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Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich review: The full monty

Google's flagship Ice Cream Sandwich device is the first to run Android 4.0, and wow, it's a doozy!

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Ice Cream Sandwich, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, ICS
James Martin/CNET

The buzz surrounding Google's release of its Ice Cream Sandwich operating system is similar to every release of the latest Android operating system on a single, debut device. The difference is: this one's a doozy.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first to introduce the Android 4.0 OS, better known as Ice Cream Sandwich (or ICS). Google redesigned or recoded nearly every element of the previous Android OS to create this power-packed software that melds the tablet-centric Honeycomb flavor for tablets with the alphabet of Google's Android smartphone treats.

While the hardware itself is up to spec, the phone without ICS--though very good--is no different from other excellent Android handsets. In fact, replace ICS with Gingerbread and you might find the Motorola Droid Razr or the HTC Rezound edging the Galaxy Nexus.

With Android 4.0, though, the experience is really something different. However, it doesn't solve Android's problems, and in combining the tablet and smartphone operating systems, Google left a few visible seams. See all the handset photos, watch the video, and read all the pros and cons in this thorough review of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Inside Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (screenshots)

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