The Nexus 4 has everything to compete. Photo: ENTER.CO.
is assumed that the Nexus series embodies the idea that Google-no less-is about what should be a mobile. Is supposed to be the family of devices that Mountain View is closer to his heart; best represents the Platonic idea that the company has what must be a smartphone and a tablet.
However, in the real world, where resources are scarce and markets are greedy with those who do not move fast, the challenge to make a Nexus phone is assembling a proposal that has powerful selling points, which Pale face no competition and has the quality and attractiveness enough to carry the weight of the brand ‘Google’ on their backs .
Is Nexus 4 a worthy member of your family? We tested the phone manufactured by LG, launched last October in the U.S. and Colombia scheduled to arrive in May. We bought it in the Google Play Store in the United States as soon as inventory problems solved, and after three weeks to try it with a SIM card from a local carrier this is our verdict.
A solid phone, but delicate
sounds contradictory, but let me explain. Outside the Nexus 4 has an excellent production, but a grave sin.
Your body feels sturdy and solid in the hand. device is a one piece, no loose parts and everything is in place at all times. The design and curved edges, coated with a non-skid and inclined slightly downward, make it a reasonably ergonomic device. In the three weeks I felt that I ‘skated’ in hand, something usual with other phones I’ve tried. I never fell out of his hands again, something that has happened with other devices, and I had no problems out of the pocket, the most critical time for most of the phones: there was always gripped firmly between my fingers .
physical buttons perform their function well and feel sturdy. Both the off button and volume control are well assembled in the body of the device, respond promptly when pressed and are generally reliable.
design advantages also seen when the phone is on. It is very convenient to have such a large screen (4.7 inches) . Compared with other devices of similar display size, as the HTC One X + or the Galaxy S III is a device less slender and thin, but the difference becomes significant . In addition, its weight (139 g) is very good compared to the competition. Here you can see the numbers:
| Screen | Height (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Weight (gr) | Samsung Galaxy S III | 4.8 “, 1280 x 720, 305 dpi | 136.6 | 70.6 | 8.6 | 133 | One X + | 4.7 “, 1280 x 720, 312 dpi | 134.7 | 69.9 | 8.9 | 135 | iPhone 5 | 4 ‘, 1136 × 640, 326 ppi | 123.8 | 58.6 | 7.6 | 112 | G Pro | 5,5 ‘, 1080, 401 dpi | 150.2 | 76.1 | 9.4 | 172 | Nokia Lumia 920 | 4.5 “, 1280 x 768, 332 dpi | 130.3 | 70.8 | 10.7 | 185 |
design a phone makes it rather easy to use with a thumb: not only because it is possible to reach a very large proportion of the screen with a single finger, but also because his balance is remarkable. With one or two hands, is a phone that fits well and has a balance higher than most devices I’ve had the opportunity to use. Moreover, Jelly Bean has several ‘cock’ even easier task.
however, still has a large enough screen when there are items that are in the upper left-or right-handed for the screen, you have to make some effort to reach them with one hand. In short, although the Nexus 4 can be used with one hand for basic operations, that is not the ideal scenario.
Your
glass finish enhances the feeling of solidity that transmits the phone when one hands : makes it feel more solid and fine in the plastic hand of most Android. Furthermore, it gives out a shine and elegance to tell the world that this is a high end phone, a feature that can be good or bad, but others ‘flagships’ no.
However, serious sin also has to do with that crystal. The day after having it, I removed the protective plastic included. Grave error: two days later I had the first scratches on the rear face. Only by moving the pocket to the desktop, then to the back pocket and then to the nightstand. In the days following the thing continued to advance, and, more worrisome, appeared the first damage to the front.
The disappointment was great, as you can imagine: the device lost almost all its elegance. Moreover, it was not because of my bad luck: u quick internet search showed me that I am not the only one that came up. Unfortunately, the only part that is covered in Gorilla Glass 2 is the screen, so we must say that the Nexus 4 is very prone to scratches, even with normal use and careful users. If you’re shopping, do not leave the store without a liner, bumper or case.
