Google Nexus S vs Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Nexus S and the Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003), taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Google Nexus S smartphone

Google Nexus S

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Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) smartphone

Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)

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Head to head

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
Our rating6/104/10
Battery1,500 mAh1,650 mAh
Storage (max)16 GB32 GB
Screen size4 in4 in
Main camera5 MP5 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)129 g131 g
ReleasedDec 2010Feb 2011
Summary: Google Nexus S is ahead on our rating, weight (lower is lighter). Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) is ahead on battery, storage (max).
★ Which should you buy? Google Nexus S and Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) are evenly matched — either is a safe buy.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

Display

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 16M colors (GT-I9020/A) or Super Clear LCD (GT-I9023)SC-LCD (Super Clear LCD) capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.0 inches4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution480 x 800 pixels, WVGA480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density)
ProtectionContour Display with curved glassCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
OSAndroid 2.3 Gingerbread, upgradable to 4.1.2 Jelly BeanAndroid 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread); TouchWiz UI 3.0 (upgradable to 4.0)
ChipsetSamsung Exynos 3110 (Hummingbird)TI OMAP 3630
CPU1 GHz ARM Cortex-A81.0 GHz Cortex-A8
GPUPowerVR SGX540PowerVR SGX530

Memory

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
Card slotNomicroSD, up to 32 GB (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB (1GB internal storage, 15GB "USB storage")4GB or 16GB (512MB RAM)
RAM512MB—

Main Camera

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
Single5 MP, autofocus5 MP, autofocus
FeaturesLED flash, geotaggingGeo-tagging, smile detection, self-timer, mosaic, panorama
Video480p@30fps720p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
SingleVGA0.3 MP (VGA)
VideoNoNo

Battery

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
TypeLi-Ion 1500 mAh, removableRemovable Li-Ion
Stand-byUp to 713 h (2G) / Up to 428 h (3G)—
Talk timeUp to 14 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G)—
Music playUp to 45 h—
Capacity—1650 mAh

Body

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
Dimensions123.9 x 63 x 10.9 mm123.7 x 64.2 x 10.6 mm (4.87 x 2.53 x 0.42 in)
Weight129 g (GT-I9020/I9020A/I9023)131 g (4.62 oz)
BuildPlastic body—
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM

Comms

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP3.0, A2DP, EDR, aptX
GPSYes, with A-GPSYes, with A-GPS
NFCYes—
RadioNoFM Radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0

Launch

Google Nexus SSamsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)
Announced2010, December 062011, January
StatusDiscontinuedReleased 2011, February
Release Date2010, December 16 (US)—

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Google Nexus S or Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)?

Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) — 1,500 mAh for the Google Nexus S versus 1,650 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003).

Which is lighter, Google Nexus S or Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)?

Google Nexus S — 129 g for the Google Nexus S versus 131 g for the Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003).

Which is newer, Google Nexus S or Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003)?

Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) — Dec 2010 for the Google Nexus S versus Feb 2011 for the Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003).

Is the Google Nexus S or the Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) rated higher?

We rate the Google Nexus S 6/10 and the Samsung Galaxy SL (GT-I9003) 4/10.

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