Jump to content

12 months since the Galaxy Nexus, are we due a new Nexus?

Guest Zarch1972

By Guest Zarch1972
in News

 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest Zarch1972

Guest Zarch1972

Posted
Posted

It been almost 12 months since Google and Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Nexus back on October 19th 2011. If you remember though, the announcement ended up showcasing Ice Cream Sandwich more than the hardware as I think we can all agree that the Galaxy Nexus has its failings.

The "teaser" video for the Samsung unpacked announcement was released on October 4th, so if Google decide to keep yearly release cycles as it has with the Nexus S and Nexus One, could we be just a week away from a new Nexus announcement?

With that in mind, what could we expect from the next 'Nexus' phone?

Manufacturer

Who will get the gig this time? Samsung have produced the last two (Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S) whilst HTC provided the first Nexus phone (the One). As Google own Motorola, could they get in on the act? Also, Sony have recently added AOSP to the Xperia S, could they be looking to get involved?

Software

The release of a Nexus phone usually coincides with a new Android release. But with Jellybean (4.1) only released a number of months ago with the Nexus 7, is it too soon? Granted it was only a bump release of ICS, but what could 5.0 (Key Lime Pie?) bring to the table over ICS/JB? If 5.0 is a while away does that puts pay to a new Nexus anytime soon?

The Phone Itself

Does Google have to bring something special to the party regardless of when its released? In the past, the Nexus phones haven't really been that special, more 'workman-like' devices but with the lure of AOSP and instant Android updates.

When you think about the Galaxy Nexus it just lacks hardware sparkle when compared to other flagship phones released since - HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S3, Nokia Lumia 920 and the iPhone 5. I suppose at the time, Samsung were never going to produce something that would trump their forthcoming Galaxy S3, so could they have been accused of intentionally dumbing down the Galaxy Nexus?

CPU/RAM/GPU

The CPU choice in a Nexus device is generally driven by the reference platform that Google is using internally, in the case of the Galaxy Nexus TI OMAP and the Tegra 3 for the Nexus 7. Does this mean the next Nexus is most likely to be Nvidia based? Google have apparently been doing a lot of work with Intel, is it feasible we could see a x86 Nexus?

1GB RAM is the norm now and arguably enough but we are starting to see devices with 2GB on board (and even rumours of 3GB). The more the merrier?

The GPU is generally dictated by what comes bundled with the CPU, but Android and it's applications are ever more demanding... the next Nexus needs to have enough grunt to shift things around 'like butter'!

Camera

It goes without saying that the GN camera is poor when compared to its peers, it’s not even has good as the Galaxy S2. We were really done over on this one weren't we? What could we expect from the new Nexus? Does it just have to be as good as the One X, S3 and iPhone 5? Which being frank are all much of a muchness aren't they. But a good muchness. Although recent reports claim that the Lumia 920 trumps them all. :)

Physical and Screen Size

Is the 4.7" ish screen here to stay? The One X, S3 and the Galaxy Nexus are all around this size. I certainly wouldn’t want any bigger than the GN, in fact i'd like to see a small drop in size. But at the same time keep the 1280x720 resolution as well as the software buttons?

How good will the screen be? Whilst forums are still full of "pentile hate", I've not had too many complaints about the GN screen. I think my biggest complaint is that it’s a battery eater. I think at the very least the screen has to be as good as the One X and iPhone 5 for quality. We are talking a flagship phone here after all.

Battery and Thinness

I for one am getting a little sick of this quest by manufacturers for 'the' thinnest phone, especially when the first thing that usually takes a hit is the size of the battery. It doesn't have to be that way though, the Motorola RAZR was 7.1mm thick with 1780 mAh, but for just 8.99mm thick they added a 3300 mAh lump to the RAZR Maxx. The standard GSM Galaxy Nexus is 8.95mm and 1750 mAh.

Storage

There has to be a larger option than 16gb on the new phone. Or at the very least add an scard slot on there. I appreciate Google are pushing streaming content (Music and Movies) and think people don’t need local storage, but in reality we still do. Look at the leak of the HTC One X+ with 64gb internal storage, WOW!

Conclusion

So over to you, what do you think should make up the new Nexus?

  • Any hardware you'd like to see?
  • Any features that are a must have?
    For me, the LED Notification Light has to stay. (yes, its an obsession of mine) :)
    • Will the next Nexus be a stunning flagship or just another run of the mill black-brick?
    • Who will manufacture?
    • Can we expect Android 5.0 to be with us shortly?

      • This would be hilarious with many manufacturers only just providing ICS updates. ;)

      Or are you simply happy with your Galaxy Nexus? With it likely cost at least a few hundred quid to upgrade to a new model (after selling and buying) is it going to be worth it?

      Your Nexus will continue to get Android updates so can you live with its hardware shortcomings?

      I'd 'like' a bit more storage, i'd 'like' a better camera and i'd 'like' a bit bigger battery, but am I willing to pay £200+ for it? I'm not sure?

      For me, it would have to be a "stunning" flagship release from Google to make me jump ship. At the end of the day, for all its failings, my Galaxy Nexus still does a great job for me.

      What about you? Where does the Galaxy Nexus sit today amongst its peers?

      Click here to view the item

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest 3shirts

Guest 3shirts

Posted
Posted

Like you say, the biggest draw of the Galaxy Nexus was ICS. If it had been a Gingerbread device I honestly think it would have been a bit of a flop.

