Huge Reception Problems on Verizon!! February 21, 2012

Reviewer:  Partridge71 

Let me first say that this phone is sleek, and feature rich. Ice Cream Sandwich is intuitive and easy to use. There are so many things I like about this phone, but at the end of the day, it still has to be a phone. We have joked for years that they will put so many things into a phone that they will forget to make it a phone, but it has finally happened. There is a huge problem with reception. I was standing right next to a fellow Verizon user with 4 bars of signal (albeit 3G) on his blackberry. This phone was "searching for signal". It wasn't until I encountered this problem that I started looking and found post after post since this phones release about this very problem. No fix released but one has been promised since December 2011. DO NOT buy this phone until they release the fix assuming it can be done with software and that it isn't a hardware problem. Very disappointed to be boxing it back up to send it back, but I have no other choice. The reception is just that bad. I will say that when it was connected, it was lightning fast, but that was only 50% of the time at best in an area where I had never had reception problems.

Not what you would expect January 23, 2012

Reviewer:  Frank from Atlanta  (Atlanta) -

The Galaxy Nexus 4G was not what I was expecting. Bought it on Friday and returned it on Monday. While the phone gets alot of good reviews, those reviews fail to note this phone has poor battery life (huge issue) and the overall call quality is only so-so.

First the good. The 4G is blazing fast (I wish my laptop could move as quickly). However, 5 minutes after using it (after fully charging the battery) the battery was already at 90% remaining life (i.e. 10% gone in just a few mins)... and I was only using a fraction of the phone's capabilities (a few mins of twitter and checking the news). The specs say it gets 12 hours of battery life. I believe this is only if you do absolutely nothing with it. E.g. I spoke on the phone for 47 minutes total and the ph went to low battery. True you could charge it up constantly but it seems like it should be able to do 4 hours of calls.

The call quality was also only so-so. I had only limited experience with this (partially do to battery life) but my BB storm (4 yrs old) seems to get better reception.

Overall opinion... fast. Just stay very close to your phone charger. Let me remind you to stay close to your charger.

My First Android Phone and I Love it! July 7, 2012

Reviewer:  vdavisoh "Bargain Outlet"  (Cleveland, OH USA) -

I've had the phone for two days now and I am pleased with the phone and 4G service from Verizon. I've been a Blackberry users for years, and thought I'd try android given I've heard so much about the Galaxy Nexus Phone. The price was right too! Thus far I haven't rooted the phone as others have suggested, it works quite well as it comes. Be sure to get the Volume+ app from the google store, you'll need it. I recommend the phone.

great June 13, 2012

Reviewer:  Brandon 

Just got this phone. Only cost me a penny and I already love it. Screen resolution is great and feels really comfortable in the hand. Upgraded from the galaxy s2. Will never go back.

Love this phone April 25, 2012

Reviewer:  jrobbins "amazon15516" 

This is an incredible phone. It's got an awesome big screen that is perfect for photos, videos, and games. It is light and thin. I love the camera because it has very little delay, which is perfect for taking pictures of my kids. Being able to take still photos while filming a video is also a great feature.

Bautiful phone, radio issues with stock ROM however April 8, 2012

Reviewer:  Eric Townsend "Eric Townsend"  (Post Falls, ID United States) -

I've had this phone almost a week now. I really like the build quality and feel. The screen is very nice. It is not without its issues though. With the stock ROM (ICS 4.0.2) installed, there would be times I could not even place a phone call or send/receive data over 4G. My wife has a Motorola RAZR that has no issues at all with either calls or 4G from the same locations.
I unlocked & rooted the phone and am now running CM9 (Cyanogen Mod 9) which is Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4) and this has improved things considerably. The 4G is still an issue, but only on occasion. Connecting for phone calls is no longer an issue either.
The battery life is OK, but that is with 4G turned off. With 3G only, I get a decent battery that will last me the day. With 4G turned on, oh baby... I MAY get 4.5 hours. There really is a 4G issue that needs to be fixed, but otherwise, there is tremendous hope for this phone on something higher than 4.0.2. This phone reminds me of my first Sprint EVO 4G. The battery was terrible for a couple months and then things improved, but the only real improvement was to get an extended battery. I may go that route on this phone too.
As far as performance goes, there is nothing this phone cannot do and do it smoothly. Very nice there.

