Smartphone advice
- Thread starter freestuff
- Start date
Nexus 4 is a pure google phone, so yes, it's by far better than the others of its generation, but it is just slightly older now than the newest Samsung S4 / HTC One. Only downside is that it does not support LTE as the newer phones do, and is slightly slower than the newest phones. On the other hand, it is half the price of a Samsung S4 or an HTC One. If you buy it, buy directly from google.com/play for much less than carriers charge.
If you actually plan to use data, I would not get a data plan with less than 3-4 gigs. Yeah, unless you get a retentions offer, it's a rip off. But if you actually want to use it, you need at least that much, preferably 6g. You will probably start watching video like everybody else and then that really racks up the mb's so ideally get a plan where you don't have to worry about it.
If you can wait a few months there is a pure google version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 coming out, and also a pure google HTC One. US launch only initially but good odds they will eventually sell in Canada, or else you could get it delivered to a friend in the US, etc., or if you don't care about LTE, buy the Nexus 4 -- you could actually buy two of them for the cost of an S4.
Technically the Samsung and HTC branded S4 / HTC One are better phones than the Nexus 4, especially if you care about LTE, but I can't stand touchwiz or sense, so if I were you I'd wait for the google branded versions of those phones, if you can wait a few months.
There may be no new Nexus for awhile because Google has not announced any new release of android, and usually a new nexus comes out every time a new android does. This is the longest that Google has ever gone without announcing a new android, presumably because they have now surpassed iPhone in features and don't feel the pressure to rush the next one out. So it may be a bit of a wait if you want a Nexus, for something better than the N4. The pure google S4/One appear to be some sort of compromise, but they don't get the competitive Nexus pricing.
If you actually plan to use data, I would not get a data plan with less than 3-4 gigs. Yeah, unless you get a retentions offer, it's a rip off. But if you actually want to use it, you need at least that much, preferably 6g. You will probably start watching video like everybody else and then that really racks up the mb's so ideally get a plan where you don't have to worry about it.
If you can wait a few months there is a pure google version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 coming out, and also a pure google HTC One. US launch only initially but good odds they will eventually sell in Canada, or else you could get it delivered to a friend in the US, etc., or if you don't care about LTE, buy the Nexus 4 -- you could actually buy two of them for the cost of an S4.
Technically the Samsung and HTC branded S4 / HTC One are better phones than the Nexus 4, especially if you care about LTE, but I can't stand touchwiz or sense, so if I were you I'd wait for the google branded versions of those phones, if you can wait a few months.
There may be no new Nexus for awhile because Google has not announced any new release of android, and usually a new nexus comes out every time a new android does. This is the longest that Google has ever gone without announcing a new android, presumably because they have now surpassed iPhone in features and don't feel the pressure to rush the next one out. So it may be a bit of a wait if you want a Nexus, for something better than the N4. The pure google S4/One appear to be some sort of compromise, but they don't get the competitive Nexus pricing.
In 15 min per day browse you won't go past a gig of data
Before u buy try using each to type a note. I had a sony android x10 and turfed it because it change all my word spell and make nonesense messages. Android/windows phone/iPhone all do what you will want but how they do is the preference thing only you can decide.
Don't worry about 'the best' because the goalposts keep moving. It's a good phone. Price is reasonable. Being pure google it gets faster updates. Easy to customize. On the down side it doesn't have a SD card slot for expandable memory or a removable battery.
HTC One, Galaxy 4, and iPhone 5 would be roughly in the same category as the nexus 4 and to be honest, they'd all potentially be a good choice.
I'd also agree that 1 gig is more than enough for the average user, especially considering how much time people spend with access to wifi. I'm an average to heavy user and I've never gone over 2 gig.
HTC One, Galaxy 4, and iPhone 5 would be roughly in the same category as the nexus 4 and to be honest, they'd all potentially be a good choice.
I'd also agree that 1 gig is more than enough for the average user, especially considering how much time people spend with access to wifi. I'm an average to heavy user and I've never gone over 2 gig.
I picked up a Nexus 4 last week, and so far I love it.
I found the lack of LTE not a big deal - regular web browsing just doesn't take much advantage of the faster LTE speeds.
There are a bunch of things I REALLY like about it - for instance, playback of MKV files from my NAS at home. Just needed two free apps - ES File Explorer and BS Media player and boom, I can browse my NAS and click an MKV and play it nice and smooth, hardware accelerated.
If you have any specific questions about it, just ask, I'll try to answer
I found the lack of LTE not a big deal - regular web browsing just doesn't take much advantage of the faster LTE speeds.
