Galaxy Nexus vs Galaxy S2: Comparison reviews make me love my SGS2 even more

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sn0warmy

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Jul 26, 2010
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Boulder, CO
Like many others, I've been drooling over the Galaxy Nexus since it was announced. However, the more I read about it, the less interested I am to get one. At this point it seems that the only real upside to moving from the SGS2 to the Galaxy Nexus is ICS. But we all know there will be an ICS port available for the SGS2 within the upcoming months anyway, so that's a moot point.

Two comparison reviews I read:
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42623/galaxy-nexus-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-2

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/comparisons/1098323/samsung_galaxy_nexus_vs_samsung_galaxy_s2.html

Considering that the Galaxy Nexus is larger, has an inferior screen (supposedly), and lacks the ability to upgrade the internal storage due to lack of an SD card slot, I'm really losing sight on the appeal for the Galaxy Nexus.

Are you still planning on upgrading to the Galaxy Nexus when it becomes available? If so, why?
 
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typoknig

Member
May 25, 2010
9
2
Plus the Nexus only have a 5MP camera. One reason why I was considering the Nexus is because of the NFC technology Android Beam. I know a lot of people may need the extra space of a micro SD card slot, but a lot of people don't even have a micro SD card in their GS2 just because it doesn't come with one. Either way you go, you will be getting a good phone :)
 
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sn0warmy

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Jul 26, 2010
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Yeah, the 5mp camera appeared to be a turn off to me at first as well. But I have seen some comparison pictures taken with both phones and the 5mp camera on the Nexus does seem to be a bit clearer than the 8mp camera on the SGS2.

However, I don't typically choose a phone due to its camera. So this doesn't really matter to me.
 
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wannagofast

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2010
128
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PSL, FL
Ya I was debating these two for awhile. I went Tmob GS2 and don't regret it one bit...better cpu, gpu, modem, SD card, camera, lighter, smaller, etc. For me a phone any larger than the GS2 and I not interested, it has taken some getting use to the larger size in my hand coming from a Nexus S.
 
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unlvmike

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Sep 5, 2010
435
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I'm most likely going to own both of them. I love the nexus line of phones. Nothing like stock. They are both amazing from what I have seen and will decide which is better for myself after using both.

There is enough hate in the world. Why can't we all get along here ...?
 
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setzer715

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Jan 29, 2009
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You do realize that both of those reviews are of the i9100, right? That phone is really a COMPLETELY different phone than the SGH-T989! There needs to be a comparison to the T-Mobile US version of the SGSII.

Considering that the Galaxy Nexus is larger

The Nexus is larger in height but not width, it is in fact thinner in width.

, has an inferior screen (supposedly)

Where the heck did you read that? Are you talking about Gorilla Glass? It has a reinforced glass, Google wouldn't let them put **** on their latest and greatest after the Nexus S flop

, and lacks the ability to upgrade the internal storage due to lack of an SD card slot

Who uses more than 32GB?

Are you still planning on upgrading to the Galaxy Nexus when it becomes available? If so, why?

YES. Because it is a Nexus. ICS. Updates BEFORE ANY OTHER PHONE GET'S THEM. Will have HUGE developer support. Best display available. There's more, can't think of them now.

---------- Post added at 08:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 AM ----------

Yeah, the 5mp camera appeared to be a turn off to me at first as well. But I have seen some comparison pictures taken with both phones and the 5mp camera on the Nexus does seem to be a bit clearer than the 8mp camera on the SGS2.

However, I don't typically choose a phone due to its camera. So this doesn't really matter to me.

I agree totally. When I first read the stats with a 5mp camera first thought was, "why"? But I have too seen the comparisons. I'm willing to get they upgraded the optics. All that aside, I don't take many pictures with my phone. I use my camera for that so it's a minimal spec.

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

Ya I was debating these two for awhile. I went Tmob GS2 and don't regret it one bit...better cpu, gpu, modem, SD card, camera, lighter, smaller, etc. For me a phone any larger than the GS2 and I not interested, it has taken some getting use to the larger size in my hand coming from a Nexus S.

