Did Samsung make a 3-megapixel mistake with the Galaxy Nexus?

As the buzz surrounding the iPhone 4S fades a little (it’s been a week, after all), Samsung unveiled the most anticipated Android phone of the pre-holiday season with the Galaxy Nexus. Armed with the first installation of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest entry into Google’s Nexus program will go on sale in the US, Europe, and Asia next month.

Nearly all of the specs are impressive:

• 1.2 gigahertz Dual Core Processor
• 4.65 inch Touchscreen
• Slender 8.49 millimeter depth
• 1280 x 720 Resolution
• NFC Technology for Mobile Payments
• 1 gigabyte of RAM
• Front-Facing Camera

There is one feature that is less impressive and may prove to be a big mistake when consumers start their smartphone shopping next month. Despite having a rear camera that shoots 1080p at 40 frames per second like its high-end smartphone competitors, it shoots at a mere 5-megapixels.

8-megapixels is the new standard set by the other high-end options such as the iPhone 4S, Motorola Droid Bionic, Photon 4G, and even the Galaxy S II.

Those who understand how digital photography work know that the difference in quality in most situations will not be noticeable, but numbers are numbers and when people are comparing the devices, having an “inferior” camera will likely sway a good portion of people considering it against these and other competitors.

Having a pure installation of Android 4.0 will help, of course, as will other improvements such as the removal of physical buttons and improved screen clarity (including a new font called Roboto), but for many it will not be enough to overcome a camera that seems 3-megapixels inferior.

If sales are sluggish, we’ll know who to blame: the decision-maker who chose a camera that is comparable to last year’s models.

Here’s the official unveiling: