***The Official LG Nexus 4 Thread***

[Nexus18]

Nice.

Depending on how ruff your area is the phone will be soo locked down you'll hardly be able to get a proper feel for it

In my O2 shop it was fully fixed down with no movement at all, and it was under bright lights so I really could judge the screen for black levels and viewing angles. Still at least I got to have a quick play.

Not a rough area really, in a shopping centre too. The worst they do is place a zip tie right in the middle of the phone and do it so tight that the screen doesn't respond at all then...... With most of the phones they just have a big security tag thing on the back and the front is clean, lights wise, it is pretty bright. 3 and vodafone are the best for displaying handsets in my area, unfortunately no o2 stores close enough to me.

 

[Matteysan]

Nice.

Depending on how ruff your area is the phone will be soo locked down you'll hardly be able to get a proper feel for it

In my O2 shop it was fully fixed down with no movement at all, and it was under bright lights so I really could judge the screen for black levels and viewing angles. Still at least I got to have a quick play.


Mattey1 - are you running PA yet, how is it running compared to PA on the S2?

Sure am! Been running it since the first release hit the other week

So far it is running a lot more smoother & everything actually works! Some of the customisations are missing like the different battery styles & such. But the navigation bar colours are there. I really do like the navigation bar now it is integrated with the status bar, It just seems to make more sense!

Spoiler

Running it along side Matrix 2.0 Kernel & everything seems really sweet! It is a much nicer experience on the N4 than it was on the S2, Even though it was pretty damn good on there also.

Looking forward to this being added & see how it performs:

 

[kona786]

Here are a couple of photo's I took to show the kind of blacks and contrast shift I see on the N4. To the left is a Galaxy Nexus, right is the S3.

GNex / Nexus 4 / SGSIII

Contrast shift is at it's worst when diagonal to the screen as shown below:

Straight on, and straight to the side, the contrast shift is quite low and its a decent IPS screen with good wide viewing angles.

Below are all the screens head on at full brightness - this is the worst case scenario as it's mainly showing black and not a bright colorful wallpaper.
At normal brightness and with a colourful wallpaper, the Nav bar is less grey but still noticeable (especially to me).

When you love and are used to SAMOLED screens like I am it's real hard going back to an LCD

But I do love everything else about the Nexus 4 - It's a real classy handset.


GSMArena used to do these kind of tests in their reviews but for some reason they have now stopped doing it.

Examples below:

Spoiler

SGS1 / LG Black / SGS2

 

[Matteysan]

That is the only thing that really lets it down

I do miss the blacks from SAMOLED but I am getting used to this a bit more everyday.

 

[Mr Flibble]

Great news! Just got my shipping email. They actually delivered the phone 10 days ago though...

With regards to the diagonal thing, just how often do you look at your phone at that sort of diagonal? Sure the IPS screen doesn't do blacks as well as a SAMOLED, but it can't be all that often you want someone else to watch what you're watching. If you do, can't you just share it with them and their phone? Or pass them the phone and you stop watching it (as you've probably seen it to want to share it). Or break out your tablet. A phone is a personal device, not really designed for sharing things on its small screen (well, other than the Note).

 

[shaffaaf27]

That's exactly what I am experiencing. And coming from my gnex, it's really annoying

 

[kona786]

Sure am! Been running it since the first release hit the other week

So far it is running a lot more smoother & everything actually works! Some of the customisations are missing like the different battery styles & such. But the navigation bar colours are there. I really do like the navigation bar now it is integrated with the status bar, It just seems to make more sense!

Running it along side Matrix 2.0 Kernel & everything seems really sweet! It is a much nicer experience on the N4 than it was on the S2, Even though it was pretty damn good on there also

PA was made for the nexus and it's nav buttons. Glad your enjoying it.

That is the only thing that really lets it down

I do miss the blacks from SAMOLED but I am getting used to this a bit more everyday.

This phone with the S3 screen would = me thoroughly satisfied

That's exactly what I am experiencing. And coming from my gnex, it's really annoying

Yeah - every phone has it's weakness, just have to get one that suits you.

