Nexus 4, Ok..I'm starting to fall in love with it

[Shadrack]

After using this phone for about 2 weeks now I must say I'm falling in love with it. It's so liquid smooth and awesome. It feels as smooth as iOS everywhere except for Chrome. Chrome still needs some work and everyone, everywhere, seems to be complaining about it so hopefully Google fixes it soon.

I highly recommend anyone who has the Nexus 4 and looking to improve battery life to unlock/root and install the franco kernel (on XDA or franco has an app for the kernel as well). I haven't noticed much improvement with screen on time but there is a dramatic improvement in how long the battery will last in "standby". Idk, I'd describe it as more hang time. Stock kernel, seemed like everytime I turned on the device it was down 5-10% from the last time... since I've installed franco kernel it doesn't seem to hardly drop at all if I'm not using the phone. If I were to go sparingly with the screen-on time usage (say limit myself to an hour a day), I bet I could make it through 2 days w/o charging it now.

But franco kernel didn't improve my screen on time much. I think that lowering the max clockspeed might help, but want to research that some more. Currently, I can get about 3.5-4 hours out of a charge undernormal usage throughout the day. I need to watch a movie on it or something to see how long that lasts.

A lot of the photos have come out really nice. Not the best camera on a phone I've seen, and I think that the iPhone 5 has a nicer sensor. But it is a huge improvement over my previous iPhone 4 in terms of speed and quality. Here is a photo I took of my dog with it (and ran through some Instagram filters like a n00b...but hey, its a cameraphone photo so what do you want eh?):

Does anyone know how I might setup a custom keywords for the keyboard? I thought that personal dictionary would do it, but what I'm trying to accomplish is not working through it. What I would like is for the keyword myemail to transform to [email protected] like in iOS keyboard shortcuts. I've added this combination in personal dictionary but all it seems to do is not give me red squiglies under "myemail" (because it is part of my personal dictionary....).

Also, is there anyway to have a more iOS-like lock screen behavior? Not in the "slide to unlock" way but in the passcode requirement way. On iOS you set a passcode, and you set an "auto passcode-lock" for so many minutes or hours (I had mine set to 1 hour I think). If the device is unlocked, but the screen is off then you are greeted by the iOS slide-to-unlock lock screen that does not require a passcode. After the auto passcode-lock you are greeted with a number pad on the lock screen to input your passcode. This behavior is different in Android 4.2.1. Instead you either have a slide to unlock OR a passcode-lock on the lock screen and the only way to overcome entering a passcode every time I turn on my device is to prevent the device from locking when the screen is turned off and set it to a maximum of 30 minute timer. But I like being greeted with some form of lock screen...I don't like turning on the device and being greeted by my web browser or whatever I had opened. Idk..maybe I'm just too used to how it is on iOS and figured it would be trivial to set it up the way I'm used to on Android.

[Shadrack]

Wow..I discovered a large crack across the back of my Nexus 4 this evening. It's never been dropped..it's never been bumped.

Not sure to call Google over it or not... They were such a pain in the ass and their warranty explicitly denies responsibility for glass breaking.

I was warned about this. I can't feel the crack at all, and can really only see it if I hold it up to the light. I'm thinking of just letting it go, getting over the device being new and just using my phone.

[Billus]

I'd ask about the warranty. If it is a known issue they'll probably fix it free of charge. Other alternative is to get a case or get it repaired which would probs cost approx $100. Glad to hear that you are enjoying Android.

[Shadrack]

Here is an image...lol, oh well. Idk. now I'm less concerned about scratching the back. It really looks worse in this picture than it really is (because of the flash) but you can clearly see the scratch. I'm thinking of calling and asking, because I know that with this defect I can at least hold onto my phone until my new one arrives (unlike the last defect which was just a bricked phone.......). I'm kind of sick of dealing with Google Play support though. And, on top of that the N4 is probably just going to have one of the many other issues or the back is just going to crack again anyway. I'm thinking, let this one go, and learn my lesson once and for all: No more back-glass phones and no more LG crap.

