Samsung Galaxy Nexus Review
Google and Samsung have come together to create one of the most exciting Android devices of the year: the Galaxy Nexus, which is the third generation successor to Google’s Nexus One and Nexus S. The smartphone made its debut in Europe on November 17, 2011 and in the U.S. on December 15, 2011.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus comes loaded with some very impressive hardware and more importantly, the latest Android OS. However, be warned, it also has its fair share of drawbacks.
Galaxy Nexus Review: Pros
• Android 4.0
• Superb HD Screen
• NFC enabled
• Face Lock
Galaxy Nexus Review: Cons
• 5-magapixel camera (only)
• No expandable memory
• No FM radio
• Relatively limited customization options
Galaxy Nexus: Hardware
The Galaxy Nexus packs in some very impressive hardware and the crown jewel is arguably the 720×1280 pixel resolution 4.65″ Super AMOLED HD screen. The screen features a 316ppi pixel density, which is less dense than the iPhone 4S’s 329ppi but it is still the finest in the market right now on account of the enhanced resolution.
It is not just the display that is designed to amaze, the Galaxy Nexus also comes with a dual-core 1.2Ghz TI OMAP 4460 processor and 1GB RAM. While users can opt for either the 16GB or 32GB variant it is somewhat disappointing to note that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus does not feature external memory capability. Something that is welcome, however, is the inclusion of the NFC chip. This technology is yet to mature in the U.S. but as retailers around the world begin to experiment and deploy the technology in larger numbers, there is no doubt that it has a lot of potential.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus comes with a not-so-spectacular 5 megapixel primary camera with one LED flash. The secondary camera (front facing) features a decent 1.3 megapixel. This obviously does not mean that the camera is disappointing. However, given the level of competition that is coming out with comparative devices, a more powerful camera would have been much appreciated.
Obviously, the Galaxy Nexus also features the now-standard sensors including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, compass, gyroscope and proximity sensor. This combination of sensors is definitely put to good use through a variety of amazing features and apps that have now come to redefine the Android experience.
Galaxy Nexus: Design
Compared to the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Nexus is a relatively larger at 135.5 x 67.9 x 8.9mm. Weighing 135g, it is also slightly heavier than the Galaxy S2, which only weighs 116g. However, it does not feel nearly as heavy as it looks. In fact, given its size, it actually feels rather light and comfortable. You will also notice that it is slightly curved but far less so than the Nexus S.
The front of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus looks very clean and futuristic owing to the fact that it does not feature any buttons at all. Instead, the only things you will see is the screen, the brightness sensor and the front-facing camera. On the right, you will find the power/standby and on the opposite side, you get the volume control. The bottom features the 3.5 mm headphone jack and the micro USB port. There is nothing on top, which in my opinion, is a very positive design feature because this means that when the phone is in your trouser pocket, you run a smaller risk of pulling out the headphones or pressing the power/standby button in the process of trying to answer a call or read a message (something that happens all too often with my Wildfire S). The removable back cover of the Galaxy Nexus feels very delicate, so much so that it might give you the impression that it could snap while you are removing it but according to Samsung, it is far stronger than I dare test.
Before moving to the interface, a special mention should be made regarding the LED notification light which can be found on the bottom of the display. The light itself is subtly tucked away and will display different colors depending on the notifications.
Galaxy Nexus: Android 4.0 & interface
The crown jewel of the Galaxy Nexus is of course the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). This is arguably Google’s most ambitious attempt and it will deliver a unified UI for smartphones and tablets.
You may not find yourself familiar with most of the features as soon as you reach the home screen and that is because virtually every element has been beautifully redesigned. However, it must be noted that since ICS is still relatively new, there are only a limited amount of customization features (e.g. home screens) available right now but that is certainly set to change.
The first thing you will notice is the enhanced notifications system. You can quickly access your messages through the lock screen (if there is no additional layer of security) and even swipe away individual notifications.
One of