So after trying to decide between the two for myself, I've decided to try to help other like-minded users find the phone that's best for them.
If you see anything incorrect or missing, please let me know!
I'll start with the Nexus S 4G
Software:
Ships with Gingerbread
Will receive upgrades first
Will likely run Icecream (HC reworked for phones)
AOSP
No bloatware, and no Sprint apps
Hardware:
1GHz Hummingbird Processor
512MB RAM
4" Super AMOLED screen
16gb internal storage
NO MicroSD card slot
NFC Capability
5MP rear camera
VGA Front camera
1500 mAh Li-ion battery
GPU rated as good, if not slightly better than EVO3D's Adreno 220**
Unique Contour display*
*The contour display can best be seen here. Essentially, the display curves slightly at the ends and reviews have reported it feeling nice against your face. Aside from the feel, the SAMOLED display grants more vivid colors, more luminance, and more contrast, making text easy to read at most sizes.
**Which means the Nexus S will be able to display graphics on a similar caliber of the EVO3D, which is much higher than the EVO.
Layman's terms? Have you noticed how bad the N64 Emulator is on the EVO? It should run beautifully on the Nexus S, and even better on the EVO3D.
Media
DLNA Support for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to your TV or computer
Supported video, audio, and image formats are not known yet, but we can safely assume the standards are there.
Release date: "Spring" 2011 Price: $199 on contract
Form:
An important spec of phones to some users is also their outside form. Here's what we've got on the Nexus
Size and weight:
63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
129g
4" contour display
Feel: CNET and user reviews say it feels light, and the material feels ´lighter´without metal parts.
This will make it feel more airy, smaller, and less bulky than the current EVO, which is very similar to the EVO3D
Users have reported a 'cheapy' plastic feel to the Nexus S, similar to the Epic. Other than that, there's no decision one way or another if that could be an issue when dropping the phone.
Advice? Don't drop your phone, no matter which model. Or buy a case of some sort.
Summary:
If you end up selling your EVO for $200 (easily done), you'll be able to upgrade to this phone for free. Why would you do that? Well, it's free, and it's a hardware and, eventually, a software upgrade from the EVO. While it boasts almost the same specs as the EVO, the processor is newer and the screen displays more colors with more vibrance.
Currently, the TMO Nexus S has benchmarks that run circles around the EVO and battery life that has been reported to last ~20 hours off-charger. Sound good to you? Same to me.
The phone will definitely last you through 2011, and likely a good chunk, if not all, of 2012. I anticipate it will also be receiving Android versions 2.4 and 3.1 (If that's Ice Cream), which will be more than capable of running on this phone, even if Quad-Core phones are released and run it as well.
Aside from the hardware, the software will be top-notch. You'll receive the latest Android software updates as soon as they're released, and the dev community should be buzzing on this phone, considering its AOSP nature.
Who is this phone good for?
Economically-minded users who want a boost from their current EVO and/or want a great developing experience. If the latest and greatest Google software is your thing, this phone is for you. Keep in mind that Nexus S already runs the Honeycomb SDKs and it will be a breeze to port the AOSP Honeycomb to the Nexus S once the source is released. Further more, AOSP will finally be developing code for WiMax chips, which will help ROMs like CM in incorporating WiMax. You'll also get WiMax on CM8 (When released) first, most likely.
Intro:
"How do you follow up one of the most popular, most successful, biggest and fastest phones of 2010? In the case of the recently announced Sprint HTC EVO 3D, you give it a higher resolution screen, 3D recording and playback capability, and you open up a whole new world of user generated content. Oh, and you make it even faster and more powerful."
1GB RAM (Which can be expanded* into the External Storage, giving you up to 5GB RAM, which diminishes as you fill internal storage, down to a minimum of 1GB)
1GB Internal Storage (Previous rumors stated 4GB. This still isn't clear or confirmed at all either way.)
4.3" 3D qHD Display with a resolution of 960x540
Expandable memory: 8GB microSD card included: supports up to 32GB
Dual 5 MP cameras used to capture 3D images and videos
1.3MP front-facing camera
1730 mAh Li-ion battery
HDMI port
No kickstand... Devastating, I guess?