There are a bunch of things I REALLY like about it - for instance, playback of MKV files from my NAS at home. Just needed two free apps - ES File Explorer and BS Media player and boom, I can browse my NAS and click an MKV and play it nice and smooth, hardware accelerated.
If you have any specific questions about it, just ask, I'll try to answer
Forgot to mention that on telus, rogers, and bell you can actually activate LTE (Don't have one so haven't personally tried it).
http://mobilesyrup.com/2012/11/23/how-to-enable-lte-on-the-nexus-4-with-rogers-telus-or-bell-video/
Or a permanent work around
http://hippowise.com/how-to-permanently-enable-lte-on-android-4-2-2-nexus-4/
Neat, but I'm using a Speakout SIM, I don't think they have LTE (yet?) - thanks for the links
When you get it, it comes with 'free' front and back screen protectors (stickers, really, but fairly good ones - they're surprisingly thick). You don't need to take off the back one, it's totally clear.
The front screen protector has an 'On' decal near the power button and volume +/- signs on the left side near the rocker. You could actually leave it on for a while and I don't think it would come off too easily, but the decals bugged me. If it wasn't for the decals I'd probably have just left it on, it's that good.
I haven't gotten around to ordering a case for it, I'm not a fan of cases on my devices...but that glass back isn't gonna survive a drop.
I was looking at the Diztronic matte black TPU case, the Ringke and the Poetic but I haven't decided.
It takes a while, but if you can wait, I order from ebay, and products come from Hong kong area. About 3-4 weeks to Canada.
I use a flip cover. Unlike most people here, I am blue color. Don't have fancy coats to cover my phone. So I need flip cover.
I have Nillkin Flip Cover. This one is second version. Can also use it to stand phone. Just go to ebay and type Nillkin Nexus 4. Its under $10, shipping included.
Oh yeah, don't mix Nillkin Back only cover with Flip cover. Pay close attention to pics.
Also you can play what you have on your phone be it Pics, Movies, or even stream off Internet right on your TV (TV Must be Wifi Enabled or have a wifi Media box, e.g, WD Live.)
Best thing ever man. Feel the power of Nexus 4.
Es file explorer
Bs media player
Adobe PDF reader
Your data usage is under Settings-Data Usage
Android *might* rule the planet. Maybe. 
Google I/O didn't seem to focus much on Android at all.
I wouldn't completely count out Tizen, Firefox OS or Windows Phone either. The market in north america is not the market for the rest of the world.
But back on topic.
Apps you'll want on your Nexus 4:
* Rdio and Songza
* Touchdown Pro if you need access to an Exchange server
* Firefox - because Adblock is always awesome
* Dropsync - it'll sync your dropbox to your phone properly
* Pocketcasts for podcasts
* Prey Project in case you lose your phone
* SwiftKey keyboard
* TweetCaster
If you've rooted:
* Titanium Backup
Google I/O didn't seem to focus much on Android at all.
I wouldn't completely count out Tizen, Firefox OS or Windows Phone either. The market in north america is not the market for the rest of the world.
But back on topic.
Apps you'll want on your Nexus 4:
* Rdio and Songza
* Touchdown Pro if you need access to an Exchange server
* Firefox - because Adblock is always awesome
* Dropsync - it'll sync your dropbox to your phone properly
* Pocketcasts for podcasts
* Prey Project in case you lose your phone
* SwiftKey keyboard
* TweetCaster
If you've rooted:
* Titanium Backup
Forum runner for terb.
Install some flashlight widget there are several. Soooo useful. Not often but when you need it it is a godsend to have it.
Some sort of VoIP app that you can uninstall like fongo, line2. Use as hobby phone and uninstall when not in use so no trace.
Same trick with browser. Uninstall the browser you use to surf SP websites when not surfing. No trace. Uninstall forumrunner when not in use too or use browser.So quick to reinstall...
Or an applock like perfect app lock if you can get away with "none of your business" to protect the hobby phone and browser.
Install some flashlight widget there are several. Soooo useful. Not often but when you need it it is a godsend to have it.
Some sort of VoIP app that you can uninstall like fongo, line2. Use as hobby phone and uninstall when not in use so no trace.
Same trick with browser. Uninstall the browser you use to surf SP websites when not surfing. No trace. Uninstall forumrunner when not in use too or use browser.So quick to reinstall...
Or an applock like perfect app lock if you can get away with "none of your business" to protect the hobby phone and browser.
