The Nexus series, considered as a
“playground” for the Android developers to test their apps at first, has become
better in terms of technical specs (and popularity). Not just that, it’s
receiving a momentum: in less than 5 months, Google has created 2 Nexus tablets
as well as the latest and coolest smartphone, which is Nexus 4, and these attractively
pricing products are now catching a lot of attention, more than they used to
have before.
Nexus 4 is a really attracting phone when
talking about design and technical specs. It’s an elegant, smooth device that
goes with the large 4.7 inch HD screen, 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
and many other compelling accessories. It shows many similarities to the
current super product of LG, Optimus G. With the starting price at 299 USD
unlocked, it will surely attract some of the new kind of customers what until
recently has never been heard. But this is a high-class smartphone that
everyone will want to buy, or the 4-generation phone is just an envy of the
developers? Continue your reading to find out.
Nexus
4 is a really attracting phone when talking about design and technical specs.
Hardware
Nexus line is also a stable indicator of
the situation of the smartphone industry. While these phones are not guaranteed
to have the currently best accessories, they’re still very competitive and
currently they have provided some of the best values, bang for the buck. We’re
even more impressed because Nexus 4 made by LG has been gifted with a modern
piece of silicon and supported with some of the best accessories on the market.
We’re
even more impressed because Nexus 4 made by LG has been gifted
Once on sale, the newest Android smartphone
of Google will be one of the most amazing devices you can buy. In many aspects,
it’s the love child of Samsung Galaxy Nexus and LG Optimus G: it has the nice
curves of the predecessor along the edges, long with the monolithic back and
scratch-resistant glass. With 4.9 ounces (139g) and 0.36 inch (9.1mm), it’s
slightly heavier and thicker than Optimus G (5.2 ounce and 0.33 inch), but the
differences in these 2 fields don’t make it more comfortable – however, the
thing that helps your in-hand experience is the tapered edges in addition to
the finger rest to lay your fingers naturally.
Once
on sale, the newest Android smartphone of Google will be one of the most
amazing devices you can buy
Maybe you’re wondering why we talk too much
about Optimus G, that’s because it shares many similarities to Nexus 4; both
uses 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, 2GB RAM and have the same 4.7-inch
True HD IPS PLUS screen with 1,280x768-resolution. They even have the same 2,100mAh
battery. Indeed, a close look at 2 devices side by side will be enough to
convince someone that both are bros. if it has not been for the light curve of Nexus
4, we may have bet that they’re born in the same frame. Remember that it’s not
a sharp comparison: we like the building quality and materials used in the top smartphone
of LG, and having a device that has the same technical specs with comparable
building quality and the Android 4.2 version seem to be a “killer” combination.
Gracing for the front is the IPS PLUS screen mentioned above, equipped with a full
slab of Gorilla Glass. The glass itself bends a little bit when it face the
left and right edges, which for sure increase the elegant feeling. The idea
here is to increase the natural feeling when swiping back and forth the screen.
(HTC has done the same thing with One X). Our only complaint with this one is
that it’s easy for the dust and other small molecules to get stuck between it
and the chrome layer that lines the edge. Continuing, there’s a front-facing 1.3MP
video cam at the top right corner and the sensors on the top left corner. Under
the screen is the pulse notification light, reminding the memory of what
appears on Galaxy Nexus, and there’s no capacitive buttons because LG adds the
virtual navigation keys to the screen.
On the left is a volume rocker, while the
second mic and headphone jack is on the top. Moving to the right, you will find
the power button right above the place where you let your thumb rest naturally –
this is good because you won’t accidentally touch it frequently, but it’s still
within easy reach. The underside is the place you will find the micro-USB/Slimport
socket. Let’s talk a bit about the last one: Slimport. It seems that Google and
LG has chosen to use Slimport so that sharing screen can be tethered, instead
of the standard MHL. No company share the cause behind this decision, but
whatever it is, you will need to buy a special adapter if you want to take
advantage of this capability. It’s not the only way to reflect the phone screen
on the TV – Android 4.2 has currently added the natural support for the
wireless screen standard of Miracast – but if you don’t have equipment that is
compatible Miracast, the 30-USD Slimport adapter of Analogix is a cheaper
choice than buying equipment what is attested by Miracast.
Continuing to the rear, be have mentioned
shortly that it’s covered by a slab of scratch-resistant glass. It’s not a
removable cover, which means that you won’t have access to the battery unless
you’re ready to risk and start removing the screws. At the top left, you will
see the 8MP rear camera and a LED flash arranged vertically, with the renowned Nexus
logo right under it. LG has added its signature stamp to the back bottom, right
on the speaker grille on the right. But the most interesting part of this whole
thing is the type of design that looks like a checkerboard, which is similar to
a combination crossbreed between “matrix” and the iconic brick-shaped-like
animated wallpaper which has become famous by Nexus One. When we first see the
devices in the leaked images, we worried that it may looks too showy in
contrast, it not only adds the sophisticated aesthetic but also helps Nexus 4 stand
out of other monotonous rectangle-shaped phones.
With all compliments about its design and
build, there’s a potential risk: the back is made from glass. We’re not quite
in luck in that field, but what worth noticing is this art of the phone – while
nice and splendid – should avoid the concrete at all cost. Now, coming to a
part you will hate or like, depending on where you live and the network you
use. Nexus 4, as the Galaxy Nexus before it, is the 5-band HSPA+ 5 device
(850/900/1,700/1,900/2,100), bit this phone take a step forward by supplying
the speed of 42Mbps. It also has 4-band GSM/EDGE (850/900/1,800/1,900), which
means the phone will work with almost all GSM and HSPA carrier all around the
world. Unfortunately, one thing that actually vanishes from Nexus is LTE
compatibility. In many area of the world, this won’t be a problem; however,
users who use the carriers with LTE service may be disappointed. We want to see
a special version shows up in the near future, but we won’t hold our breath
because of it.
