LG and Google announce the Nexus 4

I just got the Nexus 4 a couple days ago. My last phone was a Sanyo Katana, basically, a 6-year old Razr rip off. For a 6 year old phone that thing lasted about 5 days. I doubt this phone would last 3 days with no usage. Wow, I think there has been a little too much sacrifice in the last couple years when it comes to battery life.

If only the battery life was better I would be a happy fella.

I used to look at wireless chargers as something completely useless... Having to charge a phone once a day changes my viewpoint though.
 
Uhh... The 16 GB version is going to cost 579 € inc. VAT. That's 99 € more than what I paid for my Lumia 920. Not really good option here.
 
krogen said:
I just got the Nexus 4 a couple days ago. My last phone was a Sanyo Katana, basically, a 6-year old Razr rip off. For a 6 year old phone that thing lasted about 5 days. I doubt this phone would last 3 days with no usage. Wow, I think there has been a little too much sacrifice in the last couple years when it comes to battery life.
Click to expand...

Battery life's gotten better for me as time has went on. I was able to go 2.5 days and battery was down to about 20-25% (don't remember the specific #), just charged it yesterday. I had made plenty of phone calls and texts, played Agent Dash for about 10-15 mins total (2% of battery use measured), and browsed the web occasionally. Wifi was on the about 3/4 the time, as well. With much less usage usage I could see it last over 3 days. The Wifi itself accounted for 17% of the battery usage.

One disclaimer: I have the screen brightness very low at all times.
 
krogen said:
I just got the Nexus 4 a couple days ago. My last phone was a Sanyo Katana, basically, a 6-year old Razr rip off. For a 6 year old phone that thing lasted about 5 days. I doubt this phone would last 3 days with no usage. Wow, I think there has been a little too much sacrifice in the last couple years when it comes to battery life.

If only the battery life was better I would be a happy fella.

I used to look at wireless chargers as something completely useless... Having to charge a phone once a day changes my viewpoint though.
Click to expand...

You're comparing battery life of a device with a 1" screen to a handheld computer with a 4.7" screen? I just don't get the comparison.
 
Tup3x said:
Uhh... The 16 GB version is going to cost 579 € inc. VAT. That's 99 € more than what I paid for my Lumia 920. Not really good option here.
Click to expand...

WOW. If I were still in the U.S I would have been more than happy to ship a Nexus 4 to you for 479 €. Hell at that price I still make a profit and you get it cheaper than you ordinarily would. It would have been a win win :D
 
I go sick of waiting for this phone to be back in stock. Found a good deal on an almost new international One X for $300. Rooted it, and installed CM10.1. This phone rocks, very fast / smooth, and much better battery life than my old Galaxy Nexus. To me this One X, now feels like HTC version if they made a Nexus-Four :)

Is crazy, going into second month and the Nexus 4 is always out of stock. I can understand the first few weeks being sold out. But now going on month two, and still impossible to get.

In Craigslist in Chicago, they selling too high priced, like $500+ No thanks.
 
Kinda glad that I'm under contract for my Galaxy Nexus under Verizon for another 8 months.

By that time something newer and better will be on the horizon and I can get it almost for free :)

Nexus 4 looks like a fun phone - but coming from a highly modified Galaxy Nexus with LTE I'm more than happy. (induction charging mod for the win!)
 
braamer said:
You're comparing battery life of a device with a 1" screen to a handheld computer with a 4.7" screen? I just don't get the comparison.
Click to expand...

One device has a 700mah battery and the other 2,100mah.

I get the comparison.
 
krogen said:
One device has a 700mah battery and the other 2,100mah.

I get the comparison.
Click to expand...

To be fair, those phones with 1" screens didn't see the daily usage today's smartphones do. When I had a phone like that, I only touched it to answer/make a call (and more modern ones had text messaging). Smartphones can be similar to this. For example, on my SGS2 today, I took it off the charger at 5:45AM. I immediately set it to GSM only (no 3G/4G), and battery saver mode (or as I call it, "HTC mode" because it gets laggier). At 4:30 PM I got off work and went to set it back to 3G/4G and battery saver off. It was at 89% batter after 10 hours and 45 minutes. I had used it to check these forums, the NFL website, Google News, DSLreports, and maybe another website or two. I answered one (short) call and exchanged a few texts. With that kind of usage I could get up to 5 days (but realistically 2-3) between charges. And this is on a used and abused battery that needs replacing.
 
krogen said:
One device has a 700mah battery and the other 2,100mah.

