Behind the glass: a detailed tour inside the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

By now, the specs on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus are already publicly known, but what other magic is hiding within all the wires and circuitry? To find out, we've enlisted the help of developer Francois Simond (SuperCurio) to break down as many of the inner components of the Android 4.0-loaded device as possible. And while there isn't anything particularly earth-shattering revealed here, we at least have a better idea of the kind of wizardry taking place underneath that bedazzling HD display. Read on with us to learn all of the deliciously nerdy details. 

Here are a few things we unearthed in the Galaxy Nexus:

Silicon

• CPU: Texas Instruments OMAP4460, 2047.7 BogoMIPS
• GPU: Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX 540 (same as the Galaxy S and Nexus S, though this one uses a higher clock speed at 384MHz)
• WiFi / Bluetooth module: Broadcom BCM4330 (same as in the Galaxy S II)
• Audio codec: Texas Instruments TWL6040
• HDMI: Silicon Image MHD SiI9234 transmitter over MHL (same as Infuse 4G and GSII)
• USB Switch: Fairchild semiconductors fsa9480 (industry standard)
• Framebuffer controller: Samsung S6E8AA0 MIPI LCD with Gamma correction driver

Sensors

• Geomagnetic sensor: Brand new tri-axial Yamaha YAS530
• TouchScreen sensor: Melfas MMSxxx touchscreen
• Optical / proximity sensor: GP2A (same as Galaxy S and Nexus S)
• Barometric pressure sensor: BOSCH BMP180 (first of its kind in a smartphone)
• Triaxial acceleration sensor: BOSCH BMA250
• Triple Axis MEMS Gyroscope: InvenSense MPU3050
• Fuel Gauge (algorithm to track battery's state of charge): MAXIM MAX17040

Misc. internals

• Facial recognition elements (Face Unlock): left eye, right eye, nose base, head, face
• Available resolution for standard apps: 720 x 1184px
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• LCD Density: 320
• Default display color depth: 32bit
• Camera uses OMAP Ducati Subsystem, on-screen preview size is 768 x 576
• Linux kernel: 3.0.1 compiled for SMP with voluntary kernel preemption for best interactivity
• Android ROM: version 4.0.1, built October 13, 2011
• Device name: Maguro
• Main input/output type supported: Headphone, Speaker, Microphone, Bluetooth, Voice, FM, S/PDIF over HDMI; USB Audio DAC (digital-to-audio converter with USB input and stereo outputs) should also be supported

[Thanks, Francois]

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The Galaxy Nexus' Super AMOLED display is a minus, not a Plus

For all the buzz around Samsung's latest hi-def smartphone, the absence of one little word has largely been glossed over. That word is "Plus" -- the wizened Galaxy S II has a "Super AMOLED Plus" display, for example, whereas the sparkly Galaxy Nexus is merely "Super AMOLED." Did the marketeers simply forget those extra hyperbolic keystrokes, or does the difference actually mean something?
Well, regrettably, it does. Samsung uses "Plus" to refer to full RGB displays, in which each pixel possesses its own trio of red, green and blue sub-pixels. Meanwhile, a non-Plus display uses a cheaper PenTile system -- which forces pixels to share each other's sub-pixels. Aside from potential hygiene issues, this results in a lower overall sub-pixel density, reduced sharpness and worse color rendition. We saw the difference clearly enough when Engadget Spanish microscopically compared the original non-Plus Galaxy S against the GS II, and now the folks at FlatPanelsHD have undertaken a more up-to-date comparison at the source link. The upshot? They calculated that, despite its 4.65-inch screen size, the Galaxy Nexus has the same number of sub-pixels as the 3.5-inch iPhone 4/4S. Think of a word with no r, g or b in it, and you eventually arrive at "disappointed."

