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Sprint's Google Nexus S 4G launches May 8th, $199.99

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 7:12PM EST
BGR

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Sprint on Tuesday announced the imminent availability of its latest Android-powered smartphone, the Google Nexus S 4G. First unveiled last month just ahead of CTIA Wireless 2011, the Nexus S 4G is Sprint’s version of the second Google-branded Android smartphone, and it features the same impressive specs with one important addition: 4G WiMAX compatibility. Other key specs include a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 16GB of internal memory and a “raw” Google experience with no manufacturer UI layers. The Nexus S 4G will be available from May 8th via all Sprint sales channels for $199.99 with a two-year contract. Hit the break for the full release.

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).

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.