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LG Nexus 4 Release Date and Price Predictions

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Over the last few days, it has become clear that, at the very least, LG will be launching a Nexus-branded smartphone this year, possibly called the Nexus 4. It has leaked out in photos, those who possess the device currently have leaked specifications and we’ve heard from reliable publications who claim that the phone will be launching this month.

In October of last year, Google and Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the third Nexus smartphone and the first device running Google’s new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. And now, the time has come for Google to replace that device and it looks like it may do so at an announcement set to take place sometime this month.

Read: LG Nexus Photos and Benchmarks Leak.

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This is likely the LG Nexus.

While a specific date is not yet known, the likely place is the All Things D: Dive Into Mobile conference which is set to kick off on October 29th. At the conference, Android chief Andy Rubin will take the stage and it could be that he announces the next Nexus smartphone, or smartphones, then. Until then though, while we think we know most of the specifications regarding the LG Nexus, we’re still in the dark about its release date in the United States and pricing.

LG Nexus 4 U.S. Release Date

Even though the LG Nexus 4 release date and pricing remains in the shadows, that doesn’t mean that we can’t make some predictions when it comes to both aspects of LG’s Nexus.

Last year, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was announced in October but didn’t launch until December on Verizon, meaning customers had to wait a whole two months for the device to finally hit shelves.

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We don’t think that that will happen this time around with the LG Nexus because we aren’t sure if the device is going to officially hit any carriers at all. There is no evidence to support a U.S. carrier launch and the photos that we’ve seen leak don’t possess carrier branding.

In fact, it may be that Google releases the device in unlocked form only, selling the device through its Google Play Store. At least at the start.

IMG_20121010_005354

So assuming Andy Rubin announces the phone later this month and then assuming that Google decides to release it in unlocked form from the get-go, we would say that the phone is probably destined for a launch either in late October, maybe same say release or in November.

Google will want to get at least one Nexus smartphone out in time for the holiday shopping season and releasing a device in either October or in the first half of November seems like a great time to accomplish that goal.

LG Nexus 4 Carriers

Just because we haven’t seen the device leak out with carrier-branding doesn’t mean that we won’t see it arrive for carriers here in the U.S. However, if Google and LG do decide to launch it on specific carriers, don’t expect the device to be available soon after the announcement.

Instead, it would take carriers several weeks to make sure everything is in order before launching the LG Nexus 4.

If it were to head to the usual suspects, Sprint and Verizon, a December launch would not be out of the question as that is when Verizon received the Samsung Galaxy Nexus last year.

LG Nexus 4 Price

Like the release date, the price remains a mystery. However, there are definitely some clues out there that give us some insight as to how Google and LG might price the LG Nexus 4.

Read: LG Nexus Goes Cheap With No MicroSD and 8GB Storage.

Earlier today, we saw specifications for the LG Nexus 4 leak to the surface, courtesy of a person who is currently in possession of the device. The list of specifications includes:

  • CPU: quad-core ARMv7 1.5GHz
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Memory: 8GB (No SD Card Slot)
  • GPU: Adreno 320
  • Android version: JellyBeanMR1
  • Kernel 3.4.0
  • Screen: 768×1184 (320 dpi)
  • Camera: 8 MPx

So, we see an HD display, quad-core processor, 2GB of memory, Jelly Bean and an 8MP rear camera. All high end specifications. However, the telling pieces of the story here are the 8GB of storage space and the lack of an SD card slot.

If this is true, and it appears to be, it looks like a cost cutting maneuver, aimed at keeping the price of the LG Nexus 4 extremely low. But just how low?

IMG_20121010_005707

Well, Google is currently selling a 16GB, unlocked Galaxy Nexus on its website for $349.99. We think, with 8GB and no MicroSD card slot, Google might be shooting for much lower than this, maybe in the neighborhood of $250 to $300.

That would certainly be enticing considering the other specifications on board and it may allow LG and Google to push quite a few more Nexus units out to people who want the benefits of a Nexus device, paired with solid hardware and an unbeatable price tag.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Chris S.

    10/10/2012 at 11:13 am

    I really like the way this phone looks.. and the Samsung nexus was great…
    i currently have the s3 now,, i would trade it in for this one…
    Seems pretty solid the way it is as listed…

  2. abrahavt

    10/10/2012 at 3:23 pm

    Cant imagine buying a phone with 8GB. Even 16 is too little, especially without an SD slot. Not to mention the fact that it probably wont have LTE.Think I will get the note 2 instead.

  3. grant

    10/11/2012 at 9:05 am

    Abrahavt are you tripping. The gnex from Samsung gets lte Lmao plus this small storage is moving to Google drive. Which works amazingly plus if this phone is sold unlocked then you don’t have to waste an upgrade :) lg thought this one out check out where speaker is on the back. Plus you haven’t really owned android with out owning a nexus. I have had jelly bean and enjoying ICS for a very long time. More than a year almost 6 months I believe of jb

  4. dani

    10/11/2012 at 4:56 pm

    if it comes out at $250 i might think about it..if it’s 300 i think i’ll pass and get the galaxy nexus instead..im in the market for a phone and i dont feel waiting 6 more months to see what other companies come out with a nexus phone..but 8gb is just too little…

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