Samsung Nexus S 4G Debuts from Sprint

Sprint has just introduced a version of the Samsung Nexus S with support for this carrier's 4G WiMAX network. This smartphone is one of the few with Android OS 2.3 (Gingerbread), plus it has an array of other high-end features.

T-Mobile had been the exclusive U.S. provider of this model since late last year, but Sprint is now offering it too. Sprint is asking $200 with a two-year service contract, just as T-Mobile is.

Unlike its predecessor, the Google Nexus One, this smartphone is not being sold by Google directly to the public. Instead, it is available only through wireless carriers.

Samsung Nexus S 4G Overview
The "Nexus" name indicates that this is the model Google recommends developers use, as it gets operating system upgrades before any other devices. It's not the most advanced one available, though. There are other models with dual-core processors; larger, higher-resolution displays; and more storage.

The Nexus S has a bar shape with a 4-inch, WVGA (800 x 480), Super AM-OLED touchscreen. In an unusual touch, this display curves slightly to fit against the user's face when making a call.

This device runs the latest version of the Android OS for smartphones on a 1GHz Samsung processor. It uses a "pure" version of the operating system, without a customized user interface overlay. Naturally, it comes with the standard suite of Android software for communication, entertainment, and productivity.

Sprint's version supports the carrier's 4G WiMAX network, plus it offers Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, NFC, and A-GPS. T-Mobile's version supports this carrier's own 4G network.

The Samsung Nexus S also has a front-facing video camera for video conferencing, as well as a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. It also has 512MB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, but no microSD memory card slot.