The HTC Google Nexus One was Google’s first self-branded flagship smartphone, manufactured by HTC and launched in January 2010. As a milestone Android device, it introduced a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, a vivid AMOLED display, and a clean Android experience that set the template for future Pixel phones.
While long discontinued, the Nexus One remains a reference point for Android collectors and tech historians. Its specifications still tell an important story about how mobile hardware evolved from feature-phone roots into the modern smartphone era.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology |
GSM / HSPA |
| 2G bands |
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands |
HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
|
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 – for AT&T, Rogers Wireless |
| Speed |
HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced |
2010, January. Released 2010, January |
| Status |
Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions |
119 x 59.8 x 11.5 mm (4.69 x 2.35 x 0.45 in) |
| Weight |
130 g (4.59 oz) |
| SIM |
Mini-SIM |
|
Trackball |
Display
| Type |
AMOLED |
| Size |
3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~54.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution |
480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density) |
Platform
| OS |
Android 2.1 (Eclair), upgradable to 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) |
| Chipset |
Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 |
| CPU |
1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| GPU |
Adreno 200 |
Memory
| Card slot |
microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included |
| Internal |
512MB RAM, 512MB |
Main Camera
| Single |
5 MP, AF |
| Features |
LED flash |
| Video |
480p@24fps |
Selfie camera
Sound
| Loudspeaker |
Yes |
| 3.5mm jack |
Yes |
Comms
| WLAN |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g |
| Bluetooth |
2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning |
GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio |
Factory locked by default, can be enabled |
| USB |
microUSB 2.0 |
Features
| Sensors |
Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Browser |
HTML |
|
Dedicated search key MP3/eAAC+/WAV player MP4/H.264 player Voice memo Predictive text input |
Battery
| Type |
Removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery |
| Stand-by |
Up to 290 h (2G) / Up to 250 h (3G) |
| Talk time |
Up to 10 hours (2G) / Up to 7 hours (3G) |
| Music play |
Up to 20 hours |
Misc
| Colors |
Brown (teflon coating) |
| SAR |
0.37 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) |
| Price |
About 120 EUR |
Our Tests
| Camera |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 79dB |
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.1dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB |
Price and Availability
The HTC Google Nexus One offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €120, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the HTC Google Nexus One converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of May 23, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $139
- Japan: ¥22,161
- United Kingdom: £104
- Australia: A$195
- Canada: C$192
- Taiwan: NT$4,383
- Denmark: kr896
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼522
- South Korea: ₩210,983
- Germany: €120
- Brazil: R$697
- Vietnam: ₫3.639.127
- Kenya: KSh 18,079
- India: ₹13,336
- Indonesia: Rp 2.464.468
- Nigeria: ₦189,328
- Pakistan: ₨38,816
- Philippines: ₱8,582
- Bangladesh: ৳১৭,১১৭
Historical Value and Legacy
The Nexus One pioneered the Nexus program, a collaboration between Google and a hardware partner aimed at delivering pure Android. At its launch price of about 120 EUR on the secondary market today, it sits firmly in collector territory rather than as a daily driver. Its value lies less in raw capability and more in being the spiritual ancestor of every Pixel phone that followed.
Design and Build
HTC gave the Nexus One a compact body measuring 119 x 59.8 x 11.5 mm and weighing just 130 g. A distinctive brown teflon coating, a physical trackball, and a Mini-SIM tray underline its 2010-era identity. By modern standards it feels tiny in hand, but the build quality remains solid and pocket-friendly.
Display Experience
The 3.7-inch AMOLED panel with 480 x 800 resolution was cutting-edge in its day, delivering deep blacks and punchy colors at roughly 252 ppi. Screen-to-body ratio sits at about 54.8%, modest now but generous for its release window. It still renders text and media legibly, though brightness and outdoor visibility lag behind anything current.
Performance and Software
Powering the phone is a Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Adreno 200 GPU, paired with 512 MB of RAM. It shipped with Android 2.1 Eclair and could be upgraded to Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread. For period-correct apps and lightweight tasks it remains functional, but it cannot run modern Android software.
Camera Capabilities
A single 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash handles imaging, capturing 480p video at 24 fps. There is no front-facing selfie camera, reflecting the era before video calling became mainstream. Results are best treated as nostalgic rather than practical for today’s social media standards.
Battery and Endurance
A removable 1400 mAh Li-Ion battery powers the device, rated for up to 10 hours of 2G talk time, 7 hours on 3G, and 20 hours of music playback. The removable design is a refreshing reminder of an era when users could swap cells freely, although replacement batteries are now harder to source.
Connectivity and Sensors
Connectivity includes GSM and HSPA networks with HSDPA speeds up to 7.2 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS, and microUSB 2.0. Sensors are limited to accelerometer, proximity, and a digital compass. A 3.5 mm headphone jack and microSDHC card slot, with a 4 GB card bundled, round out the package.
Who Should Buy It Today
The Nexus One is no longer a viable primary phone, but it is an excellent pick for Android collectors, retro tech enthusiasts, and developers exploring early Android history. Anyone seeking a working modern smartphone should look elsewhere, while history-minded buyers will find genuine charm here.
Conclusion
The HTC Google Nexus One is a landmark device that shaped the Android ecosystem we know today. Recommended only for collectors and enthusiasts who value historical significance over everyday functionality.
Official references
- Google Nexus One User Guide – Official Google user guide includes Nexus One hardware specifications, dimensions, battery, wireless bands, camera, storage, sensors, and Android 2.1 platform details.
- Google Nexus One Official Product Specifications (google.com) – Google was the Nexus One product owner; its retired official product/specification pages are the primary source to verify launch positioning and published device specs.
- HTC Nexus One Support (htc.com) – HTC manufactured the Nexus One, so HTC support materials are primary references for model identity, manuals, warranty/support context, and hardware details.
- FCC Equipment Authorization System (fcc.gov) – FCC filings for HTC Nexus One FCC IDs such as NM8PB99100 can verify radio bands, wireless certifications, SAR/regulatory data, internal photos, and user manual exhibits.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 Processor Product Specs – Official Qualcomm processor reference for the Snapdragon S1 QSD8250 platform used in the Nexus One, useful for checking CPU, GPU, modem, video, and connectivity capabilities.
