To Note: Nexus or Developer Friendly

[pc747]

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In an era where it feels like development may be slowing, we are seeing more smaller name companies embrace the development community. As a result you are seeing more devices that are developer friendly such as One Plus, Elephone (check out Jeffrey's post on that device by the way), and other devices made by smaller name companies.

So what is the difference between an unlocked (Open Sourced) device like the Elephone or One Plus vs a Nexus?

Though the both can be unlocked, rooted, and run custom software, Nexus devices get their software from Google so you are getting the latest from the source where as an unlocked device rely on developers to get the latest software (usually compiled from Google's Open Source). So as long as a developer or the manufacturer supports your device you will get the newest software. The exception is if you are able to compile a ROM from source yourself.

So which device should a person get?

If you love flashing custom ROMS and you do not mind gambling that your device may only be supported by a developer (ie Cyanogen) then you may want to check out some of these devices like the One Plus or the Elephone. For the price and what you are getting specs wise they are a good bargain especially if you just want a device to play with and hack to death without messing up your daily driver.

If you rom every now and then but mainly just root to add a few apps to stock Google then Nexus devices may be for you.

Give some feedback below on what you guys think.

 

[johnomaz]

IMO, Nexus phones are developer friendly. The price tag is higher but there is the guarantee of long term (in terms of phones lifetimes) updates from Google.

 

[Powarun]

What I like about the developer phones is updates, something that I think Verizon is against so they can push new product. Google's announcement for M looked great. It is something I think that says, hey I want that, and oh look I can have it, without upgrading. HTC let me down with the Lollipop update and it would be nice to see Verizon actually give their exclusive Droid line up, the latest updates, seeing as they helped develop the brand.

 

[pc747]

What I like about the developer phones is updates, something that I think Verizon is against so they can push new product. Google's announcement for M looked great. It is something I think that says, hey I want that, and oh look I can have it, without upgrading. HTC let me down with the Lollipop update and it would be nice to see Verizon actually give their exclusive Droid line up, the latest updates, seeing as they helped develop the brand.

(I can't believe I am saying this)

With all the bugs in lollipop it may be a good thing you Droid Turbo users do not have it yet. It actually may be better to just skip lollipop and go straight to M.

 

[Powarun]

With all the bugs in lollipop it may be a good thing you Droid Turbo users do not have it yet. It actually may be better to just skip lollipop and go straight to M.

Yeah but whats the chance of that happening? While it sounds nice in theory, I doubt Verizon would do that.

 

[pc747]

Yeah but whats the chance of that happening? While it sounds nice in theory, I doubt Verizon would do that.

True, you may have a point there.

 

[thunderbolt_nick]

(I can't believe I am saying this)

With all the bugs in lollipop it may be a good thing you Droid Turbo users do not have it yet. It actually may be better to just skip lollipop and go straight to M.

If only I shared the same experience. I still can't wait for M to come one Nexus devices though. My N6 needs some of that <insert desert here> goodness.