Hmmm...Better CPU - You sure? This CPU (TMO SGSII) is pain to do anything productive with.

GPU - Ok, may be a LITTLE better, but I doubt you would ever notice the difference. As far as I've read that GPU performs just fine for any game available on Android.

Modem - What are you talking about? The HSPA+ speed?

SD Card, yeah, talked about that already.

Lighter - Um, NO, they weigh the same.

Camera - More pixels means **** if the camera itself cant handle them.

ETC - What else? You say you can't handle a larger phone? I thought this thing was huge when I got it and wanted to go back to my Sensation but in time I grew to like the size. Just FYI, the Nexus is taller but skinnier. Thinner too by .6mm.
 

typoknig

Member
May 25, 2010
9
2
NFC Android Beam Correction

I didn't think the GS2 had NFC (Android Beam) but I was just reading the back of the box and it says it is NFC enabled, so maybe it does. This pushes the GS2 over the top imo.
 
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movieaddict

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Jul 24, 2010
2,111
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There just isn't enough added to it besides ics for me to buy it!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
 
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mackster248

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Aug 1, 2009
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The GN is better than TMO's SII in almost every way. The fact that its a 720p screen is such a big winner. 4.6' WVGA screen looked really bad to me. And I would take a TI-OMAP4 processor over Qualcomm's S3 processor any day of the week. Plus it's straight from Google. You save yourself the headache of wondering whether you're going to get the next Android firmware upgrade.

I bet the SII wont even officially get ICS until Q2 of next year, and that's probably after the SIII is released lol. Just like what happened with the first generation Galaxy S.

Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
 

jordanishere

Senior Member
Sep 13, 2011
1,484
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There seems to be a lot of debate about which phone is better. Both have similar processors, one has an sd card slot and one doesnt, both have huge screens, nfc, comparable cameras.

Given that the phones are so similar, why not save around $200 and get the sgs2?
 
K

Killbynature

Guest
Someone who played with both they both have ups and downs.

Galaxy nexus: 720 resolution Everything looks nice and sharp. But at angles these are at angles you never hold your phone at. It looks green. Samsung galaxy s2 doesn't at any angle. Galaxy nexus wins here.

Galaxy nexus: Os Latest and greatest. But it doesn't matter at all does it. Your on xda your going to root and run cm 9 or miui ics. Besides both teams come out with better things than Google themselves anyway. (tie)

Internal storage goes to samsung galaxy s2. Sorry to say most people fill of 32 gigs with enough clockwork back ups including titanium back ups, music videos and pictures it is easy to fill it up. You can say otg but I rather only carry my phone around and not carry extra pieces.

Both camera take very good pictures. More megapixels does not mean better pictures. The galaxy nexus camera takes pictures instantly and panorama works flawlessly. The software for cameras has always been better from oems than google. It still is. Goes to samsung galaxy s2. Then again you can get applications that fix this as well for the galaxy nexus. (tie)

Processors: .... Texas instruments processors aren't the best. They have been in various Motorola phones. Droid line phones have moto blur. Which I believe is more taxing than sense. Not bad not the best either. Google has optimized the software around the processor before I'm pretty sure they have again.

Qualcomm: Once again is not the best not the worst. You get better battery life supposedly. I didn't get to play with gnex for than 5 hrs can't tell. I'm pretty sure the lte version battery last 4-5 hrs. From single qualcomm to dual core one i can guarantee you it is an improvement over the single core phone. Various reports said hspa+ gnexus was getting a day.

Exynos: Best processor out supposedly. Various reliable benchmark test prove so. But its really no different than any processors. What is it downfall. You have this ridiculous amount of power in a phone. Which in a year it be outdated. In two years. you won't even been using this processor. Probably an updated version or a totally different. Also by the way reliable means nothing I can get two thousand people to vouch for me or give a good opinion of me. Never produce nothing in the end that really matters. Not like applications can't run because you have a certain processor. Look at tegra 2 games can still run on other various devices.

