Nexus 5: What we expect about the announcement, specs, and release date of Google's next smartphone
Don't look now, but the LG Nexus 4 successor is expected to make its formal debut by the end of this month.
Rumors and conjecture have been floating around for much of the summer, and now details seem to be falling into place quickly for the updated flagship Android smartphone.
Even though Google hasn't made anything official quite yet (not even the launch event date), there's certainly quite a bit we already think we know about the next Nexus. Here's what's expected and what still remains uncertain.
What we know
The Nexus 5 briefly popped up on Google Play before Google's official announcement, leaving no doubt now that Nexus 5 will be its official name, that it will cost $349 unlocked, and that it will at least come in black.
What we expect
October reveal date
We're still waiting for Google to send out invitations, but multiple sources point to an October unveiling for the Nexus 5, which is supported by the Google Play reveal that cases will also be ready by the end of the month. Specifically, Google has an event scheduled for October 24 that should be centered around Google Play. The invitations make no specific reference to Android or new hardware.
A TechRadar report said that Google will announce and ship the phone in the last week of the month. Other sources, while not quite as specific, have also mentioned an October introduction.
This fits into Google's pattern as well. Last year's Nexus upgrade was also scheduled for the early autumn time frame, before Hurricane Sandy's interference pushed back the date.
Android 4.4 KitKat
The Nexus 5 should be the first smartphone to run Android 4.4 KitKat, Google's next OS iteration, out of the box. Google has already formalized the platform, but the details are a complete mystery. The fall time frame falls in line with previous platform releases; Android 4.0 came in October 2011, and Android 4.2 showed up in November 2012.
LG will make it
All signs point to Google again calling upon LG as the hardware maker of choice for the Nexus smartphone line. Documents found in the FCC tell of a model called LG D820 with specifications not entirely unlike the G2's, which is the source we expect the Nexus 5 to stem from.
Biggest Nexus yet
The Nexus 5 should have a 4.96-inch screen, which would make it the largest Nexus smartphone to date. We should look for the same 1,920x1,080-pixel HD display as the G2's, which equals a 444-pixel density.
The Nexus 5 form factor does not stray far from the LG Nexus 4's.
(Credit: FCC)Design details
Thus far, images suggest that the Nexus 5 will maintain a form factor that doesn't stray far from the LG Nexus 4's. Early photos of the device, however, do not show the same design flourish or patterns on the rear.
An official press photo quietly snuck into the Google Play Store this week only to disappear again. Naturally, some fast-fingered fans were able to save copies of the smartphone.
The Nexus 5 may also be offered in the popular white color.
(Credit: Underkg.com)White version
Pictures obtained by tech blog Underkg, which have since been removed, show what looks to be retail packaging for the Nexus 5. Of particular note, however, is the fact that this model has a white background. None of the leaks thus far indicate a white model exists; perhaps a limited run is in order.
Hardware
The Nexus 5 should be able to hold its own against the competition thanks to the quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU. Bolstered by 2GB of RAM, LTE support, and NFC capability, the handset is expected to employ wireless charging capability and a 2,300mAh battery. Leaked benchmarks results have the Nexus 5 outperforming all other Android devices and rivalingApple's iPhone 5S.
A 16GB Nexus 5 could sell for $299 and include a 2,300mAh battery, while a 32GB model could come equipped with a 3,000mAh cell battery and retail for $399. Additional storage via microSD is atypical of Nexus smartphones; a recently leaked manual made no reference of the external slot.
Carrier support
FCC documents indicate that the Nexus 5 is equipped for penta-band HSPA+ and multiple LTE bands and should support all four major carriers in the US: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. This could mark the first time that Google is able to offer one device across all top-tier carriers.
CNET
October 2, 2013 2:16 PM PDT (Updated: October 18, 2013 1:29 PM PDT)
The most official look at the Nexus 5 yet.
(Credit: Google)
Camera technology
If the Nexus 5 is based on LG's G2 smartphone, then we may see the optical image stabilization (OIS) technology found in the camera. Google likes to introduce new camera features with Android releases, and OIS could make for a compelling user experience.
Price for larger capacities
Google Play listed the Nexus 5 price as "starting at $349." Presumably, this covers the 16GB model, with a 32GB version fetching $399 or more.
Sales model
We already know Google Play store, where customers can buy the phone unlocked or choose a wireless provider. The other will likely be through the carriers themselves, as with the Nexus 4 on T-Mobile. This time around, it's more likely that we'll see the top-tier carriers sell the device at the outset, rather than as a limited exclusive.