Search

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

15 of 64 NEXT PREV

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

15 of 64 NEXT PREV

0

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

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

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

15 of 64 NEXT PREV

0

| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment

Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

1

3

Must-have tools you need for repairing PCs, smartphones, tablets, and much more

If you're in the business of repairing PCs, smartphones, or tablets, then you need the tools to help you get the job done in a fast, efficient, and safe way. (Updated October 2018) ...
How to test chargers and power banks to make sure they don't blow up your expensive smartphone

I test dozens of chargers and power banks every month, and you can be guaranteed that plugging my expensive iPhone or iPad into them isn't the first thing I do. (Updated: October 2018) ...
iPhone XR: Here's nine things you need to know about Apple's 'affordable' iPhone

Apple is getting ready to open up pre-orders for its new "affordable" iPhone. Here's what you need to know.

Best Raspberry Pi accessories

There's not much you can't do with a Raspberry Pi board and a bit of coding. But with a few extra accessories, the sky truly is the limit! (Updated October 2018) ...
Top 12 Raspberry Pi alternatives (October 2018 edition)

Here is a selection of single board computers for homebrew projects and automation, with prices starting at only $5 to several hundred dollars, and ranging in application from small ...
How AT&T installs Fiber 1000 broadband internet in a home

If AT&T FTTH comes to your neighborhood, don't hesitate. It's so much better than cable broadband. You'll never look back.

Google Pixel 3 event: All the key moments from the show

Google is holding a "Made by Google" event on Oct. 9 in New York City to likely unveil several new devices and product updates, including the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Here are key moments from ...