
The Galaxy Nexus was a flagship device released in 2011, featuring a 4.65-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. It was the first smartphone to run Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich.
The Galaxy Nexus had a 5MP rear-facing camera, capable of recording 1080p video at 30 frames per second.
The device was powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and had 1GB of RAM, providing a smooth user experience. It also had a 1750mAh battery, which offered a decent battery life.
The Galaxy Nexus was available in two storage options: 16GB and 32GB.
Hardware Design
The Galaxy Nexus has a striking design that's a bit of a departure from its predecessor, the Nexus S. It's a tall and broad affair, measuring 5.33 inches tall by 2.67 inches wide.
The phone's casing is made of gunmetal-gray plastic, which is a bit of a disappointment considering the more premium materials used in other devices. The internal frame of the phone is metal, however, which gives it a slightly more solid feel.
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The front of the device features a Contour Display, which is slightly curved, and a fortified glass that's not Corning's Gorilla Glass. There's also a welcome addition of an LED notification light, which is RGB and can create different hues depending on the type of notification you're getting.
The phone is a fairly no-frills affair when it comes to protrusions, with a sleep/wake button on one side, a volume rocker on the opposite edge, and a 3.5mm headphone jack and micro USB port on the bottom. The removable back piece of the phone is an astonishingly thin wedge of plastic that feels like it's going to snap every time you take it off.
The Galaxy Nexus is one of the better-looking phones I've seen, and it's not taking big risks in the industrial design department, but it still manages to come off as relatively unique.
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Software
The Galaxy Nexus was the first device to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, introducing a large number of new features, bug fixes and improvements.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean began rolling out to the GSM Galaxy Nexus as an over-the-air (OTA) update on 11 July 2012. The 4.2 update began rolling out on 13 November 2012, to the GSM Galaxy Nexus Takju/Maguro variant (smartphones sold in the US and directly supported by Google) as an OTA update.
Google started rolling out the update to the international version (Yakju/Maguro) a week later, but not all phones had received the update by the end of December.
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Third Party App Compatibility
Some third-party apps may not work perfectly with Ice Cream Sandwich, at least not yet.
For example, Andchat, an IRC client, displays incorrectly for a few moments and then crashes completely.
TweetDeck, on the other hand, works well except for a missing menu in portrait view when composing a tweet.
Other apps may experience small issues like menus not appearing or formatting seeming off.
These problems seem to be mostly related to screen size, rather than fundamental issues with the platform.
Gmail, however, is a notable exception - it feels fast and modern, and might even be better than Gmail in the browser in some ways.
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Keyboard, Selection, Voice Input
The keyboard on Android has finally caught up with iOS in terms of accuracy, thanks to improved text prediction and auto-correction. This means you can type faster and with fewer mistakes.
With ICS, my typing speed noticeably improved, making it easier to bang out messages quickly. Android is now tracking mistakes more closely, red-underlining anything that looks amiss, and providing a contextual dropdown of suggestions with a simple tap.
You can easily long press on any text pretty much anywhere on the device to get options to copy, share, or find-in-page for that snippet. This is a huge improvement over previous versions, and it's refreshing not to have to think about it anymore.
Google's voice-to-text feature now processes your input nearly in real-time, allowing you to get your dictated messages into the phone much faster. In testing, the service was generally accurate, but there's still room for improvement.
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Browser
The browser on Ice Cream Sandwich is a standout feature, delivering a seriously improved browsing experience. It's faster and more efficient than many of its competitors.
The browser's speed is impressive, with a SunSpider score of 2012.9ms. This is a significant improvement over other devices, such as the iPhone 4S, which scored 2246.8ms.
One minor issue with the browser is its rendering of certain elements, like TypeKit, which doesn't seem to work correctly.
Availability
The Galaxy Nexus has a bit of a complicated availability situation. It's sold SIM-unlocked in some countries, which is great for users who want more flexibility with their phone plans.
This is a departure from the more liberal tradition of previous Nexus phones, like the Nexus One and the Nexus S, which were also sold SIM-unlocked in many markets. However, in some countries, the Galaxy Nexus is sold SIM-locked, primarily where operators subsidize the phone or have exclusive selling rights.
If you're looking to buy a Galaxy Nexus, it's worth checking if it's available in your country and if it's SIM-unlocked. This will give you more freedom to choose your phone carrier and plan.
For example, in some countries, the Galaxy Nexus is sold with an unlocked bootloader, which allows for root access. This can be a big plus for power users who want to customize their phone. However, not all countries offer this option, so it's worth checking before you buy.
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Variants
The Galaxy Nexus was available in several variants to accommodate different carriers and network technologies. The device was originally only available in black, but a white version was made available in February 2012.
One of the variants was the SCH-I515 "Toro", which was Verizon Wireless's version featuring 4G LTE connectivity in the 700 MHz band (Band 13). This device also had CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A connectivity in the PCS bands (800/1900 MHz).
