yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] momagic:
It's exactly that, a downgrade.

All the people posting about pure Google etc.... does it really matter? I was using stock android (well, Cyanogen) on my GS2 but from FIRST HAND experience it was not worth the move.

P.s, not going to sell it (yet) you never know, there maybe a way to get mass storage working or at least transfer files over.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] hotleadsingerguy:
I currently have a GS2 and will be changing to the GN when it releases here in the States (on VZW). Why? 720p screen, software buttons, and as close to a pure device as one can get anymore. The cons of the device really don't bother me, so I'll be more than happy with the Nexus.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] open1your1eyes0:
720p screen - Valid point but not worth it if you have to sacrifice downgrades in other major hardware (CPU/GPU/Camera/etc...)

Software buttons - This is really considered an upgrade to you?

Pure Device - Software is port-able and moddable, this is a very moot point and I think is vastly overrated

My question is more of how you have a SII on Verizon right now? (unless you're planning to switch to Verizon now just to get the GN in which I have no comment then)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] audi09:
After coming to this forum and all the sites posting updates on the Galaxy Nexus, Im having 2nd thoughts. I want android 4.0, 4.6inch screen and 720p screen. Those would be the only 3 reasons. The camera was a big letdown, not that its 5MP but compared to the GSII the photos suck.

Right now its either buy a GSII, or wait for one more week on this GN.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] fdm1:
If you don't want to buy the nexus, don't. no one's forcing you.

to the complainers, if you bought it and don't like it, return it. no one's making you keep it. if you think it sucks ass more than any other phone, go buy those phones. Solved.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
Word. No ones forcing you, and there are tons of other options. If you think the SGSII is better then use it. But don't come onto XDA and complain to a bunch of people who desperately want the phone.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] fdm1:
Exactly. If you legitimately have a new problem (that hasn't been posted hundreds of times), by all means bring it up. people on this forum are great at figuring out solutions.

If all you want to do is complain about stuff (a) that you should have known before buying it, or (b) stuff that is already brought to attention in actual productive threads looking for solutions, but you just want to complain instead and think your complaints warrant an entire new thread (which is against the forum rules if I understand them correctly), go do it on your facebook wall and stop wasting people's time.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] jamesl88:
I don't get how people are saying Galaxy Nexus is a downgrade from GS2. Sure camera and GPU, I get. Even the lack of MicroSD which can be big. But No, GS2 CPU is not better than Galaxy Nexus. Most of the benchmarks involving browsing test and CPU tests put Galaxy Nexus on top of Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4S. That's because while Exynos is a admirable processor, OMAP 4460 is optimized with the ICS software, along with full HA, not to mention that 4460 is designed as a 1.5 GHz processor that's under-clocked for battery life. So again, Galaxy S2 CPU is not better than Galaxy Nexus CPU.

Also, Galaxy Nexus Super Amoled HD screens blow Galaxy S2's Super Amoled Plus. People may complain that it's a pentile vs RBG Stripe in Plus, but the HD screen covers most of the shortcomings of pentile display. In fact, the text was proven to be crispier than that of Galaxy S2. Add that with the advantages of Super Amoled HD screen such as less battery comsumption, pure white whites, and sharpness and crispiness of "Retina" display, screen is not even close.

Add that with vanilla UI, fastest updates/developer support, and ICS, Galaxy Nexus is definitely not a downgrade from any other phones out there. (Samsung probably wont release ICS for at least 4 months)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] vADimko:
I think probably it's a little pity for them that their SGS2 not flagman anymore. so they try to discredit GN that their SGS2 is better.

As it's already been said- noone forcing you to buy this device. if you don't like GN it's your own problem/opinion. do not impose it to others.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kindiboy:
I don't care if a phone had a 386 processor as long as it is snappy on the OS. People keep failing to realize that it's the whole package. I have a SGS2 and I honestly hate it just because the way it looks, but I just pushed my self to use it until I found out about Kies and Odin that's the downgrade, so I went back to my Nexus 1.

