Review: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

After one of the bigger PR buildups in recent memory, the Galaxy Nexus is hitting the stores. This much-anticipated Samsung device, the first smartphone to run on the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android, will cost $299.99 with a two-year contract.

So how does it stack up against the competition?

Our sister site CNET has an exclusive hands-on early look at the unit, which takes a coveted, solitary step forward. The phone has been eagerly anticipated since its unveiling in Hong Kong in October. It is designed to be a showcase for Ice Cream Sandwich, which includes a number of new features and combines the tablet and smartphone interfaces into a common experience. It's also the latest Verizon device to run on its 4G LTE network.

Read the CNET review here.