The Galaxy Nexus (GT-I9250) is a touchscreen-enabled Android-based smartphone co-developed by Google and Samsung Electronics. It is the third smartphone in the Google Nexus series, a family of Android consumer devices built by an original equipment manufacturer partner. The phone is the successor to Google's previous flagship phones, the Nexus One and Nexus S.
The Galaxy Nexus has a high-definition (1280 × 720) Super AMOLED display with a Dragontrail curved glass surface, an improved camera, and was the first Android version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich device.Samsung Galaxy Nexus – Full phone specifications. Gsmarena.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011. The name is the result of co-branding between the Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus brands of Android smartphones. The device is known as the Galaxy X in Brazil, however, due to a trademark on the "Nexus" brand.Apresentando Galaxy X . Apresentando Galaxy X. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
The Galaxy Nexus was unveiled jointly by Google and Samsung on 19 October 2011, in Hong Kong. It was released in Europe on 17 November 2011.Samsung Galaxy Nexus now available in UK, but still no word on US launch . VentureBeat (17 November 2011). Retrieved 15 December 2011. The Galaxy Nexus was available for sale on the Google Play Store until 29 October 2012, when it was succeeded by the LG Nexus 4.Chavez, "Galaxy Nexus no longer available for sale in the Play Store, Nexus Q or R removed from device lineup", The Verge, 29 October 2012
History
Google's plans to continue the Nexus series and bring a third-generation Nexus to market were confirmed by Google's senior vice president of mobile platforms Andy Rubin in May 2011.Google confirms there will be a Nexus 3. Techradar.com. Retrieved 15 December 2011. Samsung mobile put out a teaser videoSAMSUNG Mobile Unpacked 2011 – Google Episode Teaser Video. YouTube. Retrieved 15 December 2011. for its "Google Episode" of Unpacked on 11 OctoberSamsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device. Engadget. (5 October 2011). Retrieved 15 December 2011. but later postponed (to 19 October)Samsung confirms Ice Cream Sandwich event on 19 October. Engadget (13 October 2011). Retrieved 15 December 2011. the product announcement out of respect, following the death of Steve Jobs on 5 October.
Before the official announcement, it was also referred to as the Google Nexus Prime by the general public and the media. There had been repeated leaks containing almost accurate details about this device. The phone was officially announced on 19 October 2011, in Hong Kong, revealing the official name as "Galaxy Nexus".Galaxy Nexus, Ice Cream Sandwich roundup: specs, details and insight, oh my!. Engadget. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
Hardware The Galaxy Nexus hosts support for MHL through the use of its USB hardware 2.0 port, allowing the Galaxy Nexus to output up to 1080p Audiovisual content (through HDMI) to any supported external display such as a HD Television. USB port supports both host and devices modes (OTG); as a note, its successor Nexus 4 supports only the device mode. The Galaxy Nexus has no physical buttons on the front, but instead features on-screen soft keys embedded into the system software (part of Android 4.0). Beneath the soft keys, a multicolored notification LED is featured, a feature missing from the Nexus S.The 3.5 mm headphone jack is located on the bottom left of the phone. There is no SD card support.
Software
The Galaxy Nexus was the first device to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich,Couts, Andrew. (19 August 2011) Google's 'Nexus Prime' with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich allegedly set for October release. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 21 November 2011. introducing a large number of new features, bug fixes, and improvements.Android – Introducing Ice Cream Sandwich Beginning from 11 July 2012, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean began rolling out to the GSM Galaxy Nexus as an over-the-air (OTA) update. The 4.2 update began rolling out on 13 November 2012, to the GSM Galaxy Nexus Takju/Maguro variant (smartphones sold in the US and directly supported by Google) as an (OTA) update. Google started rolling out the update to the international version (Yakju/Maguro) a week later. Towards the end of December, however, not all phones had received the update. On 19 March 2013, Verizon Wireless began updating OTA their CDMA Galaxy Nexus Mysid/Toro variant to Android 4.2.2.
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was released for GSM models on 24 July 2013, and Sprint began OTA updates on 31 October 2013.
Google has stated that the Galaxy Nexus will not receive Android 4.4 KitKat, even after having 14,000 signatures requesting it. New drivers may allow unofficial Android versions to be available for the device.
Canonical's Ubuntu Touch operating system was available and supported on the Galaxy Nexus, however, support for the Galaxy Nexus was soon discontinued on 13 January 2014.
Android 7.1 ("Nougat") was unofficially ported to the Galaxy Nexus.
Google Wallet The Galaxy Nexus is one of the few devices that officially supported Google Wallet, Google's predecessor to the NFC based Android Pay electronic payment system. The Verizon variant is the only variant that did not offer official Google Wallet support. This unsupported feature caused a controversy among US users with Verizon defending its actions by reasoning that the Galaxy Nexus uses a "secure element."Seifert, "Verizon won't offer Google Wallet for the Galaxy Nexus because it uses a 'secure element'", The Verge, 10 December 2012 It was possible to sideload Google Wallet and it would install and function correctly. Care must be taken when using aftermarket batteries to be sure it has near field communication ability, since the NFC antenna is located in the battery.
