Electronic titan Samsung stunned the tech world last year with its Galaxy Nexus as the first handset to feature Android's famed Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
The device, which was developed in collaboration with Google, is considered amongst the top smartphones in the current market and has raised the bar for several other devices, including Apple's iPhone 4S to compete.
Such is the attention that the Nexus has drawn, that even Apple has invested a $96 million bond to ensure that the smartphone sales are stopped in the US.
The smartphone boasts several new exciting features to its credit. Besides the enhanced speed and performance, Galaxy Nexus features voice typing, pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar, ability to access apps directly from lock screen, facial recognition software, improved camera app with zero shutter lag, a near-field communication feature known as Android Beam and a Super AMOLED display with a curved glass.
Several reviews have rated the smartphone as Samsung's answer to the iPhone 4S. Here's a look at a few areas where Galaxy Nexus scored over Apple iPhone 4S.
Faster Internet Browser
In terms of browser performance, the Samsung handset is rated with a five percent faster Browsermark at is 93,695 versus iPhone 4S's 89,561 Browsermark.
Dimensions
Google's flagship phone measures 8.8 mm in thickness and weighs 135 grams. The iPhone 4S, on the other hand, is slightly thicker at 9.3 mm and is at a relatively heavier side at 140 grams.
Display
Galaxy Nexus sports a 4.65-inch, 720 x 1280 pixel Super AMOLED display which is 33 percent bigger than the 3.5-inch, 640 x 960 pixel screen on iPhone 4S.
Operating software
The Nexus is powered by a dual-core Cortex-A9 processor clocked to 1.2 GHz, whereas iPhone 4S is backed by its iOS software running at 0.8 GHz speed.
Upstream and Downstream Rates:
Galaxy Nexus download rate stands at 21 MB per second while the upload rate is 5.8 MB per second. iPhone 4S has a download speed at 14.4 MB and its upload speed stands at 5.76 MB per second.
Memory
Galaxy Nexus features double the RAM at 1 GB as against iPhone 4S' 0.5 GB RAM.
Battery
The removable 1,750mAh battery gives 24 percent more battery power for Galaxy Nexus as against iPhone 4S' non removable 1,418mAh.
Other Features
One of the few features apparently lacking in the Apple device is near field communication technology (NFC) which allows wireless transactions such as payments, plus the ability to collect data from other NFC handsets at close range.
Galaxy Nexus doesn't require a dedicated navigation device, as the smartphone provides for free navigation software with map data solutions and updates. Meanwhile, iPhone 4S opts for third party applications to provide similar features.
