What do you want to see in the Nexus 4 (2013)?

[Frankied22]

Now that the Moto X has been unveiled (for better or for worse) I wanted to know what we all hope for in the Nexus 4 (2013). The Moto X was not as I expected so the Nexus is my next phone of interest. Personally, I'd like them to keep it at 4.7" and try to slim down the phone just a tad for easier one-handed use. I also don't want them to switch to AMOLED. It has always looked over saturated to me. I think the basic design of the phone could remain the same but make it a little thinner and lighter. If they switched the back from glass to something more along the lines of the Nexus 7 (2013) or the Kevlar Moto X that would be great. I really like the feel of the back of the new Nexus 7 and I don't feel like I am going to easily damage it. I am not sure if LG is going to be the maker again but rumors seem to indicate they will be. (ASUS returned for the Nexus 7 so...) The speaker definitely needs to be re-thought out and aux out needs to be boosted. The camera also should be improved greatly.

As for the internals I am not that concerned because I know it will be updated to what it needs to be processor-wise and GPU-wise. My biggest concern (and I'm sure many other N4 users agree) is the battery. The next Nexus 4 needs way better battery life.

Most of my excitement and anticipation is for Android 5.0. I really hope to see a brand new design of Android that is system-wide. The ICS Tron stuff needs to be updated. I look forward to a lot more great design in the OS that resembles Google's new flat designs and card style designs for information. It also wouldn't surprise me if Google implements the always-on listening feature that is in the Moto X, into the the next version of Android. To me, it just seems like a natural progression of Google Now. They already brought it to Chrome on the desktop. Google wants you to eventually be able to speak to your devices for information hands-free.

Lastly, I fully expect this device to launch on the Play Store in October/November running Android 5.0 and for $300-349 unlocked. They may need to bump the price twenty bucks or so like they did with the Nexus 7 (2013), but I am pretty sure it will remain well beneath the usual cost of a phone unlocked. I also expect Google to have their **** together this time around when it launches so people can actually get the device.

What do you guys think? I am really looking forward to what Google comes out with.

 

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

LTE is the main thing. I currently have the 8GB model, so storage capacity isn't make or break for me - but I'd likely get a 32GB model if it was offered.

That's really all. Don't play games or use my phone for a lot of media consumption, so hardware upgrades (aside from LTE) would go unnoticed by me.

 

[dxyovak]

What do I want to see?

1) smaller, lighter physical design: about 60mm wide. (current Nexus phones are way too big.)

2) LTE

3) stereo speakers that are located on the front or end (like iPhone) of the device

4) power button on the top of the phone

 

[tbayrgs]

Give me the rumored specs of the upcoming LG G2 in a slightly smaller form. It also must have LTE.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Stereo speakers

4.7 inch 1080p

Snapdragon 600/800

Better camera optics.

Better battery life (improved under 4.3 but would still like better)

LTE would be gravy.

 

[Frankied22]

It definitely needs LTE.

 

[Michael Goff]

I wouldn't hold my breath on LTE.

 

[Frankied22]

I wouldn't hold my breath on LTE.

Why not? The N7 is launching with LTE.

 

[MRU]

What I want in the next Nexus

Google getting their **** together and release it globally, and finally put technology on the Irish play store would be a start ....

Until then; it becomes superfluous what any of the specs and price are if I am unable to actually order one.

 

[Cole Slaw]

I'd like to see:

- 32 gb option
- speaker(s) in front or at least on the bottom
- LTE
- Perhaps a better camera

And lastly a proper product launch this time.

 

[Sensamic]

5 screen or close to that. Brighter. Better color saturation. 1080p.

Thinner. The nexus 4 is too thick compared to my SGS3.

Better battery life.

Better camera.

Snapdragon 800.

Better radios (3G and Wi-Fi) for stronger signal.

A 32GB option.

All of this are musts.

3GB RAM would be nice.

 

[tbayrgs]

I wouldn't hold my breath on LTE.

I'd be shocked if it didn't have LTE, especially as Frankied22 point out that the Nexus 7 will have it shortly. Even more impressive is the fact that a single version will work across multiple carriers in the US, something even Apple hasn't done yet.

It would be a tremendous failure to release it without LTE.

 

[Michael Goff]

Why not? The N7 is launching with LTE.

