The first of a new generation of Android-based mobile phones, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is causing a bit of a stir in the world of smartphones. Powered by the newest version of Android’s phone operating system, Android 4.0 ICS / Ice Cream Sandwich (more on this below), the Galaxy Nexus also features:

- 4.65″ 1280 x 720 pixel true HD contoured screen (the world’s first Super AMOLED display)
- 1.2GHz dual core processor
- 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and 1080p HD video
- Slim body (8.94mm) and bezel, textured grip on the reverse
- 1.3 megapixel front camera

Buy / pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

This new phone is now moving to pre-order status with UK mobile networks. First out of the blocks is 3 / Three, which has the Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset available to pre-order right now, with others following soon (links will be updated accordingly below):

» Buy the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on 3/ Three (opens in new window / tab)

» Buy the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on O2 (ditto)

Order online now for delivery dates on or after 18 November 2011.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Android ICS

Compared with previous Android software, Ice Cream Sandwich / ICS is claimed to be even easier to use and prettier to look at. It even has a novel gimmick, too: you can unlock your mobile phone simply by looking into it, using Face Unlock facial recognition.

The phone offers extensive integration with Google Mobile services including:

- Android Market™
- Google Calendar™ syncing
- Gmail™
- YouTube™
- Google Maps™ with 3D mapping and turn-by-turn navigation

All told, this latest phone from Apple’s biggest rival has plenty to offer the Android faithful – and should also attract many a new user to the Android smartphone experience.

» Buy the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on 3/ Three (opens in new window / tab)

More Samsung Galaxy Nexus Specs

- Dimensions: 135.5 x 67.94 x from 8.94 mm
- Weight: 135g
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC
- Sensors: accelerometer, compass, gyro, light, proximity, barometer
- 1GB RAM + 16GB to 32GB internal memory

Following hot on the heels of its pay monthly launch of Apple’s iPhone 4s, mobile network operator Three is now also selling the iPhone 4S on Pay As You Go price plans through its UK online shop.

The store aims to offer all versions of the handset (16GB, 32GB and 64GB models in black and white):

» iPhone 4S on Pay As You Go from Three

Handset listings may vary from time to time depending on stock availability – for example, the iPhone 4S 16GB white is currently missing from the online store’s PAYG section for this reason.

Three offers best value iPhone 4S contract deals

Three has already successfully established itself as a top choice in the UK for customers seeking the best value on contract-based deals for the iPhone 4S.

» iPhone 4S on Three contracts

Different editions of the iPhone 4S and 4 on The One Plan 24 month price plan currently account for four out of the network’s top five sellers in terms of “handset + tariff” combinations.

Three SIM Only iPhone tariffs

The other spot in the top five belongs to Three’s “Text 300″. The 24 month version of this SIM-only price plan is currently occupying third place in the bestseller’s list and offers great value for money if you’re planning on keeping an existing handset or have bought a SIM-free mobile phone elsewhere.

» SIM Only deals on Three

SIM Only deals are available on regular size SIM cards and on micro SIMs, the latter being required for use with both the iPhone 4 and the 4S. So when buying online, be sure to select the correct tab (“iPhone 4 micro-SIM”) within 3′s online shop to see the right deals.

The Apple iPhone 4 16GB is now available in black or white priced from FREE (ie no initial cost for the handset) plus £30 per month.

» iPhone 4 16GB on 3 from £30 per month

The offer is based on 3′s Text 300 price plan, which includes:

- FREE iPhone 4 16GB Black or White (brand new, not refurbs)
- 300 minutes (to any UK network at any time) per month
- 5,000 text messages per month
- 500MB internet allowance per month
- Based on a 24 month contract

The dealer’s iPhone selection also features other offers for this and other iPhone models, with a wide choice of inclusive allowances at various initial and ongoing prices. Options include other price plans on 3 and tariffs from other UK mobile phone networks including O2, Vodafone and Orange.

Six of 3′s special offer mobiles are refurbs (factory refurbished phones, in full working order and backed by a guarantee), whilst the other is brand new. All seven deals are exclusive to 3′s partner channel, so they can’t be accessed by browsing 3′s online shop. Instead, just use our special links (below) to go straight to each deal.

