Google Nexus 5: what to expect and when

By Alex Angove

Last updated 11 October 2013

The so-called Google Nexus 5 is soon to be upon us, according to the latest internet scuttlebutt. The rumored release date of both Google’s newest Android flagship, along with Android 4.4 KitKat, is less than a week away on October 15.

So what do we know so far about the Google Nexus 5?

It mightn’t be called the Nexus 5

This is one of the more uncertain areas. So far popular consensus of the web seems to have settled on the Nexus 5 being called just that. It makes a kind of sense, after all the last one was the Nexus 4 so why not jump up another integer?

The reason against is simple: if Google keeps going up then this model will be the 5, then we’ll have the 6, followed by the 7. As we all know, the Google Nexus 7 is already the name of Google’s 7-inch tablets.

The ‘Nexus 5’ name still may happen, if the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets are anything to go by; both of which take their numbering from the diagonal inches of their screens. The Nexus 5 is supposed to boast a roughly 5 inch display, so it would fit right in to the family naming scheme. Whatever it ends up being called, we’re going to stick with ‘Nexus 5’ until we know better.

Made by LG

It’ll be made by LG. This is undebatable. As such, it’s fair to assume that it will have a fair amount in common with the LG G2. This is already demonstrated in the model number.

While we may not know the name of the Nexus 5 for sure, we do know its product code: LG D820. By comparison, the LG G2 is also known as the LG D802. We’re saying a high likelihood of some crossover hardware.

It will run Android 4.4 KitKat

Yes, it will be the debut device for Android’s next instalment and yes, said instalment will be called KitKat.

More importantly, and less certain, is which new features Google will add to Android in this next release. Leaked screenshots suggest some of the core apps are getting a cosmetic make-over, but surely this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Will we see new security features, like Apple’s Touch ID? Will we see Chromecast streaming functionality in more places across the system? October 15 cannot come soon enough.

Hardware & specs

Now down to the juicy stuff. Will the Nexus 5 be a next-gen demonic superphone, or will it follow the footsteps of the Nexus 4 with its offering of powerful albeit standard high-end specs with a mid-range pricetag? The internet believes it will be a powerhouse, but not better than anything already in market.

4.96 inch display with 1080x1920 (1080p) resolution
2.3GHz snapdragon 800 quad-core processor
2GB of RAM
8MP camera with optical image stabilization (OIS)
2300mAh battery (not removable)
No MicroSD slot

This looks to be another Nexus 4-style device; powerful internals but with nothing special or new. Hopefully it'll continue the affordability trend and make its way to customers with an attractive price tag.

The look

From what we’ve seen so far the Nexus 5 looks kinda boring. From the pictures you can see for yourself, but it just looks like a big, black smartphone.

Leaked Nexus device spotted in a recent Google video.

The build quality appears high. The profile is slim and the angles look like they’d make for a comfortable grip. There’s just nothing visually appealing. Even the rear plate looks to be a matte-black finish with nothing to distinguish it from any other smartphone.