About the pictures I've seen a comparison on this website for both cameras side by side...

the SGS2 camera had a little bit more details

the GN had more accurate colors.

How is that a downgrade?

Honestly LOOK (picture is not mine took it from this post )

How is this bad for a camera phone...? learn to use it...
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] DammitCubs:
In terms of this pure Google vs not. I agree with people who think don't care for as much. My first android phone was pure Google but from using touchwiz 4.0 there are features Samsung added in that the pure never had and don't know why they didn't add it in. Like pull controls. Volume memory based on impedance so it knows if it's your headphones, speakers or none. The nice texting gestures.

Also, I don't believe the idea that Google optimized this for the OMAP4460. Unless they got on record, you are just getting a clean rom with a very capable dual core system...nothing more.

The SGS2 in terms of specs is better. I'm a moron to exchange my phone and move carriers. But SGS2 was the hotness in MAY. In winter, I want to play with the latest and greatest OS and that's ICS. Waiting for developers to make their version is more.horrid than waiting for Verizon to get off their butts and announce a date. I don't need the galaxy nexus. Its just something different and as a gadgeteer, that's all thats need to justify all insanity
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] brandonyoung:
After Samsung's treatment of the original Galaxy S variants, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for ICS on the GS2. They promised, so I expect it will come...eventually. But I expect it to be late next year. I expect the next Android version will be announced shortly after they release it. And, I doubt there will be any update after ICS.

I currently have the Samsung Vibrant. I'm still on a custom Froyo ROM. Samsung won't be updating it to Gingerbread, much less ICS. Some custom ROMs do implement Gingerbread, but none of them work 100%. Samsung seems to hold back something that would let the modders make a complete working custom ROM on their own (drivers, perhaps?)

So far, my experience with Samsung Android devices (My Vibrant and my Galaxy Tab 10.1) They make great hardware, but they muck something up when implementing their software. The Vibrant and the Galaxy tab both had lag issues with Samsung's software, which were fixed when I loaded custom ROMs on them, but the modders seem limited in how much they can change.

The latest mistake in Samsung's software is their 3.2 update for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 broke wifi connectivity. They were forced to recall their update.

So far it looks like the Galaxy Nexus is what I am looking for, Samsung's hardware, but without their (or the carrier's) software.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] DammitCubs:
WOW!!! thats a ridiculously good picture. The light didn't ruin the detail. That's probably the best GN picture I have seen thus far.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] pewpewbangbang:
heres a short camera comparison i found between the GS II and GN

http://www.freeyourandroid.com/inthenews/sgs2-vs-galaxy-nexus-camera-comparison

I still want the GN.....lovin the design, 720p screen, led notification, and ICS of course. But yea, GS II with ICS would win, just the screen wouldn't =/

I hope the GS III just comes out like right now lmfao
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] eksasol:
I am really happy with my SGSII, but I really want an HD screen. I'm more interested in the Galaxy Note instead though since it has microSD, it will use older generation cpu and gpu, same as the SGSII but its enough for me to content with. Waiting to see if it will be available for US carriers and more community developments.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] JRK-Scope:
Umm does the whole OMAP 4 vs Exynos really bug people that much? Personally, I prefer the TI chip because it's proven to be quite the battery sipper compared to both Tegra and Exynos. Yes the GPU is a little slower, but I wouldn't really consider it to be the reason the GS II gets a higher score. If the GS II was running a 720p screen, scores would be a lot closer. Furthermore, in real usage, I've found little difference between all dual core chipsets except for the Snapdragons which do feel laggier.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] kindiboy:
This is the one I was talking about on my previous post, now this

http://hemorrdroids.net/samsung-galaxy-nexus-vs-samsung-galaxy-sii-s2-camera-test/

is even better comparison mainly because it happened in doors, out doors, and at night. GN has an amazing camera.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] voyager_s:
Interesting story. Apart from sd expansion, both handsets are very similar hardware wise.

Its funny...the s2 and galaxy nexus are the 2 handsets tempting me crazy for a good while now.

ive still got my nexus s and quite happy. But my next handset isnt far off i think. Just not sure.

