Next-big-Android-thing Nexus S spotted in the wild?

The Android rumor mill has been working overtime over what may be the next big phone, what for now, at least, is referred to as the “Nexus S.”

Samsung (005930.KS) allegedly would produce the new device, successor to the failed Nexus One sold by Google (GOOG) at its own website. The next Nexus supposedly would be run on Gingerbread, the next-gen Android OS.

Run, run fast as you can and try to catch the Gingerbreadman rumors.

Chris Ziegler in Engadget shows some pictures taken of what may be the new Nexus.

Photos of the phones linked with model number GT-i9020 came unofficially from Google employees. Engadget sleuths uncovered an FCC filing for that device included a sketch resembling the images seen in today’s leaked images.

Further evidence: The images also resemble a mock-up created by Gizmodo a couple of weeks ago.

Android Police said that images at Flickr and Picassa reveal that Nexus S will have a five-megapixel camera. The Android coppers said the device would be a perfect fit for T-Mobile (DTEGY.PK). “The stars are gradually aligning… as is our desire to see this device released at long last,” said Jaroslav Stekl.

InfoSyncWorld described the Nexus S as a breakthrough: “the most powerful smartphone you’ve ever seen, as it’ll likely be powered by the new Samsung Orion application processor.”

Phandroid presents evidence that Best Buy (BBY) will be selling the device exclusively: “Best Buy’s published a section on their mobile site saying that the ‘Pure Google’ Nexus S is available only at Best Buy this holiday season. A link to pre-order it doesn’t work, and there’s a bad image with the alternate text field showing ‘Nexus S for T-Mobile.’”

Phandroid said Best Buy quickly took down the page.

The Googlers and Best Buy, as usual, declined comment on rumors or speculation. Eagle-eyes who happen to be near Google and Samsung campuses are urged to look for more signs of the still-stealthy phone.

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