UPDATE: Maxis Nexus S unit is using S-LCD, not Super AMOLED as reported earlier.

Yeap, you read that right. You can get the Nexus S from RM799 outright without any contract from Maxis. All you need to do is sign up for any Value Plus Internet plan and the Nexus S is your for RM799 at selected Maxis centres and MEPs. The offer starts today until stocks of the device is all sold.

It’s not a bad deal but if you’re in market for a decent Android smartphone, do take into account that the newer 1.4Ghz single-core Galaxy W is just RM200 more at RM999 outright. In terms of specs there’s really nothing much separating the two devices, both have 5MP cameras and 512MB RAM. Aside from that the Galaxy W shoots video in 720p which the Nexus S can’t but on the flipside the Nexus S has a bigger and better screen (4-inch Super AMOLEDS-LCD versus 3.7-inch S-LCD on the Galaxy W). You also get NFC with the Nexus S, on the Galaxy W you don’t.

The big deal is with the Nexus S being a Google phone, you can be sure that the Nexus will get Ice Cream Sandwich sooner that the Galaxy W, actually sooner than most Android devices.

And that’s pretty much it. We’re not discounting that this is still a decent deal if you don’t mind the trade-offs.

Head on over to after the jump for details on the selected Maxis centres and MEPs and answers to some of your frequently asked questions.

Selected Maxis centres:
Klang Valley
KLCC
Sunway Pyramid
Gardens Mall
TTDI

Northern
Ipoh
Penang I-Centre

Southern
Danga Bay I-Centre

East Coast
Kuantan

East Malaysia
Kuching
Warisan Square, KK

FAQs:
1. What is this offer all about?
This offer allows customers who sign up for any Value Plus Internet plan to buy the Samsung Nexus S outright at RM799.

2. Where do I go if I encounter any fault with the device I purchase?
You can go back the service centre of each manufacturer.

3. Do I have to sign up any contract to purchase Samsung Nexus S for this promo?
No, there is no contract binding for this offer.

4. How many units can I purchase under this offer?
Customer can purchase up to 5 units outright when you sign up for the Value Plus Internet Plan.

5. Where can I get Samsung Nexus S at RM799?
At selected Maxis centres as stated before and selected dealers.

6. How/Who do I contact if I have further queries about this device/offer?
You can check out our website or visit our Maxis centres for more information.

7. Who is entitled for this offer?
Customer who signs up for either Value Plus Internet 50, 80 or Supp 30.

8. Is there any advance payment that I need to pay to sign up for this offer?
No, this is non-contractual so no advance payment required.

9. Must I sign up for any data package if I want to purchase the handset at the offer price?
No, this is an outright promotion.

10. Will there be any roadshow events for this offer?
Yes there will be roadshow happening and we will inform on the date once it is confirmed.

[source]

With the recent launch of high end Android devices, Maxis has finally lowered its Nexus S pricing. At time of launch, the Nexus S was offered at a rather pricey RM2499 outright and offered as low as RM1499 on contract.

With the launch of Samsung Galaxy S II at RM2099, the Nexus S which is based on its predecessor, Galaxy S is becoming a tougher choice to consider despite its “Pure Google” experience. Now they have reduced the outright selling price to RM2299 and 24 months contract pricing to RM1199. The Samsung Galaxy S II is sold at RM2099 and its currently offered at RM1199 as well on 24 months contract.

As compared previously, the Nexus S lacks 720p HD recording and there’s not even an option to expand your storage with microSD. Let’s be honest, if given a choice between the Nexus S, Galaxy S II and HTC Sensation, the Nexus S is still an overpriced device with older generation features.

Check it out on Maxis Android page.

Reader benjamin pointed out that the Nexus S was launched in Singapore on the same day as Malaysia and if anything the Singapore launch of the Nexus S proves that Malaysians are paying far too much for the Google phone.

As we’ve mentioned earlier the Malaysian pricing for the Nexus S is perplexing considering the roughly similarly spec-ed HTC Incredible S which was also launched on the same day is priced RM500 cheaper at RM1,999 without contract.

Now with the Nexus S available in Singapore we have a pricing reference that’s closer to home which further strengthens our argument that the Malaysian Nexus S is expensive.

