Vodafone UK Kicks Off Nexus One Pre-Orders

Nexus One by HTC, the first mobile phone to be sold directly via Google's own web store, is now available for pre-order in the UK. The handset will become available for purchase in the country via Vodafone UK, and those interested in securing one unit for themselves can now head over to the wireless carrier's website to do so. The Nexus One will hit Vodafone's stores on April 30, having it available for free on Pay monthly plans that start at £35.

“Today, Vodafone begins accepting pre-orders for Nexus One from customers in the United Kingdom at www.vodafone.co.uk/nexusone, and on April 30th Vodafone will start selling Nexus One in their UK stores, online, and over the phone. Soon after, they will also begin selling Nexus One in France (SFR), Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. Vodafone is our first European partner to distribute the Nexus One,” a post on the Google Nexus One Board reads.

The Nexus One by HTC arrived on the market in the United States back in January, when Google started selling it with a contract option with T-Mobile USA, and without contract. The Android 2.1-based device is currently available in the US with AT&T connectivity options too, and it can also be purchased in Canada.

It is rather interesting that Google decided to let Vodafone itself sell the Nexus One in Europe, and that the device will be shipped from the carrier and not from the Internet giant. However, the phone is called “Nexus One, from Google” on Vodafone's website, which means that it should include the same features as the US counterpart.

The Nexus One was announced as being headed for Verizon Wireless' network in the US too, yet now Google says that those who want the phone with this carrier should consider going for the Droid Incredible by HTC instead, which is available for pre-order here. According to Google, the Incredible is “a powerful new Android phone and a cousin of the Nexus One that is similarly feature-packed,” which is set to hit the shelves at Verizon on April 29.This might suggest that Nexus One won't land on Verizon's airwaves in the end.