Google Nexus One review

Another HTC Android phone, but this one's direct from the search giant

The definitive Google Nexus One review
The definitive Google Nexus One review

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Android was designed from the beginning to operate well as a touchscreen operating system. Like the HTC Magic and many other Android-powered models, the Nexus One is a powerful touch device.

It's easy to swipe through photos in the Gallery app, long-press on emails and click to start apps. The 800x480 pixels screen is bright and clear at a 100,000:1 contrast ratio and mostly operates quickly - faster than the HTC Magic and Milestone.

The main issue here is that it is not always perfectly consistent. The touchscreen is usually smooth, but there were times when the phone did not register an input or there was a slight pause.

Also, the touchscreen does not respond to gestures - it's not multi-touch (in the US, although we're hoping it might be in the UK), so you can can't zoom in elegantly on the screen (although you can press to zoom in).

Google nexus one

NAVIGATION: You can swipe through photos with ease. The interface for photos even moves when you shake and shift the phone around

Google nexus one

HOME SCREEN: The main screen for the Nexus One takes full advantage of the expansive, bright and clear 3.7-inch screen

John Brandon
Contributor

John Brandon has covered gadgets and cars for the past 12 years having published over 12,000 articles and tested nearly 8,000 products. He's nothing if not prolific. Before starting his writing career, he led an Information Design practice at a large consumer electronics retailer in the US. His hobbies include deep sea exploration, complaining about the weather, and engineering a vast multiverse conspiracy.