Manage updates with the Download AppSamsung Galaxy Nexus (unlocked)
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: GT-i9250
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a big step forward for Android, but it's not the giant leap you may have been expecting. As impressive as it is, Ice Cream Sandwich can be messy, and without it, the Galaxy Nexus is just another Nexus device.
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CNET editors' review
Samsung Galaxy Nexus (unlocked) price range: $14.99 - $499.00
- Reviewed by: Kent German and Jessica Dolcourt
- Reviewed on: 11/16/2011
The good: The Samsung Galaxy Nexus brings a ton of new and very welcome features with Ice Cream Sandwich. The design is sharp, the screen is gorgeous, and the internal performance is fantastic.
The bad: Ice Cream Sandwich has eliminated some of Android's learning curve in some aspects, just to re-create it in others. There was some static on calls, and there's no external memory card slot. Also, like other Samsung Galaxy devices, the Galaxy Nexus feels rather fragile.
The bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a big step forward for Android, but it's not the giant leap you may have been expecting. As impressive as it is, Ice Cream Sandwich can be messy, and without it, the Galaxy Nexus is just another Nexus device.
User reviews
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Do these reviewers report conflicts of interest?
by Trey444 on November 17, 2011
Pros: Pure Android experience
Cons: Many reviewers don't understand what a pure Android phone is.
Summary: Since there is no way to respond to the CNET review, other than with a review...
This "journalist" apparently knows very little about Android phones:
"As impressive as it is, ...Summary: Since there is no way to respond to the CNET review, other than with a review...
This "journalist" apparently knows very little about Android phones:
"As impressive as it is, Ice Cream Sandwich can be messy, and without it, the Galaxy Nexus is just another Android device."
There's a HUGE difference between this and other Android phones, just in the fact that it's a pure Android phone. It will always get the latest Android updates directly. The software has not been mucked around with by the carrier or the phone manufacturer. Imagine what it would be like if Apple allowed the carriers to mess around with iOS. It would be a disaster.
I like Android phones, but I will never buy an altered phone. So really the Nexus phones are the only real choice.27 out of 37 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I am curious does Apple own Cnet?
by mrlbattl on November 17, 2011
Pros: Very well built OS very easy to use.
Cons: No SD slot
Summary: This phone is everything a phone should be
Summary: This phone is everything a phone should be
24 out of 31 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The ultimate mobile experience. Highly recommended.
by JaikLaivi on November 17, 2011
Pros: Superb interface; great battery life; very, very fast; lots of extra unique features; all applications have been refined and improved; and much more.
Cons: None. Honestly.
Summary: The Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus is what every Android fan has been waiting for - and the wait is worth it. The interface has been refined and much more user-friendly ...
Summary: The Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus is what every Android fan has been waiting for - and the wait is worth it. The interface has been refined and much more user-friendly while still retaining the feel of Android that gives the users complete control.
Stock Android Launcher -
You can customize the stock launcher further than previous versions and it's also become far smoother. The launcher will not have to reload it's app drawer when a ram-hogging application is used unlike older phones of the Nexus line. Adding and placing widgets have become and easier and are now resizable. Folders have been improved. All of these features are all wrapped up to form a more streamlined experience, which older iterations of Android suffered from.
Refined Applications -
All of the applications have been redone to match up with the launcher's interface. The camera application has greatly improved, adding features such as zoom (something Stock Android sorely needed), panorama, instant capture (which works very well, especially for a camera phone), and easier access to controls. The camera sensors have also been refined to make superb photos. The 5 MP camera isn't something to shy away from, you'll only notice differences from a 5 and 8 MP camera if you blow up the photos to table-sized proportions. The Gallery app has also been redone, for a much faster interface while still retaining the 3D effect it used to have. Music has improved also (and can be downloaded to any Android device running Froyo via Market, it isn't just limited to Android 4.0). It's Music store is also very impressive and handy for any music enthusiast. Settings have become far, far more user friendly, and brought along several new features, particularly data control. Voice Recognition has been improved and not appears instantaneously as you speak. The keyboard, messaging, downloads, and more have also been refined. In short, every application has been redesigned to match everything in the operating system together.
