Sprint Nexus S 4G will be available May 8

By Phil Nickinson  | Apr 26 2011 | 9:18 am  | 50 Comments

Sprint Nexus S 4G

Finally, have a date for the Sprint Nexus S 4G, folks. You've got a couple weeks to go, but it'll finally be available May 8. For those new to the game, it's Sprint's version of the latest "pure Google" phone. No carrier customizations, no bloatware, just pure, unadulterated Android 2.3 Gingerbread on a 4-inch screen powered by a 1GHz Hummingbird processor. Plus you've got NFC capability, which is nice.

The Nexus S 4G will cost you $199 on contract, and it's subject to Sprint's $10 smartphone fee in addition to whatever data plan you choose. Check out our hands-on from CTIA, and the full presser's after the break.

Nexus S 4G specs | Nexus S 4G forums | Nexus S 4G accessories

 

Nexus S 4G from Google and Samsung with Android 2.3 for
a Pure Google Experience Available to Sprint Customers in the U.S.
on May 8 for $199.99

The highly anticipated Nexus S™ 4G1 from Google™ goes on sale in all Sprint channels, including www.sprint.com, on Sunday, May 8, for $199.99 (plus tax) with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement. Extending the company’s 4G device leadership yet again, it is the fourth 4G phone available and 20th 4G device announced from Sprint.
 
Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), a leading global mobile phone provider and the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States2, Nexus S 4G is the only Nexus S phone with 4G and provides a pure Google experience with Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, the fastest version of Android available for smartphones. With its pure Google experience, Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be among the first to receive Android software upgrades and new Google mobile apps, and in many cases, the device will get the updates and new apps as soon as they are available.
 
Critics praise Nexus S 4G:
  • “Whether you're an Android fanboy (or girl) or not, it's tough to avoid drooling over the Nexus S 4G. The device has similar specs to its T-Mobile counterpart – the Nexus S – but it will take advantage of Sprint's super fast 4G data network.” – MSNBC Technology
  • “It's probably our pick of Android phones now on Sprint – the Evo is nearly a year old, and the major advantage of the Nexus S is that it'll be on the bleeding edge of Android updates.” – Gizmodo
  • “So, what makes the (Nexus S) 4G different? WiMAX 4G. – IntoMobile
 
It is powered by a 1GHz Samsung application processor that produces rich 3D-like graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content along with a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to make playing mobile games, browsing the Web and watching videos a fast, fluid and smooth experience.
 
Designed with Samsung’s brilliant Super AMOLED™ touchscreen technology, Nexus S 4G’s 4-inch Contour Display features a curved design for a more comfortable look and feel in the user’s hand or along the side of the face. Its higher color contrast means colors are incredibly vibrant and text is crisp at any size and produces less glare than on other smartphone displays when outdoors, so videos, pictures and games look their best and the sun won't wash them out.
 
Nexus S 4G features a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder and front-facing VGA camera. In addition, Nexus S 4G features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user tilts the device up or down or pans the phone to the left or right.
 
Additional key features include:
  • 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
  • Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
  • Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™, Voice Actions and YouTube™
  • Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®), personal (POP & IMAP) email and instant messaging
  • Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, like stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips
  • 16GB Internal Memory (ROM)/512MB (RAM)
  • Wi-Fi® – 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR
  • Integrated GPS
  • 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery
 
Nexus S 4G from Google will be available from Sprint for $199.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement (taxes not included) in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Best Buy.
 

Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web(excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).

 

Phil Nickinson

Phil Nickinson Editor in Chief

"Phil is a recovering print journalist, editor of Android Central, subtitles and street signs."

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There are 50 comments

eddy1 says:

Boo

jtexans says:

Thank you!!!

cynomyso says:

Glad there is a date finally! Now, for an off-contract price. That $699 that Best Buy is showing can't be the real price they are going with.

vbsoulpole says:

The Best Buy off contract price is accurate. Best Buy, for top tiered phones, always charges more off contract than the carriers. Last year, I reserved an Evo at both Sprint($499) and Best Buy($699) just to make sure that I got one on release day. My assumption is that Best Buy just makes more off of subsidizing phones than they do selling them straight up.

deaofly says:

HTC please take note, 16gb internal memory. Leave the SD card slot for pics movies and music,

inyrules says:

@cynomyso

I second your suggestion.