[Mystical112]

Ooo... that doesn't look good... first I've heard of that though (random cracking)

I'm liking mine, upgraded from the Nexus S, a BIG difference... but I think I need the bumper the bottom side of the phone seems flimsy like if I push a bit it will break....

[Shadrack]

I think that the back is just really really thin. Lol, i swear I didn't drop it. I heard of this happening a lot in Canada from the cold weather but I live in the sunny southwest of the USA. Coldest it gets here is 35 deg F in the evenings and its been inside around 74 deg F mostly.

I think I might call them and ask. They may say it is a known issue and send me a new phone. At least with this defect i can hold onto it while I wait for a new phone. Last defect was a bricked Nexus 4.

[Mystical112]

I live in Canada so we'll see if it cracks... nothing yet...

[spy beef]

Where can I buy one?

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

The Google Play store! Just received my Nexus 7 tablet from them the other day - every single local retail store was sold out for christmas, but the Google Play store despatched mine within 2 days of my order with express shipping :)

[Sikh]

i've had my Nexus 4 for almost a Month now and it is probably the only android I am glad I bought a real android phone (nexus) versus having to buy another phone and dick around with rooting.

As much as I love hacking and its what I do being a computer geek like most of us, watching my buddy root his one x plus, brick it, barely find a ATT/Cingular signed rom, s off it, blah blah blah and go without a phone for 2 days was proof enough that I will always buy a Nexus phone if i buy android, and then root and have fun.

It was so easy rooting this thing, flashing the Matr1x (battery kernel, just like franco, which im hearing from you op) was the easiest.

Now follow CM, as soon as they have a beta, or RC, or Stable, I will jump on that train in the matter of minutes without any fussing and bricking.

As far as the cracking, it was reported instantly after users and review sites started getting their nexus 4. Gorilla Glass 2 is stronger, but the thinner you make it the more fragile it is, plus mix that with a sudden temp change and surface crack. Thankfully its not on the outside. As far as your comment about glass phones, i've had a iphone 4s, and i know many people with 4's. Went caseless like me, put them on counter tops, desks, etc, not 1 scratch, not 1 crack.

But, you set this phone down and you have to worry about it. The minute I heard about it, I bought a gel case, then when I was able to buy a bumper (google took to long, I ordered a "poetic" which I have to say, is better then googles bumper personally) I did. It is worth it.

But If i somehow get a crack, im going to bitch until I get a new phone cause this is BS. Also this isnt LG's fault, honestly this is LG's best phone. I never liked LG for phones, but they went all out. The screen is mainly why I dont miss my iPhone too much, because its on par and I love it.

But, one thing is for sure, apple spends a LOT of time doing R&D. Yes did the 4/4S crack "easily", of course, because its pure glass and people drop them and its all about gravity, angles, etc. I've personally known someone to drop their iphone about 8 times now, she also just slams it on tables. To her its "setting", to me its slamming when its an inch above the table and you can here the noise of the phone again the counter top, nightstand, coffee table, desk, etc. Guess what? No crack. Scratches, of course because of her purse, but no scratches.

So no, its not glass phones. I will happily buy glass phones.

But I hope google takes care of you, I know apple takes care of its customers and since google has to acknowledge this because even reviewers of this phone are reporting this issue, i hope they take care of it by just replacing phones.

[Sikh]

Bumper Pictures Update:

Front: http://i46.tinypic.com/e7ec9f.jpg

Back: http://i47.tinypic.com/auttn5.jpg

I loved the phone bare, but I actually needed more grip, and having a bumper on my iPhone helped so I thought a bumper on this would. When google sold their bumper for 20 I was excited. When I saw actually pictures, the silver threw me off, also the silver looked slippery / glossy. This bumper was $5.95 cause i pre ordered, it is the best 2 tone color I like, black/grey, and its built to the quality of a apple bumper.

I can honestly recommend this bumper to anyone, and already have to 5 people.

[HoochieMamma]

i'd like to get a nexus 4, but they seem to always be sold out....

