Google Nexus 5 Released!

[photon]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Um so can someone explain to me why anyone would buy an iPhone under these circumstances? The 32gb Nexus 5 is less than 50% of the price of the 32gb 5s. I can see paying a premium for Apple if it's a hundred bucks or maybe even $200 but it's $420.

It's less of paying a premium for Apple and more of Google under cutting everyone else. Even the LG G2 which is almost the same phone is $300 more unlocked.

[RedMileDJ]

Lol Photon. You honestly think that Apple doesn't overprice their stuff?

Successful marketing allows them to price their product at any price.

[RedMileDJ]

I should add, Google only makes a out $30 on each Nexus 5 (32GB) and breaks even on the 16GB version.

It's not about undercutting, but showing people that you can have a quality phone without giving up a kidney or left leg.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

Lol Photon. You honestly think that Apple doesn't overprice their stuff?

Successful marketing allows them to price their product at any price.

It's not just their marketing though. I wonder what % of people actually buy their phones off contract and pay the full price?

A large portion of their US/Canadian customers are probably only paying $100-200 up front, so it doesn't seem that outrageous. In fact, last year for my carrier upgrade, I opted for the iPhone because it seemed like a waste to get a phone worth half as much.

One of the final straws for me switching to android is the knowledge that I'll have to start buying my iphones off contract when I upgrade now that the cost of any good data plan seems to have sky rocketed with the 2 year terms.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

I should add, Google only makes a out $30 on each Nexus 5 (32GB) and breaks even on the 16GB version.

It's not about undercutting, but showing people that you can have a quality phone without giving up a kidney or left leg.

Making no money on hardware isn't exactly a successful business model and it's not like these phones are really going to put a dent in Apple's business. This is more Google realizing that they can't compete with Apple in the hardware business and doing anything possible to get their OS in the hands of consumers even if it means making no profits on the hardware.

[opendoor]

The Verge has a pretty well written, even handed review of the Nexus 5:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/4/50...nexus-5-review


Sounds like it's a lot like the Nexus 4 when it was released; some good software updates, beautiful screen, very fast and responsive, but with a disappointing camera and questionable battery life (they describe it as "somewhere between bad and okay."). It also sounds like Hangouts has done a pretty poor job of integrating text messaging.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Making no money on hardware isn't exactly a successful business model and it's not like these phones are really going to put a dent in Apple's business. This is more Google realizing that they can't compete with Apple in the hardware business and doing anything possible to get their OS in the hands of consumers even if it means making no profits on the hardware.

You aren't understanding the business model at all here. The Nexus program isn't meant to make any money for Google as they are primarily a software company that makes their revenue off of people using their services and they have no real interest in producing that themselves. The more devices Google has in people's hands the more money it makes. Google does not compete on hardware and if you look at their revenues, this business model is hugely successful.

The problem is and always has been the nature of Android hardware manufacturing and the conflicting visions that hardware manufacturers have for the platform itself. The Nexus program is another way Google controls the Android platform by providing a device/development platform that conforms to their vision and steer consumer perception of what a Android phone should be. Any pennies they make on top of these goals is pure gravy to them. The result of this is a powerful phone for consumers at a very low cost which increases competition and gives better choice. Win win for everyone all around, except for premium hardware manufacturers like Apple.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by opendoor

The Verge has a pretty well written, even handed review of the Nexus 5:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/4/50...nexus-5-review


Sounds like it's a lot like the Nexus 4 when it was released; some good software updates, beautiful screen, very fast and responsive, but with a disappointing camera and questionable battery life (they describe it as "somewhere between bad and okay."). It also sounds like Hangouts has done a pretty poor job of integrating text messaging.

I'm still waiting for a more thorough review. Hopefully a thorough, objective review will appear on sites like anandtech soon so we can make a objective comparison instead of a subjective comparison like the review you link to.

Looking at forums, it appears that the new N5 has fantastic standby time, but burns through battery when snapping picture in HDR+ mode. Screen on time appears to be 3.5-5 hours for most people, but that will obviously vary massively depending on usage and screen brightness. Overall, it appears I can expect my Nexus 5 to have similar battery life for my usage as my Galaxy S3 with 3000mah extended battery on LTE (18hours overall life with 2.5 hours of screen on time split between Messaging, Tapatalk and Web Browsing)

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by photon

It's less of paying a premium for Apple and more of Google under cutting everyone else. Even the LG G2 which is almost the same phone is $300 more unlocked.

