View Full Version : Nexus One/HTC Desire or Samsung Galaxy S
gripen
21-10-2010, 10:53 PM
Ok, so I'm heading to the US of A in 2 weeks time. I've narrowed down the phone options to:
Google Nexus One ($529 - Google)
HTC Desire ($549 - Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S ($579 - Amazon)
Seeing as the Desire Z and Desire HD are too new and thus hard to get, expensive etc.
Which would you recommend? The Nexus is really cheap but getting to a year old now. I'm a little concerned with the camera quality of these phones. Ideally I want an AMOLED screen (which makes the Desire less of an option since all the new ones are SLCD).
Let me know your thoughts, especially if you have both Nexus/Desire and SGS. I don't really like the Samsung interface, but the hardware is impressive so I can always root it. HTC Sense is apparently quite good so that's also a factor.
Desire HD is probably first prize, but it has just been launched so unlikely to come in under R5k (budget is about R4500). Apparently the prices in Dubai airport are also not that great, anyone been there lately?
FarligOpptreden
22-10-2010, 08:06 AM
SGS is really good, I have one. I sampled the Desire before and opted to wait for the SGS. Haven't regretted my decision yet (more than 2 months down the line). You don't need to root the phone to rid yourself of TouchWiz, you can just install Launcher Pro or ADW Launcher.
The other alternative is to flash a custom ROM to your phone...
mfumbesi
22-10-2010, 08:19 AM
SGS for me (biased as I have one), pity about Samsung (the company not the phone, sometimes I wish Google will take over the device from them).
The_Unnamed
22-10-2010, 08:31 AM
SGS for me (biased as I have one), pity about Samsung (the company not the phone, sometimes I wish Google will take over the device from them).
Agree with that 100%. If the nexus 1 had the SGS hardware i would have taken that phone in a flash!
duncan1a
22-10-2010, 08:40 AM
I have a Nexus one, and several friends have the Desire and I definitely prefer the N1 - by far. It's blazing fast and super smooth with 2.2.1. And the stock Android, IMO, is better than SenseUI.
I would be torn between the N1 and the SGS. SGS has better video and screen, but the N1 gets the updates immediately, so if you want to be on the cutting edge that's the way to go (we're getting Gingerbread soon!). And I prefer the stock android interface to any of the manufacturer UIs I've seen. That said, the SGS probably has the best manufacturer UI so far.
gripen
22-10-2010, 08:43 AM
That's exactly the problem, the Nexus is a bit light on hardware. I was looking at review videos of the Samsung Galaxy S Pro and that is the phone I want but I think it will be tricky to find one, if it even comes out in GSM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmmhNDits8I&feature=player_embedded
This phone is just amazing and has the hardware keyboard. Best of all worlds.
SharkBait
22-10-2010, 08:45 AM
You can always visit me over the weekend and see the SGS for yourself. I love it. :)
gripen
22-10-2010, 08:45 AM
I have a Nexus one, and several friends have the Desire and I definitely prefer the N1 - by far. It's blazing fast and super smooth with 2.2.1. And the stock Android, IMO, is better than SenseUI.
I would be torn between the N1 and the SGS. SGS has better video and screen, but the N1 gets the updates immediately, so if you want to be on the cutting edge that's the way to go (we're getting Gingerbread soon!). And I prefer the stock android interface to any of the manufacturer UIs I've seen. That said, the SGS probably has the best manufacturer UI so far.
My feelings exactly. I'm almost at the point of going for the cheapest option. It's quite difficult to choose between the 2 otherwise as people on both camps seem very happy. I need to find an Android fanboy who has both phones to give an opinion!
gripen
22-10-2010, 08:47 AM
You can always visit me over the weekend and see the SGS for yourself. I love it. :)
Thanks for the offer, but I've got friends with Desires, N1's and a colleague in the office has SGS so have tried all. Why the heck did Google cancel the Nexus Two which was going to have a hardware keyboard :-(
bullzeye.za
22-10-2010, 08:50 AM
Agree with that 100%. If the nexus 1 had the SGS hardware i would have taken that phone in a flash!
100% I bought my Galaxy for the hardware, there's enough of a community of developers piling into the highest spec device around atm to give it all the support you'll need :)
FarligOpptreden
22-10-2010, 09:01 AM
Thanks for the offer, but I've got friends with Desires, N1's and a colleague in the office has SGS so have tried all. Why the heck did Google cancel the Nexus Two which was going to have a hardware keyboard :-(
I agree with bullzeye - have you tried a modded SGS yet, though? Or only stock? Have a look at one running ADW or Launcher Pro and you'd be hard pressed to spot the differences from stock Android UI. Some nice touches in TouchWiz (that get carried through the rest of the phone, regardless of the launcher app you use) is the phone book, with its swipe-left and swipe-right shortcuts for dialing and messaging.
