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

In so doing, Apple wrong-footed hordes of journalists, analysts and mobile industry commentators, who’d collectively generated vast wordage speculating about the impending iPhone 5, only to discover that its arrival wasn’t so imminent after all.

The choice of name makes abundant sense, as the dimensions and outward appearance of the iPhone 4S are almost identical to its predecessor (good news if you already have an iPhone 4 case that you’d like to keep using – and even better news for case manufacturers).

In terms of functionality, the iPhone 4S delivers a number of significant advancements including:

- An 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording
- Other camera optics improvements including an additional lens, a wider f/2.4 aperture (for better low light performance) and refined LED flash
- Dual-core A5 processor chip, delivering up to 2 x faster performance and up to 7 x faster graphics
- Intelligent switching between two built-in antennae for better call quality
- Siri personal assistant software, offering advanced voice-based control and interaction with the iPhone

iPhone 4S contract deals

The iPhone 4S is currently available to pre-order from many UK mobile networks on pay monthly contracts for planned delivery from 14 October 2011 onwards:

» Buy the iPhone 4S direct from Vodafone (with 3 months “data test drive”).
» Buy the iPhone 4S direct from T-Mobile
» Buy the iPhone 4S direct from Orange
» Buy the iPhone 4S direct from Three
» Buy the iPhone 4S direct from O2

 SIM-free / unlocked iPhone 4S

Apple’s latest smartphone can also be purchased direct from Apple’s UK online store. These handsets are supplied unlocked, so can be used on any UK network when inserting a compatible micro SIM card.

» Buy the iPhone 4S SIM-free / unlocked direct from Apple UK

Apple Store’s prices include free UK shipping, with pre-orders currently scheduled for delivery within 1-2 weeks from ordering.

SIM-only iPhone 4S price plans

Many UK networks offer “SIM only” price plans specifically for the iPhone (delivered via SIM cards in the required micro SIM format).

Monthly costs for SIM only plans are typically much lower than for iPhone contract deals, as there’s no handset price subsidisation (implied or otherwise) included within the monthly cost.

iPhone SIM only deals come with as short as 30 day minimum contract periods, though longer terms are also available. See the UK mobile networks’ online shops via the above links for more details.

This time the incentive is £50 of FREE Marks and Spencer vouchers with each 12 month Simplicity SIM only contract.

» O2 SIM Only – view Simplicity deals

The new offer runs from today (8 July) until 5 August 2011. If you’re tempted, don’t hang about – time tends to fly faster than we’d all like to think!

Simplicity price plans include versions for standard mobile phones, smartphones, BlackBerrys and iPhones with prices ranging from £15.50 to £51 depending upon type of handset and how much inclusive mobile data usage is selected.

O2 has launched a great new promotion on its range of Simplicity SIM Only tariffs.

Just visit O2′s own online shop and buy any pay monthly Simplicity SIM Only price plan on a 12 month contract to receive a FREE £50 Amazon gift voucher.

» O2 12 Month Simplicity SIM Only price plans – £50 voucher offer

SIM Only price plans allow you to keep your existing mobile phone and number. They also typically offer cheaper inclusive calling and texting allowances than similar tariffs that are bundled with new mobiles.

The FREE £50 Amazon gift voucher offer is due to end on 30 June 2011.

Choosing a Simplicity tariff

O2′s Simplicity range features inclusive calling minutes and text messages plus the option to include varying levels of inclusive mobile data allowances (from zero to 1GB of mobile data per month).

The online shop helps guide customers to the best tariff for their needs, initially by asking whether the SIM only price plan is required for a:

- Standard mobile phone
- Smartphone
- BlackBerry
- iPhone

Plans can then be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the data allowance (see below for details).

O2′s 12 month Simplicity SIM Only tariffs

Standard phone:

- £15.50 – 600 minutes, unlimited texts, no data
- £20.50 – 900 minutes, unlimited texts, no data
- £26.00 – 1200 minutes, unlimited texts, no data
- £41.00 – unlimited minutes and texts, no data

Smartphone, BlackBerry & iPhone:

- £21.50 – 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB data (adjustable)
- £26.50 – 900 minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB data (adjustable)
- £32.00 – 1200 minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB data (adjustable)
- £47.00 – unlimited minutes and texts, 500MB data (adjustable)

Data allowances:

- The Basics – 100MB, £3 per month
- The All Rounder – 500MB, £6 per month (included in Smartphone, BlackBerry & iPhone SIM only plans as the default level, but can be adjusted up or down as desired)
- The Works – 1GB, £10 per month

» Buy O2 12 Month Simplicity SIM Only now

O2′s online shop is offering both handsets FREE on pay monthly contracts. Price plans start from just £16.50 per month, which includes 50 voice minutes, 250 text messages and a 500MB data allowance (24 month contract).

» O2 sale offer: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

» O2 sale offer: Samsung Galaxy S

The Xperia Arc’s features include an 8 megapixel camera, 4.2″ multi-touch screen with mobile BRAVIA© engine and Android 2.3 operating system.

The Galaxy S specs include a 5 megapixel camera, 4″ touch screen and Android 2.2 OS.

Other tariffs and price plan durations are also available, including some O2 bonus price plans featuring £5 off their normal monthly costs.