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Nexus 5: 5 New Things to Know

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Soon, the Nexus 4 will be joined by two more Nexus smartphones in the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition models that land later on this month. However, there are those that are likely more interested in a true Nexus 4 successor, a device that is currently dubbed Nexus 5. Rumors are scarce, but there are certainly some new things to know about a Nexus 4 successor.

Last year, in late October, Google announced the heavily rumored Nexus 4 from LG to replace the Samsung Galaxy Nexus as the company’s flagship Nexus smartphone. Surprisingly, the device did not sport 4G LTE data speeds like the Galaxy Nexus, something that led many to write off the new Nexus 4. However, the Nexus 4 went on to capture good reviews and quality sales thanks to a cheap price tag and some powerful specifications.

The Nexus 5 is rumored to be replacing the Nexus 4.

The Nexus 5 is rumored to be replacing the Nexus 4.

The Nexus 4 followed in the footsteps of the Nexus 7 tablet, the 7-inch slate that Google launched on the Google Play Store earlier in 2012. The Nexus 7 arrived with vanilla Android software paired with high-end hardware and an extremely affordable price tag that made the device one of the top tablet options at the time. Even now, the Nexus 7 is a solid and affordable tablet for those that aren’t enamored with the iPad mini.

Google’s Nexus 4 sported the same. Vanilla Android, high-end hardware including a gorgeous 4.7-inch display and a quad-core processor, and an extremely cheap unlocked price tag. The Nexus 4 started and starts at $299 unlocked, a price that is virtually unheard of in the smartphone world. By comparison, the iPhone 5 16GB is $650 unlocked.

The cheap price tag and those features led to great demand, demand that Google and LG could simply not keep up with. While demand has simmered, the Nexus 4 remains a fantastic smartphone. However, it also has consumers excited about the prospects of another Nexus smartphone.

Google typically releases a new Nexus device every year to usher in its new Android software. Last year it was the Nexus 7 and Android 4.1 followed by the Nexus 4 and Android 4.2.

This year, Google is rumored to be releasing a Nexus 7 2 in July, likely with Android 4.3, with another Nexus, possibly the Nexus 5, thought to possibly be coming later on this year.

While details remain flimsy and scarce, there are some new details to share with those that might be thinking about waiting for a Nexus 5 release later on in 2013.

Nexus 5 Is Likely

A Nexus 5 is likely, despite the arrival of new Nexus smartphones.

A Nexus 5 is likely, despite the arrival of new Nexus smartphones.

Despite the upcoming launches of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus and HTC One Nexus, the Moto X from Motorola and Google and the rumored Sony Xperia Z Nexus, there will more than likely be a new Nexus smartphone out later on this year.

First off, we heard Google’s Sundar Pichai, the new head of Android, confirm that it’s still planning on releasing Nexus-branded smartphones stating that the “goal with Nexus was to push forward hardware with partners” and that despite the launches of other Nexus devices, that the Nexus program will continue.

If that’s not enough confirmation, consider the impact that the Nexus 4 had without 4G LTE. It’s clear that many, many consumers are interested in low-priced, high-end, unlocked phones. Who wouldn’t be? And now, that the Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Editions are coming with LTE support in the U.S., it paves the way for a Nexus 5 with LTE.

By adding LTE and a new major operating system, the Nexus 5 has the potential to blow the Nexus 4 out of the water. And given the steep prices of the Galaxy S4 Nexus and HTC One Nexus on the Google Play Store, it’s clear that Google is saving the deep discount for a new Nexus, something else that would contribute to bountiful sales.

October-November Release

While it would be nice to see the Nexus 5 arrive in the summer or even in the early fall, that is unlikely to happen.

First of all, the Nexus 4 remains a top option on Android. Yes, it’s old, but it still young enough that it hasn’t received a major Android update. The Galaxy S4 Nexus and HTC One Nexus, which arrive June 26th, bolster Google’s Nexus lineup heading into a fall competition with the iPhone 5S. Shoring things up is the Moto X which is thought to be a customizable device with a heavy focus on software. It’s supposed to arrive by August.

Simply put, there is no where for the Nexus 5 to launch. Google will want to make sure that there is ample space between launches to keep customers happy by ensuring that these launches don’t have significant overlap.

The Nexus 4 is part of Google's new focus on design and build quality.

The Nexus 4 arrived in November of last year.

The Nexus 4 also came out in November and we’ve seen Google stick to a near-year cycle with its Nexus devices. Case in point, the Nexus 7 2 which was rumored for Google I/O in May but has yet to land. It’s rumored for July, the same month that the Nexus 7 arrived last year.

At this point, October and November seem like the prime months. They are out of the way of other Google-backed launches and they are key months in the holiday shopping battleground.

Android 5.0

A rumor from VR-Zone suggests that Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie will be introduced in late October, something that isn’t likely to be confirmed for quite awhile but makes a whole lot of sense.

Android 4.3 is rumored for July and it’s likely going to be a small update to accompany the Nexus 7 2. That should hold users over while it continues development on Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie which is likely going to be a massive update to the Android operating system.

Don't believe the latest rumor that Android 5.0 is delayed.

Android 5.0 is rumored for October.

Information about Android 5.0 is scarce but given the changes that Apple has made to its iOS 7 operating system, an OS that includes several Android-esque features, we could see Google deliver something big with Android 5.0.

The rumor doesn’t suggest any hardware launching alongside the Android 5.0 but if the update is indeed coming in late 2013 as opposed to summer, it’s likely going to be a big update and Google, like Apple, will want to have a hero device launch alongside it.

With no Nexus devices rumored for late in the year, the most likely candidate is a Nexus 5.

