HTC Google Nexus One review
includes: T-Mobile, AT&T & Rogers
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Reception and call quality No comments
- Display No comments
- Battery life No comments
- Ease of use No comments
- Design and form factor No comments
- Portability (size / weight) No comments
- Media support No comments
- Durability No comments
- Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) No comments
Detailed review
First, a little background. I'm coming from an iPhone 3G to the Nexus One. The iPhone has served me well for about a year now. Also, I use GMail and Google Calendar, which would appear to make me one of the Nexus One's target users.
The device itself is great. It is thinner and lighter than the 3G and has that gorgeous AMOLED screen. As a european, the lack of support for AT&T's 3G band does not bother me, as the N1 has full support for the 2100MHz band commonly used in europe. That said, I am currently based in the US but in a rural area with pretty terrible carrier coverage, so most of my data stuff is done over wifi.
The Android 2.1 OS on the phone is very responsive, with no noticeable delays launching apps or even just opening my text messages like I had on the 3G. It took me a couple of days to get used to Android as this is my first Android device, but now it is second nature to me. The only negative comments I would have about the Nexus One are as follows:
* Needs more/better default apps - stuff like the iPhone's notes and stocks apps, for example.
* Currently a total lack of http proxy support for wifi connections, limiting the use of wifi in places like corporate networks and universities. Hopefully they'll add this in a software update, although this issue has been open on Google's Android site for over a year. That's not promising.
* The 4 soft touch keys at the bottom of the screen can be difficult to press when you want to, and too easy to accidentally press when you're typing characters from the bottom row of the on-screen keyboard
* AMOLED screen is very difficult to see in bright daylight. Turning brightness up to maximum helps but its still difficult to see.
Besides that, I would highly recommend the device. I like the fact that you don't need to install any software on your computer to manage it, an that it syncs your contacts, calendar etc to the cloud. You can access the MicroSD card via the supplied MicroUSB cable. Since it uses MicroUSB for power and data, you can pick up a generic replacement/foreign charger off the shelf pretty much anywhere. The battery is also removable, which is nice. I get about 2 days use out of a full charge, although it is just about dead by the end of the second day. I usually keep a microUSB cable nearby in case of emergency.
The device itself is great. It is thinner and lighter than the 3G and has that gorgeous AMOLED screen. As a european, the lack of support for AT&T's 3G band does not bother me, as the N1 has full support for the 2100MHz band commonly used in europe. That said, I am currently based in the US but in a rural area with pretty terrible carrier coverage, so most of my data stuff is done over wifi.
The Android 2.1 OS on the phone is very responsive, with no noticeable delays launching apps or even just opening my text messages like I had on the 3G. It took me a couple of days to get used to Android as this is my first Android device, but now it is second nature to me. The only negative comments I would have about the Nexus One are as follows:
* Needs more/better default apps - stuff like the iPhone's notes and stocks apps, for example.
* Currently a total lack of http proxy support for wifi connections, limiting the use of wifi in places like corporate networks and universities. Hopefully they'll add this in a software update, although this issue has been open on Google's Android site for over a year. That's not promising.
* The 4 soft touch keys at the bottom of the screen can be difficult to press when you want to, and too easy to accidentally press when you're typing characters from the bottom row of the on-screen keyboard
* AMOLED screen is very difficult to see in bright daylight. Turning brightness up to maximum helps but its still difficult to see.
Besides that, I would highly recommend the device. I like the fact that you don't need to install any software on your computer to manage it, an that it syncs your contacts, calendar etc to the cloud. You can access the MicroSD card via the supplied MicroUSB cable. Since it uses MicroUSB for power and data, you can pick up a generic replacement/foreign charger off the shelf pretty much anywhere. The battery is also removable, which is nice. I get about 2 days use out of a full charge, although it is just about dead by the end of the second day. I usually keep a microUSB cable nearby in case of emergency.
good review!
1 person found this review helpful