Galaxy Nexus Reviews

[hugh]

In Short
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a top notch smartphone with good hardware and a stunning screen. It is so far the only handset to boast Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which is the main reason to buy it. It has limited storage though and there are better cameras out there, if these are important to you.

Good
High quality screen, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, battery life, web browsing, performance.

Bad
No microSD card slot.

Ugly
Nothing.

Bartender's Score
9/10

The Complete Inquirer review

[hugh]

Slashgear Review

Make no mistake, this is the best Android phone around today. It’s impossible to divorce Samsung’s hardware from the Ice Cream Sandwich experience, for the moment at least. That may change as more manufactures offer Android 4.0 phones, but for now it’s tough to think of going back to a Gingerbread or earlier device. ICS’ finessed software works beautifully with Samsung’s hardware and – with the exception of the camera, perhaps, which can be a minor blot on the Galaxy Nexus’ score sheet – the sum of the two parts is massively compelling.

[hugh]

Engadget Review

Let's not beat around the bush. The Galaxy Nexus is definitely the best Android phone available today -- it's possibly even the best phone available today, period. Sure, it's not perfect -- we're disappointed that the camera doesn't deliver the same wow factor as the rest of the handset. It's an alright shooter, but it's just no match for the state-of-the-art. There's also room for improvement in terms of build and materials quality. Still, there's no denying the satisfying look and feel, the stunning display, the impressive performance, the excellent battery life -- the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts.

[hugh]

TechRadar Review

Verdict
We had real high hopes for the Galaxy Nexus and genuinely expected it to take the place of best smartphone on the market today. But it hasn't.

That is not to say it's not a good handset because it is a fantastic piece of kit. But if you were to take away Ice Cream Sandwich, hardware-wise, you'd not have much to write home about compared to what else is out there beyond the beautiful screen.

ICS does bring a lot of new stuff to the Android table and we are genuinely impressed with the way it looks. It feels savvy, futuristic and both competent and confident.

But it just doesn't bowl us over and give us that 'wow' factor in the hand the way it did when we handled it for a few minutes at Google HQ.

The fact of the matter is that we think it still lags behind the Samsung Galaxy S2 – albeit not by a massive margin. But this will also be a lot more expensive than the S2 at launch for the simple reason that it's Google's latest device (and being plugged heavily could lead to stock shortages).

Put it this way, if we were to find one wrapped under the tree on Christmas morning, we wouldn't berate Santa. But unless you're a massive 'Pure Google' fan, we'd suggest your call St Nick up on Boxing Day, ask if he had the receipt still, point out you'd been exceptionally good this year, then go swap it for a Galaxy S2 - or wait to see what the rest of the manufacturers manage when their creative bods get cracking with Ice Cream Sandwich.

[hugh]

The Verge Review

GOOD STUFF
Ice Cream Sandwich is a fantastic OS
Gorgeous display
Super fast performance

BAD STUFF
Camera is hit or miss
Screen has minor issues
Materials for casing could be higher end

[hugh]

Mobile Syrup Review

[hugh]

Six reviews from six majors. All very positive with most saying its the best Android phone yet although it seems that a lot of its because of ICS.

When other devices get ICS, will they still be saying its the best?

[rsambuca]

Definitely some glowing early reviews. For me it will be interesting to see the reviews based on some longer term usage - that will be the true test of Ice Cream Sandwich.

The screen sounds like an upgrade for sure, but I think that smartphones are becoming like many PC's these days - they have way more capabilities than the vast majority of users will ever take advantage of. For geeks like me, though, I may just have to have it, well, because .

I am in no rush, so I can wait and see how much better it would really be in real life usage than my trusty Nexus One.

[audacity]

I'm almost certainly going to purchase one when they become available on Bell. Has anyone confirmed that the phones Bell will be selling are going to be unlocked like the Nexus S?

[TorontoColin]

Originally Posted by hugh

Six reviews from six majors. All very positive with most saying its the best Android phone yet although it seems that a lot of its because of ICS.

When other devices get ICS, will they still be saying its the best?

That's always the thing with Android. There's always a better one coming soon. The key for me is, how long until those devices get ICS, and how long will they be waiting for the next update? Software, IMO, is way more important than hardware. That's why I want a Nexus device.

I find it really interesting that there is such a hugely diverse opinion on battery life.

[hugh]

audacity, All Galaxy Nexus devices will be sold unlocked.

[BGY11]

TechRadar brings up an interesting point - for someone like me who has a Galaxy S II, I don't think it would be a worthwhile upgrade (especially since my phone is getting ICS down the road). The camera is worse, I'll lose my microSD expansion, and the hardware is inferior to the S2.

For someone who doesn't own the S2 already, I think it would be worthwhile getting, but it seems those with the S2 should wait.

Thoughts?

[rsambuca]

I think the S2 is definitely a quality phone, and personally wouldn't bother switching to the Nexus line unless 1) you have a lot of money to burn, and 2) you really really want the developer phone.

I wanted the pure Android platform which is why I originally purchased the Nexus One. I just haven't decided if I should upgrade to this Galaxy Nexus or wait for the next one. I definitely would love the bigger screen, though.

[Eluder]

Been using the phone for about a week now and I have to say it's the best phone I've ever used. The screen is amazingly sharp and beautiful. Even though the phone has a massive screen, the phone itself is so light and fits great in my hand.
ICS is a very very fast OS and works really well. Google and Samsung have done a really great job with this phone and it is by far, the best phone out in the market right now.

[rob1]

Originally Posted by Eluder

Been using the phone for about a week now and I have to say it's the best phone I've ever used. The screen is amazingly sharp and beautiful. Even though the phone has a massive screen, the phone itself is so light and fits great in my hand.
ICS is a very very fast OS and works really well. Google and Samsung have done a really great job with this phone and it is by far, the best phone out in the market right now.

Thought the release date was in Dec??

Cheers