The next Nexus 4

[0dev]

So, it looks like Google is about to discontinue the Nexus 4 - the white model has disappeared, Carphone Warehouse have stopped selling it altogether, and it is almost a year old now and outdated by today's standards.

What're we expecting from the next one? Bigger screen? Better camera? Better battery? LTE?

Or do you think Google will just push Play Editions instead?

 

[MRU]

It depends on how google is set to focus on Moto X too. With the rumours of that being near stock as possible also - it might be a case that there is no longer the need for 'nexus' as a brand.

With Google Editions of flagships and Motorola offering near stock like experience with some (limited) customisability going forward do we really need a nexus device.

Arguably the nexus 4 with its paltry 8GB storage and lack of LTE was a bit of a backwards step going from the 16GB Galaxy Nexus, do folks want another cheaper albeit limited device, if motorola can fill the niche with the Moto X offering a cheaper version for same price range as existing nexus models - then Google doesn't really need to go down the nexus line anymore.

It's interesting and perhaps telling to see that Google opted to brand the HTC One & S4 as 'Google Editions' rather than Nexus devices too.


We will see.... but I would not be surprised if we wont have another nexus, especially as there has been a genuine lack of rumor concerning a replacement.

 

[Explicitic]

The white Nexus 4 was 'limited edition'...

@MacRumorUser Google will continue to push the Nexus brand. The Nexus brand is not limited to their phone. Why discontinue the phone? No other company is offering such a high-end device for anywhere near the Nexus 4's price point. That is one of the main selling points of it. As long as there are Android hackers, there will be a market for Nexus devices.

 

[MRU]

The white Nexus 4 was 'limited edition'...

@MacRumorUser Google will continue to push the Nexus brand. The Nexus brand is not limited to their phone. Why discontinue the phone? No other company is offering such a high-end device for anywhere near the Nexus 4's price point. That is one of the main selling points of it. As long as there are Android hackers, there will be a market for Nexus devices.

That's what I am saying tough. What if Motorola X had something approaching specs and price of a nexus device, with stock android on it - and with Google owning Motorola, would they need a nexus phone ? I know it's all a 'what if' scenario - but yeah, what if ??

Google don't exactly do a great job of getting the Nexus devices into customers hands as is, with it only appearing on google play store in certain countries, and not giving it to carriers in other countries - resulting in many territories unable to purchase a nexus device even if they wanted to.

 

[0dev]

I don't think the Moto X will be a Nexus replacement. They're making this a consumer orientated mid-range device, the marketing makes that very clear. That's literally the exact opposite of a Nexus.

I hope they do keep making Nexus phones but I'd be just as happy if they sold Play Editions of flagships in the UK. They're more pricey but well worth it IMO. Although I wish they'd get updates direct from Google.

 

[3bs]

I hope they do keep making Nexus phones but I'd be just as happy if they sold Play Editions of flagships in the UK. They're more pricey but well worth it IMO. Although I wish they'd get updates direct from Google.

And they should arrive at the same time as the original phone (i.e. TouchWiz S4 and Sense One).

 

[DGPMaluco]

Make a new nexus and a Store in Portugal... Nobody wants to pay 550 euros for a nexus in other stores!

 

[onthecouchagain]

Google themselves have said they would continue the nexus line.

I predict a 5 inch screen from lg. Lte.

They really need to do something about the storage size they offer from the get go though. It's really sort of pathetic.

Offer the 8 gig version, fine. But also offer a 32 gig version for more. Get with the program.

 

[MRU]

Offer the 8 gig version, fine. But also offer a 32 gig version for more. Get with the program.

Or if they are going to offer 8gb, just make sure they add SD card support.

 

[mattopotamus]

I actually like having the 8gb option. I root at still have 3 gb free. It is cheap and fits my needs. I know I am a big minority, but it saves Me money

The Google edition phones are US only so I doubt they will replace the international nexus line with it.

 

[0dev]

Or if they are going to offer 8gb, just make sure they add SD card support.

Exactly. I don't give a **** if they sell a phone with tiny internal storage as long as they put the microSD slot back.

 

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

Only thing I'm really missing is LTE. If the next Nexus has it, and keeps the same price point as the N4, I'll upgrade in a heartbeat.

 

[Sensamic]

Better battery, better camera, 5 inch screen and more memory.

It'll probably have similar hardware to the One and SGS4. Maybe better with Snapdragon 800.

 

[Assault]

Nexus devices will not go away. The branding may change from Nexus to GE, but these developer phones will not disappear. 2 main reasons; 1. The AOSP agreement between Google and all manufacturers making Android phones. 2. Developers need these phones.

 

[otismotive77]

nah, i think we'll see the nexus 5 (again by LG), and one thing is for sure i will definitely go for it, i got a chance to play with the nexus 4 almost 2 months ago, and i was really amazed by it's speed, i havent seen anything else with that much speed and at the same time with that much smoothness.

 

[blitzer09x87]

with so many google edition phones i dont think there's any need left for the nexus phones. i'll be buying the htc one goolgle edition next month and i'm completely happy with this decision i dont wanna wait for another google edition or nexus phone.

 

[appleisking]

with so many google edition phones i dont think there's any need left for the nexus phones. i'll be buying the htc one goolgle edition next month and i'm completely happy with this decision i dont wanna wait for another google edition or nexus phone.

True but one thing that really attracts me is the price. Simply put it is the best phone at its price point hands down.

 

[mattopotamus]

with so many google edition phones i dont think there's any need left for the nexus phones. i'll be buying the htc one goolgle edition next month and i'm completely happy with this decision i dont wanna wait for another google edition or nexus phone.

