Galaxy Nexus to have cross-US 3G

Samsung's Galaxy Nexus or Nexus Prime has popped up in an FCC filing that hints it could be available on most if not all GSM carriers in North America. Going under its GT-i9250 name, it has the 850MHz and 1,900MHz bands needed for 3G on AT&T, Bell, Rogers, and Telus, as well as the 1,700MHz band needed for T-Mobile and smaller Canadian outlets like Mobilicity and Wind. No 2,100MHz 3G exists, although the FCC doesn't always test that band.

The sighting doesn't necessarily guarantee a release on the carriers. Verizon is rumored to have a US exclusive, although possibly just for a particular version and not all models. No mention exists of LTE in the testing, which hints Verizon might be the only one getting closest to true 4G.

The Galaxy Nexus is expected to be the first Android 4.0 phone and heavily modify the Galaxy S II HD LTE that serves as its inspiration, curving the 4.65-inch 720p touchscreen and possibly switching to a 1.2GHz TI OMAP dual-core chip. It may carry a fast five-megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixels at the front.

When it will be released is still a mystery. Google and Samsung have delayed their joint event for Android 4.0 and the new Nexus out of respect for Steve Jobs, but the device itself isn't delayed and could be ready by late October or early November. A confidentiality letter attached to the FCC listing has actual device photos kept secret for six months after the late September original submission, well past when it should be released.

By Electronista Staff

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industry, Google, Android, Samsung, FCC, mobile phones, Ice Cream Sandwich, Nexus Prime, Galaxy Nexus