Google Nexus S

The Nexus S is Google’s second attempt at selling an unlocked phone, the first being the ill-fated Nexus One. The hardware was nice but their online only selling method is probably what killed it. The Nexus S will be sold through Best Buy so everyone who wants one will actually get it.

The Nexus S is made by Samsung and features their Super AMOLED 4.0″ WVGA (480×800) screen. It’s probably the best display available now for a phone, and also features a new curved face that is supposed to be more comfortable to hold to your face when talking.

The processor is the 1GHz Cortex A8 Snapdragon processor, and there is 16GB of internal memory. The combination of the A8 processor and 16GB of internal memory make this phone very fast and capable of hd video playing and gaming.

Here are the full tech specs:

Connectivity

• Quad-band GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• Tri-band HSPA: 900, 2100, 1700
• HSPA type: HSDPA (7.2Mbps) HSUPA (5.76Mbps)

• Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Near Field Communication (NFC)
• Assisted GPS (A-GPS)
• microUSB 2.0

Display

• 4.0″ WVGA (480×800)
• Contour Display with curved glass screen
• Super AMOLED
• 235 ppi
• Capacitive touch sensor
• Anti-fingerprint display coating

Size and weight

• 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
• 129g

Hardware

• Haptic feedback vibration
• Three-axis gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Light sensor

Processor and memory

• 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor
• 16GB iNAND flash memory

Cameras and multimedia

• Back-facing: 5 megapixels (2560×1920)
• 720 x 480 video resolution
• H.264, H.263 MPEG4 video recording
• Auto focus
• LED Flash
• Front-facing: VGA (640×480)

• 3.5mm, 4-conductor headset jack
  (stereo audio plus microphone)
• Earpiece and microphone
• Software noise-cancellation

Battery

• Talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G
  (14 hours on 2G)
• Standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G
  (29.7 days on 2G)
• 1500 mAH Lithum Ion

Software

• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Android Market
• Calendar
• Gmail
• Google Earth
• Google Maps with Navigation
• Google Search
• Google Talk
• Google Voice
• Voice Actions
• YouTube

As you can see the phone is the first to feature Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and also has a front view camera (new to Android 2.3). The Google maps is updated also and has a 3D feature:

The new 3 axis gyroscope  allowed by Android 2.3 should also make for more exciting gaming on the phone in combination with the  accelerometer and compass.

The Nexus S is $529 unlocked, and will be $199 with a contract from T-Mobile.

Related posts:

1. Google Nexus One
2. Google announces Nexus S and Android 2.3
3. Samsung Galaxy Nexus Review
4. Samsung Focus Windows 7 smartphone