Updated: Check out our Google Nexus S review.

Google's promise to retire the Nexus brand after the Nexus One was a lie – the Google Nexus S has now been officially announced.

Featuring a glut of new technology and the latest unfettered Android platform, it certainly looks like an early headliner for 2011.

So check out our run down of all you need to know about the Google Nexus S, including when you can get it, how much it will cost, and which new tech-toys you'll get with it too.

1. It features next-gen technology

The Google Nexus S comes complete with Near Field Communication (NFC), which is basically an extension of the tech you get with your Oyster Card or pass to get into your office building.

However, the Google Nexus S can also read information too, meaning in the future you could hold your phone up to enabled movie posters and instantly download a trailer.

2. Google Nexus S UK release date

If you're looking at this launch and thinking that it will be aeons until you can get your hands on this new super phone, we have good news.

Google has given the Nexus S a 'pre-Christmas' UK release date through The Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy UK, so you'll be able to get your hands on one later this month.

3. The Super AMOLED screen is back again

Despite rumours that the OLED tech was in short supply, the Google Nexus S will come with the latest generation of Samsung's superbly sharp screen technology.

Featuring ultra-high contrast ratios (meaning the blacks are blacker and the whites are whiter) and offering a 1.5x higher brightness than LCD screens, Google is promising the Nexus S will be four times more visible in bright sunlight, which will be a godsend if true.

4. It features one of the fastest processors out there

Using Samsung's 1GHz Hummingbird processor, the Google Nexus S will use one of the fastest-benchmarked CPUs for mobile phones available at the moment.

We would have preferred to see a dual-core design in there, but it's a departure from the Qualcomm offering we saw in the Nexus One and is a real vote of confidence in Samsung's proprietary tech.

5. Google Nexus S UK pricing

The Google Nexus S doesn't look like it's going to be a cheap device, though -– we're looking at a 16GB unit costing £549.95 SIM free.

It will be a slightly less wallet-destroying £35 per month (with a free phone), but that will on a two year deal, so make sure it's the phone for you before you commit.

However in comparison, the iPhone 4 costs roughly the same for the same storage (around £50 cheaper) but will still cost you £119 when buying on contract, showing how much more Apple's devices hit your pocket.