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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

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In December 2011, Samsung launched its much-anticipated Galaxy Nexus smartphone. It's the latest device to run on Verizon's 4G LTE network, and the first to run the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google's Android OS.

Our friends at iFixit got their hands on an unlocked, UK version of the Galaxy Nexus and cracked it open last month. But as my teardown shows, Verizon's version may look the same on the outside, but much of the hardware inside is different. Follow along as I go inside the first US version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
As of this writing, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is available (in the US) from Verizon for $299.99 (US) with a two-year contract. I bought our Galaxy Nexus test device (sans contract) from a local Best Buy location for $799.99 (plus tax).

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Inside the Galaxy Nexus' box, you'll find the device itself (includes removable back panel and battery), USB cable, power adapter, headphones, and product documentation.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Galaxy Nexus' 3.7V, 6.85Wh Li-ion battery also contains an NFC antenna.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Galaxy Nexus has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB of storage, 8MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, and 4.65" Super AMOLED display (1280 x 720 pixels). It measures 5.33" (H) x 2.67" (W) x 0.37" (D), and weighs 5.1 ounces.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Update 12/22/2011: When this gallery was first published, I indicated that the chip shown in this image contained the Galaxy Nexus' 1.2GHz processor. And given the information I had at the time (the processor's clock speed and chip markings), I identified the processor as Samsung's 1.2GHz Exynos 4210 processor. Since the gallery was published, Kevin Krause over at phandroid.com has suggested that the Galaxy Nexus does not use the Exynos 4210 but the Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 processor. This is possible, but given that I can't find any chip on the Galaxy Nexus' motherboard with markings that shown it contains a TI OMAP processor, I can't know for sure. I've updated the image's title to note that it may not contain an Exynos processor, and I've put in a call to Samsung for confirmation. I'll update this gallery when I get confirmation about the chip. -- Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

1 of 64 NEXT PREV

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Inside the 4G Android smartphone he found hardware from Samsung, VIA Telecom, FCI, and Texas Instruments.

Read More Read Less

In December 2011, Samsung launched its much-anticipated Galaxy Nexus smartphone. It's the latest device to run on Verizon's 4G LTE network, and the first to run the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google's Android OS.

Our friends at iFixit got their hands on an unlocked, UK version of the Galaxy Nexus and cracked it open last month. But as my teardown shows, Verizon's version may look the same on the outside, but much of the hardware inside is different. Follow along as I go inside the first US version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Published: December 16, 2011 -- 05:16 GMT (21:16 PST)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

1 of 64 NEXT PREV

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