Google Nexus S 4G Pro Reviews

Since there isn't much difference between the CDMA and GSM version, it should be no surprise that we rate them very similarly. And while the Sprint Nexus S 4G is very sleek and sexy looking, one can't help but feel underwhelmed when comparing it to the numerous other offerings on the market today. Simple changes like notification LEDs and better camera support could have made this phone even more appealing in the long run. Perhaps we'll see a more outstanding refresh of the Nexus line in the near future. In the meantime, the Sprint Nexus S 4G is an admirable choice.

Look: it’s a Nexus S with WiMAX for Sprint. That’s a surprisingly accurate and complete assessment of this handset in just eight words, and frankly, it really tells you everything you need to know in order to decide whether it’s right for you. Like the original, you can’t really pigeonhole the Nexus S 4G as high-end, midrange, or anything in between — it’s a bit of a sideways shift that places emphasis on compatibility, purity, and futureproofing over raw hardware power and software innovation (if you can call Android skins and associated features “innovation”). Don’t get me wrong, I would’ve liked to feel a little more confident about battery life with WiMAX enabled — and it’s definitely not the best-performing device for either CDMA or WiMAX signal strength in Sprint’s stable — but considering my deep-set feelings for this design, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

While the Nexus S 4G didn't benchmark quite exactly to our expectations, it is still the best Android experience I have had to date. Having used a lot of phones, I love the speed and fluidity that the stock Android 2.3 interface can provide. While things like HTC Sense and Samsung TouchWiz have nice visual elements and widgets, they cannot match the speed of a vanilla Android experience. To me, this phone has reaffirmed that Google has a clear vision for the Android platform, and it is a good one.

If you're looking for an iPhone clone that runs Android, the Samsung Nexus S 4G is pretty much right for you. It may not be the most original design available, but it's fast, light, powerful, and meets the demands that most users would place on it. It doesn't have the cutting-edge features like a qHD screen, dual-core processor, or HDMI video-out, but with 4G data on Sprint's network, it offers a lot for the Internet hungry user who doesn't care about a keyboard.

The Nexus S is a solid Android phone made even better with Sprint’s 4G data speeds. With the added bonuses of Android Gingerbread, NFC support and a gyroscope, the Nexus S is certainly one of the best phones to get on Sprint as well. We still can’t help but knock it for its lack of expandable memory, though. If you plan on using your phone as a music player or want to take a lot of pictures with it, expandable memory definitely comes in handy.

Despite offering a pure Android experience, the Nexus S 4G for Sprint lacks state-of-the-art specs, and its reception problems are fatal.

In some ways the Nexus S 4G is behind the curve among $199 Android phones. It doesn't boast a dual-core processor or HD video recording. What this device brings to the table is an interface that's not cluttered with carrier apps and the ability to leverage new features as Google rolls them out. We also love how Netflix movies and TV shows look on the Super AMOLED screen, and that you can use your Sprint number as your Google Voice number. Some Sprint customers may prefer to wait for the dual core-powered EVO 3D due out this summer, but if you want a pure Google experience in a device that's more pocket-friendly, go ahead and scoop up this 4G phone.

Overall, the Google Nexus S 4G is a very good phone, if not a little late. If it were any other device we’d probably chide Sprint more for taking so long to pick it up, but it’s more about what the Nexus S 4G represents than the actual handset itself. Having a second carrier offer a pure Google phone is only a good thing for consumers and for the Android platform. The smartphone itself is still pretty capable though. Although it relies on a single-core processor, it's still very speedy, while it also doesn't miss on any other crucial feature, except for HD video capture.

The Samsung Nexus S 4G offers a great combination of design, features, and performance. The 4G connection could be more reliable, but the Gingerbread OS, stock Android UI, and admirable call quality make for a satisfying.