[Daniela_Machado]

Hi all! New to this forum as I needed some good, comprehensive advice as to this decision!

So I bought a Nexus 4 last year (I had a Windows HTC Mozart previously so fell in love with the google phone immediately!). I used to be quite anti-Apple, but I got a Macbook Air as a birthday present in September, which, after 1 crappy/clunky/infuriatingly slow netbook then a temporary second-hand laptop with similar frustrations is what I would consider my first proper laptop and I was very quickly and easily converted.

Now my dad has a spare iPhone 5 since upgrading that he will either sell or give to me (since I now have an Apple computer, he thought they would go better together - reckon this makes a big difference?)

So: price is a nonissue here, as I already have both devices available to me.

I would love to hear from unbiased posters here about their own experiences, and preferably those who have experienced both and have come to a specific preference one way or the other (and why!)

The new Handoff feature with iOS 8 and Yosemite looks very very cool and could come in really handy but of course there are lots of other things to consider like battery life etc. and the potential of Android L (as I haven't experienced it yet).


Things like screen size aren't dreadfully important to me, as long as I can read articles and browse websites, or watch the odd youtube video, I'm happy. I prefer the feel of the iphone in my hand (as I do have small hands and the Nexus 4 is huge, especially with a case) but again, there are many other things to consider.

You can probably tell I'm a bit lost so any well-thought guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[grumpyoldbat]

You're in a luxury position really. All you have to do is get a nano Sim from your provider, with an adapter, then put the nano sim from your Nexus 4 into the iPhone5 and try it for a couple of weeks. If you like it, keep it, and sell the Nexus, if you prefer the Nexus, your dad can sell the iPhone 5.

The one thing you're likely to miss, in my opinion (and I own a Nexus 4 and had the iPhone 5 until very recently), is the screen size of the Nexus 4. Going to a smaller screen will be a tradeoff, but as you say, the gains of the seamless handover with the Mac might balance that up.

Only you can make that final decision.

[Daniela_Machado]

Ah yes, I thought I'd be making a big sacrifice with cutting the sim/getting a new one to fit the iPhone 5 if I regretted it, but if I can try it out then switch back without too much hassle (with the adapter) then that is definitely the way to go, as I know that it really comes down to subjective preference in the end. Cheers!

[lamby]

I got my Nexus 5 Wednesday, loving it! Pure android with no rubbish apps.

[grumpyoldbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniela_Machado

Ah yes, I thought I'd be making a big sacrifice with cutting the sim/getting a new one to fit the iPhone 5 if I regretted it, but if I can try it out then switch back without too much hassle (with the adapter) then that is definitely the way to go, as I know that it really comes down to subjective preference in the end. Cheers!

I have a nano sim with adapter in my Nexus 4 so it can be swapped in or out of any phone. All works.

[tealady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniela_Machado

Hi all! New to this forum as I needed some good, comprehensive advice as to this decision!

I would love to hear from unbiased posters here about their own experiences

That's good, because there is no bias on this forum and I'm sure it won't turn into the usual flame war.

[Mr_DB]

grumpyoldbat has said it perfectly - use an adapter, try both and see which works best for you.

Ultimately they're both great phones, but we all have our own preferences (sizes, software features, apps, screens, etc) - there's no wrong answer, only what works best for you.

All this said, from an integration point of view, Apple products work pretty much seamlessly together and it's a great experience. Yosemite and handoff is really, really smart - phone calls have become such a snap with handsfree that works and is clear for both sides. Sending iMessages on a Mac has been great since they implemented that feature in a previous version of OS X, but that only works currently for people with iPhones/iPads, but that's going to be extended shortly. All of this is from personal experience - but definitely give it a go yourself to decide... After all, and ultimately, if you don't get on with the phone none of those great features matter.

[c4rv]

Coming from a nexus 4 owner, if you have a macbook then I probably look at the iPhone. As you mentioned in iOS 8 there is supposed to be some pretty good integration.

That being said, from a freedom perspective I couldn't live with iphone after having owned the N4.