For the people who saying Ti is better than qualcomm. The galaxy nexus build is probably like Optimized like over 5 times. Can't compare stock and touchwiz. Matter fact you can't even tell over the samsung galaxy s2 line. On gingerbread. Hard to tax the roms are heavily optimized and are little nothing more than 90-100mb.
Anyone that says they can see the difference in real life performance on custom roms like cm 9 and miui is a fan boy and its all in their head after they see benchmarks so they start to elude them selves from the truth. Real life performance is not what sites tell you. It is how you use the phone. It varies from person to person.

If your developer go for the galaxy nexus. If your a consumer go for the galaxy s2. Both phones do the samething. Both phones can have equally the same development if you know how to code. Your not losing out.
 

kabuk1

Senior Member
I find it hilarious that *XDA members* would give points to a phone just because it comes with the latest version of Android. It's like a mechanic complaining because another car has better spark plugs or something. ICS isn't a real selling point to anyone but clueless end-users, IMO.
 

daddymatt

Senior Member
I know its been said here but still... any time you read ANYTHING about the SGS2 they are talking about the i9100 which is a COMPLETELY different phone than out t989... besides the camera and the "sII" printed on the back, not much else is the same... just saying.

Sent from my Beastly SGS2!
 

AllGamer

Retired Forum Moderator
May 24, 2008
11,917
1,657
SGH-T989
AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note I717
if you think that's bad

you should check this detailed list out http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1362556

Like many others, I've been drooling over the Galaxy Nexus since it was announced. However, the more I read about it, the less interested I am to get one. At this point it seems that the only real upside to moving from the SGS2 to the Galaxy Nexus is ICS. But we all know there will be an ICS port available for the SGS2 within the upcoming months anyway, so that's a moot point.

Two comparison reviews I read:
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42623/galaxy-nexus-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-2

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/comparisons/1098323/samsung_galaxy_nexus_vs_samsung_galaxy_s2.html

Considering that the Galaxy Nexus is larger, has an inferior screen (supposedly), and lacks the ability to upgrade the internal storage due to lack of an SD card slot, I'm really losing sight on the appeal for the Galaxy Nexus.

Are you still planning on upgrading to the Galaxy Nexus when it becomes available? If so, why?
 

sn0warmy

Senior Member
Jul 26, 2010
3,392
1,642
Boulder, CO
A lot of good insight here. One thing others have brought up, which I was not aware of, is that the TMO SGS2 is much different than the i9100 version. I knew the exterior was a bit different but I thought that was it. Are you saying that the T989 is inferior to the i9100? If so, in what ways?

There seems to be a lot of debate about which phone is better. Both have similar processors, one has an sd card slot and one doesnt, both have huge screens, nfc, comparable cameras.

Given that the phones are so similar, why not save around $200 and get the sgs2?

That's my point. This is where I currently stand. I was ready to sell my SGS2 and pay an additional $250+ for the Galaxy Nexus sometime over the next couple of months. But at this point, it just doesn't seem worth it. Maybe sometime next year when it is readily available on T-Mobile and I am eligible to upgrade I will pick up a GN for around the same price I sell my SGS2 for, making it a wash.

if you think that's bad

you should check this detailed list out http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1362556

The below bug you listed would really drive me nuts:
  • software buttons bugs (mostly with apps that are not ICS ready)
 
K

Killbynature

Guest
A lot of good insight here. One thing others have brought up, which I was not aware of, is that the TMO SGS2 is much different than the i9100 version. I knew the exterior was a bit different but I thought that was it. Are you saying that the T989 is inferior to the i9100? If so, in what ways?



That's my point. This is where I currently stand. I was ready to sell my SGS2 and pay an additional $250+ for the Galaxy Nexus sometime over the next couple of months. But at this point, it just doesn't seem worth it. Maybe sometime next year when it is readily available on T-Mobile and I am eligible to upgrade I will pick up a GN for around the same price I sell my SGS2 for, making it a wash.