WesleyR
22-10-2010, 09:16 AM
Hey gripen, sent you a pm.
Cheers
Wesley
duncan1a
22-10-2010, 03:32 PM
I guess, between the N1 and the SGS it's about latest software vs latest hardware. Which is more important?
I'm aching to get gingerbread soon and I simply love all these updates - that's me. Granted that you can root and install the almost-latest software but then you're risking your warranty on an expensive device. That's ok for some, not for others. When will the SGS get Gingerbread?
Have a look at one running ADW or Launcher Pro and you'd be hard pressed to spot the differences from stock Android UI
I don't agree. I've tried both and both seem a bit unpolished (I really like the 3D app draw on the stock Android)
duncan1a
22-10-2010, 03:36 PM
I'm almost at the point of going for the cheapest option.
WRT price, I think you have to be a registered Android Developer to get the N1 now. Registration is $25.
If that's true then the prices are:
Google Nexus One ($554 - Google)
HTC Desire ($549 - Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S ($579 - Amazon)
The_Unnamed
22-10-2010, 03:56 PM
I don't agree. I've tried both and both seem a bit unpolished (I really like the 3D app draw on the stock Android)
Launcher Pro has this :-/
gripen
22-10-2010, 04:10 PM
I already signed up as a developer about a month ago, they just had stock issues but yes I need to factor that in - even if it's paid and forgotten
My concern is that SGS will never get Gingerbread (in phone terms, 1 year = Never) -> http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_pulls_out_the_galaxy_s_froyo_update_due_to _bugs-news-2014.php
Here's the comparison:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3069&idPhone2=3115
But you're right, it's software vs hardware. No software upgrade will give you a better or bigger screen (Super AMOLED 4" vs AMOLED 3.7") or better processor or more battery life.. It's not clear yet if Gingerbread will improve on Froyo that much so it's a tough one.
I guess the good thing is that they are both awesome phones.
Maddmatt
22-10-2010, 04:24 PM
My concern is that SGS will never get Gingerbread (in phone terms, 1 year = Never) -> http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_pulls_out_the_galaxy_s_froyo_update_due_to _bugs-news-2014.php
That article was making an assumption. It wasn't due to bugs, their server went down from what I've read.
I'd be surprised and disappointed if it doesn't get Gingerbread, Samsung would look bad compared to the competition if they don't keep it up to date. Especially with it being their flagship and selling extremely well.
If having the latest and greatest version of Android is that important to you then you'd download an unofficial firmware when one is ready anyway :) The SGS is getting plenty of attention from the Android community so it will get updated one way or another.
duncan1a
23-10-2010, 10:51 AM
If you get the N1, also get the Dock and car Dock. I have the dock and it's very nice - I use it all the time
duncan1a
23-10-2010, 10:52 AM
Launcher Pro has this :-/
hmm, that's quite nice. There are quite a few settings that weren't there when I tried it before
Catal
23-10-2010, 11:28 AM
Gripen, actually you could get an unused unlocked Samsung Galaxy Vibrant on ebay for <$300; the Vibrant is GSM/3G I believe, it's basically the US version of the European Samsung Galaxy S.
Seeing that you have to get the phone delivered from Amazon in any case, I assume that you won't have a problem getting a phone from ebay instead for $200 less from a reputable dealer.
I'm heading to NY myself in a months time and I'm interested to know how you will organize the delivery of your new phone, let us know.
love my n1, one of the greatest phones ever made. a year down the line i still love it..... when does that happen to mobile phone users? we usually want the next one. next step up is the desire hd.
duncan1a
23-10-2010, 10:11 PM
love my n1, one of the greatest phones ever made. a year down the line i still love it..... when does that happen to mobile phone users? we usually want the next one. next step up is the desire hd.
Yeah, there is something special about it.
Gripen, I just thought, if you're an Android developer (since you registered, I'm assuming) then the N1 may have the edge since it's Google's dev phone and will get those updates way ahead of the curve, which is of course important from a dev point of view
gripen
23-10-2010, 10:17 PM
Yeah, there is something special about it.
Gripen, I just thought, if you're an Android developer (since you registered, I'm assuming) then the N1 may have the edge since it's Google's dev phone and will get those updates way ahead of the curve, which is of course important from a dev point of view
Nope, not a developer (yet) - only registered to get the Nexus One at a good price.