Build Quality (Including Screen, Battery, and Call Quality) -
Although the device is made of plastic, it feels great very good in the hand and can easily endure rigorous beating. It's screen is impervious to scratching of keys and other sharp objects. Furthermore, the pixel density is 720p, and shows. Images are bright and vibrant. Battery life is truly superb, and can last you throughout the day with moderate to heavy usage at full screen brightness. Call quality is crisp, clear, and non-existent in the dropped calls department.
Browser -
The browser deserves it's own section because of it's massive improvement. The old browser used to be very, very plain, featureless, and overall quite slow. This one isn't. It's fast, adds tons of new features (Including tabs and incognito mode), is smooth, and overall looks great. It's a massive improvement and a very important one.
On the whole, the phone is the best out there. Android 4.0 is snappy, smooth, and a much better experience than previous versions of Android. Applications are smoother, don't suffer from any forms of lagging or frame-per-second mishaps, and tie together well. Call quality is great, build quality is great, the HD screen is great. Everything about this phone is great. I highly recommend it.20 out of 23 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Smartphone
by peacekeeper05 on November 17, 2011
Pros: Ice Cream Sandwich is very fast and smooth.
Swipe Gestures incorporated throughout all the UI
720p Super amoled screen
Epic fast browser performance
Multitasking
fast zero shutter lag camera
Made gingerbread look like it was version 1.0Cons: Battery life is mediocre
Summary: Overall, Galaxy Nexus is currently the best smartphone available. Ice Cream Sandwich is a huge leap from gingerbread. It now has a snappier, smoother performance. A better and a more ...
Summary: Overall, Galaxy Nexus is currently the best smartphone available. Ice Cream Sandwich is a huge leap from gingerbread. It now has a snappier, smoother performance. A better and a more user friendly interface, and a more uniform UI. Basically, this phone is the answer to almost all of the problems Android had during the past versions.
13 out of 14 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Why is there not a comment section?
by DrawingGuy on November 18, 2011
Pros: Can't say more other than looking forward to the next pure Android experience until I own the phone.
Cons: There are phones out there with better hardware specs on paper
Summary: Obviously not a single one of the "user" reviews are actually reviews. None have owned the phone, so they're just spewing specs or comments from other reviews.
My own "...Summary: Obviously not a single one of the "user" reviews are actually reviews. None have owned the phone, so they're just spewing specs or comments from other reviews.
My own "review" is a comment to the review made by CNET, not on the phone itself.
I was frustrated by the review made. It was PAINFUL to read. Specs were incorrectly listed in parts (ie Bluetooth 2.0 in some parts and 3.0 in others). It was poorly organized with entire sections being useless or redundant. Additional the reviewers were repetitive - I have never seen "more on that later" so many darned times in any 'review'. You should question why you need to say that. Don't overview the same things a dozen times. You can give a basic overview once at the start of the review and then list straight details. If they do not pertain to the section you are covering, then DON'T MENTION IT IN THAT SECTION. This entire review could have been parred down to three or four paragraphs.
Beyond what I find to have been a very poorly written review is the opinionated drive for simplicity. Yes, I wan't Android to be more intuitive, but I do NOT wan't it to lose the "clutter" of options. There are people that want a remote for their TV that just has an on off button and something to change the channels. Then there are the people that want 42 programmable buttons so they can have it flip menus to a different orientation, change color hues, turn on hungarian subtitles, and add the MS Office paperclip helper to amuse them. Can't really have those 42 buttons without burying them somewhere or having it look more cluttered than that remote that has only 3; but that customization is one reason why I pick Android over iPhone. Would love to see sites that are supposed to be impartial take that line as a good devider rather than as a bad thing because not every monkey can handle the learning curve involved with extra buttons.12 out of 13 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Disappointed at CNET
by grape1829 on November 18, 2011
Pros: Phone is good.
