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Samsung Nexus S review

7.2/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Nexus S
Samsung Nexus S
Samsung Nexus S
Samsung Nexus S
Samsung Nexus S
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7.2/10
Informr score
The Samsung Nexus S currently has an Informr score of 7.2 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 20 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Samsung Nexus S is a powerful, candybar touchscreen featuring a beautiful 4-inch, 480 x 800 pixel Super AMOLED display, making it one of the best screens available.

Running on Android 2.3, the Nexus S is packed with sought-after features, including mobile hotspot connectivity, GPS supporting location based navigation (turn by turn directions), Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, and tethering capability.

This exciting phone also boasts a 5MP camera with a suite of editing tools, an additional front-facing camera, video record, MP3 player and a complete set of basic features (alarm, calculator, speakerphone, etc.).

Whether you enjoy threaded messaging or just browsing the web in fully rendered pages, this phone can handle it. The Samsung Nexus S has a talk time of up to 6.7 hours and a standby time of up to 427 hours.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


GSMArena
GSMArena

The Google Nexus S is a fine piece of gear, don’t get us wrong, but it’s just very late to the party .

- GSMArena Team, GSMArena
Top Ten Reviews
Top Ten Reviews

The Samsung Nexus S 4G is a smartphone with 4G capabilities, dual cameras and the Android 2.3 operating system. However, this device doesn’t offer any features that really stand out among other smartphones. The 4-inch touchscreen is a benefit when using this device, along with its video chat capabil...

- Top Ten Reviews Team, Top Ten Reviews
Complex
Complex

l

- Alex Bracetti, Complex
InsideHW
InsideHW

Despite what you may be thinking, although Nexus S is an upgrade of Galaxy S to a certain extent, the changes are simply too numerous for Nexus S to be regarded simply as such, a rebranded and repacked device. One of the things that’s supposed to add value to this new device is the presence of the N...

- Zeljko Djuric , InsideHW
PCWorld
PCWorld

The Nexus S is a solid Android phone made even better with Sprint's 4G data speeds. With the added bonuses of Android Gingerbread, NFC support and a gyroscope, the Nexus S is certainly one of the best phones to get on Sprint as well. We still can't help but knock it for its lack of expandable me...

- Ginny Mies and Mark Sullivan, PCWorld


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Nexus S user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Nexus S with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Nexus S has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
4"

The Samsung Nexus S's screen size is 4 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a Samsung Hummingbird Cortex A8 1 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with VGA (640 x 480) resolution.

Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
1500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1500 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 29.5 days standby time, 840 minutes.

Nexus S Specs

Overview
Release Date December 16, 2010
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Samsung Hummingbird Cortex A8 1 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.58 W/kg
Body: 0.9 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
Expansion Slot Info
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Geotagging, Smile detection
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
720 x 480 pixels, 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
VGA (640 x 480)+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 4 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1500 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 840 minutes
Standby Time Up to 29.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 12.4 x 6.3 x 1.1 cm (4.9 x 2.5 x 0.4 in)
Weight 129 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, IM, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Wallpapers
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Any Key Answer: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, AAC+, AAC, AMR, WMA, WAV, OGG
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Viewable document types:
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung Nexus Two, Google Nexus 2, Google Nexus Two, Google Nexus S, Samsung GT-I9020A

Samsung Nexus S 4G has WiMax
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Nexus S Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Nexus S
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