Again, on stock ROM, this phone might have gone back to Amazon, but with CM9 (and there are several others out there too), this is a nice phone. I have read of others who have not had any issues with this phone, but I have also read of many with the same issues I am having.

Bottom line: I really like it (rooted that is). I will love it when the 4G is fixed!

Only if it was a phone! March 19, 2012

Reviewer:  JaxVA 

I'm not one to review products but felt that I should review this one. I'm reviewing this product not because I'm unhappy with the product nor because I'm in love with it but for its known issues that for some reason aren't reflected in most of these reviews or the rating of this item.

I really loved the phone and especially the OS (I'm going to leave that out of the review cause this review at this time has nothing to do with the OS)! The phone was fast and had the greatest display I've seen on a phone to this point most of the other positives in other reviews are true as well.

There however is one glaring issue it's reception! It can't make basic phone calls without dropping calls. I would go 2-3 minutes before I was able to send a text message due to not having any reception even when standing in the same spot that a few min ago I had full bars! I thought briefly that it was my location (a major metro area - also traveled to another major city during my brief time with the phone) I however have never had issues with my old phones nor has my fiancé in our location. Regardless it ended up coming down to a hardware/software issue (depends on who you believe) with the phone please do a Google search on reception issues with the Galaxy Nexus and you will see there is plenty out there. When I went to take it back to change out my phone for a new one (with in the 14 day grace period so that it would be new and not referb) the 3 sales reps at the Verizon store just shook their heads as soon as I started describing my issues and why I was returning it. They then advised me away from getting another Galaxy Nexus as they said the same issue is going to persist. They even went as far to say they try not to sell them anymore because all they do is come back!

The long and short is I did love this device and OS but not the phone it was not even really a phone. If I had an emergency and had to call or text someone a 70% chance that my phone will work is not good enough for me neither is dropping 30-40% of the calls that I am able to make. Take what you will from this review as I read so many reviews prior to purchasing this phone just wish I would have paid more attention to the ones that talked about the reception issues.

Droid Bionic vs. Galaxy Nexus June 19, 2012

Reviewer:  Digitalmaster  (Los Angeles, CA) -

8/3/2012
I am leaving my original review in tact. I recently purchase another galaxy nexus and my opinion has changed dramatically. While the battery leaves much to be desired it is remedied by spending additional money for the extended battery, while not a great solution, it is a solution nonetheless. I am much more happy with the phone this time around. Maybe the last one was a dud. This phone screen looks great. I felt it was dim at first but that is because I am use to the phone set at full brightness (which I also discovered is bad for your eyes). The price on the phone is worth the money. This is the kind of phone that this geek can use while waiting for next year's model to arrive. if you continue reading my review below you will see that I made a 180 degree turn.

Jelly bean has yet to be released on this phone but I am greatly looking forward to it, it's excellent on my Nexus 7 tablet.

Previous Review:

I had this for less than 12 hours and wanted to hurry and give my quick review before others make the mistake I did. I have had Android Phones since the first Droid first came out from Motorola. I purchased the Bionic the day it came out last year but decided I would "upgrade" to the Galaxy Nexus before the new pricing plans take effect on VZW. I owned the Galaxy Nexus for less than 12 hours; here's my impression of the device and my recommendation on the Bionic.

So, one 30 something geek to another, get the bionic. It is still the best we got from Verizon. Though supposedly the screen is amazing on the Nexus, I found it to be half the quality than the Bionic. The only thing I liked was having ICS. But it was not worth the terrible screen (very dim), the bad reception, nor having a burnt ear. Seriously, I used the phone for a call and within 10 minutes my ear was getting very uncomfortable. In less than 20 minutes, I dropped the call twice and the other person kept saying I was cutting out.

The Bionic is better than what reviewers say.
The Nexus is overhyped and not worth it.

The only reason to upgrade is if your getting hardware & software that will improve your experience. Of all the phones out now, the Bionic is the best value for your money.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Disappoints May 7, 2012

Reviewer:  Stanton 

I've had this phone just over one week. It's going back to Amazon today. The name of this phone should be changed to, "Network not available". This phone lacks a single feature or attribute that pleases me. The navigation is a mess. There is no practical way to configure this device to do anything helpful. Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a big disappointment from the moment it comes out of the box.