Cons: Review is not.
Summary: I'm no journalism major, but man, is this a godawful review if I've ever seen one. The writing pattern used in the entire first page is like "This ...
Summary: I'm no journalism major, but man, is this a godawful review if I've ever seen one. The writing pattern used in the entire first page is like "This is good, but.... it actually sucks. And this part is good, but.... it actually sucks. This - it's good, but.... it actually sucks."
WTH am I supposed to believe?
"ICS is sleek... but cluttered."
By "cluttered", do you actually mean that the OS is unnecessarily complex for the middling features it has? Or that there are too many features for you to learn in 10 minutes?
"You'll see the same dark color....."
How else do you make a DARK-COLOURED phone?
"The Galaxy Nexus fits comfortably in the hand (as long as you have large paws), but it feels too fragile."
Does it just FEEL too fragile because it's light and thin, or because it FEELS like cheap plastic to you, or is it ACTUALLY fragile according to "tests" you've done prior to writing this review? After all, without actual tests, I could say the phone "FEELS" like a radioactive nuclear rod and be a CNET reviewer, just like you.
Oh man, I'd like to rant paragraph-by-paragraph, but this isn't even worth it. CNET, your review is horrid.10 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I never comment but feel compelled to by this review.
by JonathanThill on November 17, 2011
Pros: Design= 9, Features= 9 performance= ? (don't own yet)
Cons: My issue is not with cnet's top phone reviewer giving a fairly negative review, but rather that he gives it an Excellent rating then knocks it the entire video. If you are going to verbally explain how common the phone is, own up to it in the scores
Summary: I understand that reviews of highly anticipated phones can be quite controversial, but one way some sites try to straddle the fence is to give the phone a decent numerical ...
Summary: I understand that reviews of highly anticipated phones can be quite controversial, but one way some sites try to straddle the fence is to give the phone a decent numerical score while sharing what they truly believe on video. I value CNET as an objective reviewer of consumer electronics, but any more of this double talk will lose my confidence in either the objectivity or the consistency of the reviewers. Additionally, as an advertiser on a site of this magnitude, I would be concerned if even the most dedicated followers are this disgruntled over the quality of the site's original content. I beg you, please try to be more consistent and objective, while maintaining a critical perspective of consumer electronics. We, as consumers, already have lost confidence in Consumer Reports, please don't scuttle the CNET boat yet.
8 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Can we please stop with this nonsense???
by sportsfan206 on November 20, 2011
Pros: Ice Cream Sandwich
Cons: Only on Verizon for now
Summary: I just had to comment because I am sick and tired of hearing these reviewers say "a negative is that it feels a bit fragile". Seriously guys, this isn't ...
Summary: I just had to comment because I am sick and tired of hearing these reviewers say "a negative is that it feels a bit fragile". Seriously guys, this isn't 1980. Something doesn't have to be heavy to be strong. Case in point, carbon fiber is stronger than steel and much, much lighter. However, if you reviewed a car built with it you'd probably say "it's real light and I just don't seem safe in it, it seems to fragile". Stop it.
6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Even More of a Handheld Computer That Also Makes Calls
by pcorning on December 1, 2011
Pros: * Large, beautiful screen
* Pure Android, with best access to upgrades
* Fast camera
* Android 4's core apps are very good
* Works on both AT&T's and T-Mobile's high-speed data networksCons: * Too big for many hands - hold it before you buy it
* Fixed storage (no SD card slot) will annoy some
* Photos don't match what you see on screen before the shot
* Android settings menus are more confusing than beforeSummary: I ordered this from Handtec in the UK, received it via FedEx (very good customer service, by the way). I bought it to get access to Android 4, and all ...
Summary: I ordered this from Handtec in the UK, received it via FedEx (very good customer service, by the way). I bought it to get access to Android 4, and all the upgrades that come with a Nexus phone. If I hadn't needed those things I would have waited for the quad-core phones with better cameras coming out in the next few months.
