View Full Version : nexus s vs atrix
With all the dual-core phones making their way to the market, it was rather disappointing to find out a month or so ago, that the Nexus S would not be dual-core. Spec wise, it wont be able to keep up with phones such as the Atrix.
However, what makes Nexus S so appealing (to me at least) is the fact that it will always have the latest Android updates first, straight from Google. While Atrix users will have to *hope* Motorola provides updates... especially since the bootloader is encrypted not allowing custom roms.
So it becomes a bit of a software vs hardware issue. There cases where good software can make a device with slower hardware run faster than a more powerful device.
That being said, what is more important to you? Constantly up to date software or sheer brute hardware power?
jellmoo
03-19-2011, 09:56 AM
I would take up to date software every time. Outside of more hardcore gaming, the increased specs of the Atrix aren't going to make all that much of a difference. Everyday tasks like email, sms, browsing and regular apps are going to work just fine on the Nexus S. And since I like my mobile gaming to be simpler and far more casual, I would't be leveraging the Atrix to its fullest potential.
But software upgrades have been a major thing with Android. Look at how much functionality was unlocked going from 2.1 to 2.2. That is far more important to me. If there's one thing that drives me nuts, it's a phone becoming software obsolete when there is no reason for it to. A "Google Phone" will be able to keep you up on the cutting edge features of Android a lot better.
DarkisFever
03-25-2011, 01:28 PM
Agreed Jellmoo. OS Updates are always way more important just in how much they effect the phone itself. I admit that dual cores look promising (I would love a Galaxy S II personally) but it is true that most company's are not interested in keeping up to date. Motorola is very well known for saying no to Canada for updates on their phones (with no proper excuse I might add). I'd go with the Nexus S since you could custom rom that thing like crazy and even then get official updates extremely quicker. Hope that helps ^^
Yeah, you guys are right, it seems as though software updates are more important than hardware at this point. The features between 2.1 and 2.2 are pretty significant (such as google docs mobile editing - something I'd use a lot). Also, the chance to switch to companies like Mobilicity and Wind would be sweet... unlimited everything for only $45 is rather appealing.
Galaxy S II looks like a beast too. The advantage with Samsung (so far) is that they don't encrypt/sign their bootloaders, so we can use custom roms and update.
The real question is how important will dual-core be over the next 2-3 years? Will it hold back future core functionality?
S3v3r3
05-03-2011, 11:13 AM
1 year at max, as samsung already announced they will be making 2ghz dual core processors lol.
gifted1ne
05-27-2011, 04:22 PM
Nexus all the way!!
azndnangel
05-27-2011, 09:34 PM
With all the dual-core phones making their way to the market, it was rather disappointing to find out a month or so ago, that the Nexus S would not be dual-core. Spec wise, it wont be able to keep up with phones such as the Atrix.
However, what makes Nexus S so appealing (to me at least) is the fact that it will always have the latest Android updates first, straight from Google. While Atrix users will have to *hope* Motorola provides updates... especially since the bootloader is encrypted not allowing custom roms.
So it becomes a bit of a software vs hardware issue. There cases where good software can make a device with slower hardware run faster than a more powerful device.
That being said, what is more important to you? Constantly up to date software or sheer brute hardware power?
I think by the time someone figures out which one is better they'll be outdated already.
tedstriker
05-28-2011, 01:13 AM
Atrix all the way. 540x960 qhd; 720p video (soon to be 1080p), hdmi, dual core tegra 2; lapdock if you choose, etc.
If you're really into updates, i guess the nexus is better...?
curmudgeon
05-28-2011, 11:07 AM
Right now, dual core phones are mostly a sales gimmick. Beacause only android 3.0 or later (I.e. Honeycomb) actually supports multiprocessors.
All those spiffy froyo or gingerbread phones with dual cores.... the second core isn't being used.
Your Atrix or other multicore phone will have to wait for Icecream Sandwich before you can make full use of you phones hardware.
How long will it be before the icecream sandwich update is available for you phone?
Consider this before you splurge on that uberphone.
Even though the Atrix has awesome specs I would still choose the nexus s over the Atrix just because it will get updates a lot quicker and I really don't like motoblur at all.