

Danjamin1

Thanks for this guys, some really helpful information regarding both phones.

Now for the next bit, Three or Vodafone? Bit of a catch 22 because I don't want to spend way more than I have to but I also don't want to end up frustrated by a painfully slow internet connection. Is Three's connection much slower than Vodafone's or have I been misinformed?

DubDJ

Danjamin1 wrote: »

Thanks for this guys, some really helpful information regarding both phones.

Now for the next bit, Three or Vodafone? Bit of a catch 22 because I don't want to spend way more than I have to but I also don't want to end up frustrated by a painfully slow internet connection. Is Three's connection much slower than Vodafone's or have I been misinformed?

Not really the same thing but I have Vodafone mobile broadband and they are the biggest bunch of cowboys i've ever seen. I have had so many problems with my speed jumping up and down. Now i've a really slow speed of 0.25MB/s where 2 days ago I had around 4.75MB/s.

The customer service is unbelievably crap. Most of the time I know more about there policy's than they do by just doing a quick Google search before calling. Now this is Mobile Broadband so maybe there phone service is a lot better. I had Three broadband before this and never had a problem like this and they have a great customer care. Wish I hadn't changed.

Three are cheaper as far as I know as well, a friend has an iPhone 4 from Three since launch day and he's never had a problem. Hopefully some of this helps.

-Corkie-

OP I started the same thread 2 weeks ago and I got the iphone. Its easy to use and I love all the apps. I had a basic Nokia phone and I got used to it within hours!!

fenris

you are asking in an apple forum!

Doylers

If your leaning towards the ip4 I would advise against it. Were well past the half way point in the iph 4's life where its better to wait for the new one.

With three or voda, hmmmmmm tuffy.

Vodafone have a good network its reliable. Prices lead alot to be desired and you dont get a whole much for what you pay.

Three have great deals. Im on three and get free calls to any network on the weekends free texts to any network any time, 500MB of data, for €15 per month prepay. The problem is the network is not great at all have frequent drop outs but is improving. Also alot of there customer services have also been moved from Waterford to India a while ago which does annoy some people when they cant grasp peoples accents in foreign countries.

kave2

stuartmchugh wrote: »

It's really a can of worms and totally down to personal preference. The Nexus S has a standout feature of NFC (near field communication) which will allow payment for things probably via google checkout by just swiping your phone over a paypad like the oyster card in the UK. Rest assured Ireland will be the last country to implement this infrastructure though.

Without getting too biased:
iPhone - great looking, upgrade coming in June, brilliant integration of software and hardware, iTunes, Apple TV/iPad communication, speed, great camera, great video, blanket system updates (every iPhone 4 can update to the latest iOS the second it comes out). You need to jailbreak the phone to get the best Apple uncensored apps. The price you pay for Apple censorship and things like no flash support, I think its made up for how smooth everything "just works". It's the Apple way (Apple won't implement NFC until it can perfect the "user experience". They're obsessed with it.

Nexus S - google backed OS (running the latest 2.3 OS, but Vodafone will decide when you get the next upgrade, probably 2.4). NFC as above, more comfortable in the hand case-free. Android marketplace is growing rapidly. Question into how secure the "open" ecosystem is, Google recently hit the kill-switch (removes from all phones) on over 20 Apps which were found to have malicious software. You might have to install antivirus on Android phones soon!

It's very hard to switch between iOS and Android once you make the decision, so choose wisely, both phones are brilliant, it's just which features are more important you what you want from a phone.

I don't think it's true. Nexus is sim free, no branding on it. So google will decide when will you get 2.4
Also someone mentioned HTC Desire is the best android phone. Again not true. I had Desire, changed to Nexus S, and Nexus is waaay better phone. No comparison between the phones.

BBMcQ

kave2 wrote: »

I don't think it's true. Nexus is sim free, no branding on it. So google will decide when will you get 2.4
Also someone mentioned HTC Desire is the best android phone. Again not true. I had Desire, changed to Nexus S, and Nexus is waaay better phone. No comparison between the phones.

I'll meet you half way on that way. Didn't know the nexus S came sim-free, but in general, the non-centralised method of updating OS when the user wants to is a huge flaw in the Android experience.

kave2

stuartmchugh wrote: »

I'll meet you half way on that way. Didn't know the nexus S came sim-free, but in general, the non-centralised method of updating OS when the user wants to is a huge flaw in the Android experience.

Since Nexus S is Google phone, Nexus users will always get the update first. It's basically the same as iphone, if the update is out you will get it OTA or you can do it manually.
Iphone, is only one device, with Android you have many, HTC, Samsung, LG.... So there is option to choose the device whichever you like the most.
Don't like the whole thing around Apple, many people are buying their products just because it's Apple.

BBMcQ

kave2 wrote: »

Iphone, is only one device, with Android you have many, HTC, Samsung, LG.... So there is option to choose the device whichever you like the most.
Don't like the whole thing around Apple, many people are buying their products just because it's Apple.

But you only get one Google phone on sale at the moment. And in my opinion (and it's only my opinion!) Android/Google would be best concentrating on Google-branded phones only. Then Apple would have a true rival.

