Google Nexus S up for pre-order on major UK networks

The Carphone Warehouse is offering the Google Nexus S for pre-order on four of the UK's major networks, as operators make a late bid to capitalise on the Christmas rush.

Contracts are available through O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, and the device is free if customers sign a £35 per month 24-month contract.

At first glance it seems that O2 is offering the best deal, which includes 900 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB of data for £35 per month. However, customers are required to purchase a £5 bolt-on for internet use.

Carphone Warehouse confirmed to V3.co.uk that the bolt-on is not a one-off charge, so the actual cost of the tariff is £40 per month.

With this is mind, Orange is offering the best valuable for money with 700 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB of data. Vodafone offers the same text and internet allowance, but 600 minutes of call time.

All four operators are also offering the device on pay-as-you-go for £549.99, plus a £10 top up.

Google has said that shipments of the Nexus S will begin on 20 December, and the Carphone Warehouse site states that deliveries should arrive by the "end of December".

However, a Carphone Warehouse representative said that delivery by Christmas cannot be guaranteed, and that the retailer is operating a first come, first served policy, so customers are advised to get their order in as soon as possible.

V3.co.uk was also advised to seek home delivery as this would be the quickest way to get the device.

The Nexus S is powered by a 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 16GB of internal memory and Near Field Communication technology enabling it to read information f rom tags. It will be the first handset to come with Android 2.3, and is manufactured by Samsung.

The handset weighs 129g and measures 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm. The rear facing camera is 5-megapixels and there is a front-facing camera for video calls.

Analysts were surprised by Google's decision to launch the Nexus S five days before Christmas and are sceptical about its success.