LG Nexus 5 Isn’t a Given

The maker of the Nexus 5 has been rumored to be LG, but that isn’t a given at this point. Yes, it had great success with the Nexus 4, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a shoo-in for the new Nexus.

Early rumors suggested LG was developing a new Nexus 5 with Google but recently, the company was quoted as saying that it wasn’t working on the new Nexus but that it was open to the idea. Soon after, an LG Nexus 5 was again rumored to be in development. At this point, it’s not clear as to what, exactly, is going on, but even with the rumors, an LG Nexus 5 isn’t a given.

On paper, it seems likely. Samsung and HTC will offer their own Nexus devices in June. Sony is rumored to be offering its own in July and Motorola’s Moto X could be the company’s version of a Nexus. That leaves LG as the odd company out.

All signs point to LG it remains possible that another manufacturer will step in and produce the new Nexus. Nothing is certain and those thinking about a new Nexus should keep that in mind.

Rumors Scarce, But Nexus Features Are Predictable

Things have been quiet on the Nexus 5 front lately.

Things have been quiet on the Nexus 5 front lately.

As for the device itself, rumors remain scarce. For those who like surprises, this is a good thing. For those that don’t, it’s likely frustrating. Even without leaked specs, it’s easy to predict what a new Nexus smartphone will have on board.

In order to keep the device cheap, it will likely have some type of plastic material for its design. Samsung proved that plastic phones could be nice with the material that it used with the Galaxy S4 so perhaps the new Nexus 5 will take design cues from that.

Don’t expect the device to have a microSD card slot, since Google-developed Nexus devices don’t, but do expect a host of high-end features including a beautiful display, solid camera (the Nexus 4’s was good) and a speedy processor that can make run Android 5.0 extremely smooth.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Moby

    06/13/2013 at 4:24 pm

    Nothing new on this article. What a misleading title. You should change the title of the article to speculations and bs.

  2. Dream Big

    06/13/2013 at 6:44 pm

    Actually I think this article was well written. It certainly had well thought out speculations. Which is more than what you get from most blogs like this. Well done.
    The question I keep wondering is why couldn’t google write the OS in a way that would allow older devices to use it to their best ability but also make use of the specific sensors from motorola x phone. That would allow Google to tie in the build quality of Motorola and it’s sensors and batteries as well as debut the new OS. The possibility for a super device is there and Google could be in control of the whole process from top to bottom.

  3. chazzmatt

    06/13/2013 at 6:57 pm

    The vanilla Android S4, HTC One, Xperia are NOT “Nexus” devices. STOP calling them such. Nexus devices are designed by Google to work with the newest version of Android. These others are “Google Experience” devices running stock Android — but were designed to run their manufacturer’s software interface. It’s not just semantics. The Google Experience devices may run stock Android just fine, but that does not make them “Nexus”.

    • Moby

      06/14/2013 at 4:42 am

      well said bud. the writer has no idea what he’s talking about.

      his short bio shows:

      “…who loves his iPhone 5, iPad third-generation and Samsung Galaxy Nexus. He’s also becoming intrigued with Windows Phone.”

      -just choose one platform my friend and stick with it, pick one. you can’t love them all.

      • Tim

        06/14/2013 at 10:19 am

        That is asinine why would anyone want to stick with one platform and never experience the others. I have had an android phone since the G1 but that doesn’t mean I don’t like grabbing an IPhone or windows phone and seeing what features are available. And to say the author has no idea what he’s talking about is a bold statement. Everything in this article was based off of rumors and speculation, the same things us mobile fans indulge ourselves in for months until company’s decide to let fill us in on the details. Just because the author said HTC One Nexus you feel like writing what he says off as bs is ignorant. Perhaps you should create your own blogging website so you can share your extensive knowledge on a topic nobody knows the facts to yet. Just saying.

        • chazzmatt

          06/15/2013 at 12:25 pm

          it’s ignorant because it’s wrong. the HTC One running stock vanilla is NOT a “Nexus”. If he can’t get that right, then what else is completely wrong in the article.

          • Moby

            06/15/2013 at 6:08 pm

            Spot on. I’m not saying he isn’t allowed to use other platforms. I myself am using a mac product but I love my nexus 4. I prioritize my Google products. How can you be an expert if you love them all? The lack of depth and misleading information in this article is evidence that it’s not possible. Its filled with no-brainer information.

            Van Perl- I got IBS from reading this. Hopefully it goes away when the writer edits this article.

    • Joe Leder

      08/05/2013 at 10:52 pm

      The reason he referred to them as Nexus is because Google provides the galaxy s4 and HTC one with vanilla Android on the Google store. Hence why they have the name nexus behind it. Look into stuff like that before posting a useless comment.

  4. Jacob Nesbit

    06/14/2013 at 4:38 am

    The Nexus 5 is rumored to be replacing the Nexus 4 ——-No sh*t
    this article is a way of time reading

  5. Van Perl

    06/15/2013 at 10:24 am

    Come on, these people are paid by article. Matters not if any new information is avaiable. Slack time, do not be so judgemental, you could get irritable bowl syndrome. Chill, relax.

  6. vperl

    06/15/2013 at 12:02 pm

    Cut these guys a huss.

  7. Moby

    06/15/2013 at 6:12 pm

    Not to bash the writer completely, the other articles he has are very informative. This one just blows.

  8. Van Perl

    06/16/2013 at 1:47 am

    The writer tries, reminds me of a preteen , thinks they are the smartest one in room, but can hardly read.

  9. tomkat

    06/25/2013 at 9:39 am

    Good article, but title was misleading.

  10. MWisBest

    07/10/2013 at 10:23 pm

    The Nexus 4 technically had 4G LTE, you could enable it via some hidden settings, however they didn’t spend the extra $0.50 to add an internal antenna for it so the reception wasn’t particularly great.

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