Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Got A News Tip For Us?

Recent Editorial

Recent Replies

A day with the Nexus 4 - Initial thoughts

Nov 16 2012 09:30 AM | Zarch1972 in Android

I was lucky enough to survive the ordering debacle and come out the other side with a shiny 16gb Nexus 4 landing on my desk yesterday.

This is not a full review, just my initial thoughts after less than 24 hours of playing.
I make references and comparisons to the Galaxy Nexus as that is the device I've been using for the last year.

What's in the box? Just a power adapter, usb cable, sim pin and tiny quick start guide! (no headphones)
The device feels very sturdy in your hand and seems ever so slightly lighter than the Galaxy Nexus. Having glass back and front means if doesn't have any bends or creaks to it. And its also a little thinner than the GN.
Power button is a little on the small side and not very prominent. It could do with being a little more raised.
The matt rubbery bezel that surrounds the device feels good in hand and adds grip whereas the glass and shiny elements of the outer are as slippery as hell.
It takes Micro Sim and the holder pops out very easily with the supplied pin.
Unlocking the bootloader and rooting were a piece of cake as you'd expect from a Nexus device.
The screen stands out as being a notch above the GN. You really have to look for those pixels and it just looks classier. Although the colours do seem a little cooler and lacking punch on the N4.
Camera - Certainly improved over GN, especially in low light, auto white balance also seems more intelligent that the GN too. The lens appears ever so slightly recessed into the rear of the phone so laying the device on its back means its protected.
Photosphere - A fun feature, but as you can only upload to Google Maps so far (and they all need 'approving' apparently) its a little limited. Wonder when you'll be able to upload them to Google+ with a 360 degree view?
4.2 Pulldown - Loving the two finger swipe to get to quick settings. Surely a death knell for the likes of Widgetsoid?
Speed - Everything is sooooooo much snappier than the GN. Apps load quicker, pages appear if a flash.
That Funky Back - Nowhere near as bad as some of the "glitter ball" reports suggest. It takes a certain light to make it sparkle.
Vibrate/haptic feedback has a hell of a kick on it! You can actually hear it whirring as you type.
Swype style keyboard - The swipe 'effect' looks really nice as move around the keyboard, but I think I'm gonna stick to Swiftkey. I've never been a fan of Swype style typing.
Wireless charging - Tried an old "Palm" touchstone dock, sadly it didn't work.
Notification LED - Somewhat muted and a smaller light compared to the GN. Although it does have a nice pattern atop of it that gives it a nice professional effect.

Have I missed any of the basics?

If you were lucky to get yours, anything to add to my thoughts?

And if you weren't so lucky and are on back order, any questions?

Posted Image

About the author

Zarch is a veteran gadgeteer who has owned everything from a Commodore VIC-20 to a Nexus 4 and much of what came in-between.

32 Comments

k0nrad
Nov 16 2012 01:14 PM

One question - did you root using insecure boot method (like this) or some other one?

nollie
Nov 16 2012 01:16 PM

Thanks for the first impressions. Could you update with battery life stats once you've had some time with the device?

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 01:18 PM

k0nrad, on 16 November 2012 - 01:14 PM, said:

One question - did you root using insecure boot method (like this) or some other one?

The guide on XDA was exactly what I used.

k0nrad
Nov 16 2012 01:26 PM

Zarch1972, on 16 November 2012 - 01:18 PM, said:

The guide on XDA was exactly what I used.

Great, it worked for me too. Time to unfreeze the Play Magazine app and few others ;]

rock3r
Nov 16 2012 01:38 PM

About the Photosphere upload, I have those taken on my GNex auto-uploaded to Google+ and they're recognized as such.

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 01:47 PM

rock3r, on 16 November 2012 - 01:38 PM, said:

About the Photosphere upload, I have those taken on my GNex auto-uploaded to Google+ and they're recognized as such.

I uploaded to G+ as a test, but it appeared to display as a static single image rather than the 'movable' demo i'd seen? (and how you can view it on the phone, being able to move the image around?)

j450n
Nov 16 2012 01:54 PM

There is an icon at the bottom right corner of the picture that allows you to choose sphere or pano.