The offers are due to run until 31 August 2011, but could sell out before then. If you’re concerned about feeling pressured to act quickly, do remember that you always get the benefit of a cooling off period when buying online, so you can return a phone (within the permitted period) if you change your mind.

OK, enough with the preamble – here come those hot deals!

3′s channel exclusive (extra aggressively priced) mobile phone deals

1. Nokia E7 Black on 3 (brand new mobile phone, not a refurb)

- Talk 900 price plan
- Mix of 900 minutes / texts plus 1GB  internet allowance
- FREE handset + £22pm on a 24 month contract

2. HTC Desire Graphite Refurbished on 3

- Text 300 price plan
- 300 minutes plus 500MB internet allowance
- FREE handset + £15pm on a 24 month contract

 3. Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB Black Refurbished on 3

- Text 500 price plan
- 500 minutes and 5000 texts plus 1GB internet allowance
- £29  handset cost + £20pm on a 24 month contract

4. Nokia C7 Refurbished on 3

- Text 500 price plan
- 500 minutes and 5000 texts plus 1GB internet allowance
- FREE handset + £20pm on a 24 month contract

5. INQ Chat Refurbished on 3

- Text 300 price plan
- 300 minutes and 5000 texts plus 500MB internet allowance
- FREE handset + £10pm on a 24 month contract
- This is not a pricing error – it really is ONLY £10 PER MONTH!!

6. Nokia X3-02 Dark Metal Refurbished on 3

- Text 300 price plan
- 300 minutes and 5000 texts plus 500MB internet allowance
- FREE handset + £10pm on a 24 month contract (not a pricing error, either)

7. Samsung Galaxy Portal White Refurbished on 3

- Text 300 price plan
- 300 minutes and 5000 texts plus 500MB internet allowance
- FREE handset + £10 pm on a 24 month contract (still true)

3 mobile deal link not working?

If you click one of the above links and it takes you to a “deal not found” kind of page, then I’m afraid it means you’ve missed that particular mobile phone offer (early birds, worms, etc). Fear not, though – you can still browse around 3′s online shop from that page and perhaps you’ll find something else that suits instead.

1. Apple iPhone 4 16GB Black – on The One Plan

- 5 MP camera with LED flash and HD video recording
- 3.5″ touch screen Retina display
- FaceTime video calling
- The One Plan: 2,000 minutes, 5,000 texts, all-you-can-eat data
- £69 handset cost + £35 pm over 24 months (or £19 + £40 pm)

2. Samsung RV150 2/320 Laptop + ZTE MF112 USB Modem – 3 mobile broadband (15GB)

- 2.1GHz Celeron Dual Core T3500 processor + 320GB hard disk drive + Windows 7 Home Premium
- 15.6″ LED HD 16:9 Superbright gloss display
- Free ZTE MF112 Black USB modem included
- Mobile broadband 15GB monthly data allowance
- FREE initial cost + £1.99 delivery + £36.42 pm over 24 months

3. Apple iPhone 4 16GB White – on The One Plan

- 5 MP camera with LED flash and HD video recording
- 3.5″ touch screen Retina display
- FaceTime video calling
- The One Plan: 2,000 minutes, 5,000 texts, all-you-can-eat data
- £69 handset cost + £35 pm over 24 months (or £19 + £40 pm)

4. SIM Only – 3 SIM 300

- Keep your own phone and get inclusive calls, text and data with 3′s SIM only deals
- SIM 300 – 12 month contract
- 300 minutes, 3000 texts, 1GB mobile internet
- FREE initial cost + £10 pm over 12 months (or £15 pm on a rolling 1 month contract)

5. Samsung Galaxy S II – on The One Plan

- 8 MP camera with LED flash and HD video recording
- 4.3″ Super AMOLED + screen
- Android OS, 16GB internal memory
- The One Plan: 2,000 minutes, 5,000 texts, all-you-can-eat data
- FREE initial cost + £35 pm over 12 months