I'd suggest it's both.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Making no money on hardware isn't exactly a successful business model and it's not like these phones are really going to put a dent in Apple's business. This is more Google realizing that they can't compete with Apple in the hardware business and doing anything possible to get their OS in the hands of consumers even if it means making no profits on the hardware.

It's a good thing that's not Google's business model then because I'm fairly certain the business model they have, is pretty darn successful.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by opendoor

Sounds like it's a lot like the Nexus 4 when it was released; some good software updates, beautiful screen, very fast and responsive, but with a disappointing camera and questionable battery life (they describe it as "somewhere between bad and okay."). It also sounds like Hangouts has done a pretty poor job of integrating text messaging.

The way they've integrated Hangouts is disappointing to say the least. It should just be the default MMS app on launch, not the ability to switch between it. It seems to separate Hangout messages and MMS, just foolish. Hope they correct that soon.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Making no money on hardware isn't exactly a successful business model and it's not like these phones are really going to put a dent in Apple's business.

The only reason this would be the case, as far as I can tell, is that people are complete idiots. Seriously.

I really wish I could own this phone. I honestly respect Google for putting out a superior product without gouging people. Same reason I was happy to buy two nexus 7's; it cost about as much for both as one ipad and it's just as good.

[MrMastodonFarm]

This is going to go off the rails, fast. Let's get back on topic if possible.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

The only reason this would be the case, as far as I can tell, is that people are complete idiots. Seriously.

I really wish I could own this phone. I honestly respect Google for putting out a superior product without gouging people. Same reason I was happy to buy two nexus 7's; it cost about as much for both as one ipad and it's just as good.

I don't know, an iPhone I can sort of get. Some people prefer iOS and like Apple's industrial design and they're the only game in town if that's what you're after. What I don't get is why Samsung is the market leader when you can get nice hardware running a better version of the same software for basically half the price.

[Leon]

Disappointing to hear that the battery life is unpredictable. Some industry observers were expecting its 'efficient' processor to pick up some slack in this department.

Would be nice to see a review from anandtech for sure.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by opendoor

I don't know, an iPhone I can sort of get. Some people prefer iOS and like Apple's industrial design and they're the only game in town if that's what you're after. What I don't get is why Samsung is the market leader when you can get nice hardware running a better version of the same software for basically half the price.

There are a few extenuating factors. 1) most people by their phones subsidized and in most cases there is no financial advantage to buying a phone outright so there is no price advantage of buying a nexus. 2) the galaxy 4 lacked lte which is a deal breaker in a lot of cases. 3) no nexus on north America's largest and most influential carrier.

It is not a level playing field. If it were the nexus probably would dominate.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by Leon

Disappointing to hear that the battery life is unpredictable. Some industry observers were expecting its 'efficient' processor to pick up some slack in this department.

Would be nice to see a review from anandtech for sure.

It is, basically what I understand is the efficiency of the new chips as well as software algorithms make battery life better, but the display power consumption is worse than before on account of large screen size and the chip power savings don't make up for it.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Making no money on hardware isn't exactly a successful business model and it's not like these phones are really going to put a dent in Apple's business. This is more Google realizing that they can't compete with Apple in the hardware business and doing anything possible to get their OS in the hands of consumers even if it means making no profits on the hardware.

This would make sense if Apple's marketshare isn't about a third of Android's and dropping.

[Leon]

As an FYI, my Friday purchase looks to be shipping for Tuesday of next week. May give an indication of a rough time frame for others ordering around the same time.

Regarding the battery life - the screen is pretty big so it makes sense... Ahh well. Should just activate the old LG razor and call it a day. That phone was awesome.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

It is, basically what I understand is the efficiency of the new chips as well as software algorithms make battery life better, but the display power consumption is worse than before on account of large screen size and the chip power savings don't make up for it.

This is where I think the moto x got a lot of things right. I much prefer the combination of big enough screen, exceptionally smooth performance and all day battery life to the highly specd large screen, high spec processor and mediocre battery life. Too bad google didn't get aggressive with the moto x off contract price.