I get the comparison.
Click to expand...

yeah, and the smartphone likely has 1000x the computing power of the sanyo katana. If you want a phone that has a battery that will last for 3-4 days then get a flip phone. You can't compare a "dumb" phone with today's smart phones which have more computing power than top of the line desktops from a decade ago.
 
Bought one on the 27th came in on dec 7th. Really like it but i think im gonna stick with the Note 2. Just love that thing, the screen and battery life are amazing. If anyone is interested I have a 16gb I used for less than a week. PM for details.
 
For anyone looking for a nice, cheap phone case, here's what I just got from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009Y12MCU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

If you like the S shaped back, I'd recommend getting this case. There is no i-Blason logo anywhere. The case is a great fit. It's slightly flexbile, just barely enough to place the phone inside. It doesn't stand out very much at all, the phone feels 'almost' naked. The only issue that I have with it are the side phone buttons - they are covered and do feel less than ideal.
 
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I think I have coverage almost finalized after debating on this for a few weeks... I was going to go with an Androidified TPU case, but I really don't want to cover up that beautiful back so I think I'm settled on a front/back screen protector and a bumper.

Screen Protectors

$8.99 BSG Best Skins Ever Total Body Skin
http://www.bestskinsever.com/google-nexus-4-skin
or
$13.99 SPG Spigen Steinheil Dual Ultra Crystal
http://www.spigen.com/cell-phone/google/nexus-4/google-nexus-4-screen-protector-steinheil-dual.html

These are the top two favored at the XDA forums. The BSG seems to be getting good feedback and routinely goes on sale and is cheaper, but if the SPG has noticeably better quality I think it's worth paying extra for. I ended up going with the cheaper BSG and will try it out this weekend.

Bumper

$19.99 Nexus 4 Bumper (Black) (PlusTax/S&H):
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details/Nexus_4_Bumper_Black?id=nexus_4_bumper_black&hl=en
or
$5.95 Poetic Borderline Bumper
http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Borderline-Bumper-Google-Warranty/dp/B00AG0D52O

Gah, missed when the official one went back in stock a couple days ago. Google was stupid and let eBay flippers buy 5x per account. Though expensive at about $28 with tax/shipping, this seems to be a quality made item and has received generally good feedback. Sadly, I'm not even considering the Poetic since it doesn't seem as attractive. My N4 has been sitting at home naked for a whole week now just in the stock front/back protectors. Waiting for that official bumper to get back in stock is going to be a pain. :(
 
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Interesting info;

Google UK boss offers 'unreserved apology' for delayed Nexus 4 orders;
http://www.androidcentral.com/google-uk-boss-offers-unreserved-apology-delayed-nexus-4-orders

I know that what you are going through is unacceptable and we are all working through the nights and weekends to resolve this issue. Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce and erratic, and our communication has been flawed.



Good comment on this from, DaydreamHero;

I don't care much for LG, either, but everyone blaming them for this mess is missing the point... this is *Google's* product. So what if there are supply chain issues? Google should have been reaching out to the public way before this! I'm also underwhelmed that the guy who finally did say something is way out in the UK. Is there anybody in Mountain View willing to take responsibility for Google's screw-ups? Can you imagine if this was an Apple product, and the only executive to address the issue was some guy working out of Siberia or Timbuktu or something?

Sometimes I get the feeling the top guys at Google are totally disconnected from reality, scooting around headquarters on Segways with goofy VR goggles on their heads all the time, oblivious to the phones ringing off the hook as angry customers try to get answers. When are these guys going to start running their company like adults?
 
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The 16GB and 8GB models have been updated to SOLD OUT and no longer give the 6-7 week estimates previously shown.

Maybe it is a double whammy, low initial production run request by Google and manufacturing issues to boot.

It would be interesting to see how many have actually been manufactured to date.

I have been on the fence about getting this phone and was primarily waiting to see if they resolved the BT issue with cars. It sounds like the BT issue has been resolved but now there are no phones available. Hmmm, back to waiting it out.
 
aarcam said:
The 16GB and 8GB models have been updated to SOLD OUT and no longer give the 6-7 week estimates previously shown.

Maybe it is a double whammy, low initial production run request by Google and manufacturing issues to boot.

It would be interesting to see how many have actually been manufactured to date.

