Nexus S

The Nexus S was demonstrated by Google CEO Eric Schmidt on November 15, 2010, at the Web 2.0 Summit.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/15/eric-schmidt-shows-off-a-nexus-s-at-the-web-2-0-summit/|title=Eric Schmidt shows off a Nexus S at the Web 2.0 summit, says Gingerbread coming in 'next few weeks'|last=Patel|first=Nilay|date=November 15, 2010|publisher=Engadget|access-date=November 16, 2010|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701230722/https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/15/eric-schmidt-shows-off-a-nexus-s-at-the-web-2-0-summit/|url-status=live}} Google officially announced the phone on their blog on December 6, 2010. The phone became available for purchase on December 16 in the United States and on December 22 in the United Kingdom.

The Super AMOLED version of the phone is the GT-I9020 and it is based on the Samsung Galaxy S hardware, the principal hardware differences being the absence of support for an SD card and the addition of a near field chip. The alternate SC-LCD (Super Clear LCD) version of the phone is the GT-I9023 which is meant for the European (non-UK) market.

In May 2011 Sprint introduced its Nexus S in the US. Unlike the GSM version, the Sprint Nexus runs on its WiMax network and uses CDMA instead of GSM.

Also in March 2011 Vodafone released a white version of the phone on its web store in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/samsung-nexus-s?replaceSkuId=sku4250032|title=Google Nexus S White – Vodafone UK|access-date=March 6, 2011|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228094117/http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/samsung-nexus-s?replaceSkuId=sku4250032|url-status=live}}

In the United Kingdom, the Nexus S is sold at Carphone Warehouse and is available on the Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, 3 and Orange networks.

In France, it is available through SFR and Bouygues Telecom.

In India, Samsung officially announced sale of the unlocked version with Super Clear LCD screen i9023, which will support all GSM-based carriers throughout the country.

In Canada, the Nexus S became available at most carriers in April 2011 in two versions, one for Telus, Bell, and Rogers with 3G frequencies of 850/1900/2100 MHz, and the other for Wind/Mobilicity/Vidéotron, using 3G frequencies 900/1700/2100.

In Australia, the Nexus S became available in both black and white. It is available on Vodafone and its virtual provider Crazy John's.

The Nexus S has the Samsung Exynos 3110 processor. This processor combines a 45 nm 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 based CPU core with a PowerVR SGX 540 GPU. The CPU core, code-named "Hummingbird", was co-developed by Samsung and Intrinsity.{{cite web|url=http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/newsView.do?news_id=1030|title=SAMSUNG and Intrinsity Jointly Develop the World's Fastest ARM Cortex-A8 Processor Based Mobile Core in 45 Nanometer Low Power Process|author=Samsung|date=July 27, 2009|access-date=September 1, 2010|archive-date=April 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401041512/http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/newsView.do?news_id=1030|url-status=live}} The GPU, designed by Imagination Technologies, supports OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 and is capable of up to 20 million triangles per second.{{cite web |url=http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/productInfo.do?fmly_id=834&partnum=Exynos%203110&xFmly_id=229 |title=SAMSUNG Exynos 3110 – ARM Cortex A8 based Mobile Application Processor |author=Samsung |access-date=February 16, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.imgtec.com/powervr/powervr-graphics.asp|title=POWERVR Graphics|author=Imagination Technologies Ltd.|access-date=September 1, 2010|archive-date=August 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818181254/http://www.imgtec.com/PowerVR/powervr-graphics.asp|url-status=dead}}

• The Nexus S has 512 MB of RAM (Mobile DDR) (128MB is assigned to the GPU, leaving 384MB free for the OS),{{cite web

|url=https://www.google.com/phone/detail/nexus-s

|title=Nexus S

|work=Google Phone Gallery

|access-date=December 15, 2010

|archive-date=February 28, 2012

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228213658/https://www.google.com/phone/detail/nexus-s

|url-status=live

}}

• 16 GB of NAND memory, partitioned as 1 GB internal storage and 15 GB "USB storage".{{cite web

|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/4059/nexus-s-and-android-23-review-gingerbread-for-the-holidays/3

|title=Nexus S and Android 2.3 Review: Gingerbread for the Holidays – Page 3

|work=AnandTech

|author=Brian Klug

|date=December 14, 2010

|access-date=December 15, 2010

|archive-date=December 16, 2010

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216223543/http://www.anandtech.com/show/4059/nexus-s-and-android-23-review-gingerbread-for-the-holidays/3

|url-status=live

}}

• The phone does not support additional storage capacity such as microSD.{{cite web

|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/06/surprise-the-nexus-s-has-no-microsd-slot-do-you-care/

|title=Surprise! The Nexus S has no microSD slot. Do you care?

|work=TechCrunch

|author=Greg Kumparak

|date=December 6, 2010

|access-date=July 8, 2013

|archive-date=July 4, 2013

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704000353/http://techcrunch.com/2010/12/06/surprise-the-nexus-s-has-no-microsd-slot-do-you-care/

|url-status=live

}}

The Nexus S is the first device to use a {{convert|4.0|in|mm|adj=on}} slightly curved glass touchscreen, described by Google as a "Contour Display", with a Super AMOLED 800 x 480 WVGA PenTile matrix display manufactured by Samsung. In markets outside Canada, US, and UK, a Super LCD is supplied instead.

