How much does the Samsung Nexus S cost?

The Samsung Nexus S costs around $30 at the lowest verified shop; the prices shown on the page adjust to where you are browsing from, based on current retailer listings.

Photo: Justus Blümer from Deutschland via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Samsung

Samsung Nexus S

December 2010 6/10 Rating Updated Sep 6, 2026

In brief: The Samsung Nexus S was a landmark smartphone co-developed by Google and Samsung, released in December 2010. It holds the distinction of being the first device to launch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, offering a "pure Google" experience without manufacturer overlays. Notably, it was also one of the first Android phones to feature Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

Display4.0-inch Super AMOLED with 480x800 resolution

Chipset1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird Cortex-A8

Main Camera5 MP with LED flash

Battery1500 mAh removable Li-Ion

Starting from $30

💰 Samsung Nexus S Price

The Samsung Nexus S lowest price is $30, based on current retailer listings.

eBay Lowest Price $30 Visit →
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📌 Full Specifications

Display

Type	Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors (Super LCD in some markets)
Size	4.0 inches, 45.5 cm² (~58.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution	480 x 800 pixels, WVGA, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density)
Protection	Oleophobic coating (mentioned for 4G variant)
Features	Contour Display (slightly curved glass)

Platform

OS	Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
Chipset	Samsung Exynos 3 Single (Hummingbird)
CPU	1 GHz Cortex-A8
GPU	PowerVR SGX540

Memory

Internal	16GB iNAND (partitioned as 1GB internal storage, 15GB 'USB storage')
RAM	512MB (384MB for OS, 128MB for GPU)
Card slot	No

Main Camera

Single	5 MP
Features	LED flash
Video	480p

Selfie Camera

Single

VGA

Battery

Type	Removable Li-Ion
Capacity	1500 mAh

Body

Dimensions	123.9 x 63 x 10.9 mm (4.88 x 2.48 x 0.43 in)
Weight	129 g (4.55 oz) for GSM, 131 g (4.62 oz) for 4G
SIM	Mini-SIM

Comms

WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP
GPS	Yes, with A-GPS
NFC	Yes
Radio	No
USB	microUSB 2.0

Launch

Announced	December 2010
Status	Discontinued

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

Pure Android experience with fast updates (at the time)
Innovative NFC technology for its era
Vibrant Super AMOLED display (for its time)
Lightweight and comfortable design

Cons

No expandable storage (microSD card slot)
No HD video recording
Limited official software updates (ended at Android 4.1.2)
Outdated hardware by current standards
Relatively low RAM (512MB)

★ Our Verdict

The Nexus S was a groundbreaking device for its era, introducing Android Gingerbread and NFC, but its hardware is now severely outdated, and it no longer receives official software updates.

The Samsung Nexus S is a historical artifact in the smartphone world, significant for being the first device with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and early NFC integration. However, it is entirely obsolete for modern use, lacking the processing power, memory, camera capabilities, and software support required for today's applications and security standards. Do not consider purchasing this phone for daily use, as it will struggle with basic tasks, cannot run current apps, and poses security risks due to outdated software. It might only be of interest to collectors, developers interested in vintage Android, or those seeking a piece of mobile history. If you are looking for a functional smartphone, even on a budget, there are vastly superior modern alternatives available.

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

📦 In The Box & Warranty

Information not specified for this discontinued model.

Warranty information is not specified for this discontinued device; typically, it would have been a standard 1-year manufacturer's warranty at the time of purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the Samsung Nexus S?

The Samsung Nexus S was a smartphone co-developed by Google and Samsung, released in December 2010, notable for being the first device to run Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

What was special about the Nexus S?

It was the first smartphone to ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and one of the first Android devices to support Near Field Communication (NFC) in both hardware and software.

When was the Samsung Nexus S released?

The GSM version of the Samsung Nexus S was released in December 2010. A 4G variant for Sprint was released in May 2011.

What operating system did the Nexus S run?

The Nexus S launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and received official updates up to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Does the Samsung Nexus S have expandable storage?

No, the Samsung Nexus S does not have a microSD card slot for expandable storage; it comes with 16GB of internal memory.

Is the Samsung Nexus S still usable today?

While it can technically power on, the Samsung Nexus S is considered obsolete for modern daily use due to outdated hardware, lack of current software support, and security vulnerabilities. It is primarily a collector's item.