Nexus 5 Smartphone: 10 Features Android Fans Impatiently Await

by Don Reisinger

The companies might not have confirmed it yet, but all the leaks and the owner’s manual show that Google has again teamed up with LG to produce the Nexus 5. LG also produced the Nexus 4. It remains to be seen whether the Nexus 5 will avoid the initial supply problems that affected the Nexus 4’s introduction in November 2012.

Google and LG ostensibly believe that the design they brought to the Nexus 4 is good enough. Every leak on the Nexus 5 shows a device that has the same, rounded corners as the Nexus 4, as well as similar (but not identical) dimensions. Those who liked the Nexus 4 design will feel right at home with the Nexus 5.

One of the nice things about Google’s Nexus handsets is that the company always bundles its latest software with this product line. So, whenever the Nexus 5 hits store shelves, expect it to be running Android 4.4 (KitKat). Again, details on KitKat are slim, at best, but reports suggest the platform will be more secure than predecessors and include new features that could enhance overall productivity.

LG will be bundling a 5-inch HD display in the Nexus 5. That’s up from the 4.7-inch Nexus 4, but not quite as big as the 5.2-inch LG G2. Still, the Nexus 5 will offer 1080p resolution, which should make it a welcome companion for those looking for video entertainment while on the go.

Don’t expect the Nexus 5 to arrive with a Nokia-grade 41-megapixel camera. Instead, the device will reportedly feature an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, along with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing lens. The move is somewhat surprising, considering the LG G2 has a 13-megapixel shooter. It appears as though LG wants the Nexus 5 to be a less-appealing offering than its own G2.

At $349, the Nexus 5 might not appear to be a good deal at first glance. However, that price is contract-free, making it one of the cheaper flagship handsets on the market. The iPhone 5S, for example, will set customers back $649 for the cheap model and even more for the higher-end version. At $349, the Nexus 5 might just be worth it for the freedom it can deliver.

One of the biggest issues with the Nexus 4 was its lack of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) networking. The Nexus 5, however, will be launching with LTE. Several rumors suggested the addition earlier this year, but it was all but confirmed by the FCC in the summer when the government agency approved the LTE radio in the handset. Finally, the Nexus line is coming to LTE.

Here’s a curious factor: the Nexus 5 will be capable of connecting to AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile LTE networks. However, several reports have suggested that Verizon won’t get the Nexus 5. Such a move wouldn’t be a major surprise, considering Verizon and Google have long had their issues with each other. Earlier this year, for example, Verizon made headlines when it wouldn’t allow the Nexus 7 tablet to access its LTE network, saying that “not all LTE tablets are created equal.”

According to the owner’s manual, the Nexus 5 will come in 16GB and 32GB variants. There’s also talk that the device, unlike several Android handsets, including the LG G2, won’t come with expandable storage. If that’s the case, it could be a problem for customers who want a device that can match the iPhone 5S. At just 32GB, the Nexus 5 will be outclassed on storage.

The Nexus 5 should have already launched in the U.S., but as of this writing, it’s still not available. So, when will the device hit store shelves? According to the latest rumors, Google has its smartphone lined up for Nov. 1. Such a date makes sense since the holidays are fast approaching. But even if Google doesn’t launch the handset on that day, customers can expect it to reach the market sooner rather than later.