Google Nexus S could ship in Singapore in March

Google’s Nexus S smartphone could be officially arriving in Singapore stores as soon as next month, likely marking the first Android 2.3 device to come to these shores, Techgoondu has learnt.

Featuring a “pure” Google experience that promises zippy performance, the geek’s favourite is set to be sold by one of the three telecom operators here, according to an industry source who is not authorised to speak on this.

Parallel imports of the Samsung-made phone, costing close to S$1,000, started hitting the shelves here late last year, shortly after it shipped in Europe and the United States.

However, these sets did not come with any local support or warranty, unlike the original Nexus One, which was sold directly by Google to Singapore users and was supported by HTC Singapore.

What’s the big deal about the Nexus S? Geeks will love its lack of “overlays” like HTC’s Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz, which they believe would slow down performance. Plus, there is Samsung’s AMOLED display, one of the brightest and sharpest on a small screen.

Compared to current Android phones, Google’s Android 2.3, or Gingerbread, has more under-the-hood refinements than UI changes. But one cool feature, gleaned from a quick hands-on with the device today, is this nice “shut down” animation reminiscent of a tube TV, whenever you press the power button to put the Nexus S to standby.

We understand that the phone would hit these shores before the recently-unveiled Samsung flagship – the Galaxy SII – goes on sale in Singapore at a tentative “some time in Q2”. We’d update on the prices once they are confirmed.

The biggest problem for the Nexus S could be with competition from this year’s new wave of Android devices. Sporting not just Android 2.3 but also dual-core processors and, in the Galaxy SII, an even brighter Super AMOLED Plus screen, these will be the phones to look out for in 2011.