My contract with T-Mobile is up in December, and I'm thinking of going with a Galaxy Nexus for my next phone (assuming they don't come out with the next Nexus before then). If I go contract, I'll probably go with something not T-Mobile for the better discounts on the phones, but I also am considering paying for the phone outright and getting a monthly no-contract plan, and saving more in the long run, in which case I may buy the phone from Google directly through the Play Store.
My question here is: what's the advantage of the GSM version over the CDMA version? Or vice-versa? If you had a choice between the two which would you prefer (both from a basic funcitons point of view and a root-access point of view)?
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Guest Message by DevFuse
Galaxy Nexus - CDMA or GSM?
Started by adipesh, May 07 2012 02:49 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
bassmadrigal
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Posted 07 May 2012 - 10:21 PM
The CDMA Galaxy Nexus is only usable on Verizon's networks. The GSM version is for use on T-Mobile's and most of the rest of the world's networks.
But between the recently announced Samsung Galaxy SIII and the recently released HTC One X, you may want to consider getting a bit newer phone. I am hoping both will be supported soon by CyanogenMod (I am personally leaning towards the SIII due to 64GB internal memory and the included microsd slot). Both are much better performing than the Galaxy Nexus.
EDIT: And please don't cross-post in the future.
But between the recently announced Samsung Galaxy SIII and the recently released HTC One X, you may want to consider getting a bit newer phone. I am hoping both will be supported soon by CyanogenMod (I am personally leaning towards the SIII due to 64GB internal memory and the included microsd slot). Both are much better performing than the Galaxy Nexus.
EDIT: And please don't cross-post in the future.
#3
ads
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Posted 15 May 2012 - 04:48 PM
Hi, just joined, see you are in Lexington. I should have my GSM Gnex this thursday and am also in Lex if you want to see one. I ordered it from the Google store.
I tell all folks to pick their provider first. This is becoming less of a concern as the industry matures, but if you have poor signal at home, work, or where you often travel, no phone selection will overcome that. T-Mo worked great for me in Lex, Cincinnati, Indy, and on the road. I switched to AT&T about 6-7 years ago due to a good discount through work and have good luck with them as well, and I travel a lot, some internationally. I'd expect Verizon is equally good around here. So I think you're fine in this area with any provider, but if you're in the center of a larger office complex (lots of concrete and few windows), provider can still be important.
I like buying a local SIM in other countries and being able to use my device. I think some Verizon phones have a way to work overseas, but as stated, CDMA technology doesn't have this capability natively.
If you buy the Verizon Nexus, you'll get their "added" junk apps, and there are complaints about slow fixes and updates. That's because as Android gets updated, Verizon must first test it against their version with their extra features. So you are at the mercy of this delay if you stay with a stock ROM. With the unlocked GSM version, as soon as Google releases it, you can get it, AND you're way more likely to to get: 1. The next version of Android available, the soonest, on this phone. 2. Other future updates, as this is one of the developers "reference" phones.
As to the post above on the SGIII, if I thought Samsung would release this phone in the US by mid-summer *correction - if a provider will have it available*, I'd have waited, but I expect it will be late fall. Also, I've gotten to where I don't even use the SD card in my existing phone because it takes so long to start/reboot, but I don't mess with music or stored vids and such either, so don't need the space. This phone has some pretty cool features I hope get migrated to the Gnex or a ROM like Cyan.
For general discussions like this, you might also try the forums at Androidcentral. There are some disappointed folks there in the Gnex Verizon section - mostly due to lack of fixes/slow updates.
ADS
I tell all folks to pick their provider first. This is becoming less of a concern as the industry matures, but if you have poor signal at home, work, or where you often travel, no phone selection will overcome that. T-Mo worked great for me in Lex, Cincinnati, Indy, and on the road. I switched to AT&T about 6-7 years ago due to a good discount through work and have good luck with them as well, and I travel a lot, some internationally. I'd expect Verizon is equally good around here. So I think you're fine in this area with any provider, but if you're in the center of a larger office complex (lots of concrete and few windows), provider can still be important.
I like buying a local SIM in other countries and being able to use my device. I think some Verizon phones have a way to work overseas, but as stated, CDMA technology doesn't have this capability natively.
If you buy the Verizon Nexus, you'll get their "added" junk apps, and there are complaints about slow fixes and updates. That's because as Android gets updated, Verizon must first test it against their version with their extra features. So you are at the mercy of this delay if you stay with a stock ROM. With the unlocked GSM version, as soon as Google releases it, you can get it, AND you're way more likely to to get: 1. The next version of Android available, the soonest, on this phone. 2. Other future updates, as this is one of the developers "reference" phones.
As to the post above on the SGIII, if I thought Samsung would release this phone in the US by mid-summer *correction - if a provider will have it available*, I'd have waited, but I expect it will be late fall. Also, I've gotten to where I don't even use the SD card in my existing phone because it takes so long to start/reboot, but I don't mess with music or stored vids and such either, so don't need the space. This phone has some pretty cool features I hope get migrated to the Gnex or a ROM like Cyan.
For general discussions like this, you might also try the forums at Androidcentral. There are some disappointed folks there in the Gnex Verizon section - mostly due to lack of fixes/slow updates.
ADS
Edited by ads, 15 May 2012 - 04:54 PM.
#4
Mouseidt
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The Mouse Project
Posted 14 June 2012 - 03:18 AM
I've had this debate multiple times. I always prefer GSM devices. IMO Verizon gimped their GNEX with Branding, bloatware & late updates. Going against everything a Nexus device stands for. It's a simple choice for me.
Sent from my i9250 (GSM) Galaxy Nexus
Sent from my i9250 (GSM) Galaxy Nexus
#5
tagumcity
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Posted 20 June 2012 - 02:07 AM
Consider your usage style. If your a heavy user and demand top performance then Verizon's CDMA is a good choice. I'm leaving Verizon because my usage style is low and wifi is readily available, so I'm adapting to using voip. I prefer the freedom of GSM, and with the gNex being 5 band I can jump between carriers with low cost prepaids.
#6
The McMurder
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Posted 23 June 2012 - 03:40 PM
I ordered a GSM nexus not long ago from the play store. Best phone I've ever had! Especially because according to the play store lead it's "the first phone to get android 4.1 Jelly Bean"
