Samsung Nexus S 4G Android Phone (Sprint) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This phone literally has everything I've wanted in a device - for that reason, it didn't even occur to me that the actual phone signal and calling would be the fatal flaw here. I get terrible reception everywhere, and the wifi signal is weak even when I'm in the next room from the router. I have friends who own the Evo 4g that get great reception where I get none. I miss calls and then get random voicemails, the phone cuts out and then comes the "can you hear me, did you hear me, I couldn't hear you for a second" frustrations. Thats just unacceptable. This is literally the only major issue I have with this phone, and its sad that it happens to be a HUGE DEALBREAKING ISSUE. I will be returning my device if I don't hear of some sort of firmware fix or something in the next few days.
Apart from the actual phone calling and data reception, when I actually do get enough signal, I can video chat on gtalk, use google voice, google maps navigation, and all the other great features that shine in Google's Gingerbread OS. The processor is super fast and the interface is sleek and smooth, I've downloaded a ton of apps and they all work flawlessly and smoothly. Installing and uninstalling apps is instantaneous.
Pros:
-Fast, sleek, perfect size (not huge like the evo), better battery life than other android devices .
-Front facing camera for video chat
-Great camera for taking pictures
-NFC functionality for google wallet
-processor and interface is fast
-Netflix!
Dealbreaker Cons:
-SIGNAL / RECEPTION ISSUES - and yes, its this sprint device that is the issue, not the network. I have a buddy I ran around all day with the other weekend that owns a Sprint Evo 4g and where I was missing calls and not getting data, he was getting blazing fast operation on voice and data.
-Horrible echo for the person on the other end of the line when using SPEAKERPHONE
-Extended batteries that require a larger back casing will disable the NFC functionality (part of whatever makes this work is housed in the OEM back cover). I'm used to a blackberry that goes days without charging, so for me, I need a larger battery for these android phones. I don't care if it makes the phone bigger if it lets me get through a day without charging. Not having an official extended battery with special NFC-enabled back cover really detracts from the overall "all in one device". Looks like you're stuck carrying your actual wallet if you want longer battery life.
Other minor cons:
-no upgradeable memory, you're stuck with 16gigs. This is plenty for me, but some of you that use your phones for watching movies and storing all of your music, an option to load different micro sd cards will be terribly missed.
-keyboard takes some getting used to, and you will never be as fast as you would on an actual qwerty like on a blackberry
-google disabled facebook integration on this device so it won't pull data and pictures from facebook into your contacts automatically. there are some workarounds, but not really worth the time.


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Get the ultimate Google experience at 4G speeds with the Nexus S 4G for Sprint, which pairs Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor and integrated Google Voice capabilities. A thin-profile contour display gives the Nexus S a unique slim and trim size that fits easily in the palm of your hand, and its brighter, high-contrast screen means colors are incredibly vibrant and text is crisp at any size--even when viewed in bright sunlight.

It runs on Sprint's expanding 4G network, offering simultaneous voice and data connectivity and download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. Additionally, the phone can still connect to 3G data services in areas not currently served by Sprint's 4G network (learn more about Sprint's 4G network below).

The Nexus S is packed with the latest mobile technologies, including a Super AMOLED Contour Display with curved glass screen, 1 GHz Hummingbird processor, and Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking plus 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability for sharing your 4G connection with up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. And with support for Near Field Communications (NFC), the Nexus S can read information from "smart" tags, or everyday objects that have NFC chips in them--from stickers and movie posters to t-shirts.

The phone is outfitted with a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera plus a front-facing camera for easy video chats on the go. Other features include assisted GPS (A-GPS) for navigation and location-based services, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, haptic feedback vibration, access to both personal and corporate e-mail, and up to 6 hours of talk time. And with the Nexus S, you'll always be the first to receive software upgrades and new Google mobile apps as soon as they become available.

Google Voice Integration
With Google Voice, your phone number is more than just 10 digits--it's the main hub of your voice communications. You get one number that rings all your phones--up to six different phones--with intelligent call routing and advanced features like call screening, blocking, and recording. You also get transcribed voicemail that's sent to you via email and/or text message, low-priced international calling, custom voicemail greeting capabilities, and more.

You'll be able to use your current Sprint wireless phone number as your Google Voice number without having to port your number, avoiding porting charges and potential service disruptions. So now when someone calls your Sprint mobile phone number, it can also ring your office, your home, or even your Gmail account. And if you already have a Google Voice number, calls made from your Sprint mobile phone can display your Google Voice number automatically.

Android, 2.3 (Gingerbread)
The Nexus S 4G runs the Android 2.3 platform (dubbed "Gingerbread")--the fastest version of Android available for smartphones yet. It features a cleaner, more refined interface with new icons, improved top notification bar, and more intuitive navigation. Multitasking in Gingerbread allows you the ability to run more than one app at a time. If you're playing a game, you can easily switch to an incoming email and then switch back to the game without losing your place.

A new onscreen keyboard makes it easier to type thanks to additional spacing between the keys and larger font sizes. And the more you use the keyboard, the easier typing will be as the enhanced suggest feature records previous input history to make better suggestions.

With Voice Actions for Android, you can press and hold the Search button from anywhere and speak almost anything--text messages and emails, navigation direction queries, opening web pages, and more. And like the previous version of Android ("Froyo"), Gingerbread provides support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 for access to the full Web.

The Nexus S 4G also brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services you use every day, including Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Calendar™, Picasa™, and YouTube™. It also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. And through Android Market, you'll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets, and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.

Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Calendar, Picasa, & YouTube are trademarks of Google, Inc.

Near-Field Communications
An NFC Reader application lets your read and interact with near-field communication (NFC) tags. For example, you can "touch" or "swipe" an NFC tag that might be embedded in a poster, sticker, or advertisement, then act on the data read from the tag. A typical use would be to read a tag at a restaurant, store, or event and then rate or register by jumping to a web site whose URL is included in the tag data.

Vital Statistics
The Nexus S weighs 4.6 ounces and measures 4.87 x 2.48 x 0.44 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time. It runs on Sprint's 4G network as well as the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies.

What's in the Box

Nexus S handset, rechargeable battery, AC charger/USB cable combo, 3.5mm headset, quick start guide

Sprint's Blazing Fast 4G Network
Sprint 4G offers a faster wireless experience than any other U.S. national wireless carrier, and Sprint is the only national carrier offering wireless 4G service in 32 markets (with more coming online soon). Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, giving this mobile phone the fastest data speeds of any U.S. wireless device available today. Sprint 4G network coverage is expected to reach 120 million people by the end of 2010.

Sprint 4G services dramatically increase download speeds for photos, videos and large files. You can download a favorite song, picture, sitcom or large video in seconds, not minutes, or watch live streaming video--all while on the go, not just from the home or office. Additionally, businesses can benefit from the fast connectivity speeds of 4G. Some examples include:

Real estate agents can conduct virtual property tours.
Construction teams using 4G in the field can save valuable time by sharing schematics with engineers online.
Insurance companies can speed their claims management through real-time communication with on-site adjusters.
Health care professionals can improve their ability to remotely monitor patients.
Emergency first responders can rapidly assess and coordinate disaster action with real-time on-site video and audio.
Photojournalists can instantly transfer high-resolution images to the newsroom.



Also Available for This Android Device

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