A screen with some problems
LG has in its portfolio some of the best screens we know for any electronic device. Not only supplies manufacturers like Apple, but also has a reputation for the screens of their own brand. That said, and knowing where it comes from the IPS screen Nexus 4 a little disappointed.
Its size and resolution were tipped at the time of his departure, and today, the rule being that the ‘flagship’ screens have 1080p-still in the front lot. Its 320 dpi are slightly lower than those of any other high-end phone, but the eye should be well trained to tell the difference.
Its tactile response is optimal, as befits a smartphone that level. Its refresh rate is very good, the screen never ‘stuck’ and leaves no trails or tracks when the user moves through the contents. Its overall brightness is right can be very strong when it is at 100%, and although the automatic is a bit more opaque than other phones is nothing to what the user not be used.
The problem is how to show the colors. While other phones, like the Galaxy S III, Note II or Samsung, often have somewhat oversaturated screen, the Nexus 4 has the opposite problem: the ‘display’ is a bit dull and does not show the colors such saturation compared to other phones. Let’s see:
Nexus Screen 4 (center) to the Samsung Galaxy S III (left) and Note II (right). Photo: ENTER.CO.
see the black areas of the picture, notice clearly that the intensity of blacks is lower than the other phones show . Furthermore, yellow soft phone brightness slightly affects the accuracy of the colors and slightly distort the step of gray to white. These are details which, again, does not bother the average user, but it does leave us a little puzzled by LG, which makes it so good screens.
A beautiful and powerful fireball
realize the Nexus 4 can be defined by its shortcomings. Has Gorilla Glass 2, but only on the screen. His ‘display’ has details that put it below the standard of high-end phones. Well in paragraph performance hardware and not miss anything . We are facing one of the most yielding and powerful phones that have been made, a device to which nothing is too big.
interface moves without crashing and quite fluent . Some applications that put sweat to other devices run perfectly on the Nexus 4: is a delight to see how shipped, almost hot, demanding apps like games, photo processing real-time HDR or HD video streaming. Multitasking works without any problem. If you have to leave the game to answer an email, the game suffers nothing.
The reason for this is simple: Google and LG spared no phone guts. has a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 2 GB of RAM and a graphics processor Adreno 320 , which together are a very powerful combo. In no benchmarks pales before any next-generation smartphone and Races Ahead against all phones released in 2012.
Wesmall benchmarks, AnTuTu, Quadrant and Geekbench-all popular applications to benchmarks, and these are the results.
work in Jelly Bean interface is to remove his hat. The latest Android version includes several solutions to help you operate the phone with one hand, all implemented with simplicity and elegance. More importantly, unlike the antics that manufacturers make their interfaces Android, Google does manage to make life easier for the user with its improvements.
Jelly Bean interface offers some great solutions.
specific applications and interface designs that were very good. The clock and stopwatch are clean and new versions of applications that most designers do not get even a drop of effort. The notification bar is-in my opinion-the most elegant and functional in any version of any mobile operating system.
That lock screen is so functional, however, does not seem such a good idea: opens the door to security problems. The idea is that the lock code is a gateway the phone, and if possible to access mail or Google+ profile without re-typing, just loses some of its function.
Your camera is on par, but has all the limitations that we know of smartphone cameras. In good light, the photos are of good quality. The focus is fast and the photos are taken with speed. However, in low light begins to appear slow and noise which, unfortunately, are used. For others, options for white balance, exposure and HDR work as expected. See some of the photos we took.
Receiving calls is outstanding. cell behaved well even in areas with poor signal, where other devices used is basically impossible . Sound quality on calls, both speaking and listening, had no problems. Connecting to the HSPA + network is also fine, the phone 3 or 4 Mbps offering Colombian operators.
