Upgrading from Nexus One to Galaxy Nexus, it feels like a reborn with super power. After using for about a month, here is my take:
1) “It’s the screen, stupid.” I cannot agree more, and once you taste the full screen 720p video, you don’t care about the lack of physical button (actually you prefer that) or how big the phone is. 4.65″ is a comfortable size between the iPhone and the Galaxy Note, not to mention the phone is pretty light.
2) Two must buy accessories: MHL cable and the 2000mah battery. The cable links the mobile with any HDMI enabled TV or screen for video/audio output. After pairing it with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse you have a desktop computer running on Android 4.0. Another moment to appreciate the lack of physical button because those soft button can be triggered by the keyboard and mouse. The stock battery is just not good enough, so it is mandatory to get the 2000mah battery comes with another back cover from Samsung. But don’t buy 3rd party ones otherwise you lose NFC for good.
3) For HD audio fans, It is great news that the stock music player in ICS plays FLAC directly. However I can’t get it to play 24/96 with the Galaxy Nexus. Since the iPhone does not work with 24/96 ALC as well I shouldn’t be too surprised there. But I am a bit annoyed when I try 24/48, it plays with terrible jittering, so bad that I am not even sure if they are jitters. Then I try it with 16/48 and the same thing happens. Finally after converting music files back and forth like crazy, I can confirm that Galaxy Nexus can play up to 24/44.1 without issue.
4) I don’t think screen protector or case is necessary; I take them off after the first day and I don’t need them at all. But this may not be applicable to everyone.
5) The camera is not a deal breaker but it does make you wonder why …maybe they like to get rid of those extra 5mp camera units that no other manufacturers want? It feels like having a great 6-course dinner so far, until for dessert the waiter just hands you over a banana. It’s okay, but you wonder why.
The one thing I really wish for is a version of Google TV which can do the mirroring function. Yes we have the MHL cable but it is not the same. For now the iOS combo (Apple TV + iDevice) really kicks ass and this become the only reason I cannot be fully androidized.
