Green Espirit: Reviews of Google Nexus 4 Phone and iPhone 5

Around Thanksgiving time (one month ago), I was uncertain about to upgrade from iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 or to Google Nexus 4 phone. Final choice was iPhone 5. Yesterday, I received two Nexus 4 phone ordered for a friend. As I plan to purchase Nexus 7 (waiting for 2nd generation), I may as well review Nexus 4 now.

Upgrade from iPhone 4 to iPhone 5

iPhone 5 has larger screen, runs faster than iPhone 4
$199.99 locked phone for new AT&T customer. Add $50 for upgrade to cost about $250 for existing customer
Unlock iPhone 5 costs more than $600. Thus AT&T 2-year contract upgrade is still an attractive option.
Typically, iPhone has higher value than Android phones during the next 12 months. (Nexus 4 may change this game).

Upgrade from iPhone 4 to Google Nexus 4

Nexus 4 has larger screen, runs faster than iPhone 4
$299 unlock phone from Google Store. (currently sold out)
Does not require contract. (This does not make too much of a difference to me, as I would only consider AT&T and Verizon which do not offer cheaper monthly plan for non-contract agreements anyway)
Nexus 4 phone value will be at par with iPhone 5, because there is high demand of Nexus 4 and supply issue with LG who supplies screen panel for Nexus 4. For example, after 6 months, used Nexus 4 phone may still be sold at an attractive price.

iPhone 5 versus Google Nexus 4

Nexus 4 is more like a computer, allows user to make configuration changes. Geek would love it.
iPhone 5 is more user-friendly and intuitive to use. Less-technical savvy people would have much less problems figuring out how to use iPhone 5
Nexus 4 has larger screen, but seems to have poorer screen quality (less clear pixels).
Nexus 4 supports SD cards (extra memory)

I am satisfied with my iPhone 5. Two years later, unless iPhone 6 or 7 is significantly better than iPhone 5. I will be more inclined to switch to Google Nexus 4 (2nd/3rd generation). The reason is similar to preference to use Mac after years using Windows PC. Google Nexus 4 phone is a disruptive competitive product that no wonder Apple stock price has been falling these days, because of expected decreasing profit margin.

The coming of Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 signals the end of near-monopoly of smartphone by Apple. In my opinion, too many choices in Android phones sometimes confuse buyers more. So I selected iPhone several years ago. In the case of Apple iPhone, there has always been only one clear choice. In the case of Android phones, Google Nexus devices would always support the newest available Android OS.

Google Nexus 4 almost hits the optimal phone screen size. I prefer the larger screen size yet smaller than Samsung Galaxy II.