I have been on the fence about getting this phone and was primarily waiting to see if they resolved the BT issue with cars. It sounds like the BT issue has been resolved but now there are no phones available. Hmmm, back to waiting it out.
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If the Nexus 4 is another 6 -7 weeks out, that will make it available three + months after initial release. At that point, just might as well wait it out for the next gen 2013 phones. The Galaxy S IV is supposed to be a super insane phone, with release date pegged for April/May.

And with this whole LG fiasco, would not be surprised to see the Nexus-Five released sooner, maybe announced at Google I/O in May, with a new phone in June, running Android 5.0, and for sure not produced by LG, but back to Samsung, or HTC and possibly Motorola. I'd bet big money we see the Nexus-Five earlier than normal. Would not shock me to see a Samsung Galaxy S4 spec'd Nexus-Five.
 
Zorachus said:
If the Nexus 4 is another 6 -7 weeks out, that will make it available three + months after initial release. At that point, just might as well wait it out for the next gen 2013 phones. The Galaxy S IV is supposed to be a super insane phone, with release date pegged for April/May.

And with this whole LG fiasco, would not be surprised to see the Nexus-Five released sooner, maybe announced at Google I/O in May, with a new phone in June, running Android 5.0, and for sure not produced by LG, but back to Samsung, or HTC and possibly Motorola. I'd bet big money we see the Nexus-Five earlier than normal.
Click to expand...

My guess is that we'll see see the annual fall release of the Nexus phone, and that any new Android release this summer will likely be highlighted by a refresh of the Nexus 7. However, there could be a strong desire for Google to consolidate their release schedule among the phone, 7" tablet, 10" tablet, and their upcoming "Nexus" chromebook. Don't be surprised to see them finally announce the convergence of Chrome/Android within the next 18 months. Back when ICS was in the development stages, Google stated that their plan was for Android 4.0 to unify smartphones and tablets (as they had split them with GB and HC), and that eventually, Android and Chrome OS would also converge.

Of course, this is all just uneducated speculation on my part. We'll see who wins. I know who's going to lose though... manufacturers of MicroSD cards :D
 
Zorachus said:
If the Nexus 4 is another 6 -7 weeks out, that will make it available three + months after initial release. At that point, just might as well wait it out for the next gen 2013 phones. The Galaxy S IV is supposed to be a super insane phone, with release date pegged for April/May.

And with this whole LG fiasco, would not be surprised to see the Nexus-Five released sooner, maybe announced at Google I/O in May, with a new phone in June, running Android 5.0, and for sure not produced by LG, but back to Samsung, or HTC and possibly Motorola. I'd bet big money we see the Nexus-Five earlier than normal. Would not shock me to see a Samsung Galaxy S4 spec'd Nexus-Five.
Click to expand...

You would not see a Nexus phone until the third quarter of next year. Like seriously to even think otherwise is loony.
Every new Galaxy was rumoured to be the ultimate phone build with unobtainium. It hasn't happened yet.

LG fiasco? Is there any proof that this is LG's fault as oppose to Google's? I am betting LG supplied the number of initial phones that Google requested but they did not anticipate demand to be this high, therefore having to request more in a rush hence putting a strain LG's manufacturing.

Google handled the launch terribly, their website could not even handle the traffic. That's just amateur but for Google it's an embarrassment. Google is the king of the net. This should never happen.

Like that wasn't bad enough people who ordered their phone in December and were given 5-6 week wait times had their phones shipped to them before some who order in mid to later November and were given on average 2-3 week wait times.

This has little to do with LG and much more to do with Google's incompetence.
 
Grazehell said:
LG fiasco? Is there any proof that this is LG's fault as oppose to Google's? I am betting LG supplied the number of initial phones that Google requested but they did not anticipate demand to be this high, therefore having to request more in a rush hence putting a strain LG's manufacturing.
Click to expand...

You're very close. Basically, this is how it works;

-Google orders "X" number of phones from LG
-LG then has to reserve orders for parts that they don't manufacture (like the radio, amplifier, etc.). Unlike Samsung, LG is not a top to bottom manufacturer of phones.
-Companies like Qualcomm and Avago allocate resources to make that allotment. Ramping up for increased demand would be tough to do, and a reduction in requested parts would cost them money (and likely trigger a compensation clause in their contract with LG/Google)

So while Google could be requesting more phones, that would mean that LG would have to source more parts. All it takes is for one supplier to say, "Nope, can't do it!" and it all falls to pieces. This is why Apple has been so keen on moving more of their parts in house, and why Samsung has been so dominant in the smartphone business. Samsung controls almost all aspects of their supply chain directly. This is why Google didn't have supply issues with the Galaxy Nexus, even after offering it on a major carrier, or offering it on the Play Store for $399 (and then $349). Granted, that's not the same as offering it at $299/$349 from day one. But, that's one area Samsung would have done better.
 