Its battery is on par with that is, is just mediocre, the other phones in its range. Hold on a business day (roughly 10 hours), but not much Moreover, with automatic brightness and most of the time connected to Wi-Fi. In addition, the battery is not removable take away flexibility. I tested the first day and the last and the results are very similar:
What about the much talked about lack official Nexus 4G connectivity 4? True, it’s frustrating, which is the main ‘lunar’ phone in other markets, Google’s arguments are not convincing to justify it, which prevents phone users live a completely different user experience and that is why which many potential buyers decide not to have a Nexus 4. But it is also true that, in Colombia and much of Latin America, do not feel for a long time. If you are not a very frequent traveler and do not expect to use the phone in a place that has 4G, this should not be a problem.
The joy of being a Nexus
argument for Nexus 4 is the fact that it is a Nexus. What does that mean? The user has in store experience ‘more Android’ possible and you can always count on, before anyone else, with operating system updates.
This gives the Nexus 4 several advantages: first, its performance and its interface have not passed through the hands of middlemen, usually, they do more harm than good. There are users who are attracted by the ‘purity’ of Android, and beyond particular fetishes is true that the ‘purity’ is a quality seal that ensures that the user has a product well thought out and well designed by Google .
Secondly, being a Nexus prolongs the lifetime of the phone. While phones like the LG Optimus 2X are devices that already feel outdated, a Samsung Galaxy Nexus-contemporary-yet it is a smartphone that is fully up to date. Nexus 4 will have a similar evolution and better ‘old age’ that all other phones that came out last year.
also the fact that Android is ‘vanilla’ means the user is free to modify or rootearlo at will. I’ve talked to two owners very geeks. One of them could not stand the desire and made several ‘cocks’ to improve performance and battery life, while another said that, so far, has had no need to have occasion to modify anything that came from the factory. The fact that the option is there makes the Nexus 4, as all Nexus, very attractive for this class of users.
The price is right (on Google Play Store)
insist: the Nexus 4 can be defined by its shortcomings. Your screen is not the best, not 4G, the glass could be stronger … But ‘re talking about a phone that is worth at least $ 100 less than the competition and that, anyway, pays as much or more than any other Android .
must be said clearly: although the omissions can not be overlooked, the price between price and quality that Google and LG managed to Nexus 4 is its most attractive feature and its main hook convince consumers.
Google Play Store, the 16GB version without a contract worth $ 349. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S III is worth $ 445 on Amazon, the Lumia 920 (32 GB) costs $ 527, the iPhone 5 is sold at $ 649 and the HTC One X + (64 GB) is priced at $ 549 .
That savings justifies
many buts. To achieve the black, Google and LG had to sacrifice some things and still achieve an attractive product. The phone does not include headphones, your glass and screen are one step below the highest range, it has microSD slot and a larger storage capacity would be welcome. But anyway, we are facing a smart phone, powerful and reasonably well done.
be seen whether Colombian carriers, when they bring the phone in May and told ENTER.CO LG representative in Colombia, sell it at a reasonable price equal to, or at least not equate with other devices. Because if there to pay a million or more dollars for a Nexus 4 without contract, the phone would not be so good business and we should judge their flaws with a stick more severe.
Conclusion
And the verdict is … Photo: ENTER.CO.
Nexus 4 is a great phone with some moles. provides a reasonably good building-except for the glass-, unobjectionable performance and best price / quality market. The latter was achieved through a series of sacrifices: an improved outer material, a screen that is not on par with its range and omissions as hearing aids, more storage or external memory support.
Yet is an option for many consumers will be very attractive. It’s always the possibility of having the best version of Android in the pocket or the user wants-with a phone that does everything well, and has nothing to envy to more expensive devices. It is an intelligent device that any user should have in the deck.
Despite this, Nexus 4 defects can not be ignored. If you are a user with a history of damaged phones, or who often have to go to wild places, you should probably pass on this model. For the rest, just a matter of not leaving the store without a bumper, housing or any other protection for your smartphone.
also be seen at what price reaches the country. If worth the same as other high-end phones, the Nexus 4 is not as good business.
good:
- excellent and uncompromising performance.
Make
bad:
- outer glass deteriorates easily.
- screen is below average.
- have significant omissions: headphones, microSD card slot and greater capacity to 16 GB.
- Operators could hurt the price in Colombia.
Rating: 4.25 (excellent).
Learnour grading system here.
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