Great news! Just got my shipping email. They actually delivered the phone 10 days ago though...

With regards to the diagonal thing, just how often do you look at your phone at that sort of diagonal? Sure the IPS screen doesn't do blacks as well as a SAMOLED, but it can't be all that often you want someone else to watch what you're watching. If you do, can't you just share it with them and their phone? Or pass them the phone and you stop watching it (as you've probably seen it to want to share it). Or break out your tablet. A phone is a personal device, not really designed for sharing things on its small screen (well, other than the Note).

It's all to do with eye candy - would you get a dog ugly phone even though it was the best at everything?

 

[Nexus18]

Nice comparison photos there kona!

I definitely do prefer SAMOLED displays for the saturated colours, infinite contrast ratio and proper blacks etc. I am sure that I could live with the nexus 4, one X screens etc. and still be satisfied with the LCD/IPS advantages, but every time I see a SAMOLED screen, I would think to myself, damn wish I had those saturated colours, blacks etc. they just make things stand out more/pop out and generally more pleasing to the eye IMO.

Hopefully some time soon........... we will have a SAMOLED 24" 1080P monitor with a RGB sub pixel arrangement *drool*


At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference:

pure whites, natural colours, sharper/clearer, more power efficient on bright colours

VS

true blacks, saturated colours and better viewing angles overall, more power efficient on dark colours


Shame that gsmarena have stopped these screen comparison shots.

 

[Matteysan]

PA was made for the nexus and it's nav buttons. Glad your enjoying it.



This phone with the S3 screen would = me thoroughly satisfied



Yeah - every phone has it's weakness, just have to get one that suits you.

I agree! PA should be on any Android phone anyway in my opinion(fanboi alert!!!)

This phone with a HD version of the S2 screen would be sweet! But i'd settle with a S3 screen

All in all I love the experience, the build of the device, not having to wait ages for things to get fixed due to closed hardware. Brilliant phone for the price to be honest.

 

[kona786]

Nice comparison photos there kona!

**SNIP**


Shame that gsmarena have stopped these screen comparison shots.

Thanks. Yup all personal preferences. SAMOLED Monitor - Drool!

Yeah GSMArena need a kick UTA! I think the reviewer that used to do those comparisons has left - new ones are too lazy

I agree! PA should be on any Android phone anyway in my opinion(fanboi alert!!!)

This phone with a HD version of the S2 screen would be sweet! But i'd settle with a S3 screen

All in all I love the experience, the build of the device, not having to wait ages for things to get fixed due to closed hardware. Brilliant phone for the price to be honest.

Yup it's an excellent phone!

 

[modelportfolio2]

Google Now is a great feature on the Nexus 4. For those that have not seen the commercial, I like it---Nexus: Ask Me Anything:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pHuoDqcIyqk

 

[pS3_FaNbOy]

yeah mine is still pending - ordered at 5:10

Your order has been sent to Google Commerce Ltd.
Google Commerce Ltd is responsible for charging and shipping your order. Have questions? Contact Google Commerce Ltd.

4 Dec
Google Commerce Ltd received your order.

4 Dec
You placed an order with Google Commerce Ltd on 4 Dec. Google Wallet sent a copy of this receipt to [email protected]

Mine was 17:09 and exactly the same status as yours.

 

[_Jimlad_]

pic for the chap that asked

 

[ps3ud0]

Honest question while Im bored waiting, I get the feeling for a lot of people here the whole 'Nexus 4 is a great phone...' seems to be caveated with '...considering the price point' when they give an assessment of what they got delivered or the reasoning about buying it in the first place.

Ignoring the price point (if you can ) is the Nexus 4 really that good? Perhaps Im reading a bit into it, but the more I read the more that underlyng tone becomes more obvious, that and the whole 'if only they had done this...' point too

/devils advocate

ps3ud0

 

[_Jimlad_]

yeah its grand, for me i want google's android os as its intended. so that rules out a lot of phones, i know you can stick other roms ect ect but i want what google offer and i dont wanna muck around with updates and waiting, for me i paid £400 and not regretted it.