The Nexus S retails for SG$828 outright with GST (+7%). At today’s exchange rates that equates to about RM1,990 — the same price as the HTC Incredible S. If you take into account that tourist get the GST refunded back to them when the leave the country then you realise that the Nexus S is even cheaper. Typically, gadgets in Singapore are slightly cheaper, to the tune of RM200 to RM300 cheaper on average, this means that whichever way you look at it someone, somewhere is trying to capitalise on the Nexus S being a Google phone.

Here’s the thing, Android has always been about the mass adoption of smart phones. If it is possible to price a Google phone competitively we’re sure that the Google way would have made it certain that the device will be priced competitively.

At RM2,499 the Nexus S — no matter how good or how pure of a Google experience it brings — is way too much money for our liking.

Update: We’ve added a few pictures and some videos on our first impressions of the Nexus S right after the jump. Also available after jump, a press release from Maxis announcing the Nexus S.

Maxis today has finally announced its full availability of the awaited Google device – The Nexus S. It is interesting to note that HTC too has announced the HTC Incredible S today which will be bundled by DiGi.

As announced earlier, the Nexus S is priced at RM2499 outright and bundled price at RM1499 with a 24 months data contract on Maxis. Such pricing is pretty expensive considering it is based on a Samsung Galaxy S and still runs on single core 1GHz processor.

However there’s something different with the Nexus S available in Malaysia. Instead of the Super AMOLED screen, we are actually getting the SuperLCD version. The recently announced Samsung Galaxy SL by Celcom is also using Super LCD. You can check out the full specs of the Nexus S here.

If you want to check it out first hand, you can visit their roadshow at Pavilion KL from 18-20 March 2011. More details on the offer at Maxis Android page.

MAXIS CUSTOMERS FIRST TO ENJOY THE GOOGLE NEXUS S
The fastest Android smart phone that runs on the new Gingerbread OS is now available exclusively to Maxis customers.

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Kuala Lumpur, 18 March 2011

Maxis customers will be the first to enjoy the latest, revolutionary Android device, the Google Nexus S, also known as the “Google Phone”.

Maxis Berhad (“Maxis”), Malaysia’s integrated communications service provider, today announced its exclusive rights to the smart phone, as it continues to lead in the Android market in Malaysia by providing the latest and widest choice of Android devices. The device is the first Android smart phone to feature the latest Android Operating System (“OS”) 2.3, also known as the Gingerbread OS.

Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke, Chief Operating Officer of Maxis Berhad said, “Maxis is focused on delighting our customers and enriching their lives with the latest, innovative devices to keep up with their ever-changing lifestyle needs and demands. We were the first communications provider to bring Malaysians the smartphone experience, allowing them to conveniently access the web for work and play from the palm of their hands.Today, Maxis is again the first to bring our customers the revolutionary Google Nexus S, the new jewel in our extensive range of Android devices. The market is becoming increasingly mobile; many of our consumers are part of a new generation of go-getter’s and jet-setters. Our leadership position enables us to forge partnerships with leading device manufacturers such as Samsung to ensure that Maxis customers experience the latest and most advanced devices first. Their experience is further enhanced by the fact that Maxis today has the widest broadband footprint in the country, enabling them to enjoy the features of the smart device on seamless high-speed mobile data networks.”

Speaking at the launch of Nexus S, Mr. Yu Jai Sul, Managing Director, Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn. Bhd. said, “Samsung and Google are working hand-in-hand with Maxis to make the best Android smartphone experience available to the Malaysian market. The Nexus S will give you both functionality and a stunning user-experience as it integrates Samsung’s world-class hardware and award-winning technology with exciting new features.”

Maxis customers would be able to access popular Maxis applications such as Maxis Movies and Maxis Finder301 from this fastest Android phone to date. The device is available for purchase by Maxis customers with any data plan at affordable prices.

Maxis was the first to introduce the BlackBerry and iPhone to Malaysia, and has the widest range of Android devices in the market. The company presently offers Malaysia’s widest variety of smartphone devices, encompassing all major mobile operating systems. With an investment of RM1.44 billion in 2010, Maxis successfully modernised and solidified its network, including growing its network infrastructure to support data growth with a record number of base stations rolled out i.e. more than 1,250 3G sites and 1,400 HSPA sites, continuing with network quality enhancement, expanding into new geographical areas and augmenting 2G network. With its end-to-end smart network, Maxis provides the best user experience from simple voice usage to meeting the growing demand for data-intensive applications delivered across an exciting range of smart devices.