If I already didn't have an EVO and were considering leaving Sprint, I'd consider this phone off contract.

tblack2#CB says:

It's 199 on contract.

kynov says:

Maybe I am bad at reading, but source for this info?

jarobusa says:

I received an email. Did you sign up for Nexus S updates on the Sprint web site?

stbceo4u says:

I don't see anywhere in specs, this thing talking about a SD card slot. Am I missing something?

ZiggSeVO says:

No sd card and no led notification light :p

teleclimber says:

The no-LED thing just kills me. What on Earth are you thinking Samsung?

PGiovanni says:

Why bother, when the the EVO3D is just around the corner. Time to get some dual core goodness

moosc says:

no SD card equals fail.

kinster02 says:

It's funny the minute I started reading this, Sprint sends me a text notifying me that this will be available soon. Thanks Sprint but no thanks just notify me when the Evo 3D is available.

Saneless says:

$200 is fine for 16GB. However, since they so stupidly removed the SD card option, and they don't offer a 32GB model, it just ensures that I never buy this damn phone, as decent as it is.

I was also interested in it due to the screen size being slightly smaller than the 4.3 monsters, however, after looking at the specs, it's almost the exact same size as the Evo3D.. and since the Evo3D has next-gen specs, I wouldn't dare buy a phone that is 6 months old and already out of date.

jarobusa says:

What about when the Nexus S gets Android 2.4 while the EVO 3D is stuck on 2.3.3 for months? Who is out of date then? Hardware vs software....

foxpacific says:

And the benefits of having 2.4? Even if there are good benefits, it's still more likely to get updated software than it is to get updated hardware (near impossible).

aoaleman says:

Hardware, by FAR. One word/acronym, XDA.

Saneless says:

Agreed. The hardware can be modded and it will be. I'll get whatever updates come through that, and I'll have better hardware.

I just can't make due with 16GB, I'm maxxed out on my Nexus One (music, movies, etc).

You think I care that I have Gingerbread right now on my N1? It's nice, but having to delete apps and clear apps' cache every other day is the worst experience in the world. I'd trade froyo for more storage anyday.

stbceo4u says:

That's crazy, even the most basic smart phones and feature phones now are coming with sd card slots. Deal breaker for me, I don't know about anybody else.

evansgw says:

Finally!! I know what I am doing on the 8th!! Picking up two of these bad boys!

va2azerik says:

16GB is enough for me, I have been getting along fine with 8GB onboard with my Palm Pre. The cloud is my friend :) I can't wait for this phone.

jedicide says:

As a fellow Pre minus user I agree. Besides, you can't miss something you didn't have! lol

evansgw says:

Same here!! Can't wait to upgrade my Pre-!

Plus I never fill my phone up, I dont know why people have to have a billion GB to be happy!

When I sync my playlists I hardly ever use more that 3gb.

IAmSixNine says:

Interesting decision to leave out the SD card slot.
I had to get a 32GB card for my EPIC as i ran out of room on my 16GB. I went from wanting to buy one to not so sure now. hummm.. No Removable SD card slot and ONLY 16GB..

foxpacific says:

What do you plan on storing on that 16GB?

cynomyso says:

@stbeco, I don't think the absence of the SD slot is crazy, but it is unusual. This phone is taking more of an iphone/wp7 approach by giving you one big chunk of memory which can be used for anything rather than a small chunk that can be used for apps and a larger removable bit for music/videos. There are certainly advantages to each strategy and it's nice that in the android world of phones you can find both.

va2azerik says:

The no notification light is the one thing that I really like. the Palm Pre didn't have one to begin with but with one of the OTA updates it included the notification light. I hate that little light blinking on my phone.

teleclimber says:

Then just turn it off. There are options for that.

I depend heavily on my Droid's LED to know if there is something that I need to pay attention too. I have my LED notifications all color-coded so I know if it's something I can ignore or if I need to pick up my phone right away.

