This is a great phone. The best feature is that it should always get the latest version of Android quickly. For most phones, it takes forever to get Android updates from the manufacturer if you get an update at all, but the Nexus series of phones gets updated directly from Google relatively quickly. Look on the forums and you can see how frustrated people can get waiting for an Android update. I really like the vanilla (stock) Android better than the overlays the manufacturers usually add to Android. I had an HTC Desire with the HTC Sense Android overlay before this phone. HTC Sense is probably the best overlay, but vanilla Android is still much better. The other issue with non-vanilla Android is that some apps don't seem to work properly all the time. With vanilla android, if the app doesn't work, you know the problem is with the app, not the phone.
Other top-end phones have faster dual-core processors, bigger screens, and cameras with more megapixels. I expect faster processors decrease battery life, which is a big issue, and this phone seems very fast as it is. The Nexus S screen seems plenty big, and the phones with larger screens don't have any higher screen resolution. The screen on the Nexus S is absolutely beautiful. It's so bright you can see it outdoors in direct sunlight. The AMOLED screen saves battery life when it's not so bright, especially if you have dark colored wallpaper. The camera is very good quality, especially in low light situations. I never have to use the flash. I suppose more megapixels wouldn't hurt, but without better lenses and bigger sensors, none of the smartphone cameras are going to be great. In short, no other smartphone offers features that are really better in the real world.
The battery life is much better than my previous phone. All Android phones have relatively poor battery life because they are basically very small computers with many radios (3G, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth). My battery has always lasted at least a full day even with heavy use. Of course, if you use the navigation feature without plugging it in, the battery will run down in a couple of hours.
One complaint some people have about the Nexus S is the lack of an SD card slot, meaning the storage is not expandable beyond the built-in 16GB. If you use Picasa to store your photos and Google Music to store your music, this is not a problem. With these services, your photos and music are stored primarily in the cloud instead of on the phone. With Google Music, you can choose which songs to cache (that is, keep on the phone). 16 GB is plenty to keep enough songs cached to listen to when you don't have a WiFi connection. I can't imagine what you would want to store on the phone other than photos and music that would not fit in 16GB.
For me, the Nexus S is the perfect balance of features, making it the best smartphone available today. I won't be tempted to get any other phone unless they come out with a vanilla Android phone with a higher resolution screen (more pixels on the screen), a better quality camera lens, and a bigger camera sensor. No phone offers these features today. The next Nexus phone might, I'll have to wait and see.
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Product information
| Product Dimensions | 4.88 x 0.43 x 2.48 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 4.5 ounces |
| ASIN | B004USPRM4 |
| Item model number | I9020A |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
| OS | google_android |
| Wireless communication technologies | Cellular, Wi-Fi |
| Connectivity technologies | Wi-Fi |
| Special features | dual-camera, smartphone, touchscreen, quad-band |
| Other display features | Wireless |
| Human Interface Input | Touchscreen |
| Other camera features | Rear, Front |
| Form Factor | Smartphone |
| Color | Black |
| Whats in the box | Video Recorder, Camera |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Date First Available | December 18, 2010 |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 16 GB |
| Standing screen display size | 4 Inches |
| Weight | 4.48 ounces |
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Samsung Google Nexus S Smartphone with US 3G, 5MP Camera, Android OS, Touch Screen - No Warranty - Black
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AT&T 3g speeds slow and which version you get is a lotto pick...
Was excited to see this listed on Amazon. I bought it as soon as I saw it. Coming from an Atrix 4g. The first thing I noticed is, while 3g lights up, on AT&T the speeds are laughable. I'm talking 200 - 400 kbs download on 3g, 100 kbs upload. Very poor. I quadruple checked everything was correct...new SIM, correct plan (had AT&T change me away from 4g plan) and correct APN settings. Nothing worked. I went to an AT&T store and the clerk was nice enough to help me with this phone, even though it's intended for the Canadian market (no US warranty). He triple checked everything and speedtests continued to show ~400 kbs data speeds. Ridiculous. I'm very close to returning this phone as, while the 3g light illuminates, it's so slow and takes forever to download a simple app from the appstore. Streaming media (radio / slingbox) forget it. I really want to like it but there is clearly something wrong with my plan or the phone itself. I don't know how to get good speeds. Oh, I'm on 2.3.4 also. No dice, still slow. ***June 18, 2011 edit:*** Well, I tried again. I ordered the Nexus S to give it another shot (perhaps my first was defective?). Amazon's product listing clearly states the model being sold is the I9020A, which is compatible with US AT&T bands. I purchased from TRD Trading and guess what arrived? The I9023 version (SLCD) which was produced for the French market and only gets EDGE in the US. Also, it has no warranty despite the product listing saying "US Warranty." Amazon really screwed this listing up and sellers will get droves of returns (mine's going back today) if it continues to go unchecked. It's simple, really. There are three versions of the Nexus S, and it appears Amazon and it's resellers ship whatever version they so wish even though the listing says I9020A. I9020T - intended for T-Mobile. Carries USA warranty. I9020A - intended for Rogers in Canada and has the correct bands for USA AT&T 3g. No US warranty. I9023 - intended for Europe. Will NOT work with AT&T 3g. No US warranty. Amazon needs to clear this messy product listing up, ASAP. PLEASE SEE MY PHOTOS ON THE PRODUCT LISTING FOR PROOF, THANKS.
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2011
- Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2012
Top reviews from other countries
- adith thomasReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2017
Phone with a few scratches on the back but happy since it's a (used - very good) condition
Let me start with the positives first.adith thomasPhone with a few scratches on the back but happy since it's a (used - very good) condition
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2017
Well packaged, clean, included new charging cable and delivered on time. Phone with a few scratches on the back but happy since it's a (used - very good) condition. Overall I'm satisfied in that department.
The reason I've rated it a 2 star product is because I didn't receive the correct model of the phone as stated in the description. The model I ordered was I9020A and the product I received was I9023. The only reason I've not returned the product is because the phone is a replacement for my mums old phone which was I9020A and the fact that she needs a replacement urgently since the old phone broke down.
Disappointed but can't do anything about it.
3 weeks later update: phone already running slow and the funny thing is that my mum only uses the phone to call and text via whatsapp.
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