Maxis aspires to fulfill the dreams of our customers through the best that communications technology and human creativity can offer; making our customers lives better in ways that matter.

About the Google Nexus S
The new “Gingerbread” OS contains user interface improvements for simplicity and speed.

It allows for faster and more intuitive text input as well as one touch word selection and copy or paste functions. It gives users improved power management, better control over applications and also provides for new ways of communicating and organizing materials on their mobile phone.

The Google Nexus S is sleek in appearance, with a 4” contour display; this slim device featuring a more ergonomic design in terms of style and feel. The brilliant touch screen provides an unmatched viewing experience and is powered by a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor which produces rich 3D graphics as well as providing for faster upload and download times. Equipped with a 5 megapixel rear facing camera and camcorder as well as a VGA front facing camera, the Google Nexus S comes with 16GB of internal memory for data storage.

The powerful device also includes existing Android features such as portable WiFi as well as Near Field Communication (NFC) support, a feature that future proofs the device as it will enable users to use it for mobile payments as soon as the infrastructure is in place.

Maxis has announced that the Nexus S will hit local stores this Friday with a retail price of RM2,499 outright without contract. Immediately we got comments in response to out earlier post saying that the retail price for the Nexus S here is Malaysia is exorbitant.

Consider the math. You can get an unlocked Nexus S from Best Buy in the US for about US$530 which translates to about RM1620 at today’s exchange rates. This is of course, excluding taxes and what not. But even if you factor in all the taxes and shipping costs, a privately purchased — meaning one single unit bought — shouldn’t cost the savvy internet shopper anything more that RM2k tops.

In fact, bulk orders and shipments should yield even more savings.

So our question is why is Maxis and Samsung asking for a close to RM900 margin on top of the US retail price for the Nexus S? If anything, the Malaysian RRP for the Nexus S should be very close to the US price. What justifies the 54% jump in price?

Could it be that because the Nexus S is a fairly decent spec-ed device infused with the strong desirability of the Google branding Maxis and Samsung feel that they can capitalise on the hype and make some money from the huge margins?

We have no idea and we can only speculate at the moment but what is certain is that we don’t think that this should be the case and we hope Maxis and Samsung can give us answer.

What do you think of the price of the Nexus S here in Malaysia

Click for larger image

Those who’ve indicated their interest for the Nexus S with Maxis last week would have gotten an email from the operator today indicating the price of the device, and would’ve known by now the full pricing details and launch date of new Google phone.

For those who didn’t registered your interest, do worry, we got your back because we’ve registered our interest in the device as well. Here are the details of the upcoming Nexus S from Maxis.

The Nexus S is available from Maxis from March 18 onwards and will retail for RM2,499 outright. The launch is this Friday, the same day as the HTC Incredible S launch. We speculated earlier that it is very likely for the Incredible S be launched with a telco partner and we named Maxis as the likely partner. With the telco now launching the Nexus S on Friday, could this mean that the HTC Incredible S will be launched with DiGi instead?

We have no confirmation on either. All that we know is that Friday will be a very busy day for the local gadget junkies.

While you wait for Friday to come, click the link to see what reviewers are saying about the Nexus S

The Nexus S device will be officially available in Malaysia soon via Maxis, as hinted earlier via twitter. Looks like the anticipated device will be made available anytime now.

The Nexus S is Google’s successor to the original Google Nexus One which is based on Samsung Galaxy S. While it still runs on a single core A8 1GHz processor, the Nexus S features a 4″ Super AMOLED display and runs on the latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread. You can check out the full specs at Nexus S site.

To be the first to know, sign up your interest over at Maxis’s Nexus S ROI page.

Maxis via its twitter account @maxiscomms has revealed that they are bringing in Google’s Nexus S to Malaysia. The announcement was made to call upon interested bloggers to sign up for the Maxis 10 program for a chance to review devices with the potential of keeping them in the end of the program.

This is certainly a great addition into Maxis’s array of Android bundled devices and the Google Nexus S is worth looking forward to with its Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. With its NFC Capabilities, we wonder if Maxis’s FastTap will be extended to the Nexus S as well.

Finally, an proper channel to purchase with bundling possibilities for a Google device.