Availability In some countries, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is sold SIM-unlocked. It is also hardware-unlocked (unlocked bootloader, allowing root access). The fact that the Galaxy Nexus is sold SIM-locked in some markets—primarily where operators subsidize the phone or have exclusive selling rights—breaks the more liberal tradition of previous Nexus phones: the Nexus One and the Nexus S.
Asia–Pacific On 3 May 2012, Samsung India officially announced that India will not have the official release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, despite numerous earlier reports that the device would be launched as early as mid-December 2011.Makwana, Samir. (8 November 2011) Galaxy Nexus to arrive in India by Mid-December. Themobileindian.com. Retrieved 21 November 2011. The Galaxy Nexus was released in Indonesia on 21 January 2012, the Philippines on 28 January 2012,Samsung Galaxy Nexus now up for pre-order with Smart | YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews Bahrain on 4 March 2012, and Saudi Arabia in March 2012.
Europe In the United Kingdom, the EHSPA+ version of the Galaxy Nexus became available on O2 and 3 on 17 November 2011.Samsung makes Galaxy Nexus release date official, available in the UK on 17 November. Engadget. Retrieved 21 November 2011. In Germany, the EHSPA+ version was sold SIM-unlocked from Vodafone and O2. It launched in December 2011 in Portugal, by Vodafone.
North America In Canada, the device was launched on 8 December 2011. The Canadian model was sold unlocked and supports GSM/UMTS/HSPA/AWS bands. A GSM/UMTS, SIM-unlocked version was officially released in the United States by Google in the Google Play Store. Sprint Corporation officially announced the Galaxy Nexus for their network at CES 2012, and was released on 22 April 2012, as one of Sprint Corporation's first LTE smartphones. On 24 April 2012, the Galaxy Nexus was sold SIM-unlocked on Google's Play Store for $399.99 then dropped to $349.99 later. The only difference between this variant and the internationally sold variant is the inclusion of "Google Wallet" out of the box.
Brief sales ban On 29 June 2012, Apple Inc. was granted a request for a pre-trial injunction against the import and sale to the U.S. of Galaxy Nexus by Samsung. The order was issued by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California. The ruling was based primarily on a patent which is defined as a "universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system". The injunction against Samsung took effect when Apple paid a $96 million bond that will be used to cover damages done to Samsung if Apple loses the case.Apple Granted Preliminary Injunction on Sale of Galaxy Nexus in U.S, The Next WebApple scores second legal win vs Samsung in a week, Reuters The Galaxy Nexus was temporarily unavailable for purchase on Google's Play store, and Google stated they would push a software update that would remove local phone searching. On 6 July the ban was lifted.
Variants
The device was originally only available in black, developed under the codename "Tuna". A white version (with the front-panel in black) was made available in February 2012. There was a special edition released to Google employees with a unique back cover.Vlad Savov. Google hands out special edition Galaxy Nexus phones to employees. The Verge, 19 December 2011
Because the device was designed to work with carriers utilizing different network technologies, there are several hardware variations of the Galaxy Nexus: SCH-I515 "Toro": Verizon Wireless's variant featuring 4G LTE connectivity in the 700 MHz band (Band 13) as well as CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A connectivity in the PCS bands (800/1900 MHz). This device features either 16 or 32 GB of on-board storage, measures 9.47 mm thick, and features a 1850 mAh battery. This device's appearance is similar to that of the international version. GT-I9250 "Maguro": GSM/HSPA+ variant. Features support for both AT&T's and T-Mobile's HSPA+ bands in the United States. This particular variant was sold SIM-unlocked by Google in the Play Store. SPH-L700 "Toro Plus": Sprint's variant featuring 4G LTE connectivity in the 1900 MHz band (Band 25). It is virtually identical to the Verizon variant, save for the omission of the SIM slot, and minor cosmetic differences. GT-I9250T: Australian GSM/HSPA+ variant. Complies with Australian regulatory requirements and the baseband is tuned to prefer 3G 850 MHz. This particular variant was sold by Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone. SHW-M420S/K: Korean GSM/HSPA+ variant. Complies with Korean regulatory requirements, like a camera shutter sound. This particular variant was sold by SKT and KT. SC-04D/SGH-N044: Japanese NTT Docomo's variant
Accessories
The official Samsung accessory range includes a Desktop Dock with an HDMI port, a Desk Stand with a 3.5 mm jack, a stand with a charging port for a second battery, and a car dock that will let users turn their Galaxy Nexus phone into a SatNav replacement. The phone featured a set of pogo pins for connectivity with some accessories, including the car dock. All of the Samsung accessories feature a USB hardware port so the phone can be charged while it is being used.
Reception