FlatPanelsHD

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Samsung's Galaxy Nexus gets official: Android 4.0, 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display

Wait no more. Google and Samsung have just made the long-awaited Galaxy Nexus (not longer theNexus Prime, as we'd once heard) official here in Hong Kong, and the specifications are downright drool-worthy. Those with bantam hands need not apply, as this 4.65-inch behemoth is bound to bring back talk of Sidetalkin'. Naturally, Ice Cream Sandwich is onboard, with Google finally revealing the version number as 4.0. Other specs include an HD Super AMOLED display (1,280 x 720), a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 5 megapixel rear camera (with LED flash), a 1.3 megapixel front-facing cam, 1080p video recording and playback, a newfangled panorama mode, a 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth 3.0. You'll also find USB 2.0, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, an embedded NFC module, accelerometer, compass, gyro, proximity sensor and even a barometer -- yeah, a barometer. Finishing things out, there's 1GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of internal storage space and a 1,750mAh battery. As for radios? There's an HSPA+ model on tap, while an LTE version will "be available depending on region." There's nary a mention of carrier in the press release we're holding, but based on earlier leaks, a 4G build for Verizon Wireless seems a lock.

Focusing on Ice Cream Sandwich for a tick, Android 4.0 will bring "an entirely new look and feel to Android," boasting a redesigned user interface, bolstered multitasking / notifications, full-on NFC support and a new People app, which enables users to browse friends, family and coworkers' photos whilst peeking their status updates from Google+. ICS also introduces Face Unlock, which taps into facial recognition protocols in order to unlock your handset. And then there's Android Beam, an NFC-based technology that allows you to "quickly share webpages, apps and YouTube videos by simply tapping two phones together." According to Goog, the "lock screen, home screen, phone app and everything in between has been rethought and redesigned," and this is quite the beastly phone to launch with. Pics and a link to register for more info await you below, and PR per usual is after the break.

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Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Nexus Prime)

Leaks are flying left and right as Samsung's Unpacked event approaches, with the latest coming from Romania's Mobilissimo.ro. Today, the site published new images and video of what could be the Samsung Galaxy Nexus -- the long-awaited follow-up to the Nexus S. At this point, it's difficult to say whether the device (model number "Tuna") totally jibes with the leaked specs we saw earlier this week, though its spacious display (rumored to be of 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED stock) does look rather sharp -- the screenshots we've seen are indeed at 720 x 1280 resolution. Other than that, the handset appears to boast a 1,750mAh battery, along with a five megapixel camera and that rumored Ice Cream Sandwich UI, replete with onscreen buttons.

Compared with the Nexus S, the front-facing camera on this handset is shifted further to the right, with the proximity sensor nestled between the earpiece and the shooter, rather than all the way on the left. Its corners, meanwhile, seem less rounded than what you'll find on the earlier version, though we noticed that it does have a micro-USB port lurking at the bottom center, much like its ancestor. Of course, we'll have to wait until October 11th to see whether these shots are as good as advertised, but you can head past the break to see the purportedly authentic video or to gaze at some extra screenshots.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Mobilissimo.ro

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White Galaxy S II lands at Vodafone, ignores post-Labor Day etiquette

Summer may have drawn to an unofficial close, but that clearly hasn't stopped the Galaxy S II from wearing all white. Today, the albino version of Samsung's Gingerbread handset officially made its way to Vodafone, just a few days after launching in the UK and more than a month after leaking in "official looking" images. The blanched, 4.3-inch smartphone is available for free with a two-year, £36 per month price plan (roughly equivalent to $58 per month), though it's still unclear whether it'll be making its way stateside anytime soon. If you're looking to brighten up your pocket, you can grab your own at the source link below.

Vodafone

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Samsung announces Galaxy S WiFi 3.6 handheld

It got a bit overshadowed by the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab 7.7 earlier today, but Samsung also quietly introduced a new basic handheld / PMP at IFA: the Galaxy S WiFi 3.6. As you can probably surmise, it's a slightly smaller version of the Galaxy S WiFi 4.0 (also known as the Galaxy Player in the US), with it boasting a 3.6-inch HVGA display, Android 2.3, a 1GHz OMAP processor, 8GB or 16GB of storage, a microSD card slot, GPS, a mic for VoIP calls, and dual cameras (2 megapixels 'round back and VGA on the front). Unfortunately for those elsewhere, this one is only confirmed for the UK so far, where it will sell for £149 and £169 (or roughly $240 and $270) in early October.

Phone Arena Geeky Gadgets

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