Im leaning towards the s2 slightly. The moto razar is also one sexxxy piece of kit. God help me...lol.

One things for sure...no decision at least until ICS lands on nexus s.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] wilbur-force:
Not sure i understand all this issues and complaints about file transfer and usb ???? I was transferring files yesterday just fine ?????
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Robi-K:
Why do people always bash Samsung for slow updates when Moto, Lg and HTC do them even slower. At least from my point of view. I had the Galaxy S for about 10 months before I dropped it and had numerous updates. Of course the situation is different in the US. But I think thats mostly carriers fault. Had the Desire HD for 6 months after that and only 2 leaked firmwares poped up in that timeframe. I think Samsung is really getting their act together with updates. Now as for the GN, do I need it? No. Do I want it? Hell yeah. The only thing stoping me from getting it right now is money and sd slot. But eventually I'll get it and be happy with it. I always installed aosp roms on all of my devices so thinking about this for a couple of days now it's time I got my act together and just buy a Nexus device.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Robi-K:
Now if anybody wants to swap their GN for a 1 month old mint condition insured GSII I'm up for it.

;)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] momagic:
It's exactly that, an OPINION!

I don't get all the people who are saying things similar to the above. This is my opinion, having owned most of the best smartphones available from 2003 I think my opinion has weight.

In the last year alone I've had the iPhone 4, Omnia 7, GS2 and now the GN, hell, I've even had the San Francisco! I can say hands down the GS2 was the best!

I'm not for imposing, I'm just offering my position on the matter.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] momagic:
To the people talking about the 720p screen, you rarely get to use the WHOLE screen real estate. The only time I've got to use the whole screen was when I played a video I recorded.

When playing a game, I still have the on screen buttons on the bottom.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] musashiken:
Owning the best smartphones doesn't mean you understand them. You probably have no idea what the stock Android experience means since you come from a Touch Wiz phone (and no cyanogen doesn't count). I don't blame you of course.

I do agree that you probably should just stick to the SGS2 since it works for you, or should I say, Touch Wiz works for you.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] pukemon:
But the thing is... most of the problems you had, you knew going in. So in my humble opinion, your opinion doesnt hold any water because you come off as obnoxious gs2 fanboy. And that is the REASON i skipped the gs2. Gs2 fanboys remind me of apple fanboys. Or would you prefer i call you fanman because you think so highly of your own OPINION?

I invented cyberspace. You're trespassing.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] ferris2375:
..........

With that being said I plan on buying a Nexus to compliment my GS2. But let's try and be accurate here. :)

http://bcove.me/0ayj7khc

Right at the start of the video, this guy comes right and says that the GS2 is a better phone, the Nexus just has the ICS advantage at the moment.

GS2-

Better camera

Better speaker

Better battery time

Better CPU

Better GPU

Gorilla Glass

SD Card option

FM radio

Better form factor/color (IMO)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] fdm1:
Because that guy's opinion is the definitive authority on the matter...
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] momagic:
You sound like a Nexus fanboi.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] fdm1:
OP, I believe this is what you're looking for...http://xdaforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1056
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] JRK-Scope:
Personally, I would take resolution over colors in my screen choice. Galaxy S II stretches WVGA a little too much for my tastes. I notice it with my HD2 and with my mother's GS II. Also colors are a little overblown particularly the green.

I'm expecting the GS III to have a screen akin to the Nexus but I am curious if it will have SAMOLED Plus as well as a Cortex A15 SoC (much better than say a quad-core Cortex A9 SoC).

I will probably get the Nexus though. Verizon users might be getting shafted but I expect the unlocked Nexus will get priority updates as always and be upgraded to Jellybean and whatever comes after it.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] nyyankees3511:
You guys are so caught up with which is better. The CPU in the sgs2 is better for the sgs2. The ti omap is better for the nexus since it has a HD accelerator I believe and also a dual channel ram controller. Each has got its plusses. Yes the gpu is better on the Sgs2 but that doesn't mean the nexus has a crappy gpu.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] NatTheCat:
I came from a GS2 and I still have it. I don't for 1 second wish i didn't. Don't get me wrong I love my GS2 but ICS is sickkk. The 720p screen is sickkk. The DAC is sickkk. The auto focus and instant shutter is sickkk. It looks sickkk.