{{main|Android Gingerbread}}

The phone shipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and was the first device to ship with the updated OS. On December 19, 2011, Google released Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for the Nexus S.{{cite web | url=http://www.netzwelt.de/news/89992-nexus-s-update-ice-cream-sandwich-veroeffentlicht.html | title=Nexus S: Update auf Ice Cream Sandwich veröffentlicht (Update) | date=December 21, 2011 | publisher=netzwelt | language=de | trans-title=Nexus S: Update on Ice Cream Sandwich released (Updated) | access-date=December 20, 2011 | archive-date=January 4, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104030548/http://www.netzwelt.de/news/89992-nexus-s-update-ice-cream-sandwich-veroeffentlicht.html | url-status=live }} The automatic update was suspended, allegedly due to poor battery performance.{{cite web | url=http://phandroid.com/2011/12/20/google-said-to-be-suspending-nexus-s-ics-update-due-to-high-cpu-usage-and-battery-life-bug/ | title=Google Said to be Suspending Nexus S ICS Update Due to High CPU Usage and Battery Life Bug | date=December 20, 2011 | publisher=phandroid | access-date=April 10, 2012 | archive-date=April 28, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428193126/http://phandroid.com/2011/12/20/google-said-to-be-suspending-nexus-s-ics-update-due-to-high-cpu-usage-and-battery-life-bug/ | url-status=live }} The UMTS/GSM variants was among the first to receive Android 4.0.4 in March 2012.{{cite web|title=Android 4.0.4 announcement|url=https://plus.google.com/104629412415657030658/posts/NgGwavbmkQ7|access-date=July 10, 2012|archive-date=June 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616161022/https://plus.google.com/104629412415657030658/posts/NgGwavbmkQ7|url-status=live}} The [https://nonstoptechnews.com/google-nexus-s-4g-for-sprint-hands-on/ Nexus S 4G]{{Cite web|url=http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_google_nexus_s_4g-3884.php|title=Samsung Google Nexus S 4G - Full phone specifications|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716195327/http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_google_nexus_s_4g-3884.php|url-status=live}}(aka Samsung SPH-D720), I9020A, and M200, while taking longer than the GSM variant, received the Android 4.0.4 update. Several devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S II, have or will receive updates before these variants.{{cite news|title=Samsung Starts Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich Rollout|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401494,00.asp|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318055146/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401494,00.asp|url-status=live}}

On June 27, 2012, at the Google I/O conference, it was announced that the Nexus S would be one of the first devices to receive an upgrade to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), along with the Motorola Xoom and Galaxy Nexus, began on July 26, 2012.{{cite web|title=Google announces Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, with Project Butter visuals and new Search, mid-July|date=June 27, 2012|url=https://thenextweb.com/google/2012/06/27/google-announces-android-4-1-jelly-bean-with-project-butter-visuals-and-new-search/|publisher=The NExt Web|access-date=June 28, 2012|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629043525/http://thenextweb.com/google/2012/06/27/google-announces-android-4-1-jelly-bean-with-project-butter-visuals-and-new-search/|url-status=live}}

In October 2012, the Jelly Bean 4.1.2 OTA update was released, and is the last official OS released for these devices.{{Cite web|url=http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SPH-D720ZKASPR|title=Support Home | Official Samsung Support US ||access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=May 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511014533/http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SPH-D720ZKASPR|url-status=live}}

On November 13, 2012, it was announced that the Nexus S would not be updated to Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).{{cite web |url=http://asia.cnet.com/google-no-android-4-2-for-nexus-s-and-xoom-owners-62219464.htm |title=Google: No Android 4.2 for Nexus S and Xoom owners - Crave - Mobile Phones - CNET Asia |publisher=Asia.cnet.com |access-date=February 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223111948/http://asia.cnet.com/google-no-android-4-2-for-nexus-s-and-xoom-owners-62219464.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2014 }}