As others have said, if you get a change then why don't you try them both out ?

[Daniela_Machado]

Will be doing this! I live in Scotland and was visiting my family in London for a couple of days so thought dad would want me to make a decision before travelling back up and didn't know if I could reverse the action of getting or cutting down to a nano sim if i decided I wanted to go back to the nexus so wanted some 'expert' advice fortunately, i have a bit of time and there are sim adapters i can use so i'm all good now.

I will see if the integration is worth it and if I get along well with the iPhone but my separation from the nexus won't be easy I assure you! Might end up missing it too much! But we shall see

[ihatemarmite]

my old nexus 4 has dire battery life and unusably bad audio on any video. I can only use it for basic functions due to the battery life. (it just dies in hot weather too, phone overheats).
Having said that, I'm keeping it going until it's really pushing up the daisies as it's easy to use, pure Android and I use google's (swype type) keyboard as often have to send long messages.
All that poking around on tiny iPhone keyboards would kill me off.
I didn't know you could get a nano SIM adapter! The nexus 4 default SIM is micro.
I tried a nexus 5 but found the battery life a bit dodgy so back it went.

The screen quality on the nexus 4 is very good indoors. Has to be turned up to max outdoors which affects the already poor battery life even more. So why do I still like this phone?!! You might find the iPhone screen size limiting I think, once you are used to a bit bigger.

[tdenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniela_Machado

I would love to hear from unbiased posters here about their own experiences, and preferably those who have experienced both and have come to a specific preference one way or the other (and why!)

I would probably be classified by some on this forum as biased, but seeing as you asked feedback from people who have experienced both, and seeing as I owned both at the same time here is my two cents. IMO there is no contest, the iPhone for me was infinitely better, so much so that I gave my N4 away to a deserving cause.
(if you want specific reasons, then from memory the headlines were sluggishness, battery life, poor camera and display difficult to see outdoors).

[finbaar]

I can't compute. You have two phones. So use two phones. I run two phones often. Occasionally three.

[tdenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by finbaar

I can't compute. You have two phones. So use two phones. I run two phones often. Occasionally three.

I agree. Although IOS is my preferred solution, I like to keep an Android phone with me as well for various reasons. If you can keep both phones then do so.

[tdenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat

I have a nano sim with adapter in my Nexus 4 so it can be swapped in or out of any phone. All works.

Do these adapters work OK ? My concern is that when putting it in or out the nano SIM might get dislodged and jam up inside the micro slot. When traveling I have both a nano sim phone and a micro sim phone and I often would like to swap sims between them but I've always been reluctant to use these adapters.

[sammy_boy]

I've had both, N4 is an excellent device still and I believe going to get the Lollipop update, also the iPhone 5 is still a very good device - I had one till yesterday when I upgraded to a 5s. The 5 is still plenty fast enough, runs iOS 8 smoothly. Not tried the integration, I have a MacBook but it's an elderly 2007 model but must be a big pull.
Maybe as already suggested run 2 phones? I have an HTC one M7 as well as the 5s, been using a sim adapter for over a year now with no problems yet. Both operating systems have their advantages and disadvantages, I love both ecosystems. Perhaps have the 5 as your primary device and the N4 as a secondary, for when you're feeling the Android love or a wifi browser?

[alanwarwic]

Confusing title.

The N4 is an iPhone 6 copy.

[grumpyoldbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdenson

Do these adapters work OK ? My concern is that when putting it in or out the nano SIM might get dislodged and jam up inside the micro slot. When traveling I have both a nano sim phone and a micro sim phone and I often would like to swap sims between them but I've always been reluctant to use these adapters.

Yes. I have a Three nano sim with the adapter in my Nexus 4 and also use a Truphone micro sim for travel abroad. They've been swapped back and forth dozens of times and I've not had any issues.

[Daniela_Machado]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdenson

I would probably be classified by some on this forum as biased, but seeing as you asked feedback from people who have experienced both, and seeing as I owned both at the same time here is my two cents. IMO there is no contest, the iPhone for me was infinitely better, so much so that I gave my N4 away to a deserving cause.
(if you want specific reasons, then from memory the headlines were sluggishness, battery life, poor camera and display difficult to see outdoors).

