Of all the hundred or so well-known Android handsets, there are a distinct few that truly stand out. Of course, you have the iconic phones like the EVO 4G and the original Droid, and some of the newer dual-core touting handsets tend to tower over the crowd. But these are not the handsets I'm referring to. I'm talking about phones created by the collaborative hand of Google and a partner OEM, Nexus phones.
First word of the Nexus One was enough to stop Android fanatics dead in their tracks. It is still regarded as one of the best Android phones around, though its spec sheet is laughable by comparison of today's phones. The original problem with the Nexus One was that is was not available to be bought on contract. The only way to purchase it was through Google, online. There were no physical units at brick and mortar stores either. The only way to get any hands-on time with the mysterious and beautiful Nexus One was to either pull the trigger on the $529 price tag plus shipping, or know someone else who had.
Since then, however, Google has sort of learned from their mistakes. The Nexus S was launched back in December and buyers were eligible to purchase it on contract with T-Mobile, or buy it unlocked for full retail value. The devices were also offered in-store and demo units were display for wary buyers.
Over the past few months, Google has been releasing their latest Nexus phone on different carriers. The Nexus S 4G made it to Sprint in a WiMAX flavor and another (non-4G) made it to AT&T. I can understand a delay in having to add a WiMAX radio and make the phone CDMA. But I'm baffled as to why it has taken Google eight months to launch essentially the same exact phone (with different bands, obviously). And after taking so long, shouldn't they have at least made it HSPA+ capable?
Regardless, what I'm saying is Google wants their Nexus like to survive, which it will on its own. Nexus phones come with a certain air of superiority with faster updates and vanilla Android. But Google could easily grow their in-house device line to be much larger with a little extra hustle. Imagine if at the upcoming Nexus announcement, it was revealed that the phone will launch on all major US carriers simultaneously. How great would that be?
We know it isn't entirely out of the question as sources told BGR that Google is working with “multiple carriers and multiple OEMs on their own 'exclusive' Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) halo devices, and that they may all launch around the same time.” On the other hand, what this could mean is that the actual Nexus phone won't make it to every carrier, but a Nexus-like phone may. The good news is, we are just a few months away from finding out firsthand. The bad news? It may not be what we were hoping for.
What do you say, pups? Would you like to see an actual Nexus phone on every carrier released at the same time? Or would alternative, Nexus-like phones serve just as well? Do you even care for a Nexus phone over some of the current flagships?
