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Nexus 4

Developer	Google, LG Electronics
Manufacturer	LG Electronics
Type	Smartphone
Series	Google Nexus
First released	November 13, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-11-13)
Availability by region	November 13, 2012 (2012-11-13) (Google Play)
Discontinued	November 1, 2013 (2013-11-01)
Units sold	1 million as of February 2013 3 million as of 2Q 2013
Predecessor	Galaxy Nexus
Successor	Nexus 5
Related	Optimus G
Compatible networks	GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) 3G UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+ (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz) HSDPA 42 Mbps
Form factor	Slate
Dimensions	133.9 mm (5.27 in) H 68.7 mm (2.70 in) W 9.1 mm (0.36 in) D
Weight	139 g (4.9 oz)
Operating system	Android Jelly Bean 4.2, upgradable to Android KitKat 4.4.2
System-on-chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064
CPU	1.512 GHz quad-core Krait
GPU	Adreno 320
Memory	2 GB RAM
Storage	8 GB or 16 GB
Removable storage	none
Battery	2100 mAh
Rear camera	8 MP back-side illuminated sensor with LED flash 1080p video recording @ 30 frames/s
Front camera	1.3 MP 720p video recording @ 30 frames/s
Display	4.7 in (120 mm) diagonal IPS with Corning Gorilla Glass 2 1280×768 px (318 ppi)
Connectivity	3.5 mm TRRS GPS GLONASS Micro USB 2.0 Mobility DisplayPort (MyDP) Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP NFC Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz) Miracast
Data inputs	Multi-touch, capacitive touchscreen, microphone, proximity sensor, Gyroscope, compass, barometer, Accelerometer, ambient light sensor

The Nexus 4 is a smartphone co-developed by Google and LG Electronics that runs the Android operating system. It is the fourth smartphone in the Google Nexus series, a family of Android consumer devices marketed by Google and built by an original equipment manufacturer partner. Unveiled on October 29, 2012, and released on November 13, 2012, the Nexus 4 succeeded the Samsung-manufactured Galaxy Nexus. As with other Nexus devices, the Nexus 4 was sold unlocked through the online Google Play store, but was also made available at retail by wireless carriers.

Based upon the hardware of the LG Optimus G, the Nexus 4 was distinguished from its predecessor by a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, an 8 megapixel camera, Qi wireless charging, and the introduction of version 4.2 ("Jelly Bean") of Android — an update to the operating system which introduced: 360° spherical photo stitching called "Photo Sphere"; a quick settings menu; widgets on the lock screen; gesture typing; and an updated version of Google Now.

The Nexus 4 was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the quality of the Nexus 4's hardware, along with its performance and its relatively lower outright price in comparison to other high-end smartphones. However, the device was criticized for its lack of full LTE support (despite its hardware in fact supporting LTE), and its lack of a removable battery, which the Galaxy Nexus did include.

History

Unveiling

Google was expected to launch the Nexus 4 at a press event in New York City. However, the event was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, and the Nexus 4 (along with Android 4.2, the Nexus 10 tablet and Nexus 7 with cellular network support) was unveiled by Google via a press release on October 29, 2012, for a release on November 13, 2012.

Release

The phone was made available for purchase on Google Play Store in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, and Australia. Stock sold out quickly, in some markets within minutes of release. The phone became available on Play Store again on January 29, 2013, and since then has had no major supply issues.

The Nexus 4 was also made available via phone operators and retailers such as the Carphone Warehouse. Starting the following day, November 14, 2012, T-Mobile USA stores would sell the 16 GB model. On Thanksgiving morning, Google referred users to T-Mobile's online store on the Nexus 4's product page; within hours, T-Mobile's online stock sold out. Europe, Central and South America, Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Middle East were to receive Nexus 4 by the end of November 2012 at retail.