I hate that they've gone all Jobs on us and determined that I don't need an LED.

cynomyso says:

@ZiggSeVO The absence of a notification light is the one thing I keep forgetting about on these and when I am reminded of that it really throws a bucket of water on my excitement for the phone. I could see foregoing the LED if they used some pixels on the SAMOLED for notification since that seems it would be a nice low-power alternative, but they didn't and the apps that allow you to do this prevent the phone from sleeping. Argh.

jedicide says:

Already pre-ordered mine last month! Anybody know of a camcorder app that records 720p? Kinda sucks that Gingerbread can't record in HD!

mtcowdog says:

T-mobile and sprint down. AT&T in the works. Come on Nexus phone for Verizon! Ha, I'm dreaming again aren't I?

milominderbinde says:

It will be king until the EVO 3D comes out. How many Kyocera Echo's will be returned?

Jerzey McNasty says:

so $399 full retail at Sprint locations?

jarobusa says:

$399 makes sense to me. Otherwise buy the phone for $199 and break the contact for $200. It cant be more than $399.

hmmm says:

Considering the EVO is still $450 and the Epic is $499 I bet this goes for $450-$499 since it is basically a newer Epic minus the keyboard.

hmmm says:

How will Sprint prevent you from using the built in hotspot or are they not getting stock Android? If they are not getting stock Android does that mean updates will not come from Google due to Sprint having to modify Android before allowing it out on their network? I read an article that stated you would still have to pay for it which to me means somehow they are modifying the OS which would make me nervous that Google isn't directly updating the phone.

stilesja says:

The Sprint email announcement says "One step ahead with the latest updates from Google, always."

So I kind of think they are just going to have eat the hotspot usage on these phones. I would imagine there won't be a marketing campaign on TV for them etc. Those in the know will enjoy it. Those who don't won't.

nickmasta says:

I think they can detect that you are using hotspot over the network. My HTC Hero lets me turn on the tethering feature but I can't get connectivity because I don't pay for it.

alister says:

Not one for the Sprint bloatware, but can you add Sprint TV manually, say, through an .apk? I use this crap out of this app on my EVO in my spare time.

MNTwinsFan says:

Would I be able too add Sprint NFL?

craigwann says:

Preordered at Best Buy. I can't wait!

Dark Wizard Matoya says:

*sigh* I'm really jealous of all you Sprint people right now. Verizon needs a "pure Google" phone ASAP. If this phone was coming to Verizon I would swap my Droid Incredible for it in a heartbeat.

adave says:

What are the folks planning on getting this phone going to do about LED notification? I think I'v gotten so used to it that I don't know what it would be like without it. I get messages in various ways (email, SMS, Whatsapp) and like to know if I have anything without having to bring the screen up (versus just looking at notification LED).

chico87305 says:

I was very intersted in this phone until the EVO 3D was announced....Evo is gonna be the best phone available!!!!

Edwardo says:

Can't wait to dump my Evo for the Nexus.

aoaleman says:

Evo 3D man! If you want a similiar but BETTER experience than the Evo. In my opinion, it's a downgrade from the Evo to a Nexus. If you're comfortable with rooting you can put a pure AOSP rom on the Evo 3D when it's available.

Edwardo says:

No Evo 3D for me. Don't care much for sense. Anyone wanna buy an evo

richardyarrell says:

Great addition to the stable of devices on sprint. Customers should be proud just to know great options exist especially something that would keep sprint ahead of the curve from a update standpoint. I am truly happy cause this only means one thing and one thing only we are 30 days or less away from the HTC EVO 3D LAUNCH DAY and possibly two weeks away from possible PRE-ORDER. Many of us on sprint is current Htc Evo 4g owners and we are waiting in the weeds for the Evo 3d.. With the current Nexus S 4g and the upcoming Htc Evo 3d and Htc Evo View tablet this will bring sprints industry leading total to 22 4g enabled devices.. Sprints RULES without question... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Vqi8a_swg&feature=youtube_gdata_player