While it certainly sounds like a yummy snack, in tech terms Ice Cream Sandwich is Android’s latest operating system. Some call it Android 4.0, though most prefer the sweet treat nickname. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first Android phone to feature Ice Cream Sandwich, and Android fans have been waiting for this super smartphone for some time now.

What’s so special about the Galaxy Nexus? We’ll get into that in a moment. Right now, if you’re interested in getting your hands on the latest Android offering, you should know that you can now pre-order this phone Expansys in the United States (U.S. only for now, sorry folks!). While it’s great to get your hands on the latest and greatest, this phone doesn’t come cheaply.

Cost and Availabilty

Just how much are people willing to pay for the latest smartphone? If you ask Apple, that number can be up in the hundreds. Usually, Android phones are not as expensive as Apple phones, but the Nexus is an exception. This phone will cost you more than $700. That’s right, $700 to get the latest Android phone. Of course, this is without a contract.

If you want to wait for the standard 2-year contract, look for Verizon to start carrying this smartphone in a few months. That contract will knock down the price of the Nexus a bit, though I’m expecting this phone to be in the iPhone plus contract price range. Is the Nexus worth all of your hard-earned cash? Here’s what you might be missing out on if you skip this phone.

What the Nexus Has

The Nexus comes stocked with 1GB of RAM, two cameras (one rear 5-megapixel and one front 1.3-megapixel), a 65-inch AMOLED display, and, of course, Android’s newest operating system. This OS is supposed to be faster and more intelligent than previous versions, and it’s one that has been in the works for quite awhile now.

In fact, this is the main reason why people are so excited for the arrival of the Nexus. The phone itself at first long-distance glance looks slick and thin. The shell is of the glossy sort, and this phone is nothing like the somewhat-bulky iPhone. For once, Samsung has not copied Apple’s styling entirely. For those who support Samsung phones, you’ll appreciate how much this phone doesn’t look like an iPhone. If you’re hoping for an iPhone…head to an Apple store.

How Long You Have to Wait

Verizon hasn’t named a date yet, but the company has said that the phone will come out later this year. That could mean in January, but it probably means March or April. If you are a current Verizon customer, you might want to keep your eyes and ears peeled. Of course, if you’re locked into a contract with another carrier, you will have to tough it out until your contract expires. As you might already know, switching phones is an expensive hassle.

If you’re really eager to get your hands on this phone, go ahead and pre-order the phone now. It will take a few weeks to get your phone, but I’m hoping that it will be worth that $700 price tag.