Galaxy Nexus i9250 - Good upgrade from an SG1?

stoofa · 26 Sep 2012 at 10:12

The wife is having some issues with her Samsung Galaxy. Rather an old handset by today's standards, she has been happy with it.
However crashes and some strange errors are giving the impression that it maybe on it's last legs.
SHe tends not to have "brand new" phones, she is on PAYG and so doesn't get cheaper deals on handsets.
So looking around and the Galaxy Nexus i9250 is available for around £260 - £270 which is around the budget we have.

I've tended to go the HTC route - Desire followed by One X. Is the Nexus a good device? Obviously she'll see it as a good upgrade from her current handset. Anything else for around the same price that could also be considered?

Thanks.

tom_e · 26 Sep 2012 at 10:22

I'd go with the Galaxy S2 over the Nexus

pcoltrane · 26 Sep 2012 at 10:58

tom_e said:
I'd go with the Galaxy S2 over the Nexus

Any reason? I tried an S2 and swapped it for the Nexus. I preferred the screen and that you get the latest version of android that hasn't been messed about with by samsung.

reflux · 26 Sep 2012 at 10:58

I'd say it's a good upgrade. The hardware is a little dated but it runs stock Android with no issues and IMO is the best Android phone available atm. I upgraded from an S2 to a GNex last year and I haven't regretted it.

Shimmy · 26 Sep 2012 at 11:05

Yup, good upgrade.

stoofa · 26 Sep 2012 at 11:56

Looking around there seems to be a number of different "model numbers" for the Nexus.
Do these mean anything? For example I have seen:

GT-i9020
GT-i9020T
GT-i9023
GT-i9250

The one I'm specifically seeing is at the link below (Pretty sure I'm OK linking to this site):
http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=15615&setcurrency=gbp

Just want to make sure I'm getting the Nexus in all it's glory and not a "cut down" revision.

Ta

kona786 · 26 Sep 2012 at 11:59

Samsung Galaxy Nexus i9250 is the correct UK model - I've heard people say that site is a bit dodgy though - not sure why.

PiKe · 26 Sep 2012 at 12:01

It's based in Hong Kong that's why, you might get slapped with VAT and import duty, beware.

stoofa · 26 Sep 2012 at 12:49

Thank you all for your input. There is a reseller through Amazon which is a little more expensive, however obviously a safer option.
Amazon.de also have it and with delivery works out cheaper than any UK company so might take that option.

lamboman · 26 Sep 2012 at 13:02

Nexus. And quite frankly, after my experience with the S3, if you want anything that remotely resembles stock Android (CM), stick with devices that are easy to develop for or Google's own devices.

Only issue I'd say is with battery life. 3-4 hours of screen on time is pretty darn poor, and it's really the only issue with the Nexus (taking the price into account).

reflux · 26 Sep 2012 at 13:34

^Yeah battery life isn't amazing, but the official extended battery (2000mAh?) is only about £20.

Beerbaron · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:02

I have a Galaxy Nexus (not sure of version, from UK Vodafone in November) and the gf has an S2. My phone seems superior of the 2 when i have played with the S2. The battery life is shockingly poor. Some days it doesn't even last until mid day.

PiKe · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:03

Beerbaron said:
My phone seems superior of the 2 when i have played with the S2. The battery life is shockingly poor. Some days it doesn't even last until mid day.

That just sounds broken.

stoofa · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:04

I take it the extended battery "sticks out a little"?
I guess that's the relatively small price you have to pay for better battery consumption.

reflux · 26 Sep 2012 at 15:20

It does stick out a bit, yes.

stoofa · 26 Sep 2012 at 15:37

Thank you for all the posts. I've just taken the plunge and ordered (From amazon.de so will be around £259 delivered).
We'll try it without the extended battery first, I think the wife will probably be OK, if not we'll just buy that seperately.

Ta

reflux · 26 Sep 2012 at 15:42

Yeah you should be OK. I've had the phone for nearly a year and not felt the need for a bigger battery.

FredFlint · 27 Sep 2012 at 19:30

I went from a S1 to a nexus and it’s a big upgrade. A few friends have s2’s but I like the nexus more, it’s a great phone.

muon · 27 Sep 2012 at 19:34

stoofa said:
Looking around there seems to be a number of different "model numbers" for the Nexus.
Do these mean anything? For example I have seen:

GT-i9020
GT-i9020T
GT-i9023

All Nexus S versions.

GT-i9250

That's a Galaxy Nexus.

Galaxy Nexus screen is just much better than the S2. That's why you should go for it.

Galaxy Nexus also has Jelly Bean with Project Butter

I went from a GS1 (i9000) to a Galaxy Nexus and it is a massive step up. Especially as the GS1 is still stuck on Gingerbread.

MouseMat2004 · 27 Sep 2012 at 20:15

It's a good phone, you will benefit from instant updates for the next few versions of Android. Screen is nice, being 720p. It's well built too. The CPU isnt the fastest, dual core 1.2Ghz (does clock quite easily to 1.5Ghz) but if you have £270 to spare, it maybe worth holding onto your cash and pickup a SIII or One X, they both have similar good screens but faster internals.

Another slight drawback of the GN is the lack of SD card slot. 16GB internal and thats it, may not be an issue for some and personally its been fine for me. It does have USB host and MDL HMDI though.