The below bug you listed would really drive me nuts:
  • software buttons bugs (mostly with apps that are not ICS ready)

Is is inferior but not quite like omg its just the original has better gpu and processor. But this version has better battery life. Ill trade off some power for better battery life anytime. All people do is over hype the processor which will eventually be outdated like every other processor. A everyday user for normal task it is easy. Even for a power user like me. Not a big deal. They act as if the t-mobile version is the bastard child of the family. Sure on stock touchwiz the original sg2 beats the tmobile version. But any other custom roms everything varies. You can never compare them because they are compiled from different sources. It is like comparing apples from different areas. They may look the same but they taste different.
 

eMace

Member
Nov 16, 2011
33
1
When I got my phone, i was trying to choose between waiting for the galaxy nexus, get the iphone 4s, or get one of the SGS2 variants. I went with the SGH-T989. And after reading more about the Nexus, and playing around with friends' and family's iphone 4s, I'm pretty confident that I made the right decision.
 
Aug 12, 2011
38
10
Both phones have their positives and negatives.

The PenTile Super AMOLED HD vs. the Super AMOLED+ display is subjective. Some people like the higher resolution, some people would rather do without the green tint.

Both are NFC enabled, so that's a moot point, too.

About the processors: People in this thread seem to think that every single mobile SOC uses its own native ARM ISA. This is false. The TI OMAP 4460's processor and the processor in the Exynos (And for that matter, the Tegra 2's and the Apple A5's) are the same (Save for certain cases like NEON implementation, which most, but not all SOC's do. The Tegra 2 doesn't.) The Snapdragon's is not, as Qualcomm licenses the ability to design their own ARM based ISA from ARM Holdings (Think AMD and Intel). http://www.anandtech.com/show/3632/anands-google-nexus-one-review/9

Between Cortex-A9 SOC's, the difference in performance and benchmarks is either down to the GPU (The Exynos uses the Mali-400, the TI uses the PowerVR SGX 540, the Tegra 2 uses the Geforce ULP, and the A5 uses the PowerVR SGX543MP2), software optimization, clock rate, or certain cases where NEON would provide a benefit.

Performance per clock has the Cortex A9 leading the Snapdragon chip in most cases. This isn't Qualcomm's fault. The Snapdragon was never designed to compete with the A9, but rather, the A8. This is why benchmarks seem to have the T-Mobile SGSII coming in last place between the carrier variants. In real world performance, though, it's relatively a moot point. Most software is still being written for the 1GHz single core crowd. Any dual core device should remain hardware relevant for quite some time.

As far as GPU performance is concerned... the Adreno 220 /should/ be more powerful than the SGX540 the Galaxy Nexus uses, but software optimization can provide a key role here.

I've heard mixed views over the camera in the Galaxy Nexus. From what I've gathered, at its best, the camera can snap clearer, more color accurate shots than the SGSII at its best, but it's easier to take rubbish shots than the SGSII's. The resolution of the CMOS sensor means almost nothing in terms of raw image quality, and it's silly to compare cameras based on it.

The Galaxy Nexus doesn't use Gorilla Glass, but some sort of unknown manufacturer's "reenforced glass", like the Nexus S. I'll hold off until we hear some clear reports on how durable/scratch resistant this glass really is.

The biggest reason to go with the Galaxy Nexus would definitely be software updates, though. Obviously, it's the first phone with Ice Cream Sandwich, which is a massive improvement over Gingerbread in every way. And then, it will get consistent updates, as they are managed by Google instead of the manufacturer/carrier. (Remember how hard it was just to get an official Froyo on the US versions of the original Galaxy S?) Samsung claims that it's trying to clean up its act on that front, but it's not entirely up to them. It's up to the carriers, and they'd rather us sign onto new contracts with newer phones. We'll see.

There's no SD card slot on the Nexus. That's a big thing for most people.

Audio performance is interesting. The Yamaha DAC the Galaxy S II uses has been called a downgrade from the original Wolfson DAC the Galaxy/Nexus S used. I haven't heard reports on the Galaxy Nexus' DAC, so we'll just have to wait and see.

There will definitely be more ROM support for the Galaxy Nexus. Two reasons.

1. It's not split up into four (five?) different models, some of which have different hardware altogether.

2. AOSP Android. Everything running on the Galaxy Nexus has been open sourced from the beginning. (GAPPS excluded). Meaning there won't be any driver issues as per the SGSII.