Android 4's data management feature is a great addition: It lets you set it to warn you when you've exceeded a certain data limit each month so you aren't hit with extra bandwidth charges or throttled back to low speeds.
First impression on getting it out of the box was how slippery it is, and how big. I wear men's medium gloves, so my hands aren't very big (sorry, ladies), and the Galaxy Nexus felt like it just didn't want to sit in my hands. A slim rubber case helped a lot.
I got it running with around 30 apps (only Hulu wouldn't work - Netflix does). The core Android apps - especially Email (I use Exchange) and Calendar are hugely improved, making it easier to set appointments, sort mail between folders, etc. Great job here.
Also very nice is the ability to group apps on your screen by dragging them on top of each other. iPhone has had this for a while, and it really cleans up your home screens by letting you put, say, 5 camera applications in the space of a single icon. Tap that icon and it expands to show all the apps in that group. Well done, even if it's an 'old' feature.
The camera as fast as they say, with very little shutter lag. It's also nice to be able to unlock the phone right into the camera function (you just drag the unlock icon left instead of right). But the shots appear darker and muddier when you retrieve them than when you saw them framed on your screen as you pushed the shutter. Strange, and disappointing. Also, switching between video and still modes has become a bit complex, so you'll lose some shots with the extra steps Android has inserted into the process.
Android's menus are substantially changed, and often not for the better. Some settings are now behind vaguely named menu choices, and Google could have used some icons to help us scan them more quickly. Even the core Back/Home/Running Apps buttons are often hidden, which gives you more space for data but it is so far less comfortable to use than dedicated keys.
All the gimmicks - Face Unlock, direct beaming to the other 5 people who have this phone, etc. - don't need them, don't care. If you love gadgets even more than I do, though, they might be fun.
I'm running Android 4.01 so far, but I've seen no sign of the volume bug. There is another bug that launches the Calendar app and tries to make lots of new appointments (the Back button calms it down again, but it freaked me out at first). Other than that, the thing seems solid.
Bottom line: If you want a Nexus phone, this is probably it for a year. If you don't care, wait a few months.
Updated on Dec 2, 2011
Phone calls are generally clear - the Galaxy Nexus seems especially good at minimizing wind interference - but I have encountered some 'clipping' in a number of calls. Sounds seem cut off and choppy, more than on the Nexus S or Nexus One.
WiFi connections also have problems. The phone seems to lose connection often, even when very close to an access point. When it loses connection the WiFi strength indicator icon shows a ghost image that looks like the plane icon used when in airplane mode (all radios off). I'm guessing this will be solved with the 4.02 update.
Battery life is slightly better than the Nexus S so far.
Swype doesn't suppor Galaxy Nexus screen resolution yet. SlideIT works well, though, and a larger screen means a larger, easier-to-use keyboard.
Updated on Dec 6, 2011The more I use this phone, the more I am convinced that CNET's review is totally correct.
It's a good phone, but not a great one. ICS is an improvement over Gingerbread, but it is a patchwork of design themes and some of the menus are just bizarre (having the 3-dot controls at top and the bottom of certain screens - email - and having different menu choices in each group is just one example. This is Google thinking - Gmail has always had a pretty terrible UI.) The home screen does look beautiful, though - better than iPhone or previous Android versions.
The camera really is mediocre, and that may be kind. Call quality is worse than that of the Nexus S. Text does not look so good on the new screen.
Google is also undermining the Nexus brand by not forcing carriers to allow ALL Google apps. Try to find Google Wallet - even on T-Mobile you can't, and Google doesn't offer a complete Android market, free of carrier editing.