I'd be shocked if it didn't have LTE, especially as Frankied22 point out that the Nexus 7 will have it shortly. Even more impressive is the fact that a single version will work across multiple carriers in the US, something even Apple hasn't done yet.

It would be a tremendous failure to release it without LTE.

Wouldn't that raise the price though?

If I'm wrong, I'm happy to admit it.

 

[xraydoc]

If we're dreaming...

-2600+ mAh battery
-LTE
-Verizon compatibility
-32GB option

 

[tbayrgs]

Wouldn't that raise the price though?

If I'm wrong, I'm happy to admit it.

The Nexus 7 certainly isn't expensive--probably the best value you'll find in tablets.

Also, a year ago, there was virtually no LTE in Europe and except for Verizon, carriers in the US had a fraction of the LTE coverage they do now. Omitting LTE would be a huge mistake considering basically EVERY device being released now has it.

 

[Michael Goff]

The Nexus 7 certainly isn't expensive--probably the best value you'll find in tablets.

Also, a year ago, there was virtually no LTE in Europe and except for Verizon, carriers in the US had a fraction of the LTE coverage they do now. Omitting LTE would be a huge mistake considering basically EVERY device being released now has it.

Well then I probably misspoke and I retract my statement.

 

[tbayrgs]

Well then I probably misspoke and I retract my statement.

Hey, no need to retract, we're both just expressing our opinions.

We'll find out for sure in a few months.

 

[vikingjunior]

I hope there is a new nexus odd that there hasn't been one leak.

 

[adder7712]

• 4.7-5.0 in 1080p display
• Snapdragon 800
• 32GB or even 64GB options

 

[Explicitic]

Why do people keep calling the next-generation Nexus phone Nexus 4?

 

[strausd]

Now that everyone has said their unrealistic fantasy phone, its time for somebody to be the voice of reason.

The first problem with what everyone is saying is the fact that people are calling it a 2013 Nexus 4. Does anybody have any basis for that? Or are you just making a blind assumption? And saying the new one will have the same number because the Nexus 7 has the same number provides no legitimate evidence for your argument. The Nexus 7 kept the same number because the screen size stayed the same. Will the next Nexus smartphone keep the same screen size? We technically have no concrete information on this, but there is much more evidence pointing to a "no" than a "yes."

The Nexus 7 was, again, made by Asus. The next Nexus 10 is rumored to be made by Samsung, again. Now based on this, we can speculate that the next Nexus smartphone will be made by LG. Hopefully we are all on the same page so far.

Now with the Nexus 4, it was not an original phone by Google. Instead, it was a phone based heavily on the LG Optimus G. With the LG G2 coming out in a few days, this provides another phone for the next Nexus smartphone to be based on. Same manufacturer is coming out with their next gen flagship of the same series. So we can speculate that the G2 will be the base for the next Nexus smartphone. Now at this point, we all know that the G2 is going to have a 5.2" 1080p screen. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

So if all Nexus devices are looking to be made by the same manufacturer as their last generation, then we can assume the next Nexus smartphone will be made by LG. If the past Nexus smartphone (Nexus 4) was based on the manufacturers flagship, we can assume the next Nexus smartphone will be based on the manufacturers next flagship, the G2. If the next Nexus smartphone is based on LGs next flagship, it will have the same 5.2" screen. If it has a 5.2" screen, it won't be called a Nexus 4. That is the evidence we currently have available to support a Nexus 5. What evidence do we have to support a 2013 Nexus 4? Well, basically nothing.

Now I see a lot of people on here say they want a thinner device with a new quad-core CPU, 1080p display, LTE, and better battery life. If that is to happen, battery life improvement will be extremely minimal. You just can't fit a huge battery in a small casing. But since this is more of a wishlist, I would be perfectly happy with the current thickness in a 5.2" body to provide better battery life with those specs.

LTE is also going to happen. Now that we have seen LTE in GPE phones and the Nexus 7, we can expect it in the Nexus 5.

I don't think we will see a 32GB option, at least not right away. We could, but I am not sure how likely it is. Google is clearly trying to push cloud storage. I expect them to keep that up. Plus a 32GB option would increase the price when Google is clearly trying to keep the price of this down.

I think we can expect similar price points as well. Exactly the same price points? Maybe not. But I do think it will be close. I do not expect the entry Nexus 5 to be above $400 unlocked.

