All the latest UK technology news, reviews and analysis
|
|
|
30 Nov 2011
The Galaxy Nexus is Samsung's attempt to counter the launch of the iPhone 4S, and V3 has had a chance to play with both devices and see which is worth splashing out on.
Hardware specifications are closely matched, each device outdoing the other in key areas. The main difference is the operating system. The Galaxy Nexus is the first handset to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and the iPhone 4S is the first to ship with iOS 5.
Design: Nexus is bigger, thinner and lighter
The iPhone 4S is noticeably smaller than the Nexus and this doesn't come as much of a surprise as Samsung has a habit of making rather large high-end devices as can be seen with the Nexus S and Galaxy Note.
Despite having a screen that is over 1in bigger (4.65in), the Nexus is 5g lighter (135g) and thinner (8.94mm) than the iPhone. Apple's device incorporates a 3.5in screen, weighs 140g and has a 9.3mm thick frame. Samsung gains Brownie points in managing to outdo Apple here.
Both devices are made from premium materials, Samsung opting for high-grade plastic on the back whereas the iPhone uses glass and a polished steel frame.
In terms of looks, it is debatable which handset is better. Three people in the V3 office prefer the iPhone, citing the solid feel and compact design as attractive features compared to the Samsung handset which they feel looks clunky and toy-like.
Three people, including myself, prefer the Nexus over the black iPhone owing to its minimalist look and curved design. However, it should be noted that the white iPhone has a certain charm that makes it stand out over the Nexus.
Review categories
Laptops (112) | Tablets (65) | Mobile Phones (169) |
Dell XPS 13 review | Asus Transformer Pad TF300 video review | Samsung Galaxy S3 video review |
Other product categories
V3 examines the key strengths and weaknesses of Samsung's latest iPhone killer
Connect with V3.co.uk
Social networking is almost ubiquitous. This white paper examines the benefits and risks and it looks at the different ways companies can reconcile them
The importance of understanding your infrastructure
The Role: As a Field Service Engineer working from...
The Role: Make the most of your IT knowledge in one...
Head of IT / Infrastructure Manager (Marketing Services...
A Multi-national data analytic's and cloud computing...
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies. IThound.com brings you over 2,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Do you agree?
Excellent review
Personally, I prefer Android to iOS but I still accept that the iPhone is a great piece of kit and it was nice to see a balanced review which genuinely tried to compare like for like in a fair and sensible fashion.
Posted by: Mike McGowan 06 Jan 2012
Oh Apple...
How appalling this must seem for the fanbois; the Nexus gets the tick over the iPhone. I think Steve just rolled over & groaned in his grave. Surely though Apple must be able to find something about Nexus they can sue Samsung for. Perhaps the executives & lawyers can sue because Samsung made it so big. Perhaps they could use a few notes handed under the table to get their way. I'm sure it wouldn't be their first...
Posted by: Rex Alfie Lee 04 Dec 2011
Excellent review
Ah, one of the few reviews on the net that panders neither to Fandroids or iSheep. To corroborate with Ethan, Google has already begun rolling out the volume bug fix on select devices; the whole lineup ought to be fixed in the immediate future. iOS 5.1 was just released, and initial reports claim that it still doesn't resolve the battery issue.
Posted by: Julian 02 Dec 2011
Iphone Photo Transfer
I have been transferring photos from an iPhone to my PC w/o using iTunes since the very first iPhone back in 2007. Don't quite understand the folks who say you need special software-they just don't know how to run a PC.
Posted by: RichardTS 02 Dec 2011
Is this a joke?
I hope nobody got paid for the terrible review I just read above, which was a mixture of ignorance, schoolboy writing and peppered with facts that 'everybody knows', like the nonsense about Apple security being 'pretty much watertight'! Also Google voice can do a great deal more than you imagine - try running the Tutorial video.
Posted by: Ed 01 Dec 2011
Very Balanced Review
I found this review to be one of the most balanced I have read so far. It takes both devices and reviews them from the "pure, out of the box" perspective and fairly discusses their individual pros and cons. Well done...
Posted by: LatinoComedian 30 Nov 2011
I absolutely agree.
Great Review..and btw the volume bug (for the Galaxy Nexus) has been fixed with an update hrs ago.
Posted by: Valentine 30 Nov 2011
The "droid" name is trademarked
Google probably wouldn't call an upgraded digital assistant service "Droid" because that name is trademarked by Lucasfilm - Verizon had to license the name to use "DROID" in its marketing for certain phones.
Posted by: Brian 30 Nov 2011
What about Sari?
This review leaves Sari out of the discussion & Sari is a big plus for iPhone 4s. Leaving it out of the comparisons seems a bit of android bias. Sari is the main reason my daughters gave me a new iPhone 4s for my birthday. V3 response: The Siri feature is discussed in detail on page 4 of the review.
Posted by: Barbara Gorrondona 30 Nov 2011
Best phone for catering business
I own a caterer san diego business and I can't wait to use the nexus to run my entire business
Posted by: Caterer san diego guy 30 Nov 2011
no contest
If you do not have 4g you are not competitive.
Posted by: Art 30 Nov 2011
wtf
really dissappointed in the nexus, people really dont buy in when i say ive got the new nexus..the phone is magnificent under the hood but it just looks too ugly...have to go with blackberry i guess...
Posted by: pen 30 Nov 2011
Mobiles
I did have a touch screen phone and the whole screen was ruined by the slightest bit of cleaning fluid. I have now since got a non touch screen phone and I have dropped it accidently a few times from a low height and still works fine and has still proved to be the most resiliant. I have heard so many complaints about touch screen phones of all makes and sizes and people becoming very disappointed after a few months. It doesnt do this or that like they said it would or this. I do know that touch screen phones have fantastic graphics and technology involved. I have also found a lot of people dont have the touch which is strange for a touch screen phone with their fingers for sensitivity or time to sit and look at it if busy and play with the screen. Where as my phone is still quite basic in looking but and has a slide facility for the key pad and easy enough to answer and not have to fiddle around with it if busy and to answer a quick call and also can still take very decent pictures and still has all roaming and internet qualities of most other phones and other phone access. And actually is a Sony Ericsson. I think not sure the serial make is quite a few years old compared to newer versions but I have not been disapppinted with it yet. It would still be some time before I would swap in the older fashioned designs for another touch screen. And to be quite truthful a touch screen phone seems very impersonel.Phones used to be once about making a phone call not how to out beat another person on a phone the same just different name. I would like to personally ask can all mobile phone designers come up with a new idea apart from touch screen mobile phones they are already annoying. And still proves a point of the yuppy stereotype. Thank You
Posted by: Annette Thompson 30 Nov 2011
google is on it
Google has announced that the fix for the volume bug is on its way and is due sometime next week. V3 response: Hi Ethan, Thanks for pointing this out - the article has been amended to reflect this.
Posted by: Ethan 30 Nov 2011