Fancy phone but extremely buggy February 13, 2012

Reviewer:  Sumon Chattopadhyay "Sumon"  (Minnesota, USA) -

My wife and I got this phone 2 months back and now we both are repenting it. Our brand new phones had hardware issues - my phone's speakerphone sound was cracking and my wife's phone was dropping calls very frequently and randomly. So, we called Verizon to get our phone swapped and we ended up getting refurbished phones as replacements. Within a week after starting to use our replacement phones, both the phones have started to reboot randomly - both while in use and also while in idle state. I called Verizon again today and now we will get yet another pair of refurbished phones as replacements. I am so sick of having to swap phones. I just wish I never bought this one. Google/Samsung/Verizon simply dont seem to get their acts together.

And btw, this is not just one isolated problem. This phone is having too many problems with too many users. Just Google a bit and you would realize its best to avoid spending money on this phone.

Weakest phone I've ever owned July 31, 2012

Reviewer:  Chris  (Madison Township, OH) -

Nice screen (if you can stand the faint stripes). However, reception has to be the worst I have had in any phone. Found similar sentiments in many online forums. Avoid like the plague!

Sadly returned it for a different phone. April 20, 2012

Reviewer:  The "Amazonian"  (CA, USA) -

I really wanted to like this phone. It was my first choice but after a few days of serious reception/connection/signal issues, I called to return it and instead I ordered a Motorola Razr MAXX.

The nexus is a beautiful phone, but too bad it doesnt work. Disappointed.

galaxy nexus has major sound issues.. December 15, 2011

Reviewer:  C. Huang "charlie"  (CA USA) -

received it today.. everything works great.. however the dial pad touch tones, touch sounds and screen lock sound are faulty.. i guess due to software issues.. you can barely hear anything when you strike a key on the pop up key board and when you are in a app hitting the back button you will faintly hear a click sound.. when you hit that power button to shut off the screen you will also hear a low pitch click.. this is in a volume level that you would actually have to put the speaker next to your ear to hear..even verizon tech who spoke to me on the phone today just notice his nexus prime is the same way and became extremely annoyed and replied he didn't notice it until i told him to try it out... later on i did some research on the phone apparently every single unit out there is this way (system sound very very low even when the volume is maxed out). it really bothers me that samsung can not even get the system sound right. i thought the phone speaker was defective however i am wrong this is an software issue and every single nexus owner has to deal with..(youtube, music has normal volume) it may be a deal breaker for me if i dont get the update within this week.. going to have to return it and get something that has proper sound level and tones in which i can hear when there is activities/actions carried out.

the pretty phone sucks. July 25, 2012

Reviewer:  Ashley 

i got this crapper in march. its pretty and the screen is nice and its easy to browse the web on. but the phone sucks. i am tired of my phone calls always consisting of people telling me "what? what? i can't hear you. i still can't hear you. oh my god i hate your phone. you need to buy a better phone." thats what most of my phone calls end up deteriorating into and i end up just hanging up on them and calling them back from my home phone later on. of course they usually don't even hear me say it so all they get is me hanging up on them. yay.

the signal strength is wacko. sitting in the same place, it will costantly jump from zero bars to three bars and back to zero and back to three over and over again. i have a system i use where i time making my calls. i start dialing at zero bars, and then by the time i finish dialing it should be back on three bars and i can make the phone call. if i wait til it has three bars then by the time i dial it will have dropped to zero again and i will just get a beep and told there is no signal to complete the call.

the battery life is the worst part. if you use the phone (make calls, browse the web, play a game, take pictures) as normal, it will only last you 4-6 hours before dying. most of the time, i try to avoid using the phone, because i need it to last me for the day, and if i use it, then it won't. i have never had a phone before that i spent more time trying not to use it, than actually using it.

the worst part is i live in canada so i am stuck with this phone for three years or else have to pay $450 to leave my contract. you americans with your awesome cell phone companies are so spoiled -_-

wanted to like it...i really did February 10, 2012

Reviewer:  will k 

Got it and had to trade it for a Rezound within 3 days. It just didn't get good service. Live in a splotchy area. My Rezound gets 3 bars in my apartment, whereas the Nexus didnt get any. If you know you service isn't a concern then go for it. But to me, the uncertainty wasn't worth it. PS-I love my Rezound.

shipped in 2 days, not 8-9!! December 18, 2011

Reviewer:  Bill H  (SCOTTSDALE, AZ United States) -

Very excited it will be here before Xmas! 2nd phone purchased from Amazon Wireless and they have been great! Looking for to its arrival Monday!

