Google unveiled its Nexus 5 Android smartphone, built by LG, which Google will sell unlocked starting at $349 for the 16 GB model. Google said the LTE-capable phone will be sold by Sprint , T-Mobile US and AT&T Mobility, according to reports, but that the phone will not work on Verizon Wireless network.
According to The Verge, Google's Sundar Pichai, vice president of Android and Chrome, confirmed that "the Nexus 5 will not be on Verizon." As The Verge points out, this is the second major Google device that appears to have been snubbed by Verizon; the carrier initially refused to support Google's recently announced Nexus 7 tablet, though Verizon subsequently promised to reverse that position at some point in the future.
"LG is proud to partner with Google again to develop the fastest, most powerful Nexus phone ever," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Nexus 5 offers the ultimate functionality in a modern design and is a testament to the level of innovation that can be generated when two great companies come together for a second act."
Google Nexus 5 is the first to run Android 4.4, which brings a new dialer that automatically suggests people
the most likely call while Caller ID by Google matches an incoming phone number to a business even if that number isn't stored in the contact list. Users can send and receive text messages directly from Hangouts, and Hangouts for Android now supports location sharing.
The Nexus 5 comes with a 4.95-inch full-HD IPS display and is powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor alongside 2GB of RAM. It comes with an 8.0-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front camera. It comes in 16GB and 32GB storage options, with Black and White colours to choose from.
As a welcome change, developers (Google and LG) have incorporated tough polycarbonate material for the Nexus 5 back cover as seen on the recently released Nexus 7. It is certain to help users have a better grip over the device.
Currently, Google Nexus 5 is the only device in the market to feature Android v4.4 KitKat and comes with a slew of enhanced features such as smarter caller ID, more organised message grouping, low-power audio play playback (about 60 hours), quick access to settings, Quickoffice word document app, Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile) and many more applications.
Nexus 4 currently runs on the updated v4.3 Jelly Bean. Nexus 4 owners need not wait long for the new v4.4 KitKat as Google has confirmed that the new OS update will be rolled in few weeks time.
2013 Nexus phone flaunts a 4.95 inch full HD IPS display with 445 ppi and features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen guard. Despite boasting a bigger display, Nexus 5 weighs less than its predecessor. It weighs 130 g, whereas Nexus 4 measures 139 g. That's not all; LG has managed to reduce bezel size of Nexus 5 to 8.9 mm. Its predecessor had 9.1 mm thickness.