With that in mind, and the lack of a new version of the OS on the horizon, it needs to be S3 levels of hardware advancement, at least as good as the One X+ leak suggests.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest krasenk

Guest krasenk

Posted
Posted

I think we should all pray that the next Nexus phone is NOT another plastic Samsung, I really cannot stay the cheap look and feel of the last two. I really hope it will be a solid and premium looking device made by either Sony, HTC or Motorola. According to the rumors it is even possible to see multiple Nexus devices this year. One thing is sure - I'm not going to buy a Samsung made Nexus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest mmace

Guest mmace

Posted
Posted

Storage on my GN is fine so that's not a problem for me, I'd prefer longer lasting battery, same screen size, much better camera, NFC still, faster CPU, maybe quad core? 2Gb RAM

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Simon O

Guest Simon O

Posted
Posted

Don't forget that the Nexus line is meant to be for developers so it's unlikely we will be seeing unibody cases, brushed aluminium etc. Nexus is function over form unlike Apple which is the reverse :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest andybarker

Guest andybarker

Posted
Posted

Also the Nexus line seems to be a reference design for the other manufacturers to improve on. So I think any new Nexus is unlikely to have the best camera, memory, storage, etc.

If the Nexus devices had the best specs, what would be left for the other manufacturers to differentiate their own devices - would alienate them from Android?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest doncoop

Guest doncoop

Posted
Posted

Oh no, here comes my rant....

I understand the importance of CPU type and speed and amount of RAM. But really, 2GB? Quad Core?

I just see it as a waste to 80% of the phone using community. Maybe that's the problem. People don't use it, or at least use it regularly to miss it if they didn't have it.

What that video highlights is the android manufacturers are treating this like the AMD vs Intel in the 90s. It's an arms race to put in the fastest processor, the most RAM etc. They've made people look at their handsets and feel like they should dump it and it's obsolete because it isn't quad core etc.

I've seen a lady in her late 40s in phone shops ask what processor certain phones have as though that's the most important thing to consider. But that alone does not make the phone

  • easy and intuitive to use
  • FUN to use
  • Smooth and capable to do the things you want (which is key - that lady above has no idea how much of a difference that makes)

They're using the specs as a differentiator. If they believed so much in TouchWiz or Sense THAT should be the thing that sells the handset.

I'll be getting a Nexus as my next device, even though I COULD go out now and get an S3 or One X (or One X+ shortly) to replace my Xperia Play.

The reason being I want a clean and simple to use phone that has only what I want on it and does the job I want with no fuss. Light gaming, taking photos, social media.

All of that could be done with the current nexus, bar the camera being below par.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest ayziaa

Guest ayziaa

Posted
Posted

@doncoop About the hardware I really feel like the point this guy is making on his video is not about having the most powerful device as it is more to have a device that can live trough time. I think the hardware part with build quality and design is the same way of thinking, to have a device that can live trough time and that will still look good in a fews years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest jonmall1441

Guest jonmall1441

Posted
Posted

I would be fine with an Xperia T like Nexus device. That phone looks nice and the camera is a huge improvement over the G Nex but then again so are most entry level phones. I think its too early to expect a Motorola Nexus phone without complaints from other OEMs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest gadgetgaz

Guest gadgetgaz

Posted
Posted

I would like to see more of a consumer design like the phones Sony can produce rather than a plastic slab. I would like the thinness of the S3 but certainly no bigger than the Galaxy Nexus, maybe even smaller. I think NFC will see growth and is a must even though it still isn't huge here in the UK and, whilst I'm not convinced we need quad core, I would like to see a modest processor bump to at least a 1.5 GHz dual core. The camera is a no brainer - it needs to be better - at least 8MP with a decent lens. Oh, and seeing as EE will soon be launching their new LTE network we also need that!

I think I would be very interested in an Xperia Nexus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest doncoop

Guest doncoop

Posted
Posted

@ayziaa

I do agree that you don't want a phone that's out of date in 6 months.

However he's being very specific and saying things like 2GB, quad core. Do we really think that our phones (remembering the 80/20 rule) will need 2GB? I'm just not convinced. Especially if this 'performance' increase just decreases battery life

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Dan Mullen

Guest Dan Mullen

Posted
Posted

I'm an S2 owner and have been very happy with it, but waiting for leaks from Samsung so I can flash the latest OS is very frustrating! I've made my mind up that my next phone will definitely be a Nexus device - IMHO the best software running on pretty good hardware is better than pretty good software running on the best hardware. That said, I'm hopeful that the next Nexus will have a jaw-dropping specification :) I'd be very happy with:

  • Quad-core CPU - if Samung, NOT Exynos!
  • 2GB RAM
  • 1280x720 4.8" screen
  • Minimum 32GB internal storage, preferably 64GB, (assuming no SD slot)
  • Long-life battery - minimum 2500mAh
  • Very good camera - 12MP maybe, but more interested in the quality than the number of megapixels.
  • Thin and light :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Zarch1972

Guest Zarch1972

Posted
Posted

5" HTC rumours, Sharp start 1080p 5" production, LG 4.7" rumours.

I really hope they don't go this way..... if people want a whopper, just get a Note II at 5.5" :)

I'm really hoping for 4.3 to 4.5 with 1280 x 720.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.

  I accept