I suppose 'bias' is fine so long as it is informed - hence why experience with both is quite important

[Daniela_Machado]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihatemarmite

my old nexus 4 has dire battery life and unusably bad audio on any video. I can only use it for basic functions due to the battery life. (it just dies in hot weather too, phone overheats).
Having said that, I'm keeping it going until it's really pushing up the daisies as it's easy to use, pure Android and I use google's (swype type) keyboard as often have to send long messages.
All that poking around on tiny iPhone keyboards would kill me off.
I didn't know you could get a nano SIM adapter! The nexus 4 default SIM is micro.
I tried a nexus 5 but found the battery life a bit dodgy so back it went.

The screen quality on the nexus 4 is very good indoors. Has to be turned up to max outdoors which affects the already poor battery life even more. So why do I still like this phone?!! You might find the iPhone screen size limiting I think, once you are used to a bit bigger.

You're right, I've had these problems too - it overheats even when just browsing online and reading articles. I've managed to stretch out my battery life by installing automateit and switching off data until I open an app that needs to use it. I've also gotten rid of the facebook app and messenger and set location services to battery saving - makes a huge difference and I can now go a full day and only need to charge it in the evenings. Just a bit annoying how quickly it drains while using...

Although the swype keyboard is handy, i think iOS 8 now allows 3rd party keyboard apps so that problem might disappear depending on how well they've adapted it. Screen size of the Nexus is actually a bit annoying for me sometimes as I have small hands which means i have to stop somewhere to send a message or do anything because i need both hands!! But i love the customisation of it!! Torn.

Does anyone know if there will be anything remotely like Tastker or Automateit for the iPhone (without jailbreaking)?

[Daniela_Machado]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdenson

I agree. Although IOS is my preferred solution, I like to keep an Android phone with me as well for various reasons. If you can keep both phones then do so.

and also in reply to sammy_boy's suggestion: do you mean using the nexus 4 as a sort of mini phablet? Haha I have a N7 (2012) as well so feel that might be redundant (will that get the lollipop update as well?)

tdenson what sorts of reasons do you still use your N4 for (if you don't mind my asking!)?

Not sure I'll have the luxury to hold on to both for too long!

[GeordiePaul]

I've had extensive experience of both.

I liked my Nexus 4, was a good handset for its time and it's still a viable handset today.

The main issues for me are:-
Battery life - poor when new, never mind 2 years on
Screen - visible matrix in bright light, overall quality looks OK unless you've seen better, and it was not a class leading display even in 2012.
Fragility - Nice looking design that felt pleasant to hold and was nice to look at but very fragile due to glass on front and rear.
Limited storage options - Enough said
Camera quality - 8 MPx but the quality was mediocre

That said, it has a fantastic vanilla Android OS that's about to get even better, and that was always the most likeable thing about it.

Then onto the iPhone 5, the main drawbacks being:-
Battery life - mediocre at best
Case - Nice looking when new, after a couple of years, most end up looking worse for wear - and they're fragile.
Limited OS - iOS is undoubtedly a fairly nice OS, but it is quite limited compared with Android, even in its latest incarnation which probably wont run particularly well.
Price - they're expensive even second hand.
Size - 4" really does feel pathetically small nowadays
Reliability - I get more iPhone 5's handed back with faulty power buttons than almost anything else for any reason. Home buttons seem to go a fair bit too.

Compared with the Nexus 4, you'll probably get *slightly* better battery life, and the camera and screen are both better. The audio quality is also better (over headphones).

Really depends what you want from a phone. Even as an Android fan, I'd probably find it a difficult decision as the better camera and audio quality if nothing else might make up for the more restrictive OS.

[tdenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniela_Machado

tdenson what sorts of reasons do you still use your N4 for (if you don't mind my asking!)?

Not sure I'll have the luxury to hold on to both for too long!

I actually replaced it with an HTC One