Gadget review: Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone

If anyone was going to challenge Apple’s dominance of the smartphone market, it was Google. At least that’s been the spiel since they announced their plans to launch their own rival device.

While millions of smartphones have been running on Google’s Android operating system since it acquired it in 2005, the Nexus range - which began in January 2010 with the HTC Nexus One and was followed by the Samsung Nexus S later that year - is the first time the web giant has worked in tandem with electonics firms to produce its own hardware.

It’s fair to say those first two iterations hardly matched up to the phenomenally successful iPhone, but this time Google - and seemingly the tech world at large - believes the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which has just been released in the UK, is up to the formidable task.

So we thought we’d put it to the test.

Look and feel

The first thing you notice is its size. When I showed the phone to colleagues some scoffed at its dimensions (at 135mm it’s 20mm longer than an iPhone 4S), and indeed it’s probably at the upper limit of the boundary between smartphone and the smaller tablets. Those with smaller digits may struggle to operate it one-handed.

There is, however, a good reason for this: the Galaxy Nexus boasts a 4.65” HD (1280 x 780 pixel) screen that is particularly handy if you watch a lot of video or play games on your phone. With its contoured glass, Super AMOLED (meaning brighter, less reflection, reduced power consumption) display, YouTube and iPlayer will really come to the fore.

It’s also worth noting that Samsung have very neatly dispensed with any iPhone-like home button. The entire face of the phone is touchscreen, getting the most bang per buck from its size.

User experience

The other big step change with the Galaxy Nexus - and probably its biggest selling point - is that it is the first phone in the world to run on the brand new Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android.

The design principles are pleasing on the eye, with a simple layout and consistent functionality whether you’re checking emails, browsing the web or playing Angry Birds. The general look is dark and sleek, and there are a range of animated “live wallpapers” to try.

Apple has addressed many of its own limitations with iOS 5, but the new Android is a highly impressive system in its own right. The notifications bar remains, and there are up to five screens for widgets and further apps, although the option to pinch an overall view has gone.

It’s easy to simultaneously duck between countless apps thanks to the new on-screen shortcut key, and the speed never lags no matter how much you try.

Apps

This is a Google phone, and when you turn it on for the first time that’s plain to see. It comes pre-loaded with staples like Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Calendar, Google+ and several more. These are all robust and well designed - the Maps in particular is a real boon, allowing 3D imaging of some cities and - with Google Navigation - offering a reasonable free alternative to SatNav.

Outside the well manicured Google garden, things can get a little messy - and indeed dirty - in the Android Market. But it’s growing at an exponential rate, and improving too, so don’t despair that it’s not quite up there with the Apple App Store yet.

Most of the major apps and games are on a par with their Apple versions.

Camera

While megapixels aren’t the be-all-and-end-all, it’s odd that Samsung have only included a measly five of them. Their Galaxy S2, which launched last year, already has an 8MP camera. While it’s undeniably fast, the Nexus camera is low on shooting options (although the panorama mode is fun) and requires strong, clear light for optimum shots.

The video quality, on the other hand, is undeniable. Full 1080p HD which looks superb on the phone’s wondrous screen, and you would expect no less.

We remain to unconvinced by the usefulness of the Instant Upload function, which can post your photos straight to Google+ without prompting.

What else?

There is no expandable memory, unfortunately. No HD slot is provided, which is bizarre when you learn that 16GB of internal storage is all you’re allowed to play with.

Battery life is passable. In standby mode it holds out fine, but the big screen can drain it quickly when you’re watching video. Something to bear in mind if you’re heading off for a long journey.

The Galaxy Nexus is built for the web, and so connectivity is unsurprisingly excellent. There is a new data monitor which handily allows you to see an overview of how much you’re using.

And while it’s not the most secure option, there is a much-hyped facial recognition function, which is pretty sci-fi.

Oh yeah, it makes calls too apparently.

The verdict

This is a great phone, make no mistake, but it also comes with a hefty price tag (around £500 on pay-as-you-go). Comparisons with the iPhone 4S aside, the design is sleek and eye-catching, the screen means it’s great for entertainment and the Ice Cream Sandwich OS is intuitive, fast and easy-on-the-eye.

If you are a dyed-in-the-wool Google aficionado then it is likely to be the phone you’ve been waiting for. If, on the other hand, you want a top-notch camera and more memory for your money, then you may want to consider the high-end alternatives already on the market.

The Galaxy Nexus is impressive, but it’s not quite cut out to hurt Apple to the core.

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