My upgrade is available

[Grady]

So, my upgrade is available with Verizon as of now. I've had the Galaxy Nexus 32GB since it's release day and I've loved every minute of it - with the unlocked bootloader, rooting, and customization possibilities. Is there a phone out at the moment that's actually worth going to as far as screen size, RAM, storage space, unlocked bootloader, customization, etc? Or is there a phone on the horizon that I should hold out for?

Thanks!

 

[sonicboom]

Depends on what you are really looking for in a phone. For present day functionality, any top end android offerings are very similar. The only phone I am waiting for is the Note 3 - it will be a beast.

 

[DF-1]

So, my upgrade is available with Verizon as of now. I've had the Galaxy Nexus 32GB since it's release day and I've loved every minute of it - with the unlocked bootloader, rooting, and customization possibilities. Is there a phone out at the moment that's actually worth going to as far as screen size, RAM, storage space, unlocked bootloader, customization, etc? Or is there a phone on the horizon that I should hold out for?

Thanks!

I had the same question.

I think galaxy nexus is still a pretty nice device, it was cutting edge when it came out. still has a decent 720p screen, an okay dual core, and android version, so I don't think upgrading will be SO HUGE.

but I'm going to go with the note 3, its not going to be as revolutionary as my previous device to the Gnex, but it'll still be a worthwhile upgrade (screen,battery,performance,multitasking,usb3.0)

 

[T4rd]

I had the same question.

I think galaxy nexus is still a pretty nice device, it was cutting edge when it came out. still has a decent 720p screen, an okay dual core, and android version, so I don't think upgrading will be SO HUGE.

but I'm going to go with the note 3, its not going to be as revolutionary as my previous device to the Gnex, but it'll still be a worthwhile upgrade (screen,battery,performance,multitasking,usb3.0)

The upgrade from my Gnex to Note 2 was pretty massive in every category, even display despite them being the same resolution and lower PPI on the Note 2 (due to bad ghosting in lower brightness and pentile on the Gnex). The biggest difference was in battery life and reception though, followed closely by overall performance due to the 2GBs of RAM. I would imagine going to the Note 3 from the Gnex would be that much more of an upgrade. I imagine going from the Note 2 to the Note 3 would be noticeable, but not nearly as big of a jump, so I'm still trying to decide if I want to do it or not.

 

[dandragonrage]

Personally I think you should think more about what you don't like about your current phone. Upgrading just because a certain amount of time has passed is stupid if what you have still does the job and doesn't frustrate you with slowness or something. And if you ARE starting to dislike your phone then tell us why if you want a good recommendation. Otherwise people could start recommending phones that simply make no sense for you and would largely be a waste of money.

 

[radeon962]

Nexus 5. I'm holding out to see what it actually comes out like. If not, then Note 3.

 

[Johnny78]

I currently have a Note 2 on Verizon. Bar none the best phone I've ever owned. That said, I'm getting a Note 3 the day it's released on Verizon (which means probably about a month after everyone else gets it ).

 

[Grady]

Thank you for all of the replies so far. After looking around, I think I've narrowed it down to 3 phones.

1). Note 3 - Like many of you have said, it's going to be insanely good. My only hesitation is the size. I know it's slightly larger than the Note 2, but I've heard nothing but good things about the Note 2. I'm worried though the size will be just ridiculous. Maybe someone can put this worry to rest with some real-life comparisons to size.

2). The LG G2. It drops tomorrow on Verizon and is nearly in every way just as good as the Note 3, with the exception of the SD slot for storage expansion and 1GB less than the Note 3. That's really the only thing holding me back from deciding on this phone.

3). Holding out for the Nexus 5, which is rumored to be just a variation of the LG G2 anyway.

Thoughts?

 

[T4rd]

I currently have a Note 2 on Verizon. Bar none the best phone I've ever owned. That said, I'm getting a Note 3 the day it's released on Verizon (which means probably about a month after everyone else gets it ).

Actually, Verizon announced that it will be available Nov. 10th, which is about the same time as everyone else.

Thank you for all of the replies so far. After looking around, I think I've narrowed it down to 3 phones.

1). Note 3 - Like many of you have said, it's going to be insanely good. My only hesitation is the size. I know it's slightly larger than the Note 2, but I've heard nothing but good things about the Note 2. I'm worried though the size will be just ridiculous. Maybe someone can put this worry to rest with some real-life comparisons to size.