The SCH-I515 "Toro" came with either 16 or 32 GB of on-board storage and measured 9.47 mm thick, featuring a 1850 mAh battery. Its appearance was similar to that of the international version.
The GT-I9250 "Maguro" was a GSM/HSPA+ variant, supporting both AT&T's and T-Mobile's HSPA+ bands in the United States. This particular variant was sold SIM-unlocked by Google in the Play Store.
Here are some of the notable variants of the Galaxy Nexus:
- SCH-I515 "Toro": Verizon Wireless's variant
- GT-I9250 "Maguro": GSM/HSPA+ variant
- SPH-L700 "Toro Plus": Sprint's variant
- GT-I9250T: Australian GSM/HSPA+ variant
- SHW-M420S/K: Korean GSM/HSPA+ variant
- SC-04D/SGH-N044: Japanese NTT Docomo's variant
Reception
The Galaxy Nexus received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its sleek design and impressive display.
The phone's display was a major highlight, with a 4.65-inch HD screen that provided a crystal-clear viewing experience.
Many critics noted that the Galaxy Nexus was a bit pricey, with a starting price of $299 for the 16GB model.
However, the phone's performance was top-notch, thanks to its dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.
The Galaxy Nexus was also praised for its user-friendly interface, with many reviewers noting that it was easy to navigate and customize.
One critic noted that the phone's battery life was a bit lacking, with an estimated 7 hours of talk time.
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Battery Life/Performance
The Galaxy Nexus's battery life is a mixed bag. I've had some concerns about its stamina, especially during my initial testing period. However, after a week of heavy use, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it can easily last a full workday.
On a typical day, I was able to squeeze out 19 hours or more on a single charge. However, if I was watching video, taking more calls than usual, or playing games, the battery life would dip slightly.
The phone's performance, on the other hand, is incredibly fast. Touch response is excellent, with everything reacting quickly to your movements. Homescreen scrolling is snappy, and moving into and out of apps is instantaneous.
Swiping through long lists is stutter-free, and web browsing is super speedy, even on heavy pages. Game frame rates are smooth, and photo viewing and editing is frictionless.
Data and Camera
The Galaxy Nexus has a 5-megapixel rear camera that's capable of capturing high-quality photos and 1080p video.
This camera is complemented by a front-facing camera, which is perfect for self-portraits and video calls.
The Nexus's camera app is also intuitive and easy to use, making it a great device for photography enthusiasts and beginners alike.
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Data Speeds
Data Speeds were frankly off the charts in my testing. I saw an average of about 4.5Mbps down and consistently over 1Mbps up on AT&T in a spot where I typically see 2.2Mbps down and 1Mbps up.
Even in locations with poor phone call reception, like the first floor of my house, I had nearly no dropped or failed calls.
Camera

A camera is essentially a device that captures images or videos, often using a lens to focus light onto a sensor or film.
Most modern cameras use a digital sensor to capture images, which converts light into electrical signals that are then processed into a digital format.
The resolution of a camera refers to the number of pixels it can capture, with higher resolutions resulting in more detailed images.
A higher megapixel count doesn't always mean better image quality, as other factors like lens quality and sensor size also play a significant role.
Some cameras also have the ability to record video, which can be a useful feature for capturing moving images or footage.
The frame rate of a camera's video recording can affect the smoothness and realism of the footage, with higher frame rates generally resulting in smoother motion.
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Company and Verdict
The Galaxy Nexus was a collaborative effort between Google and Samsung, marking a significant shift in the smartphone industry.
The phone was announced on October 19, 2011, and was released in the United States on November 17, 2011.
Google's Android operating system version 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, was the brainchild of Android creator Andy Rubin and his team.
The Galaxy Nexus had a 4.65-inch touchscreen display and was powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor.
In terms of design, the Galaxy Nexus had a sleek and minimalist look, featuring a 4.65-inch touchscreen display and a 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution.
The phone's battery life was impressive, lasting up to 11 hours and 35 minutes of talk time.
The Galaxy Nexus was a groundbreaking device that set the stage for future Android smartphones.
The phone's price was competitive, starting at $299 for the 16 GB model.
Overall, the Galaxy Nexus was a game-changing device that left a lasting impact on the tech industry.
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Cons
The Galaxy Nexus has its downsides.
One major con is the lack of a physical keyboard, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.
The device's battery life can be a concern, with some users reporting that it lasts only a day with moderate use.
The Galaxy Nexus's screen is not scratch-resistant, so it requires extra care to keep it looking its best.
The device's price was initially steep, which may have deterred some potential buyers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced Google Nexus?
The Google Pixel family replaced the Google Nexus line in October 2016, marking a new era in Google's Android products. Learn more about the Google Pixel series and its features.
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