Google’s Nexus S first hit the market eight months ago, available only on T-Mobile. In our review of the original Nexus S, we thought it was ahead of it’s time software-wise, but behind the times hardware-wise. In eight months, the Nexus S has spread to Sprint in a 4G flavor, and now will officially debut on AT&T on July 24 using a 3G antenna. The Nexus S is basically a Samsung Galaxy S handset with a stock Android operating system. Google’s Nexus phones (Nexus One, and Nexus S) are referred to as ‘pure’ by Android enthusiasts, since they are some of the only Android devices that do not have a custom manufacturers’ skins on them.
It is always nice to see high-end Android devices hit the market, and there are very few of them on AT&T. Currently there are really only three high-end Android devices available on AT&T: the Motorola Atrix, HTC Inspire, and Samsung Infuse. These existing phones are all on AT&T’s “4G” network, and the Nexus S will be a lowly 3G device. Eight months ago when the Nexus S was first announced, we critiqued the fact that it only had a 3G antenna, and eight months later that fact is even more of an issue.
The timing of the release is a bit suspect given its age on the market. After the better part of a year, the Nexus S should be nearly the end of its life cycle. Also with rumors of the next iPhone coming out in September, that give the Nexus S very little time in AT&T’s spotlight. Nexus S fans who are loyal to AT&T have been able to buy this device, unlocked through a select few resellers.