As for CPU, this is up in the air. But I'm leaning towards a Snapdragon 800 since that is what is rumored to be in the G2.

Those are my thoughts, take 'em or leave 'em.

 

[Faux Carnival]

The only problems with the current Nexus 4: battery and camera.

If they improve those things, it will be the perfect phone!

 

[Twixt]

Now that everyone has said their unrealistic fantasy phone, its time for somebody to be the voice of reason.

The first problem with what everyone is saying is the fact that people are calling it a 2013 Nexus 4. Does anybody have any basis for that? Or are you just making a blind assumption? And saying the new one will have the same number because the Nexus 7 has the same number provides no legitimate evidence for your argument. The Nexus 7 kept the same number because the screen size stayed the same. Will the next Nexus smartphone keep the same screen size? We technically have no concrete information on this, but there is much more evidence pointing to a "no" than a "yes."

The Nexus 7 was, again, made by Asus. The next Nexus 10 is rumored to be made by Samsung, again. Now based on this, we can speculate that the next Nexus smartphone will be made by LG. Hopefully we are all on the same page so far.

Now with the Nexus 4, it was not an original phone by Google. Instead, it was a phone based heavily on the LG Optimus G. With the LG G2 coming out in a few days, this provides another phone for the next Nexus smartphone to be based on. Same manufacturer is coming out with their next gen flagship of the same series. So we can speculate that the G2 will be the base for the next Nexus smartphone. Now at this point, we all know that the G2 is going to have a 5.2" 1080p screen. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

So if all Nexus devices are looking to be made by the same manufacturer as their last generation, then we can assume the next Nexus smartphone will be made by LG. If the past Nexus smartphone (Nexus 4) was based on the manufacturers flagship, we can assume the next Nexus smartphone will be based on the manufacturers next flagship, the G2. If the next Nexus smartphone is based on LGs next flagship, it will have the same 5.2" screen. If it has a 5.2" screen, it won't be called a Nexus 4. That is the evidence we currently have available to support a Nexus 5. What evidence do we have to support a 2013 Nexus 4? Well, basically nothing.

Now I see a lot of people on here say they want a thinner device with a new quad-core CPU, 1080p display, LTE, and better battery life. If that is to happen, battery life improvement will be extremely minimal. You just can't fit a huge battery in a small casing. But since this is more of a wishlist, I would be perfectly happy with the current thickness in a 5.2" body to provide better battery life with those specs.

LTE is also going to happen. Now that we have seen LTE in GPE phones and the Nexus 7, we can expect it in the Nexus 5.

I don't think we will see a 32GB option, at least not right away. We could, but I am not sure how likely it is. Google is clearly trying to push cloud storage. I expect them to keep that up. Plus a 32GB option would increase the price when Google is clearly trying to keep the price of this down.

I think we can expect similar price points as well. Exactly the same price points? Maybe not. But I do think it will be close. I do not expect the entry Nexus 5 to be above $400 unlocked.

As for CPU, this is up in the air. But I'm leaning towards a Snapdragon 800 since that is what is rumored to be in the G2.

Those are my thoughts, take 'em or leave 'em.

flash RAM is worth peanuts nowadays, a chip of 4GB costs 3 USD roughly, crazy that nobody here figures that out...

 

[TacticalDesire]

Why do people keep calling the next-generation Nexus phone Nexus 4?

Because Google released the new Nexus 7 and it's called the Nexus 7 (2013) It kept it's name. And it makes sense for Google to stick with it's naming scheme for the whole lineup.

 

[strausd]

flash RAM is worth peanuts nowadays, a chip of 4GB costs 3 USD roughly, crazy that nobody here figures that out...

How much it costs them to put it in the phone is becoming irrelevant. What matters is how much they are likely to charge for the increase in storage. An extra $50 is becoming standard. And they want the customers to see it as a cheap, yet powerful phone. If they make 8, 16, and 32GB options, the 32GB option will be 400+, clearly getting out of that ~300 sweet spot they hit with the Nexus 4.

And if they can save a minuscule amount by only doing 8 and 16GB options, you can bet they will. Every penny counts when making a performance phone with a budget price.

We also need to remember that storage is not Google's main concern.

Because Google released the new Nexus 7 and it's called the Nexus 7 (2013) It kept it's name. And it makes sense for Google to stick with it's naming scheme for the whole lineup.

Read my previous post.