But in 2012 Google collaborated with LG and introduced the Nexus 4. And now again with LG, Google does launch the all new Nexus 5, which is the best of Google and of course, on of the best smartphones ever seen in the market.
Design
It's the soft-touch matte backing that enriches the new Nexus 5 rather than the lustrous, tile-patterned back we had on the outer skin of the Nexus 4. It offers more grip as well. The new minimal design will help the Nexus 5 to last long and avoid crashes in accident-falls, that happened with glass backed nexus 4.
Though the new bigger 4.95 inch display has taken the device bigger, the Nexus 5 has gone even sleeker. Now the device weighs only 130g, which was 140g with with the Nexus 4. And the vertical Nexus branding at the rear side with a subtler LG tagging gives richness to gadget.
The only drawback with the design is that the cell has left a bit more space after the screen at the downside. It should have been identical to the upside. Then that would have even more dashing to kill iPhones' stake.
Display
The Nexus 5 is coupled with a 4.95 inches Full HD IPS capacitive touchscreen with a 445 pixel per density, which dominantly beats the iPhone 5S (326 ppi) quiet and slightly Samsung Galaxy S4 (441 ppi). Still, it lags behind HTC One, which has 469 ppi. The Nexus 5 has a high-end resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. With Corning Gorilla Glass 3 the device is scratch resistive too. Summarizing all, it is seen that the cell is not ahead of its rivals, but stays tight in the competion without compromising on anything.
Processor and Performance
The flagship device of Google is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 2.26GHz processor. Though, it's not the best in class chip, it could make the cell working without any drag and stuck. Further it's assisted with a powerful 2GB RAM. This helps the users to play high-end games quite relaxed. As we have one of the best CPUs, why should we still play games in laps, tabs and PCs? Come on yaar! It's time to shut down your PCs and switch to your smartphones for games.
Operating System
Google Nexus variants are always the devices which come up with an updated OS version. It's not different this time. The all new Nexus 5 is preloaded with Google's very latest OS, Android 4.4 KitKat. The KitKat is pretty awesome and comes with a good number of new updates as well.
Following are the major special features of Android 4.4 KitKat:
1. KitKat is simple and smart:
The latest version of any OS is always the smartest. So does the KitKat too. With a simpler design, the KitKat easily becomes friendly to users. At the same time, it's way smarter as well with its rich look.
2. New user interface:
KitKat features new UI. It has translucent menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
You can hide status bar and notification bar while reading magazines and watching videos. To bring back both notification and status bar, all you need to make a swipe down from the top of the screen.
New emoji with Japanese words in keyboard makes KitKat more wonderful.
3. Updated Hangouts messaging app:
The new unified messaging Hangouts app lets you to be connected with SMS and MMS in addition to the widely used normal Hangouts chat using Google accounts. It also shares your location.
4. Smarter Google Now integration:
When you say “OK Google” in the home screen, here comes the Google Now assistant to do a voice search, to send a text, to get directions or even to play songs.
5. New dialer, caller ID:
It's advanced. When you get a call from a stranger whose number is not listed in your phone, the device will look for matches from businesses with a local listing on Google Maps.
6. New way of Printing:
Connected to Google Cloud Print, to HP ePrint printers, and to other printers that have apps in the Google Play Store, users can print photos, documents, ans web pages.
7. Enhanced support for connectivity:
It lets you to connect with your car if it has bluetooth facility.
8. Chrome WebView:
Helps you to use Chrome to render web components through Android apps that feature web content.
9. New sensors:
KitKat is comprised of new sensors- step detector and counter, which let users to detect and count steps while walking, running, and climbing stairs.
Storage
It's slightly disappointing since it comes with no additional microSD card support. All you have to be happy with the internal memory storage you have in the device. It comes in two variants- 16GB and 32GB. I think these numbers are good enough to store your almost all your needed documents. If you don't feel good with these storages, you are supposed to buy a portable hard disk.
Camera
With an 8 MP primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization and a 1.3 MP secondary camera, the Nexus is never back in the competition with its challengers. Although, the Galaxy S4 and Micromax Canvas Turbo have 13 MP rear camera and the same Canvas Turbo has 5 MP front camera, these specifications of the Nexus 5 never let down users.
Battery backup
The Nexus 4 is mated with a non-removable Li-Po 2300 mAh battery, which can hold the device switched on for 300 hours in standby mode, 17 hours in talktime, upto 8.5 hours on Wi-Fi, and upto 7 hours on LTE.
Price
Google has excellently priced the Nexus 5. It's priced $349 (Rs. 21,500) for 16 GB and $399 (Rs. 24,500) for the 32 GB variant. Hats off to the management. In fact, the device is made to rival the iPhone 5S, Galaxy S4, HTC One, and LG G2. Seems like the rival gadget from Google comes in only half price of its right competitor, the iPhone 5S. Meanwhile, Google has hiked just $50 for higher storage, which is $100 for iPhones.
Verdict
The Nexus 5 is certainly the best smartphone of Google. The highlight of the device is, of course, Android 4.4 KitKat. The device has great brand value as it is from such a reputed firm like Google. Above all, it has been priced very affordably making it the most value for money gadget in the class. So, if you want to experience the new Android version at such reasonable price and from a leading brand, the Nexus 5 is your smartphone.
Pros
Great pricing makes it the most value for money smartphone in the class
Powerful quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 2.26GHz processor
An all-rounder device in case of camera, battery backup, and screen quality.
Cons
No exeternal memory option.
Non-removable battery
Never ever!