Im in the US an the spear option on G+ works flawless

mmace
Nov 16 2012 01:57 PM

https://plus.google....sts/fw67u2UCZw6
https://plus.google....sts/daf496MdGMT
https://plus.google....sts/CWJ7DgnnJXK
https://plus.google....sts/N51Zb7ZZkMm

posted my spheres from GNex to G+, takes a minute to appear as just a panorama, then a couple more minutes to appears as a 360

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 02:03 PM

j450n, on 16 November 2012 - 01:54 PM, said:

There is an icon at the bottom right corner of the picture that allows you to choose sphere or pano.

Im in the US an the spear option on G+ works flawless

mmace, on 16 November 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

Nice work, will give that a try.

TouchyAndalou
Nov 16 2012 02:57 PM

I was wondering what the sound is like from the speaker when listening to music /watching videos?

i628d
Nov 16 2012 03:13 PM

Can you try the Google Nav in the car for at least 20 minutes? My old G2x would overheat and shutdown after 10 minutes of running the GPS with 3G - before I ever try another LG phone, I want to be sure they've fixed that...

Davidoff59
Nov 16 2012 05:25 PM

How many touch inputs are supported?

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 05:32 PM

TouchyAndalou, on 16 November 2012 - 02:57 PM, said:

I was wondering what the sound is like from the speaker when listening to music /watching videos?

In a direct test with the Galaxy Nexus I would say the N4 is slightly louder, but a little more tinny.

Also, the placement of the speaker on the N4 is direct on the back side, so when you lay it down on a desk for example everything goes muffled and quieter. Crap placement really.

At least with the placement on the bottom edge on the GN you could lay it down flat and not worry.

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 05:57 PM

Davidoff59, on 16 November 2012 - 05:25 PM, said:

How many touch inputs are supported?

How would I test that?

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 05:58 PM

i628d, on 16 November 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:

Sorry, I really don't think i'm going get anytime soon to be able to test that for you, sorry.

comicbookguy
Nov 16 2012 06:26 PM

is the screen as grey as it looks in pictures when off? i love the way the Gnex screen merges with the whole front...

Zarch1972
Nov 16 2012 06:37 PM

comicbookguy, on 16 November 2012 - 06:26 PM, said:

is the screen as grey as it looks in pictures when off? i love the way the Gnex screen merges with the whole front...

Theres not a great deal in it to be honest.

In shadier conditions the GN looks darker, but under lights the N4 looks darker.

The N4 also has the advantage of having a more 'edge to edge' screen, so you don't get quite as big a border as your do on the GN.

Michealtbh
Nov 16 2012 08:03 PM

You say the camera lens is recessed; does that mean there is a slight indentation in the back glass?

kaizoku_san
Nov 16 2012 11:08 PM

Zarch1972, on 16 November 2012 - 05:57 PM, said:

How would I test that?

theres an app for that ;-p

elektronichouse
Nov 17 2012 04:09 AM

one impressive android smartphone, will have a try

Zarch1972
Nov 17 2012 08:56 AM

kaizoku_san, on 16 November 2012 - 11:08 PM, said:

theres an app for that ;-p

The name of the app would help, I'm not a mind reader. :-P

timfimjim
Nov 17 2012 10:49 AM

Zarch1972, on 17 November 2012 - 08:56 AM, said:

The name of the app would help, I'm not a mind reader. :-P

Try Multitouch tester

Zarch1972
Nov 17 2012 11:03 AM

timfimjim, on 17 November 2012 - 10:49 AM, said:

Try Multitouch tester

Thanks.

4 fingers x 2 plus my nose makes 9.

Without enlisting the help of someone, not sure how I can go any higher. LOL.

Zarch1972
Nov 17 2012 11:16 AM

Okay, got someone to help, got to 10 but couldn't fit anymore fingers on the screen. :-)

Hope that answers that one?

Zarch1972
Nov 17 2012 11:29 AM

Michealtbh, on 16 November 2012 - 08:03 PM, said:

You say the camera lens is recessed; does that mean there is a slight indentation in the back glass?

Here you go, a couple of close ups of the back side / camera area.

Note: I've still got the plastic protector on the back, which is the sort of cut out you can see surrounding the lens and flash.

Asus Fonepad Review

Asus PadFone 2 Review