(Image Source: SlashGear)

BY EVAN THOMAS
ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

You're watching multi-perspective news analysis from Newsy.

Rumor has it Android’s latest flagship phone -- Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus -- was designed specifically to avoid fresh patent disputes with Apple.

The two companies have been slapping each other’s wrists with various infringement claims since last year. Samsung initially held off debuting its new phone, citing the death of Steve Jobs. SlashGear suggests Samsung may have also stalled to avoid another confrontation with Apple.

“...the two companies were doing some final work tweaking out patent-related issues. Some of the Ice Cream Sandwich features would be removed or modified, it was suggested, to avoid overlapping with Apple’s [intellectual property].”

It sounds like a safe bet, but TheNextWeb says-- don’t put another suit past Apple just yet. With the way it tried to hamstring iPhone 4S sales, Samsung might be asking for it.

“Whether Apple will pursue the new handset in the courts remains to be seen, the Cupertino-based company will certainly be on high alert after Samsung filed legal action over the new iPhone 4S smartphone in Australia.”

And Gizmodo says-- with patents, who knows? Even Samsung’s mobile president Shin Jong-kyun isn’t positive the phone is “safe.”

“...he claims that no 'known' Apple patent was used in the Galaxy Nexus... there isn't any immediate similarities you can draw between the phone and the iPhone, but then again, no one really knows with patents. It's an ugly mess.”

But maybe it’s all a moot point. Engadget adds -- Samsung started designing this phone before legal claims started flying.

“...the actual development of the Galaxy Nexus started with Google before the initial lawsuit hammer fell between the two outfits, making it impossible for the suits being flung back and forth today to have any impact on that decision.”

Pending any product-pulling lawsuits from Cupertino, Samsung’s phone will be on shelves next month.

Transcript by Newsy.