If both phones were out right now and available for T-Mobile and I'd have to chose, I'd probably pick the Galaxy Nexus just for the ICS and ROM support. That's not to say I'm unhappy with my SGSII, but running a vastly superior version of Android and being able to tinker around with it that much more is worth it (to me) over my own personal preference for the non PenTile SAMOLED display and the Gorilla Glass.
 

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    Both phones have their positives and negatives.

    The PenTile Super AMOLED HD vs. the Super AMOLED+ display is subjective. Some people like the higher resolution, some people would rather do without the green tint.

    Both are NFC enabled, so that's a moot point, too.

    About the processors: People in this thread seem to think that every single mobile SOC uses its own native ARM ISA. This is false. The TI OMAP 4460's processor and the processor in the Exynos (And for that matter, the Tegra 2's and the Apple A5's) are the same (Save for certain cases like NEON implementation, which most, but not all SOC's do. The Tegra 2 doesn't.) The Snapdragon's is not, as Qualcomm licenses the ability to design their own ARM based ISA from ARM Holdings (Think AMD and Intel). http://www.anandtech.com/show/3632/anands-google-nexus-one-review/9

    Between Cortex-A9 SOC's, the difference in performance and benchmarks is either down to the GPU (The Exynos uses the Mali-400, the TI uses the PowerVR SGX 540, the Tegra 2 uses the Geforce ULP, and the A5 uses the PowerVR SGX543MP2), software optimization, clock rate, or certain cases where NEON would provide a benefit.

    Performance per clock has the Cortex A9 leading the Snapdragon chip in most cases. This isn't Qualcomm's fault. The Snapdragon was never designed to compete with the A9, but rather, the A8. This is why benchmarks seem to have the T-Mobile SGSII coming in last place between the carrier variants. In real world performance, though, it's relatively a moot point. Most software is still being written for the 1GHz single core crowd. Any dual core device should remain hardware relevant for quite some time.

    As far as GPU performance is concerned... the Adreno 220 /should/ be more powerful than the SGX540 the Galaxy Nexus uses, but software optimization can provide a key role here.

    I've heard mixed views over the camera in the Galaxy Nexus. From what I've gathered, at its best, the camera can snap clearer, more color accurate shots than the SGSII at its best, but it's easier to take rubbish shots than the SGSII's. The resolution of the CMOS sensor means almost nothing in terms of raw image quality, and it's silly to compare cameras based on it.

    The Galaxy Nexus doesn't use Gorilla Glass, but some sort of unknown manufacturer's "reenforced glass", like the Nexus S. I'll hold off until we hear some clear reports on how durable/scratch resistant this glass really is.

    The biggest reason to go with the Galaxy Nexus would definitely be software updates, though. Obviously, it's the first phone with Ice Cream Sandwich, which is a massive improvement over Gingerbread in every way. And then, it will get consistent updates, as they are managed by Google instead of the manufacturer/carrier. (Remember how hard it was just to get an official Froyo on the US versions of the original Galaxy S?) Samsung claims that it's trying to clean up its act on that front, but it's not entirely up to them. It's up to the carriers, and they'd rather us sign onto new contracts with newer phones. We'll see.

    There's no SD card slot on the Nexus. That's a big thing for most people.

    Audio performance is interesting. The Yamaha DAC the Galaxy S II uses has been called a downgrade from the original Wolfson DAC the Galaxy/Nexus S used. I haven't heard reports on the Galaxy Nexus' DAC, so we'll just have to wait and see.

    There will definitely be more ROM support for the Galaxy Nexus. Two reasons.

    1. It's not split up into four (five?) different models, some of which have different hardware altogether.

    2. AOSP Android. Everything running on the Galaxy Nexus has been open sourced from the beginning. (GAPPS excluded). Meaning there won't be any driver issues as per the SGSII.