Actually (again ), the Note 3 is slightly smaller/narrower than the Note 2. Just as the GS4 was slightly smaller than the GS3. Best way to see if it's too big for you is to go hold one and play with it. I have pretty small hands and am able to use it with one hand for the most part. Samsung's keyboard helps a lot as it has a one-handed mode where it shrinks to one side of the display and makes it easier to use with one hand.

 

[mknlb50]

The best way is to go into the store, try out the phones and pick the one you're most comfortable with using. Last year I went into my Verizon store to pick up an iPhone 5 but came out with an S3 instead.

 

[Johnny78]

Actually, Verizon announced that it will be available Nov. 10th, which is about the same time as everyone else.

1). Note 3 - Like many of you have said, it's going to be insanely good. My only hesitation is the size. I know it's slightly larger than the Note 2, but I've heard nothing but good things about the Note 2. I'm worried though the size will be just ridiculous. Maybe someone can put this worry to rest with some real-life comparisons to size.

Actually, looking into it further, Verizon (allegedly) is shipping the phone October 10th not November 10th.

As far as the size of the phone goes, everyone I know who owns a galaxy note 2 myself included (and I personally know at least a half dozen people with the phone), all agree that after a few days with the phone the size is no longer an issue and you acclimate very quickly.

Also keep in mind that the note 3 will be narrow, slimmer and lighter than the note 2. 8.3mm is very very thin. You're not going to be walking around with a huge bulge in your pocket (at least not from your phone at least. ).

 

[AMD T-type]

There's almost no way Verizon gets a version of the Nexus 5.
Otherwise, it's what I would have waited for.

I'm in the exact same situation as OP, and am picking up the G2 tomorrow.
Honestly from what I've seen, especially today since people have gotten their hands on the verizon and AT&T models, the extra GB of RAM the Note3 has doesnt seem to be any advantage, and the Note3 needs it because of all this shit that's constantly running.

 

[T4rd]

Actually, looking into it further, Verizon (allegedly) is shipping the phone October 10th not November 10th.

D'oh, that was a typo. I meant to say Oct. 10th.

 

[DF-1]

The LG G2. It drops tomorrow on Verizon and is nearly in every way just as good as the Note 3, with the exception of the SD slot for storage expansion and 1GB less than the Note 3. That's really the only thing holding me back from deciding on this phone.
Thoughts?

and a bigger battery
and the pen
and 4k video recording
and the first phone to be with USB3.0

...among others

 

[AMD T-type]

and a bigger battery
and the pen
and 4k video recording
and the first phone to be with USB3.0

...among others

For sure the Note 3 is at the top of the mountain, however, the G2 is on a different mountain.
The two just aren't in the same category because of their respected sizes.

It would be like asking "Should I get a 7inch or 10inch tablet?"

The only direct competition that the G2 currently has, as of this moment, is the HTC One and Galaxy S4, and some of the Droids, but honestly at this point those are all "last gen"

 

[DF-1]

For sure the Note 3 is at the top of the mountain, h
The two just aren't in the same category because of their respected sizes.



The only direct competition that the G2 currently has, as of this moment, is the HTC One and Galaxy S4, and some of the Droids

HTC one has a 4.7 display, G2 has a 5.2 inch display, thats a .5" difference,

G2 --> note 3 is also a .5" difference, so I fail to follow this train of thought.

Also the G2 has some space on the bottom bezel it isn't using, the note 3 has its buttons there, so its even more compact by using every space it has.

No doubt the G2 is a good device, see the anandtech mini review. He gets excellent gpu speeds, excellent battery, among other things.

 

[freakycody]

Moto X, the closest to stock experience (on Verizon), which your are used to, and a damn slick phone at that. I am thoroughly happy with mine.

 

[AMD T-type]

HTC one has a 4.7 display, G2 has a 5.2 inch display, thats a .5" difference,

G2 --> note 3 is also a .5" difference, so I fail to follow this train of thought.

Yes, however, the 4.7 to 5.2 range of screen size is similar in that it's still somewhat easy to use the phone with one hand. Once you pass the 5.2" threshold it becomes an entirely different experience.
I'm not stating this as my own opinion, only mirroring what many other phone review and android sites have stated.

From one review of the comparison between the G2 and Note 3

While the two devices' hardware is closely matched -- Snapdragon 800, oodles of RAM, plenty of pixels — they're a world apart in physical size — the 5.7-inch Note 3 dwarfs the G2's mere 5.2 inches. And the choice between these two phones is going to come down to whether you want a traditional smartphone with a large screen or a half phone, half tablet hybrid, as we're looking at two different classes of handset here.