Using third-party ROMs, Android 4.2.2-, 4.3-, 4.4-, 5.1-, and 6.0-based software can be installed.{{cite web|title=CyanogenMod 10.1 – M2 Release|url=http://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/cyanogenmod-10-1-m2-release|access-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304232505/http://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/cyanogenmod-10-1-m2-release|archive-date=March 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Mihai |first1=A. |title=Unofficial Android 6.0 Marshmallow port now available for the Google Nexus S |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/Unofficial-Android-6.0-Marshmallow-port-now-available-for-the-Google-Nexus-S_id75690 |website=PhoneArena |access-date=June 8, 2018 |date=November 11, 2015 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141123/https://www.phonearena.com/news/Unofficial-Android-6.0-Marshmallow-port-now-available-for-the-Google-Nexus-S_id75690 |url-status=live }} postmarketOS can also be installed, but is unstable.{{cite web |title=Samsung Nexus S (samsung-crespo) - postmarketOS Wiki |url=https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Samsung_Nexus_S_(samsung-crespo) |access-date=October 12, 2024 }}

See{{cite web |url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Google_Nexus_S#Nexus_S_Variants |title=Samsung Nexus S - XDA-Developers |date=April 30, 2013 |publisher=Forum.xda-developers.com |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-date=August 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801205823/https://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Google_Nexus_S#Nexus_S_Variants |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Rooting (Android)}}

The Nexus S cannot be sim locked and has an unlockable bootloader,{{cite web |author=How to unlock the Nexus S bootloader |url=http://www.androidcentral.com/how-unlock-nexus-s-bootloader |title=How to unlock the Nexus S bootloader |publisher=Android Central |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301021535/http://www.androidcentral.com/how-unlock-nexus-s-bootloader |url-status=live }} allowing users to install custom ROMs.

Joshua Topolsky, writing for Engadget review praised the devices's hardware and software, concluding "the truth is, it really is the best Android device available right now".{{cite web |last=Topolsky |first=Joshua |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/10/nexus-s-review/ |title=Nexus S review |publisher=Engadget.com |date=December 10, 2010 |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-date=December 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218060403/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/10/nexus-s-review/ |url-status=live }}

The review by The Register gave the Nexus S an 85% rating and summarized it as a "cool, innovative device with an eye to snatch Apple’s smartphone crown."{{cite web

|url=http://www.reghardware.com/2011/01/12/review_smartphone_google_nexus_s/

|title=Google Nexus S Android smartphone

|work=Reg Hardware, by The Register

|author=David Phelan

|date=January 12, 2011

|access-date=February 25, 2011

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417054613/http://www.reghardware.com/2011/01/12/review_smartphone_google_nexus_s/

|archive-date=April 17, 2012

|url-status=dead

}}

An AnandTech review praised the display, NFC tag reader, and Android Gingerbread operating system, but noted the lack of 720p video recording, HSPA+ baseband, and external storage support.{{cite web

|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/4059/nexus-s-and-android-23-review-gingerbread-for-the-holidays

|title=Nexus S and Android 2.3 Review: Gingerbread for the Holidays

|work=AnandTech

|author=Brian Klug

|date=December 14, 2010

|access-date=December 15, 2010

|archive-date=December 16, 2010

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216122613/http://www.anandtech.com/show/4059/nexus-s-and-android-23-review-gingerbread-for-the-holidays

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cellphonesnationwide.com/sprint-samsung-nexus-s-4g.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318034030/http://www.cellphonesnationwide.com/sprint-samsung-nexus-s-4g.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 18, 2012|title=Nexus S receive Android 4.0 ICS|publisher=CPNW|date=March 16, 2012}}

A TechRadar review praised the Nexus S for fixing the GPS problems experienced with the Samsung Galaxy S: "The good news for those looking to upgrade from the Samsung Galaxy S – the GPS issues have been resolved, in that you can actually now get a signal with no problem."{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/google-nexus-s-913562/review?artc_pg=8%22|title=Google Nexus S review|publisher=TechRadar|date=December 16, 2010|access-date=December 16, 2010|archive-date=December 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219011856/http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/google-nexus-s-913562/review?artc_pg=8|url-status=live}}

CNET's review was enthusiastic about the display, operating system, and performance. CNET noted the lack of 720p video recording, HDMI output and external (SD card) memory support. CNET also noted the "rather fragile" feel of the phone, the lack of LED notifications, and the few new features over the Nexus One.{{cite web|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/samsung-nexus-s-review?tag=contentMain;contentBody;2r#reviewPage1|title=Samsung Nexus S review|publisher=CNET TV|author=Kent German|access-date=December 23, 2010|date=December 9, 2010}}

• Comparison of Google Nexus smartphones
• Alexander (satellite)
• ARMv7
• ARM Cortex A9

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Nexus S}}

{{Google Nexus}}

{{Android}}

{{Google LLC}}

{{Samsung smartphones|android=yes|symbian=yes|wm=yes|wp=yes|tizen=yes|bada=yes|limo=yes|palm=yes}}

{{Mobile operating systems}}

{{Mobile phones}}

{{Linux devices}}

Category:Android (operating system) devices

Category:Google Nexus

Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2010

Category:Discontinued flagship smartphones

Category:Samsung smartphones