    If both phones were out right now and available for T-Mobile and I'd have to chose, I'd probably pick the Galaxy Nexus just for the ICS and ROM support. That's not to say I'm unhappy with my SGSII, but running a vastly superior version of Android and being able to tinker around with it that much more is worth it (to me) over my own personal preference for the non PenTile SAMOLED display and the Gorilla Glass.
    2
    I'm most likely going to own both of them. I love the nexus line of phones. Nothing like stock. They are both amazing from what I have seen and will decide which is better for myself after using both.

    There is enough hate in the world. Why can't we all get along here ...?
    2

    You do realize that both of those reviews are of the i9100, right? That phone is really a COMPLETELY different phone than the SGH-T989! There needs to be a comparison to the T-Mobile US version of the SGSII.

    Considering that the Galaxy Nexus is larger

    The Nexus is larger in height but not width, it is in fact thinner in width.

    , has an inferior screen (supposedly)

    Where the heck did you read that? Are you talking about Gorilla Glass? It has a reinforced glass, Google wouldn't let them put **** on their latest and greatest after the Nexus S flop

    , and lacks the ability to upgrade the internal storage due to lack of an SD card slot

    Who uses more than 32GB?

    Are you still planning on upgrading to the Galaxy Nexus when it becomes available? If so, why?

    YES. Because it is a Nexus. ICS. Updates BEFORE ANY OTHER PHONE GET'S THEM. Will have HUGE developer support. Best display available. There's more, can't think of them now.

    ---------- Post added at 08:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 AM ----------

    Yeah, the 5mp camera appeared to be a turn off to me at first as well. But I have seen some comparison pictures taken with both phones and the 5mp camera on the Nexus does seem to be a bit clearer than the 8mp camera on the SGS2.

    However, I don't typically choose a phone due to its camera. So this doesn't really matter to me.

    I agree totally. When I first read the stats with a 5mp camera first thought was, "why"? But I have too seen the comparisons. I'm willing to get they upgraded the optics. All that aside, I don't take many pictures with my phone. I use my camera for that so it's a minimal spec.

    ---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

    Ya I was debating these two for awhile. I went Tmob GS2 and don't regret it one bit...better cpu, gpu, modem, SD card, camera, lighter, smaller, etc. For me a phone any larger than the GS2 and I not interested, it has taken some getting use to the larger size in my hand coming from a Nexus S.

    Hmmm...Better CPU - You sure? This CPU (TMO SGSII) is pain to do anything productive with.

    GPU - Ok, may be a LITTLE better, but I doubt you would ever notice the difference. As far as I've read that GPU performs just fine for any game available on Android.

    Modem - What are you talking about? The HSPA+ speed?

    SD Card, yeah, talked about that already.

    Lighter - Um, NO, they weigh the same.

    Camera - More pixels means **** if the camera itself cant handle them.

    ETC - What else? You say you can't handle a larger phone? I thought this thing was huge when I got it and wanted to go back to my Sensation but in time I grew to like the size. Just FYI, the Nexus is taller but skinnier. Thinner too by .6mm.
    1
    Like many others, I've been drooling over the Galaxy Nexus since it was announced. However, the more I read about it, the less interested I am to get one. At this point it seems that the only real upside to moving from the SGS2 to the Galaxy Nexus is ICS. But we all know there will be an ICS port available for the SGS2 within the upcoming months anyway, so that's a moot point.

    Two comparison reviews I read:
    http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42623/galaxy-nexus-vs-samsung-galaxy-s-2

    http://www.knowyourmobile.com/comparisons/1098323/samsung_galaxy_nexus_vs_samsung_galaxy_s2.html

    Considering that the Galaxy Nexus is larger, has an inferior screen (supposedly), and lacks the ability to upgrade the internal storage due to lack of an SD card slot, I'm really losing sight on the appeal for the Galaxy Nexus.

    Are you still planning on upgrading to the Galaxy Nexus when it becomes available? If so, why?
    1
    Plus the Nexus only have a 5MP camera. One reason why I was considering the Nexus is because of the NFC technology Android Beam. I know a lot of people may need the extra space of a micro SD card slot, but a lot of people don't even have a micro SD card in their GS2 just because it doesn't come with one. Either way you go, you will be getting a good phone :)