Nexus Gets Some New Hardware

Expectations were extremely high for the Galaxy Nexus, as die-hard Android fans know that the Nexus name is supposed to be a flagship device for the Android platform. Prior to the announcement, rumored specs for the Galaxy Nexus were all over the place, some suggesting a quad-core processor and others claiming things like a 14MP camera.

So when it was revealed that the Galaxy Nexus would only have a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, there was a bit of disappointment. To put this into perspective, though, the iPhone 4S’s dual-core processor runs at a reported 800MHz, so at 1.2GHz, the Galaxy Nexus will still perform quite well; however, other 1.2GHz dual-core devices have been out for a while, like the Galaxy S II.

The 5MP camera also came as a disappointment to some, though don’t let the low megapixel count fool you. The Galaxy Nexus’ camera has seen some major upgrades compared to other models. It features zero shutter lag and can take photos in rapid succession. It can also record stunning videos 1080p while simultaneously allowing you to take full resolution photos. So even though many smartphones feature an 8MP camera, like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and HTC Sensation, the Galaxy Nexus can still take equally impressive photos; however, it won’t be taking any 3D shots like the EVO 3D can.

Compared to its predecessor (the Nexus S), the Galaxy Nexus brought some significant improvements to the display, something the iPhone 4S failed to do. This new Nexus features a stunning HD 1280 by 720 Super AMOLED display. This combines the high-density of the iPhone’s Retina Display with the vivid color and power saving features of AMOLED. At 4.65 inches, the display makes for a fairly large device, but because it does away with all of the buttons on its face, it’s about the same size as most 4.3-inch display phones. Despite its size, its curved glass display helps it fit nicely in your hand, in your pocket, or against your face when making a call.

Lastly, the Galaxy Nexus features 4G connectivity, a small blow to the iPhone 4S. Depending on region, it will come in either 4G LTE or 4G HSPA+ varieties.

Android Version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Even though the Galaxy Nexus’ hardware didn’t blow everything else out of the water, it was only half of the equation. Perhaps the biggest benefits it brings are with the new version of Android, 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

With Ice Cream Sandwich, Google gave Android a major overhaul, adding countless new features, the majority of which were designed to make Android more effective and easier to use. The camera features mentioned above were only the tip of the ice berg. Android 4.0 brings an entirely new user interface which is now even more customizable than ever, but in a much more intuitive way. It also includes new task management features for increased control over the apps running on your phone, enhanced data use reporting which is especially useful for anyone on a tiered data plan, and perhaps most importantly, hardware acceleration.

Hardware acceleration was a key element missing from previous versions of Android. It allows for the most advanced graphics hardware to run the entire interface, giving you a silky smooth experience more akin to iOS.

Like iOS 5, Andriod 4.0 brings some familiar enhancements, like integrated social networking and native photo editing. Android 4.0 even gave its voice recognition software an upgrade, and though it greatly improves the voice-to-text experience, it’s still no match for the capabilities of Siri.

Do you think the Galaxy Nexus has what it takes to earn the top spot in our smartphone ranks? Let us know in the comments.

Great Expectations Yield Great Disappointment

When rumor of the Nexus S first hit the internet, speculation was all over the place. There were “confirmed” specifications claiming it had Samsung’s dual-core Orion processor along with 1080p video recording capabilities, some 6-billion Megapixel camera, and an integrated teleporter. Ok, I may have exaggerated on those last two, but needless to say, people were expecting an awful lot.

When it finally launched, it was revealed that the Nexus S wasn’t much more than a Galaxy S (a six month old device) with an LED flash and front facing camera. To make matters worse, the Nexus S has no microSD slot (relying on just 16GB of internal memory), and it can’t even record in 720p. The immense let down resulted in boycotts and bad mouthing in forums and reviews all over the internet.

People were so angered by its apparent lack in progress that they failed to realize that, despite being based on a six month old platform, the Nexus S is arguably the most powerful Android Smartphone available. Its CPU may be slightly outclassed by HTC’s Desire HD, but its video processing core is currently the pinnacle of the Smartphone world.

What the Nexus S has to Offer

The Nexus S has all of the features you’d expect from an Android Smartphone; like full-fledged web browsing (with Flash 10.1), over 250 thousand apps, and fully customizable experience. Despite all of the mudslinging, the Nexus S has plenty to offer. As Google’s latest development platform, would you expect anything less?

Hummingbird Processor – Samsung’s Hummingbird processor may be six months old, but it still offers the most powerful combination of general and graphics processing. In fact, it has the fastest video processor currently on the market.

“Pure Google” – No slow custom interfaces or carrier restrictions, and get your updates directly from Google. The Nexus S is Google’s new development platform, so Android is optimized specifically for it, giving it the potential to outperform even those fancy Dual-Core phones coming out later this year.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread – Gingerbread is the latest version of Android, complete with integrated internet calling, improved keyboard, smoother UI, and tons of optimized code for an overall faster device.

4-inch Super AMOLED Screen – One of the best screens on the market with vivid colors and advanced power saving, and 4 inches is an excellent size; not too big, not too small.

Front Facing Camera – Video chat with friends and family on or off of Wi-Fi.

5MP Camera with Flash – Even at only 5MP, the Nexus S’ camera takes quality photos and works exceptionally well in low light conditions for a cell phone camera.

16GB Internal Storage – The Nexus S’ internal storage is significantly faster than an external SD card.

Factory Unlocked – It works on any GSM network, though limited to 2G speeds on some, such as AT&T.

What the Nexus S is Lacking

While a lot of the negative commentary about the new Nexus S was exaggerated conjecture, a few actually had some merit.

No Dual-Core CPU – Even though dual core CPUs are not yet available on the Smartphone market, it didn’t stop people from complaining that the Nexus S has a single core Hummingbird processor.

No 4G – Many people were hoping for at least HSPA+ compatibility with 21Mbps data rates, but the Nexus S is HSPA only, topping out at 7.2Mbps.

No MicroSD Slot – Hard to believe, and Android device with no expandable memory, but it’s true. You’re limited to the built-in 16GB of storage. On the plus side, it is much faster than microSD.

No 720p Recording – It seems to be another step in the wrong direction, but the Nexus S can only record at 480p resolutions, at least for now. An update could potentially change that.

The Bottom Line

There’s no question that the Nexus S is among the most powerful Android Smartphones on the market, but as a single core device lacking 4G capabilities and expandable memory, it really comes down to just how future proof it is. The Nexus S will definitely keep up with all of the new devices up until the end of 2011, but if you’re considering a two-year contract, you might find it just a bit underwhelming for that second year.