It's also a flippant comment: "just because it's Apple". I'm sure this might have been the case 4 years ago, but the iPhone and the iPad etc now define what is core to Apple. It used to be the Mac's. While I see what Android has to offer, and acknowledge it's many advantages, the true test is what you actually spend your money on. Seems to be cool these days to be a Apple-hater, but these people don't even respect that most users just want a easy to use, integrated experience.

120_Minutes

Danjamin1 wrote: »

the only difference I can see is that the price plan Vodafone offer for the Nexus S is slightly better for data allowance

the price plans for the iphone and nexus with vodafone are exactly the same.

chrislad

You'll do well with both, but I would edge slightly towards the Nexus and the main reasons is that I have become bored with the iPhone. Each one looks the same, year after year. The only cosmetic change in 4 iterations of the OS were background wallpaper and folders. I feel they need to up the game a bit more in terms of customization (without having to jailbreak!)

LukeS_

To be honest, what else did you expect people to say in the area that's concentrated just on Apple products? I'd say it would be a fairer comparison if it was posted in the Mobile Phones section.

I'm thinking the exact same thing at the moment, I'm swapping my Desire Z for an iPhone 4 with a crack on the screen, should i get the screen fixed for 100E or swap for a Nexus S + 50E?

kave2

stuartmchugh wrote: »

But you only get one Google phone on sale at the moment. And in my opinion (and it's only my opinion!) Android/Google would be best concentrating on Google-branded phones only. Then Apple would have a true rival.

It's also a flippant comment: "just because it's Apple". I'm sure this might have been the case 4 years ago, but the iPhone and the iPad etc now define what is core to Apple. It used to be the Mac's. While I see what Android has to offer, and acknowledge it's many advantages, the true test is what you actually spend your money on. Seems to be cool these days to be a Apple-hater, but these people don't even respect that most users just want a easy to use, integrated experience.

Nexus S:)

godtabh

stuartmchugh wrote: »

iPhone - great looking, upgrade coming in June

no offence but thats a stupid point to make to try and sell the phone!

I have both phones. Iphone 4 since it laucned and the nexus the last 4 or 5 days from work.

Iphone 4 still wins it for me

Lu Tze

If you need something right now then get the iphone 4. it will do everything you need it to do. If you can wait a couple of months wait for the dual core phones to hit the markets - or if you are a PS1 fan pick up the xperia play. Dont limit yourself to the Nexus S if you are looking at android

barryd09

iphone 4

im a fan boy.

osnola ibax

I like the openness of android over ios. Even the ability to mount phones as an external drive and drag and drop files is huge advantage over iPhone and iTunes. Just wish manafacturers would leave vanilla android alone.

PogMoThoin

Lu Tze wrote: »

If you need something right now then get the iphone 4. it will do everything you need it to do.

Except flash To some people it may not be a big deal, for me its the deal clincher, 75% of todays internet is flash no matter what Jobs says.

Lu Tze wrote: »

If you can wait a couple of months wait for the dual core phones to hit the markets - or if you are a PS1 fan pick up the xperia play. Dont limit yourself to the Nexus S if you are looking at android

Thats exactly what anyone is doing by picking an iphone, limiting themselves to Apple only. I love the way those who recommend the iphone do so without giving any reasons, Baa (I don't deny its a good phone)

The way i see it is, if you want something that is easily laid out and easy to use, get an iphone. Android is much more open and customisable, but is also a little more difficult to use to the average user. With android you're not tied to one phone manufacturer in future.

Danjamin1

Settling on the iphone on either Vodafone or O2, similar plans but O2 offer 350 minutes & unlimited any network texts on their €60 plan. Don't think I'll be able to beat that!

Iompair

Happy with my Nexus S, the tipping point for me was itunes, I refuse to have it on my system.

Played with my Dads ip4 a lot and as phones there's not a huge difference capability wise, have had one force close over the last couple of months and haven't noticed any lack of apps until last week when vimeo came out with an iphone only app.

Lu Tze

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Except flash To some people it may not be a big deal, for me its the deal clincher, 75% of todays internet is flash no matter what Jobs says.



Thats exactly what anyone is doing by picking an iphone, limiting themselves to Apple only. I love the way those who recommend the iphone do so without giving any reasons, Baa (I don't deny its a good phone)

The way i see it is, if you want something that is easily laid out and easy to use, get an iphone. Android is much more open and customisable, but is also a little more difficult to use to the average user. With android you're not tied to one phone manufacturer in future.

Im using a galaxy S myself and the lag problems since going to 2.2 are making me consider rooting for a more efficient rom. Other than that i like it though will consider the xperia play when it comes out where i am - i like playing games and have considered getting a psp go as i dont like this touchscreen nonsense for buttons!

Havent used the iphone, but its what most people have seen or used friends of theirs so they get what they are looking for out of it in their first foray into smartphones. My on and only encounter with itunes has put a halt to me ever getting one. Im sure it has improved since, and full of this wonderful intuitiveness i keep hearing about apple, but once bitten twice shy!