Zorachus said:
If the Nexus 4 is another 6 -7 weeks out, that will make it available three + months after initial release. At that point, just might as well wait it out for the next gen 2013 phones. The Galaxy S IV is supposed to be a super insane phone, with release date pegged for April/May.

And with this whole LG fiasco, would not be surprised to see the Nexus-Five released sooner, maybe announced at Google I/O in May, with a new phone in June, running Android 5.0, and for sure not produced by LG, but back to Samsung, or HTC and possibly Motorola. I'd bet big money we see the Nexus-Five earlier than normal. Would not shock me to see a Samsung Galaxy S4 spec'd Nexus-Five.
Click to expand...

I just don't see the Nexus 4 and the Galaxy S IV competing in the same market. A $300/$350 no contract phone != $700 phone off contract.
 
Been playing around with mine for a couple of days. Feel like an idiot carrying around 3 phones (this, my regular iPhone 5, work BlackBerry) but am pretty impressed. There are a number of things Android gets right or does better than iOS.

Was originally gonna toy with it for a while and give it away but now I am not so sure.
 
Guys looking for a new phone. Im looking at the Gnote2 and the G4. How's the radio on the G4? Im coming from a Galaxy Nexus and the radio is just ok.
thanks
 
I'd like to get one, if it was not constantly out of stock. Any other $300 android phones on the market right now?
 
I am shocked at how the Nexus 4 release has been handled. We are almost into the third month since release, and since last month, it has been sold out, and no longer available to order. I could see it being out of stock, with maybe a 2 - 3 week lead time, but there has been no news whatsoever from Google as to when it will be fully back in stock and for sale again ? Both Google and LG have been very silent in the new year about the Nexus 4.

Some say, it has a 8 - 9 week lead time from order, that's ***** crazy :rolleyes:

What's the real story here ? Is LG to blame for not producing enough ? Is Google to blame, for not ordering enough from LG to start off with, thinking it would be a low volume seller ? Does Google not even care it's not available for sale anymore, because they don't make much money off such a low and cheap seller ?

Maybe Google have an all new Nexus 5 coming sooner, after Google I/O in Summer, with Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie ?
 
LG probably makes a lot more money from T-Mobile than from the Google Play store.
 
Zorachus said:
https://plus.google.com/114845009227159887898/posts/6SLyZXLaM3r

Looks like T-Mobile will be the main Nexus 4 provider for now ? Maybe T-Mobile made a deal with Google and LG to sell it again, get all the remaining stock ? And then once LG has production in full swing again, it will be back on the Play Store ?
Click to expand...
With the rumors going around saying LG is already producing newer Nexus devices, maybe it is laughable like Grazehell said. But it wouldn't be impossible or improbable that LG is replacing the screen with a 1080p one and adding a bigger battery while using the same internals. That way Google doesn't have to alter any code.
 
CHANG3D said:
With the rumors going around saying LG is already producing newer Nexus devices, maybe it is laughable like Grazehell said. But it wouldn't be impossible or improbable that LG is replacing the screen with a 1080p one and adding a bigger battery while using the same internals. That way Google doesn't have to alter any code.
Click to expand...

What they need to do it fix the USB OTG problem that seems to be hardware based.
 
So there is a possibility that Google and LG are making a revised Nexus phone, just two months after the Nexus 4 ? I just can't see that happening so soon.

I think it's just production and contract issues between Google and LG. Someone or both screwed up somewhere, not anticipating the high demand. I would just like to see an official statement from them, explaining whats going on.
 
That's what I've been thinking all along, this nexus 4 was simply a ploy to make people wait for "the next best thing".
 
Has Google made any official statement lately regarding the Nexus 4 stoppage ? Someone needs to e-mail Matias Duarte, ask WTF man ?
 
Zorachus said:
Has Google made any official statement lately regarding the Nexus 4 stoppage ? Someone needs to e-mail Matias Duarte, ask WTF man ?
Click to expand...

Relax dude. This is all people randomly guessing at shit. There has been nothing concrete said by anyone credible.
 
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