Samsung Google Nexus S InDepth Review Specs & Value

Design and Build

The Samsung Google Nexus S was introduced in December 2010, marking a significant partnership between Samsung and Google in the creation of smartphones. The phone's dimensions were compact yet functional, measuring 123.9 x 63 x 10.9 mm and weighing just 129 grams, making it easy to handle and pocket-friendly. The design incorporated a slightly curved screen which was unique for its time, offering a more ergonomic feel when held against the face.

Constructed with a plastic body, the Nexus S was available in two main colors: Black and White. The choice of material kept the device lightweight, yet it managed to retain a solid build quality that was both durable and aesthetically pleasing for the users.

Display

The device featured a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display, boasting a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This setup resulted in a pixel density of approximately 233 ppi, ensuring vibrant colors and deep contrasts that were impressive in 2010. Although the screen-to-body ratio was around 58.3%, the inclusion of an oleophobic coating provided some resistance against fingerprints, enhancing the viewing experience.

Performance

At the heart of the Samsung Google Nexus S was the Hummingbird chipset, powered by a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU. Combined with 512MB of RAM, the phone was more than capable of handling typical smartphone tasks of its time, including browsing, social media apps, and light gaming.

The Nexus S initially ran on Android 2.3 Gingerbread and was later upgradable to 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, although it did not reach the next version of Jelly Bean (4.2). This access to near-stock Android OS ensured a smooth and responsive user experience, free from the bloatware that plagued many other smartphones.

Camera

The Nexus S was equipped with a 5-megapixel rear camera, which was a standard specification at the time. The camera featured autofocus and an LED flash, enabling users to capture photos in moderate lighting conditions. It supported video recording at 480p resolution at 30 frames per second, a typical feature for devices from that era.

On the front, the phone had a VGA camera, fulfilling the basic needs for video calls and selfies, though it was not intended for high-quality photography.

Storage and Memory

With 16GB of internal storage and no option for expansion via microSD, users had to rely on cloud storage solutions for additional space, which was starting to become more common at the time. The internal storage was sufficient for storing a fair number of apps, images, and documents.

Battery Life

The smartphone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which was standard for its time. It offered a standby time of up to 713 hours on 2G networks and up to 428 hours on 3G. For talk time, the battery could last up to 14 hours on 2G and approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes on 3G.

Connectivity

On the connectivity front, the Nexus S supported GSM and HSPA networks, enabling speeds of up to 7.2/5.76 Mbps. It included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA and a hotspot feature, allowing users to share the mobile internet connection. Other connectivity options included Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, microUSB 2.0, and NFC, which was relatively new at the time and opened up possibilities for contactless payments and sharing.

While the phone did not include a radio, it did have GPS with A-GPS support for location tracking and navigation services, enhancing its utility in terms of directional guidance.

Audio and Sensors

The Nexus S came equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was a standard feature in phones of that era, catering to the needs of music enthusiasts. The device also included essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, which supported a range of functionalities from screen orientation to navigation.

Miscellaneous

Priced at approximately 170 EUR at launch, the Nexus S was positioned in the mid-range segment. Its SAR value was rated at 0.58 W/kg for the head and 0.90 W/kg for the body, falling well within the safe limits agreed upon internationally.

Overall, the Samsung Google Nexus S was a significant release, offering a blend of performance, functionality, and the advantages of a stock Android experience. Even though it was eventually discontinued, the Nexus S paved the way for future collaborations between Google and various manufacturers, leaving a lasting legacy in the smartphone industry.