*Much like a page file on a PC This has also been pointed out as a rumor, and is MOST LIKELY NOT TRUE
Media:
DLNA for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to your TV or computer
Playback:.3GP, .3G2, .MP4, .WMV (Windows Media Video 9), .AVI (MP4 ASP and MP3), .XVID (MP4 ASP and MP3)
Recording: .3GP
Form:
The EVO3D is similar in look and shape to the EVO. Here's what we've got
Size and Weight:
126mm x 65mm x 12.05mm (4.96" x 2.56" x 0.47")
170 grams (6.0 ounces) with the battery
Feel:
Taken from Engadget's hands-on review:
"As we'd mentioned in our hands-on, we immediately noticed that the EVO 3D didn't feel particularly heavy or bulky in the hand; in fact, we would've guessed that it was a bit lighter than the 4G. Well, turns out they're almost exactly the same weight -- holding the two one right after the other, we couldn't detect a difference.
As for dimensions, the 4G is actually wider -- the 3D's quite a bit more manageable when you're holding it, especially if you don't have giant paws -- and they're right around the same thickness."
Price: unknown Release date: "Summer" 2011 (June)
Summary:
If you want the latest Sprint power-phone with latest industry hardware and technology - You won't be disappointed. While there are mixed reviews and feelings about the 3D feature of the phone, it seems that 3D is completely optional and is simply an added bonus for buying this already great phone.
Battery life is undetermined right now. While it boasts an industry-leading 1730 mAh Li-ion battery and the processor is some times number more efficient than the current EVO, people speculate it to have as much batter life as the current EVO.
In short: Like your EVOs now, this phone will be fast, bold, and furious, taken to a new extreme.
EDIT: Since the question has been asked on the forums, I've done a little bit of research:
How will the EVO 3D's display hold up against iPhone 4's?
To answer it shortly, the EVO 3D has a slightly lower resolution (960x540) than the iPhone 4 (960x640). Being that the EVO3D has a larger screen and a lower resolution, this means that the PPI (pixels per inch) will be lower, resulting in a slightly less sharp display.
Who is this phone good for?
Power-users who want only the best for themselves. Want to play the latest 3D graphics-intensive games on your phone? EVO3D is for you (please don't mistake 3D graphics for 3D images)
If you buy into the 3D thing, you'll also be able to shoot and view photos and videos in 3D.
This phone has power, screen size, and speed that make it worthwhile to keep far into the future.
If you didn't already know this, Sprint is changing the way they do their premier customer bonuses.
Basically, they've split premier bonuses into two categories: Silver and Gold
You qualify for Silver status if:
Your monthly base plan is between $69.99 and $89.98 for a SINGLE LINE or between $99.99 and $169.98 for SHARED PLANS.
Silver has the standard 2-year upgrades
You qualify for Gold status if:
Your monthly base plan is $89.99 or more for a single line, or $169.99 or more for shared plans.
OR
If you've been a Sprint customer for 10 or more years
GOLD PREMIER has the one-year upgrade eligibility on the primary line
If you are a student and already on Sprint or planning to switch
Check out this thread regarding a 23% online discount for students.
Haha, thanks man.
I'm in no way an expert, I'm a slightly above-average user when it comes to knowledge of hardware and software. I'm just compiling info that I dug around for myself and ask tons of questions on --- and I'm putting it in (hopefully) layman's terms.
So nexus s is a better phone the first gen Evo? I am within my 30 days so I can return my new evo and get the S, I don't want to wait for the 3D as I will be running a blackberry curve until release
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So nexus s is a better phone the first gen Evo? I am within my 30 days so I can return my new evo and get the S, I don't want to wait for the 3D as I will be running a blackberry curve until release
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I'd say so, yes.
The hardware is newer than the EVO (though still ~6 months+ old at this point).
The display also is much better
Quote:
Originally Posted by dirkyd3rk
Evo is only TFT and supports 16,000 colors. Nexus S is wvga super amoled and supports 16,000,000 colors LOL.
Not to mention the Software upgrades you'll get with the Nexus. And that's just stock software. Devs will be all over optimizing the software.
When writing an app with performance in mind, you most likely want to write it native code using the … more
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