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Verizon Stops Selling Galaxy Nexus, Still No Android 4.2

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A little more than a year after the Verizon Galaxy Nexus went on sale, the device has come to the end of its life, with Verizon no longer offering the Nexus smartphone for its 4G LTE network.

Read: Google Admits Verizon Galaxy Nexus Wasn’t A Good Experience.

In December of 2011, Verizon launched the first 4G LTE enabled Nexus smartphone to great fanfare. One, because the previous Nexus devices had been limited to GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile, two because Verizon had the largest and still has the largest 4G LTE network in the land and three, a smartphone with an unlocked bootloader and vanilla Android out of the box is impossible to come by on Verizon’s network.

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The Verizon Galaxy Nexus has ridden off into the sunset.

However, for Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners like myself, the experience was far from exceptional and as Google later admitted, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus experience, as a whole, was a bad one indeed.

From the outset, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus was plagued with a host of issues and bugs within Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, its original stock operating system. However, unlike past Nexus smartphones, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus didn’t receive any swift attention in addressing those bugs. Instead, it took Verizon nearly five months to roll out the first bug fix update for the Galaxy Nexus, something that left me and other owners pretty disappointed.

Unfortunately, the disappointing experiences began to pile up. Next, Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners watched as Sprint beat Verizon to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on its version of the Galaxy Nexus. In fact, even Asus was able to beat Verizon to the punch with Jelly Bean on several of its non-Nexus tablets.

Read: Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Update Last, Isn’t Surprising.

Unsurprisingly, the same thing happened with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the current version of Jelly Bean. In fact, as I write this, Sprint Galaxy Nexus owners have access to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean while owners of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus do not, more than two months after the software was released.

Let’s not forget that owners were blocked from using Google Wallet and that the device also featured absolutely horrid battery life. It also, according to Andy Rubin, was one of the reasons that Google didn’t opt to include 4G LTE with the current Nexus, the Nexus 4.

Still, despite its issues, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus remained one of the best Android smartphones on the market with its combination of vanilla Android, HD display, and access to Verizon’s expanding 4G LTE network.

Now, it’s no longer available through Verizon. Those looking to snag the phone will have to find it through other means or opt for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus which is still available through Sprint’s website.

It’s always sad when a device reaches the end of its life, especially one as high profile as the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, but in this, case forgive me if I don’t shed any tears.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Larry

    01/26/2013 at 9:32 am

    I have a nexus 4 and Samsung G3 and work perfect on older and one newer android OS and I have no issues, BUT!! I had the iPhone 5 and was a nightmare from hell!! That should be the one to stop selling!!

  2. Bigmouth

    01/26/2013 at 9:33 am

    The biggest problem with Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus was it wasn’t a real Nexus device.

  3. jc

    01/26/2013 at 10:12 am

    It is true that big red didn’t handle things correctly but the nexus hardware paired with the lte network has been a great experience. In regards to the OS, learning to flash was fun and getting the latest from developers has been enjoyable. This phone still rocks the crap out of any iPhone such as my wife’s 4s. =)

  4. Rob

    01/26/2013 at 11:26 am

    A year ago, I also went with the Verizon G nexus. It has been a great upgrade from my original Droid. Yes, it was somewhat buggy at first but the Jelly Bean update really improved it and it still works great. I carry a total of 3 batteries that get me through a normal day of heavy use. I also hate it that Verizon blocked Google wallet on this phone. I may consider ditching Verizon when my contract runs out in September since they will be forcing me out of my unlimited data plan at the next upgrade. I will likely go with an unlocked Nexus 4 for my next phone. IPhones don’t even tempt me. Apple has certainly been out-innovated since android 4.0, and especially 4.2 jelly bean! IOS doesn’t come close.

  5. brandon

    01/26/2013 at 11:33 am

    I’ve never had any problems with my nexus. Prior to this I had then original galaxy s. The Samsung fascinate an had nothing but problems with that. Couldn’t use WiFi, couldn’t upload any music via USB. This phone though. I recommended to several people an they have nothing but praises to say about it.

  6. OB Tron

    01/26/2013 at 12:20 pm

    What happens to lost or damaged Nexus phones? Wonder what asurion will replace it with.

  7. Mark

    01/26/2013 at 2:00 pm

    Went from Droid Razr Maxx to the Galaxy Nexus and never looked backed. Total experience head and shoulders above the Maxx. Added higher capacity (3800) battery to the Nexus and have more than enough for 20+ hour days. Great phone. Even with aging hardware good software in a Google phone keeps this phone current.

  8. Bryant

    02/04/2013 at 12:47 pm

    Never had any issues with my Verizon GNEX (android 4.1.1) I still love this phone. I get a full day with moderate use, can’t wait for android 4.2. Come on big red work out all the kinks so I can continue to enjoy this awesome phone.

  9. KMT

    02/08/2013 at 7:20 am

    Wrong! My experience had NO MORE problems than my experience with the Droid X. What world are you living in to say that the experience was a bad one? Are you always a negative person? Possibly. The Galaxy Nexus and the S3 side by side are not night and day, yet the S3 is considered great? I don’t think so. Horrid battery life? Not in comparison to every other phone outside the newer Razrs (the first ICS razr was worse than the nexus).

  10. Kevin

    02/09/2013 at 3:11 pm

    Had a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Eventually got so pissed at it I threw it in the Gulf of Mexico and got a RAZR MAXX instead. Best move I ever made.

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