It browsed faster than my GS2.

Don't you remember the problem the GS2 had on stock. Bluetooth audio crackle and dropping. Think it still has it.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Gundea:
Better camera is, as we have seen, debatable.

Haven't tested either speakers, so I can't discuss that.

Good battery time is nice, but once again, I'd like to see some solid benchmarks here.

The GS2 definitely does not have a better CPU than the OMAP 4460. In fact, they're pretty much identical Cortex A9 CPUs, perhaps with the 4460 having a better stepping since it runs at 1.5 GHz at stock.

Sure, the Mali MP400 is far better than the SGX 540, TI dropped the ball on that one.

Corning Gorilla Glass is just a brand name, there is no indication that the Galaxy Nexuses glass is any worse.

I'd have liked to have an SD card slot, but USB OTG support will have to suffice.

Again, radio is a differing use case, if you honestly listen much to that, then that's a definitive drawback.

And the last point is quite personal :)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] pukemon:
How do you deduct that when i didnt even mention nexus?

Sent from my samsung gt i9250 using powers of the unicorn.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] jamesl88:
It may not matter when playing a game, but it definitely matters when streaming movies (you can now stream HD movies from Netflix and not just SD movies) and browsing. 720p in general is pleasing to look at.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Nebucatnetzer:
it's not about the size pal it's about dpi I would be totally happy with 4.3" but not with a resolution of 800x480.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] wilbur-force:
Ok. I put my nexus next to my mates gs2 and i 100% confirmed my decision. The nexus screen makes the gs2 look very low res. Not bothered about benchmarks as i run very little that would EVER notice the difference.

The sound on the nexus is brilliant IMHO.

Looking forward to ics updates.

Very happy nexus owner (not fanboy)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] JohnSteveDoe:
You sound like a Nexus hater.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Bought it and hate it? Sell to someone in the US for more than you paid for it or wait for stores to be out of stock and sell it in the UK at a high markup.

Also, the screen is [one of] the most important thing about a smartphone, since it's literally what (most of) you'll be staring at 90% of the time. HD 4.65" sAMOLED > GS2's screen, and there is absolutely no doubt about that.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] AMoosa:
Install an app called wifi file explorer. This will solve your file copying requirements.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] pewpewbangbang:
lol i gave in and decided to pick up a white Galaxy S II i9100......the design won me over mostly haha.

Though hopefully i don't regret not getting the 720p screen on the Galaxy Nexus.

I'll probably just hold out till the next summer releases of GS III, iPhone 5, etc...

Bye Bye white and black iPhone 4. Hello white Galaxy S II.

Anyways, i don't think it'd be a completely worth it upgrade from a Galaxy S II to Galaxy Nexus but thats just my opinion.

They're both great devices tbh, have their pro's and cons. I'd probably say keep Galaxy S II if you already have one.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] JustinL01:
My thoughts

Addressing the OP - Like you I have used numerous Android phones including the SG2, Sensation, Sensation XE, Motorolla Razr and many more. I now have both the RAZR and GN. without doubt the nexus is the best phone for me! The SG2 was the UK version so had the better processor etc.

Compared to the SG2 the Nexus has a better screen for resolution and colour rendition. The materials used in the Nexus are better quality and it is overall a better built phone. It is faster than the SG2 and there really isn't that much difference in the camera (personally I think most phone camera's are useless when blown up I use a Nex5n if I want to take proper photo's), but for quick snaps it is fine.

Personally having a "proper non skinned" Google phone is by far the best way to experience android. It is a totally different experience to any of the "skinned" phones. If you are thinking about upgrading or changing your phone the Nexus is not inferior in hardware at all as an overall package to the SG2 and unlike the SG2 you are guaranteed proper support from Google rather than the often lack lustre support/upgrading offered by Samsung!

