An Android fan's take on the Galaxy Nexus

Let me guess: Android fan tries Nexus, doesn't like it switches to iPhone, etc. etc.? Somehow I don't think "Android fan tries new Android phone and likes it" would be as newsworthy.

Not really. He's just going to wait for an ICS phone with better hardware.

I kind of have to agree with him. I've been disappointed with Google's decision for the 2nd year in a row to allow Samsung to make the "Nexus" devices as just upgraded (if that) versions of their Galaxy S phones.

I don't mind Samsung building them (although I really hope they are coming out with a new build material this year, other than plastic), I just mind that the Nexus phones, the ones that are supposed to set the standard in the industry, are just rehashed Galaxy S devices from half a year earlier, in both hardware specs and looks (other than the HD resolution).

I would prefer if Google waited until a new chip generation was available to put it in their Nexus devices, rather than use one that's already been on the market for the past 6 months or more. This has been really disappointing, and I think a lot of Android fans agree with me here.

For example, if it's expected for a quad core chip to arrive on the market for the first time in March or April, then make sure the Nexus is the first or one of the very first to use it. If it's expected for Cortex A15 to arrive in phones sometime by the end of the year, make sure Nexus is one of the very first to use it, and so on. Make the industry follow Nexus, and not Nexus follow the industry as it's been the case with the past 2 generations.

I know Google cares more about being the one with the latest major Android version, but it would really help if it was the one with the latest technologies, too. I don't want to have to choose between the latest hardware and the latest software. Not to mention that Nexus is a device that is targeted at early adopters, so you're kind of screwing early adopters there when you don't offer them the latest hardware technology, too. I'm hoping Google buying Motorola means they will finally combine the two, and offer the latest stock Android versions on the latest hardware.

Also, since he mentions it, I have a tiny issue with ICS. Why not actually close the apps from the multi-tasking list if you're going to "bother" to remove them from the list? It kind of seems like a pointless action to just remove it from the list to make it "cleaner" (why?), instead of actually closing them.

I've had a Nexus for two months now (since launch day on Verizon) and I have only two real gripes about it. Otherwise, performance has been good, the screen is gorgeous, and I've been happy with ICS.

The camera quality is really bad. When using the flash indoors, the colors seem to be off by a mile. You can turn off the flash but then images are (obviously) dark and blurry. It's disappointing because things like the zero-shutter-lag and panorama features should make this an awesome camera phone, but it seems like they skimped on the camera hardware. Or maybe I just have a bum unit and I should make a warranty claim?

My other issue is the size. It seems that every flagship device (that is, one with specs worth buying at all) on the Android platform is engaged in this arms race for bigger and bigger screens. Frankly I think the old Nexus One and the iPhone are the perfect size.

Apple seems to have no problem selling 3.5" screen phones like hotcakes, so I don't know why the Android manufacturers think that the only way to sell phones is to have giant devices.

I bought the Nexus One for AT&T about 2 years ago, am totally contract free, and even grandfathered in on an unlimited data plan at AT&T. I do some develop on Android, as well as iPhone, and have been trying to figure out what the best Android developer phone would be to upgrade to in the next 6 months or so. Preferably, I'd have something like the Nexus One that I can just buy outright and plug into my unlimited data plan at AT&T even if it costs a few more $$$. I'm pretty much underwhelmed by all the Android offerings at this point. What are developers looking forward to in terms of contract-free developer Android phones in the next 6 months?

I got my galaxy nexus last week, and I am over the moon about it. Came off a droid x, and it is just hands down awesome. The battery isn't all it could be, might have to go after market for that, but the screen is great, ics is finally competitive with iOS, and the fast camera is really nice for shots on the go. (which is all you should ever use a cell phone for anyways. If you want a real camera, BUY ONE.) it's not perfect by any means, but I couldn't find another android device that was comparable.