 

[ps3ud0]

yeah its grand, for me i want google's android os as its intended. so that rules out a lot of phones, i know you can stick other roms ect ect but i want what google offer and i dont wanna muck around with updates and waiting, for me i paid £400 and not regretted it.

Pretty much the same reasoning, I can quite happily ignore things like LTE and no expandable memory as the price wasnt an issue, just fits even better with my reasoning to try Android a year before I plump for a LTE phone and service.

Just seems Google have the knack of making phones that could be perfect/better rounded if they added some features. Cant help but feel they leave out such features to please other hardware partners...

ps3ud0

 

[Nexus18]

Ignoring the price point.

IMO it is a very nice phone and is most certainly in the same league as all the other major phones optimus G, GS 3, one X, XL, X+, S, RAZR HD/MAXX, RAZR M and note II.

The price is just a huge bonus.

The only areas that don't seem to be as good overall is the camera and other wee things like no USB OTG (bit annoyed about this as google clearly stated that the nexus 4 did support this..........)

- Build, perceived quality and design is top notch although the nexus 4 was put together cheaply, article on XDA about all the areas that google/LG didn't bother with
- screen might have some weaknesses compared to the X and GS 3 etc. but overall it is very good
- battery life is poor for now, however, once certain things are turned of it is very good and when google fix the software/driver problem it will be one of the best, if not the best aside from the note II, RAZR HD/MAXX and possibly the M
- nexus device so will get updates fast and be guaranteed to get them
- for some people stock android
- audio is one of the best there is, on par with the S and GS 3
- camera looks good for a smartphone, but overall the GS 3, X and one S etc. are better
- best CPU chipset on the market with 2GB RAM (even though the benchmarks are awful )

If I was looking for a brand new phone coming from some dummy phone and all the phones cost the same price, I would rather get the note II (if size wasn't an issue), GS 3 (if it had the same design as the note II or better), one XL or X+. The nexus 4 would be my perfect phone if:

- it had a more saturated screen, preferably SAMOLED
- better camera
- didn't have a glass back

 

[jubei]

Ignoring the price point.

IMO it is a very nice phone and is most certainly in the same league as all the other major phones optimus G, GS 3, one X, XL, X+, S, RAZR HD/MAXX, RAZR M and note II.

The price is just a huge bonus.

The only areas that don't seem to be as good overall is the camera and other wee things like no USB OTG (bit annoyed about this as google clearly stated that the nexus 4 did support this..........)

- Build, perceived quality and design is top notch although the nexus 4 was put together cheaply, article on XDA about all the areas that google/LG didn't bother with
- screen might have some weaknesses compared to the X and GS 3 etc. but overall it is very good
- battery life is poor for now, however, once certain things are turned of it is very good and when google fix the software/driver problem it will be one of the best, if not the best aside from the note II, RAZR HD/MAXX and possibly the M
- nexus device so will get updates fast and be guaranteed to get them
- for some people stock android
- audio is one of the best there is, on par with the S and GS 3
- camera looks good for a smartphone, but overall the GS 3, X and one S etc. are better
- best CPU chipset on the market with 2GB RAM (even though the benchmarks are awful )

If I was looking for a brand new phone coming from some dummy phone and all the phones cost the same price, I would rather get the note II (if size wasn't an issue), one XL or X+. The nexus 4 would be my perfect phone if:

- it had a more saturated screen, preferably SAMOLED
- better camera
- didn't have a glass back

But you would take it over a gs3?

Still not sure about replacing my gs3 now with all the comments about screen.

 

[Matteysan]

But you would take it over a gs3?

Still not sure about replacing my gs3 now with all the comments about screen.

The only reason to drop the S3 for the Nexus 4 really is pure android/timely updates.

Maybe the build too cause I think the S3 looks ugly as sin! But that is my opinion.

 

[Nexus18]

If the GS 3 had the same design as the note II or better (as you probably know...... I do not like the design of the GS 3 at all ), then I would get the GS 3 over the N4.