I like it, but it doesn't meet expectations.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CNET is blatantly subjective
by haroldz21 on November 18, 2011
Pros: flagship android phone means itll get fast updates @times months ahead of other non-nexus phones,camera has zero shutterlag,HUGE 720pHD Superamoled 4.65screen that doesnt add 2 overall dimensions of phone as softkeys have been integrated into screen
Cons: no sd card slot, initially coming to US for verizon only, instead of all carriers like OG nexus one which sold unsubsidized/unlocked via google
Summary: this phone is the smoothest incarnation of Android experience yet. It is not an update from gingerbread, its revamp which is makes UI experience significantly more elegant yet simple.CNETS ...
Summary: this phone is the smoothest incarnation of Android experience yet. It is not an update from gingerbread, its revamp which is makes UI experience significantly more elegant yet simple.CNETS Review is subjective, its like saying iPhone 4s is just another phone without iOS5
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: GT-i9250
- Description: The Galaxy Nexus by Samsung is slim, powerful and fast. Equipped with Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and a variety of features, it's built to perform on the go.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Smartphone
- Form Factor Touch
- Phone Design PDA
- Integrated Components GPS receiver,
2nd camera,
Digital camera,
Digital player,
Voice recorder - Width 2.7 in
- Depth 0.35 in
- Height 5.3 in
- Weight 4.7 oz
- Body Color Titanium silver
Cellular
- Technology LTE
- Band WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900
- Mobile Broadband Generation 3G
- Service Provider Unlocked
- Operating System Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
- Application Software Movie Studio,
People - Input Device(s) Touch sensitive screen (multi-touch)
Messaging & Internet
- Cellular Messaging Services MMS,
SMS - Instant Messaging Services Google Talk
- Supported Social Networks and Blogs Google+
- Messaging & Data Features Text messages,
Multimedia messages (MMS),
E-Mail - Mobile Services Google Music,
YouTube,
Google Earth,
Gmail,
Google Search,
Video Call,
Google Search by Voice,
Google Calendar,
Google Play Communications
- Data Transmission GPRS,
EDGE,
HSPA+,
HSUPA,
HSDPA - Wireless Interface NFC,
Bluetooth 3.0,
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n - Bluetooth Profiles Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
- Communication Features Internet browser,
Mobile Email client Phone Features
- Phone Functions Voice control,
Call timer,
Conference call,
Flight mode,
Speakerphone,
Voice dialing,
Vibrating alert - Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Sensors Proximity sensor,
Accelerometer,
Ambient light sensor,
Gyro sensor,
Barometer,
Digital compass - Additional Features Screen capture,
Video editor,
Wi-Fi direct,
Picture editor,
Face Unlock,
Multitasking,
Widgets support Organizer
- Personal Information Management Synchronization with PC,
Calendar,
Calculator,
Reminder,
Alarm clock Media Player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards eAAC+,
AAC +,
MP3,
AAC - Supported Digital Video Standards MPEG-4,
H.263,
H.264 Processor
- Clock Speed 1.2 GHz
Memory
- RAM 1 GB
- Bult-in Memory 16 GB
- User Memory 16 GB
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 5 megapixels
- Still Image Resolutions 2560 x 1920
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Camera Light Source LED light
- Video Recorder Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
- Features Video recording,
Red-Eye Reduction,
Multi-shots,
Zero Shutter Lag Navigation System
- GPS Navigation GPS receiver
- Navigation Software & Services Google Maps 5.0,
Google Maps Navigation Display
- Type OLED display - Color
- Technology HD Super AMOLED
- Diagonal Size 4.65 in
- Display Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels
- Color Depth 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
- Features Wallpaper
Connections
- Connector Type Headset jack - Mini-phone 3.5 mm,
Micro-USB Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Capacity 1750 mAh
- Run Time Details Talk ( GSM ) - up to 1176 hour(s),
Standby ( GSM ) - up to 210 hour(s),
Talk ( WCDMA ) - up to 510 hour(s),
Standby ( WCDMA ) - up to 200 hour(s) Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Power adapter , Data cable,
Power adapter,
Headset
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Samsung products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Samsung
- Address:
105 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 - Phone: 1-800-726-7864
- Fax: 1-973-601-6001
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