The phone was initially unavailable in South Korea due to carrier opposition, purportedly over the lack of LTE support. However, an online request for the Nexus 4 launch by KT Telecom President Pyo Hyun-myung led to LG's announcement that they were in talks with Google about the issue as of November 22, 2012. Initially available only in black, a white version of the device was first offered in May 2013 in Hong Kong, with worldwide availability to follow.

Specifications

Hardware

The exterior of the Nexus 4 uses a glass-based construction with a rounded plastic bezel; to improve the use of edge swiping gestures, the glass is slightly curved on the sides of the screen. The rear of the device contains a glass panel with an etched pattern of dots, producing a "holographic" effect.

Internally, the Nexus 4 shares much of its hardware with the LG Optimus G; it is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2 GB of RAM, providing either 8 or 16 GB of internal storage; like the Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 4 does not contain a MicroSD slot. A 2100 mAh battery offers about 15 hours of talk time and 390 hours of standby time; unlike its precursor, the Nexus 4's battery is non-removable. The Nexus 4 also supports the Qi inductive charging standard. The Nexus 4 uses a 4.7-inch, 720p IPS display, and includes an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera.

The Nexus 4 does not officially support LTE, and only officially supports up to HSPA+ networks. Despite this, its radio hardware contains dormant LTE support, and a hidden baseband setting could be used to enable LTE support. However, this support was limited to AWS Band 4 only, and the device is not officially approved or marketed for LTE use. Google eventually disabled the ability to enable LTE support in a software update.

During its lifetime, the Nexus 4 experienced a minor design tweak, receiving a couple of small nubs on the rear of the phone, where the glass back meets the frame, positioned just above the two screw holes. At the same time, rear camera housing was slightly modified so there is less exposed area around the lens.

Software

The Nexus 4 shipped with a stock version of Android 4.2; branded as "a sweeter tasting Jelly Bean", it is an incremental update to Android 4.1 with additional new features. Widgets can now be placed on the lock screen, accessible by swiping from the sides of the screen, while a "Quick Settings" menu was also added to the Notifications shade (which enables access to common settings, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) accessible by dragging from the top of the screen with two fingers. Built-in photo editing tools were expanded with the addition of filters, while a new camera mode known as "Photo Sphere" can be used to create 360-degree panoramas. Additionally, the on-screen keyboard now supports gesture typing, "Daydream" screen savers can be configured to display content when the phone is charging or placed in a dock, and the update also adds support for Miracast media streaming.

In July 2013, the Nexus 4 began receiving the Android 4.3 update, which added per-app privacy controls, autocomplete on the phone dialer, Bluetooth low energy and AVRCP support, OpenGL ES 3.0 support, new digital rights management (DRM) APIs, and other improvements.

In November 2013, the Nexus 4 began receiving the Android 4.4 update through released factory images, which introduced an updated interface, improved performance, added a new "HDR+" camera shooting mode, native printing functionality, a screen recording utility, and other new and improved functionality. However, it does not include the new "Google Home" user experience introduced by Nexus 5.

Canonical's Ubuntu operating system is also available and supported on the Nexus 4.

Price

The Nexus 4 was priced at US$299 (8 GB) and US$349 (16 GB) at release. This was much lower than comparable smartphones, which would cost around $600. On August 27, 2013, the price was reduced to $199 and $249 respectively, with similar discounts in other countries.

Reception

Reception of the Nexus 4 has been very positive overall. Reviewers were consistently impressed with the Nexus 4's affordable price and impressive specifications. The Independent mentioned how its build quality is "almost second to none", and how its design is "solid" and "attractive". They also complimented its 8-megapixel rear camera, and "huge" 4.7 inch display. The Guardian also gave the Nexus 4 a very positive review, giving it a rating of five stars, however commented how "lack of expandable storage is worth bearing in mind ". Technology website CNET stated how the phone has "a wealth of great software features and a ridiculously low price", and how it is "almost certainly the best Android device around, never mind the best value".