Buyer Beware If Switching from a Droid January 23, 2012

Reviewer:  Lee Ludtke  (Houston, TX USA) -

I used this phone for 3 days after switching from my beloved Droid Pro. ]

I found this phone to be very fast and felt very comfortable texting on as well, however there are so many features that are missing on this phone. There was no way to make a contact invisible in your contacts list but you would want them to be a contact in case they call for example, (ie: ex girlfriends, lol) Anyhow, there are just many small overlooked issues that annoy me with this new operating system.

I was also inconvenienced being that there was no notification light (usual blinking green light on the Droid line) for emails or text messages from a quick glance of your phone. Also there was no SD card slot for those picture transfers from your old phone. Another issue I had was that in my pocket the phone collected lint from my jeans near the microphone area, dust and lint was very noticeable in that crevice near the mouthpiece. I had to use a toothpick to clean it out. Another issue was that the phone felt very fragile and I feel if I had dropped it somethign would have definitely broken on it. A case is a MUST for this phone if you choose to use it.

I have switched to the droid bionic, however, i prefer the texting setup on this samsung galaxy nexus. The autocorrect was Top On for misspelled words for those getting used to touch screen phones. I highly recommend the droid bionic if you are a diehard motorola fan. (have tried the razr but the battery life isn't as good)

In Summary:

THE GOOD: The only good from this phone was the internet surfing speed w/the 4g, the touch screen, and the large screen size with excellent resolution. The touch screen texting is better than my droid bionic.

THE BAD: No blinking green notification light for emails/texts. no way to make contacts invisible. Difficult to text message a contact, have to go through three different taps to text a contact. Sometimes accidentally autodialed them. No SD card slot.

So much promise... July 1, 2012

Reviewer:  Tea Party Patriot 

Having suffered through my HTC Incredible for the past 2 years (not because of the form factor or HTC Sense, which I loved, but because of unbearable software errors "Disk Space Running Low" and slow system speed), I bit the bullet and bought the GN full of hope after the stellar reviews. Unfortunately the phone fell short of my lofty expectations.
The Good:
-Blazing fast
-Slick interface
-Fast boot times
The Bad:
-Size seems just a bit too large to use with one hand.
-Phone keeps slipping out of my hand during one-handed usage.
-Horrid battery life, even with the extended battery. You'll want to keep this tethered to a charger most of the times. Forget about 4G as well. That will burn through your battery in no time.
-No external microSD card.
-Migrating from the HTC Incredible to the GN was painful.
The Ugly:
-Bluetooth seems not to work at all. Can't get it to find any device. Because of this, I may need to take it in. Not relishing the thought of having to potentially migrate back to the HTC, then to a new device.

Best Smartphone on the Market April 9, 2012

Reviewer:  Eric Leonson 

When the Galaxy Nexus became available in December, it was the best smartphone available on any carrier. Four months later, that still holds true. With its bright and vivid screen, snappy performance, quick camera, and overall UI polish, few phones can even compete. Despite its large screen size, it still manages to fit comfortably in the hand. With its powerful dual core processor, it can handle any task you throw at it without ever stuttering or lagging.

The phone would be awesome...but March 9, 2012

Reviewer:  Kevin A. Jones 

The VZW Galaxy Nexus struggles to hold a connection. By struggle, I mean, it'll connect to 4G for like maybe 5 minutes and then it'll drop...and stay off for a while. Switching to 3G isn't much better. And even with power managing apps, you will be charging this phone at least 2-3 times a day with moderate use even with 3G off. Not sure if it's a hardware issue or a software issue, but Verizon and Samsung are aware of the problem (have been since Dec. 2011), but here it is March 2012 and STILL no fix in sight. They act as if nothing is wrong. Do yourself a favor and go for the Droid Razr MAXX unless you just ABSOLUTELY have to have a phone running Android 4.0.