Google Samsung Galaxy Nexus Review
Introduction & Specifications
If you've been paying attention to Android smartphones lately, you know there's one device that people have been talking about and eagerly anticipating for a few months now. That phone is the Galaxy Nexus. The reason this phone is so hot is because it is the first smartphone in the US to run Android 4.0, better known perhaps as Ice Cream Sandwich. As the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich is designed to offer a single Android platform that will run on both smartphones and tablets.
Prior to Android 4.0, users would have one version of Android running on their smartphones and another running on their tablets. Although this may not be a huge issue for some users, it can cause issues for developers who have additional platforms to test on and support. For a number of reasons, a consolidated OS that works on both types of mobile devices makes a lot sense.
In addition to supporting both smartphones and tablets, Ice Cream Sandwich also brings a new look and feel as well as many new features to Android. Some of these new features include face recognition unlock, optimizations for Google+, new widgets, redesigned notifications, improved multi-tasking functionality, and lock screen actions.
Here's our quick hands-on demo with the Nexus in action...
There's another key feature about the Galaxy Nexus: It doesn’t have a lot of customizations or UI tweaks from either Samsung (the phone's manufacturer) or Verizon Wireless (who has the exclusive rights to sell this phone US). In other words, you'll get a pure Android 4.0 experience, with some minor exceptions.
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| Network |
Verizon Wireless |
| Bands/Modes |
LTE, CDMA/PCS/1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz) |
| OS |
Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Display |
4.65" HD (1280 x 720) Super AMOLED Contour Display (curved glass) |
| Processor |
Dual-Core 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 processor |
| Memory |
1GB RAM 32GB storage |
| Dimensions |
5.33 x 2.67 x .37 inches |
| Weight |
5.1 ounces |
| Talk and Standby Time |
Usage time – up to 12 hours Standby time – up to 150 hrs hours |
| Battery |
1850mAh |
| Connectivity |
Micro USB, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n, Mobile Hotspot Capable (Supports 10 device s on 4G and 10 on 3G), GPS |
| Camera |
5MP continuous auto focus with LED flash and zero shutter lag Video recording in 1080p 1.3MP Front |
| Other key features |
Face Unlock, Android Beam, NFC, |
| Price |
$299.99 after discounts and with a contract |
;)
Now that the Galaxy Nexus is available, we've had a few days to check it out and are ready to give you a hands-on look at all this phone and its new OS have to offer. Read on to see what you can expect from the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0...
