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Samsung Galaxy Nexus review: Verizon scores big

At long last, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus finally elbows its way onto Verizon, bringing the U.S. its first Android phone with the mighty Ice Cream Sandwich OS. Yowza!

Headshot of Jessica Dolcourt
Headshot of Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt VP, Content Operations and Commerce, CNET Group and CNET Labs
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
Expertise Content strategy | Team leadership | Commerce | Audience engagement | Tips and FAQs | iPhone | Samsung | Android | iOS
Jessica Dolcourt
Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Verizon)
James Martin/CNET

It's only hours before the Samsung Galaxy Nexus finally goes on sale tomorrow for $299.99, but we already managed to get our hands on the 4G LTE handset, the first to rock the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

The verdict? Well, you'll have to read our full review to get that, but let's just say that this puppy's super-speedy LTE and a slim, steady piece of hardware got our attention--not to mention that it stirs things up with the best Android OS available to date. (OK, I'll give you another hint, it won a CNET Editor's Choice Award, too.)

Sure, not everyone will abandon the Motorola Droid Razor or HTC Rezound for the sweet promise of Ice Cream Sandwich. And it won't be too long until those phones and more get their OS bump too. Yet for now, the Galaxy Nexus' OS advantage marks it as the most advanced Android smartphone that money can buy.

Watch the video, see the photos, and read the pros and cons in the full Samsung Galaxy Nexus review.