Google Nexus One
The basics
The first phone to get the full Google branding. Although plenty of phones run Google's Android operating system, this is the first one that takes the search giant's name. So does this make the Nexus One the ultimate Android smartphone?
The good
The build of the Google Nexus One is classic HTC – light, slim and teflon-coated. But this is the best screen we've seen in – 3.7-inches, 800x480 and AMOLED, which means deeper, richer colours that almost pop out from the screen. AMOLED is also less power hungry than traditional LCD screens, so you won't see such a drain on the battery life.
The Nexus One is running the latest version of Android, 2.1, with no overlay that you'd find in HTC Android phones. That does mean you can't get HTC's Facebook and Twitter integration, but Google's vanilla operating system is just as able nowadays.
There are some lovely visual touches, including animated homescreens - now five rather than three - and a menu screen with icons that roll behind the screen as you scroll in a smart 3D effect.
There's also a decent camera on the Google Nexus One too. Although the sensor is the same resolution as that on the Hero and HTC HD2, the shots we took do seem less washy, and reaction times are snappy (if you'll excuse the pun).
The bad
In some ways, HTC hasn't fixed the bugbears we had in last year's Hero. Audio quality on regular calls are reasonable, the speakerphone is poor, and the annoying trackball is still with us. You'll need to give the home and menu buttons firm presses to get a reaction.
We also haven't noticed a huge speed boost from the 1GHz Snapdragon processor under the bonnet. The Google Nexus One is certainly snappier than the first generation of Android phones, but we're still seeing the same stuttering on videos.
The bottom line
A polished and usable touchscreen smartphone and probably the best Android smartphone yet, but it's an evolutionary rather than revolutionary device, so don't expect the world.
User comments (7)
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abt83312 February 2010
I have this phone and I have also owned the iPhone and iPhone 3G. The Nexus One is definitely better than the iPhone. It looks a lot more attractive than the black and silver iPhone lump. It feels faster. It also has multitasking so you can have services running in the background. I would have to make a comment about the comments in this article. "and the annoying trackball is still with us" This is a bad comment. If the user doesn't want to use it they don't have to. But it sure can come in use for fiddly selecting. It is also more than a trackball. It is a multicolour indicator than looks very nice when it flashes. "You'll need to give the home and menu buttons firm presses to get a reaction" As an owner of this phone i know this is untrue. You can press it without even touching the screen. The screen and these buttons have a capacitive multi-touch sensor. Maybe the person who did the review had no idea of that or is simplifying it. Its not about how hard you press, its about how much skin surface is close to the screen. After using the device and getting used to it you can put you finger above it very lightly and get a reaction. I would definitely agree with the bright screen. the colours stand right out. and the resolution makes text look so smooth.
Report as inappropriateS1018 February 2010
When will be nexus one available in UK?
Report as inappropriateChris B19 February 2010
Just watched the review on Channel 5 and it was so rubbish and pathetic, has this guy got any clue about Android??
Report as inappropriateGNight09 April 2010
This review is terrible. You realise the the 'stuttering on videos' isn't down to the processor, it's the internet connection which is a problem with the network that supplies your phone/your WiFi. Also the person who mentioned the capacitive buttons are right, maybe the reviewer knows nothing about this? Anyway I got to use this phone for about 2 weeks last month while my N97 was broken and it's definitely the best phones I've ever used (incl. the iphone 3GS). One reason why I'm upgrading to the HTC Desire...
Report as inappropriate-Luke-08 July 2010
I own one and it's a really good phone. Buttons work well, as does touchscreen, and the phone's general operation is very smooth
Report as inappropriatejason09 August 2010
could not agree more with abt833. i have had a lot of experience with all generation iphones and the nexus one is so much better. the screen is amazing and android OS is a joy to use. now with the froyo update it smashes any other touch screen phone.
Report as inappropriatePeter16 November 2010
I love this phone! Much better than my iPhone. Especially with the android 2.2 update. (What it says about the the trackball and speakeephone is wrong)
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