Your concerns are well-founded. I just got my Galaxy Nexus, and while it immediately made my Nexus One feel quite old, the size is really not comfortable. As far as I can tell, it's going to be impossible for me to fully operate the phone while maintaining a grip on it. Opening and closing the notification drawer, for instance, is impossible for me without shifting the phone or holding it in such a way that it's balanced on my fingers.

That said, two-handed operation feels great, and ICS is just wonderful. If I knew a phone with similar specs, an open bootloader, and a smaller screen was coming in the next two months, I would wait.

I adjusted. Going from the Nexus One to the Galaxy S II was a big jump and it felt a bit uncomfortable at first, but after a few days, I realized I had adjusted my grip to hold the phone a little bit more on the side (that was totally subconscious).

Now, I used my Galaxy S II single-handed just as much as I used my Nexus One, and I'm loving the big screen.

When you go big, you don't go back, but I agree that 4.3-4.5 is probably the highest a phone should ever go.

I liked when phones were getting smaller. I don't like this getting bigger trend. I'd like an iPhone sized Android that doesn't suck.

I love that they are getting bigger. I had a big issue with the Galaxy Note vs Galaxy Nexus. The Note's 5"+ screen sold me, but the button configuration was last generation (android 2.x), and no ICS, and not the pure Google experience.

HP, ignoring the disaster that they are, really were headed down the right path. A tiny phone, a large phone, and a tablet. Over the years, you could totally see that large phone getting larger and the tiny phone getting even smaller. Great for both me and you. Too bad they went and screwed everything up.

I'm going to buy a Galaxy Ace: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ace_s5830-3724.php.

Admittedly it has a weaker CPU and worse screen than the Nexus or the SII, but it should be the right size :) the same as an iPhone, and Android, which is what you ask for, and much cheaper :) (U$ 150 with a 20 dollar contract over here).

If you are willing to go smaller than iPhone, consider Sony Ericsson Xperia ray. It doesn't seem too exciting looking at the specs, but so far there have been quite a few pleasant surprises (camera, overall snappiness, solid construction) and not too much suckitude (unremovable Facebook and SE bloatware, lack of polish compared to iOS in places).

I'd say this is all a matter of preference. If you have smaller hands or something this phone is probably going to be annoyingly big to you. If on the other hand you have large hands like me, its perfect and just the right size.

I had the same concerns about one-handed operation. That was my complaint with the Nexus One, but the Galaxy Nexus' nice display and better balance make it not such a big (no pun intended ;) problem.

I agree. I tried it out in the store and the size was a bit concerning. I'm considering the S2 as an alternative but it looks like ICS isn't going to hit for a few months. Not surprising, but unfortunate.

I still think that Android is missing that key combination of excellent hardware and unbranded/unmodded software. The carriers should leave it alone.

I don't mind the feel of a larger phone in my hand but I do find the larger size a distraction when it's in my pocket.

I love the large screen. But I have trouble typing on the small Nexus S screen and my pockets are big.

Same here. I ordered a Nexus S yesterday. It will be capable enough to do what I need. Let's not get caught up in a megapixel style race with phone processors. Have the mobile OS vendors work on their code instead.

I don't know the screen is large enough and crisp enough that this may replace my tablet.

It would be a shame if you didn't buy the Nexus if you like 4". It would be a huge mistake. The Nexus is barely larger than the Fascinate because of the lack of hardware buttons.

Seriously, give it a shot. I was shocked that it was not much larger than it really wound up being.

Good point about the lack of hardware buttons. When I first heard how big it would be compared to my Nexus S I was worried, but now that I think bout it the buttons take up a nice chuck of space.