Just so you are aware these are just my personal opinions, I am lucky that I get to try out most of the latest phones, I won't comment on any phones that I haven't used or make assumptions. My main phone is now the Nexus (even with the volume bug), my Iphone 4S is now relegated to my draw, the RAZR is heading back to my phone provider.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] axtn95:
Why does everyone keep talking about processors? Are you guys somehow running crysis on your phones? Okay SGS2 has a "better" processor, what is it going to help you do faster? Play games at 3 fps faster? Certainly not going to help the whole experience of the phone because nexus creams everything in it's path because of stock android, which is why im never getting any sense touchwiz skinned phones. Just saying, that's how i look at it...

All skinned phones do is add lag and unnecessary bug, although sometimes add cool features, but not worth the trade...
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] wilbur-force:
Glad to hear your thoughts on the razr as that was my other choice :)

All this talk of file transfer issues ...... works fine for me ..... just set it to camera mode !
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] JustinL01:
Wilbur-force, If you are deciding between the 2 there is only one choice. The RAZR looked good on paper, however in reality the design makes it seem larger and far more uncomfortable to hold than the Nexus and the screen is nowhere near as good not even taking into account the greater resolution.

I showed the RAZR and Nexus to 4 work colleagues, only one having an Android phone the others all have Iphone 4 S's, they all preferred the Nexus to both look at and hold and they loved the screen!
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] axtn95:
Hey wilbur-force please tell me, camera mode makes it work with ps3?
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] wilbur-force:
No ps3 at work. Will try tonight :)
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] axtn95:
That was a fast reply, your frekin awesome :D
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] ChongoDroid:
I'll trade you... Me want neckasus
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] wilbur-force:
I made my choice last saturday :)

very pleased with my Nexus !
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] juliano_q:
There is something that you are not accounting now but you will in the future, that is the software updates directly by Google. My wife has a Galaxy S and I have a Nexus S, both are same generation and hardware-like devices. I am getting ICS and she is not (atleast not officially). Even when she gets updates it is months after me and bloated by Samsung.

I only buy Nexus devices now and I am quite happy with them.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] wilbur-force:
Ps3 says unknown usb device connected.

Hopefully once sony phones start getting ics that will be rectified by a sw update .....
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] BarryH_GEG:
As processors are getting more powerful, this is becoming less important. There are three types of phones:

1) Pure Google

2) Manufacturer direct (unlocked)

3) Carrier bastardized

The third category, especially in the U.S., is what most people ***** about. The U.S. carriers are hell bent on making h/w and s/w changes that alter the phones for the worse. I have a i9100 and there's lots of additions Samsung’s made that make the phone better. Their audio and video codecs play just about anything well. MTP supports Rhapsody DRM so I can download thousands of songs to store locally and not have to use the dreaded Rhapsody player. TW isn't that intrusive and some of their hubs add real value and make the phone easier to use and more functional. Their e-mail client and Exchange support are far better than stock. And even with all their modifications the phone's still blazingly fast. On a pure Google phone you have to cobble together a lot of what Samsung's provided to have the same functionality. In doing so you've added tons of extra apps which kind of defeat the "bloat" defense. Back in the single processor days, and when the OEM's were clueless, a pure Google phone made total sense. Other than being the first to get updates, the value seems to have diminished.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] malibu_23:
Iono y people think a phone with better specs but has to run a tw skin on top of I've will be better than the nexus. Its laughable. Ics+tw= fail
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] BarryH_GEG:
So use ADW or another launcher. Even if you do, you'll still have all of the drivers and codecs that are far better than stock available. Samsung's Bluetooth implementation is the only one out there that displays artist/title on the connected playback device. Sure there's stuff that's irrelevant like Samsung Apps but there's things like AllShare and Kies Wi-Fi that make up for it. And again, since storage and processing power isn't that much of an issue any more, why does it matter? If you buy a phone to watch the buttery smooth transitions all day I can see why less is more would be better. But if you use your phone do actually do stuff some of the integration Samsung's done make it more efficient.