Its the worst, I have 2 people lined up that need phones and they can't purchase them.

[S.MULLA]

I've decided to move to android as jailbreak scene is dead... my 3 month old ip5 is gonna be sold and I'm thinking of picking up a N4 16GB and a 32gb Nexus 10 pad.

Nexus 4 is my top choice atm- just gonna wait to see what the Samsung s4 is all about. But as most reviews say- the nexus being a Google native phone it will get updates faster and most likely be optimized.

And also waiting for stock on Google store.

[+Cryton Subscriber²]

Every time I pick my Nexus 4 up it feels lighter and like it fits in my hand better. JuiceDefender seems to have made a noticeable difference in my battery life when it's in standby, but no difference if I used it heavily. Still, it was a free app and has helped me out. Running Firefox nightlies for my main web browser and it's really nice; not had any problems and I'm rather impressed with the speed and fluidity of Firefox on Android.

[Shadrack]

I'm going to try and call them after breakfast. Hopefully they are open today. I'll let you guys know what they end up saying. At least with this if they replace my phone, I can keep this one until my new one arrives. I still really like the phone. The crack is purely cosmetic so I'm not going to get overly emo about it.

[Shadrack]

Google Play Store warranty replaced my Nexus 4 over the crack. Hehe, I hope I receive my replacement soon... it could take weeks. Murphy's law says I drop it during that time and totally screw myself on the warranty :p. Better be extra careful.

[spacey]

That is great they are going to replace it. I bought my wife a Nexus 4 and she likes it too. I'm thinking about getting a bumper for it as well.

[ManMountain]

I use a screen protector and gel cover on both my nexus 4 and 7 and I agree with the OP, the nexus 4 is worthy of love, great phone :-)

[Hardcore Til I Die]

If it was a scratch I'd say live with it, but a crack can get worse and worse, so it's good that you're getting it replaced.

[Shadrack]

Sadly, the crack developed while the phone was in the official Google bumper so it wasn't a surface-contact thing (and that shouldn't sit well with other owners). The phone gets quite hot in the very center while in normal use and I suspect that the glass cracking was a thermal thing but I can't pinpoint when it actually happened.

I use a screen protector and gel cover on both my nexus 4 and 7 and I agree with the OP, the nexus 4 is worthy of love, great phone :-)

If Google wasn't going to replace it I think I'd still be OK with it (so long as the crack didn't develop further and become a cut hazard). I've really loved this phone though. Awesome performance and the battery life is just right for my usage patterns.

[ashpowell]

I ordered mine on 5th of Dec, still not heard anything.. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

[f0rk_b0mb]

Just got my nexus 7, here. I really like it! There was a few small bumps along the way, but overall, it's a great tablet.

[Sikh]

Sadly, the crack developed while the phone was in the official Google bumper so it wasn't a surface-contact thing (and that shouldn't sit well with other owners). The phone gets quite hot in the very center while in normal use and I suspect that the glass cracking was a thermal thing but I can't pinpoint when it actually happened.

If Google wasn't going to replace it I think I'd still be OK with it (so long as the crack didn't develop further and become a cut hazard). I've really loved this phone though. Awesome performance and the battery life is just right for my usage patterns.

Mine actually gets warm on the top when I'm playing games. The whole back is luke warm when wireless charging. But other then that nothing.

I'm glad I always lay my phones screen down.

[Shadrack]

Mine actually gets warm on the top when I'm playing games. The whole back is luke warm when wireless charging. But other then that nothing.

I'm glad I always lay my phones screen down.

Seems counter-intuitive but not a bad idea!

[Sikh]

Yeah I lay it screen down cause the screen in my opinion is usually the strongest part unless its the SGS3. Not only that but the bumper as you can tell doesnt raise the back up more but it raises the screen up more. I always put my phone down on soft surfaces too. If im at a friends house and its on a table, its on top of my wallet screen down so in case something lands on it, i would rather not have the screen get cracked.

In my pocket the screen faces my leg. I've had enough friends bump something REALLY hard and crack their screen in there pocket.