Review: Using a Nexus 4 in 2015

TehMiik · March 19, 2015

My review of the Nexus 4 in 2015

Before reading, check out my main opinions here on YouTube

First off, just gonna say that this phone came out in 2012, the same year as my rMBP and that works well so you're gonna have some kind of idea on what I think about slightly older tech. It's cheaper and it works just as well. So, around August of 2013 I bought a Nexus 4 meaning that I did't buy it when it came out. The OS I used the longest was KitKat and I am now using Lollipop. It's working really well or me but as you may know, Lollipop is the last update that this device will get and so it's obsolete very soon. Apps still run really smoothly and everything just works. I can record a VLOG on it no problem ad I use the phone everyday with no hiccups.

One thing I will say though is that I keep getting this issue where it will magically power down whilst not in use and you almost have to hot-wire it to make it come again which is really annoying. If you're like me and you want immediate access to your phone then this is really annoying but it generally works and this problem will only occur once a week. I think this is only my device however. Also, if I power the device down by myself then turn it back on it's fine and doesn't need to be "hot-wrired".

Like I've said, I use this thing everyday for the past year and I still do. It does everything that I need it to which is check all social media platforms online as well as VLOG, stream Netflix and YOuTube and check the news. I can also play games which makes for a really fun, however unproductive, day experience and overall I love it. The rear camera on it isn't too great for photos but it's not too bad for video recording at 1080 30p and the front facing camera is a joke for selfies but is great for a VLOG. The cameras on Nexuses have never been that great and this one is no exception. It's not bad for me but then again I'm not an avid Instagram user.

Okay, so let's get on to the overall experience. Stock android is the best way to experience android and this is exactly what the OS should feel like. Almost no bugs and everything is smooth and silky. One thing I would recommend is downloading the Google Now Launcher as it makes the experience that much better. I like the fact that I can scroll to the left and get all of my relevant info for that day including even my football teams's playing times! If I had to nag about something it would be that this isn't getting new updates. Google should make it so that I can upgrade to Android 6.0 at the least. Apple has managed to keep up support for it's phones for a while and, I dunno, it just gives Apple fanboys more ammo to shoot at Android users. A great phone nonetheless.

9.5/10

Jade · March 19, 2015

If I had to nag about something it would be that this isn't getting new updates. Google should make it so that I can upgrade to Android 6.0 at the least. Apple has managed to keep up support for it's phones for a while and, I dunno, it just gives Apple fanboys more ammo to shoot at Android users. A great phone nonetheless.

4S came out in 2011. Will probably lose support in the next major version of iOS. + you can actually modify the software of a Nexus device easily... the developer community behind it will probably still maintain updated releases of Android for the 4, just not official.

Majinferno · March 22, 2015

4S came out in 2011. Will probably lose support in the next major version of iOS. + you can actually modify the software of a Nexus device easily... the developer community behind it will probably still maintain updated releases of Android for the 4, just not official.

Yea. I mean my galaxy S1 just got lollipop through XDA. The problem is apple most likely will stop signing for the 4s next major update.

Paranoid Kami · March 23, 2015

I have a Nexus 4 and the crashing thing where you have to fiddle around with it to make it work is pretty common. It just randomly happens throughout the day and you could miss important calls because of it. Had it happen 3 times in a day once. Said crashing also didn't occur on KitKat so I'm thinking the update is just unstable.

As for the rest of the phone...

Camera: Not that great

Sound: Coming from behind so you have to cup the sound waves with your hand to direct it towards yourself. Speakers aren't that loud. Sound quality is also not that great.

Despite how negative I may seem about it, I actually don't mind it given how low the price is and still use it as my daily phone. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but I also don't mind it considering I'm not a heavy enough user to warrant spending a ridiculous amount of money on some flagship phone.