Some owners however complain that the all-glass construction leads to a phone that is fragile and easily broken. Additionally, if the earlier phones are left on a smooth surface, an alarm with vibration will cause the phone to "walk" off the surface and fall. The glass screen is also sensitive to breakage due to the thin plastic "surround" that leaves little margin if the edge of the phone is crushed in an impact or when dropped, making either the plastic "bumper" or better still, a well-made, impact-absorbing case a necessity.

See also

• LG Optimus G
• Nexus 5

References

1. Nexus 4 is no longer sold on Google Play
2. Lomas, Natasha (February 8, 2013). "Nexus 4 Owners Estimate One Million Handsets Have Shipped Since November 2012 Launch". TechCrunch. AOL. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
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10. Stern, Joanna (October 27, 2012). "Hurricane Sandy Prompts Google to Cancel Android Event". ABC News. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
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12. ^ Rodriguez, Salvador (January 29, 2013). "Google's Nexus 4 smartphone back on sale". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
13. Hopewell, Luke. "Google Nexus 4 Sells Out In Less Than An Hour". Gizmodo Australia. Gizmodo Australia. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
14. Newton, Casey. "Google Nexus 4 already sold out at U.S. Google Play Store". CNet. Cnet. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
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16. "Google Nexus 4 delivery time back to one or two weeks". Retrieved February 5, 2013.
17. Jordan Crook (October 29, 2012). "T-Mobile Will Carry LG Nexus 4, Nexus 7, HTC Windows Phone 8X Starting November". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
18. Lloyd, Craig (November 23, 2012). "T-Mobile Nexus 4 sold out in just a couple hours". SlashGear. R3 Media LLC. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
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20. "New Nexus Phone and Tablet PC Not Available in Korea". The Chosun Ilbo. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
21. "KT President Pyo Hyun-myung's claim of Nexus 4 Launch in South Korea".
22. "LG전자 "구글과 넥서스 4 국내 출시 논의중"" (in Korean). {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
23. "LG considers launching Nexus 4 in S. Korea". Yonhap News. November 22, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
24. "White LG Nexus 4 makes its way to the United States". GSMArena. May 31, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
25. McCann, John (May 28, 2013). "White Google Nexus 4 officially arrives, but nothing's changed". TechRadar. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
26. "Google Announces The Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 Details". Anandtech. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
27. "Nexus 4 Includes Support for LTE on Band 4 (AWS)". Retrieved November 23, 2012.
28. Phil Nickinson (March 28, 2013). "Confirmed: Nexus 4 shipping with updated design". androidcentral.com. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
29. Ion, Florence (November 7, 2012). "Review: Android 4.2 is a sweeter-tasting Jelly Bean". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
30. "Android 4.3 Jelly Bean official: shipping with new Nexus 7, available OTA for select devices today". Engadget. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
31. Brian Klug (November 14, 2013). "Android 4.4 Factory Images Now Available for Nexus 4, 7 (2012 and 2013), and 10". AnandTech. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
32. "The Nexus 5's "exclusive" launcher suspiciously receives support for other devices". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
33. "How to Install Ubuntu OS Version 13.10 on Your LG Nexus 4 Smartphone". ibtimes.com. October 23, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
34. "Ubuntu on phones". ubuntu.com. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
35. Klug, Brian (November 13, 2012). "Google Nexus 4 Review – Google's new Flagship". Anandtech. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
36. Lee, Nicole (August 27, 2013). "Nexus 4 price drops by $100 to $199 for 8 GB, $249 for 16 GB (update)". Engadget. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
37. "Bytesize: Hands-on with the Google Nexus 4".
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40. "Nexus 4′s Glass Back, the Worst Idea Since the Last Phone With a Glass Back". droid-life.com. November 26, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2013.

External links

• Official website

• Android (operating system) devices
• Google
• LG Electronics mobile phones
• Products introduced in 2012
• Smartphones