Like the poster above said... Price. At half the price the nexus line Needs to exist. Not everyone wants to spend $600+ on a phone or less but be on a contract.

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

Google has stated that they plan to continue the Nexus brand. It's their vision of what android software should be and what hardware it should run on.

These Google editions are great but they are not "stock" android. The software is built and will be updated by HTC and Samsung. Not Google. Android Central has a great podcast about this exact topic right now. They talk about how Samsung and HTC had to build their version of "stock" android the work with their hardware. And therefore it's not the same as the Nexus software. i.e beats audio and the flip cover clock on the S4.

I personally want Nexus to continue. I want my software and hardware to be Googles vision of Android. And I want updates straight from Google. And most importantly I want it to be cheaper than $600!

My wish is for an HTC Nexus with excellent battery life since HTC is not known for having great battery life.

 

[skratch77]

In the Google io video they specifically say Google will update the phone and on the add on the play store it also says fast Google updates.

I'll take what Google said at Google io and what they say in fine print on the Google play add over what some blog sites are saying about the Google edition phones to get web hits.

Its in fine print that Google will update the phones and there is a pure Google ROM with no touchwiz framework at all built into it out and about for the Google edition gs4.

 

[sentinelsx]

No offense but this whole "must be cheaper cheaper cheaper" attitude of some nexus warriors is why some of us can't have nice things aka a nexus with decent camera or more storage or better battery life (6 hrs sot on gs4 google edition here compared to paltry 3.5 I got on my n4). Seriously, if android is about choice, where is the power users' choice? You know, those who might use that nexus for more than just calls/texts/Facebook and forums readings on wifi only.

I say they up the price to $450 for a 32 GB variant and put a 3300 mah battery in the next nexus. THEN I will happily trade my google edition device for it. Otherwise both my gs4 ge and my brother's nexus 4 look and function exactly the same nowadays...

I do miss that LCD screen though.

 

[0dev]

No offense but this whole "must be cheaper cheaper cheaper" attitude of some nexus warriors is why some of us can't have nice things aka a nexus with decent camera or more storage or better battery life (6 hrs sot on gs4 google edition here compared to paltry 3.5 I got on my n4). Seriously, if android is about choice, where is the power users' choice? You know, those who might use that nexus for more than just calls/texts/Facebook and forums readings on wifi only.

I say they up the price to $450 for a 32 GB variant and put a 3300 mah battery in the next nexus. THEN I will happily trade my google edition device for it. Otherwise both my gs4 ge and my brother's nexus 4 look and function exactly the same nowadays...

I do miss that LCD screen though.

Honestly, I agree. If I'm buying a high end, fully specced up smartphone with stock Android, I don't mind paying the full price for such a phone. I'd rather pay the money than have them cut corners to make it cheap.

I'm used to buying all my phones full price anyway though. I've never had a contract phone. My current phone, an iPhone 4, I got when it was the latest iPhone direct from Apple for £510 (~$750). So yeah, I'll happily pay good money for a good product.

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

In the Google io video they specifically say Google will update the phone and on the add on the play store it also says fast Google updates.

I'll take what Google said at Google io and what they say in fine print on the Google play add over what some blog sites are saying about the Google edition phones to get web hits.

Its in fine print that Google will update the phones and there is a pure Google ROM with no touchwiz framework at all built into it out and about for the Google edition gs4.

From what I've read it says they phones will receive fast updates but it doesn't say from who. I don't think it should take long but when google realeses an update they still have to give it to Sammy and HTC to let them make sure it works for those phones. Now if Sammy and HTC are privilege to early access maybe the updates will come close to the nexus updates. I guess we wil all have to wait and see. Should be interesting.

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No offense but this whole "must be cheaper cheaper cheaper" attitude of some nexus warriors is why some of us can't have nice things aka a nexus with decent camera or more storage or better battery life (6 hrs sot on gs4 google edition here compared to paltry 3.5 I got on my n4). Seriously, if android is about choice, where is the power users' choice? You know, those who might use that nexus for more than just calls/texts/Facebook and forums readings on wifi only.

I say they up the price to $450 for a 32 GB variant and put a 3300 mah battery in the next nexus. THEN I will happily trade my google edition device for it. Otherwise both my gs4 ge and my brother's nexus 4 look and function exactly the same nowadays...

I do miss that LCD screen though.

Agreed. One of the reasons I returned my nexus 4 was for battery life. If they up the price for better battery and camera then that's perfectly fine with me. I also agree on the LCD screen. Why didn't you opt for the HTC?

 

[mattopotamus]

No offense but this whole "must be cheaper cheaper cheaper" attitude of some nexus warriors is why some of us can't have nice things aka a nexus with decent camera or more storage or better battery life (6 hrs sot on gs4 google edition here compared to paltry 3.5 I got on my n4). Seriously, if android is about choice, where is the power users' choice? You know, those who might use that nexus for more than just calls/texts/Facebook and forums readings on wifi only.

I say they up the price to $450 for a 32 GB variant and put a 3300 mah battery in the next nexus. THEN I will happily trade my google edition device for it. Otherwise both my gs4 ge and my brother's nexus 4 look and function exactly the same nowadays...

I do miss that LCD screen though.

I agree that I would pay more money for better hardware. I just only would be willing to pay $600 for a nexus phone and not a google edition phone. What if these phones did not sell well at all...will the support stop after 1 year? At least with a nexus phone I know that $600 will last a few years

 

[iCole]

I think Google will concentrate on having Google phones versions of Samsungs, HTC's, LG's, etc..