Google's Nexus S out now in the UK

As predicted, Google’s latest officially endorsed Android handset is out today in the UK.

Carphone Warehouse now has the device listed as available for £429.99 SIM-free. Alternatively you can pick it up for free on a £30 per month contract (over 24 months).

Either way, it’s a pretty good price for a flagship device that rivals the iPhone 4 for sheer power.

The Nexus S sees Google switching its allegiance from HTC (who made both the T-Mobile G1 and the Nexus One for the software giant) to Samsung, who have created a slick device with a convex screen (the better to fit against your face) and NFC technology (the better to make payments from your mobile at some vague point in the future).

More importantly for pocket gamers, the phone shares a processor with the Samsung Galaxy S, which is widely held to be the most capable gaming handset in the Android range. Of course, with dual-core handsets just around the corner, that accolade is not set to last for much longer.

Still, the Nexus S is also the first Android phone to sport the 2.3 Gingerbread OS update, and you can bet it will be the first in line to receive any updates throughout 2011.