GOOGLE NEXUS 4

Overview

Google's new phone for geeks and hackers

For those who aren't familiar with it, the Nexus 4 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC - a quad-core 28nm Krait CPU with Qualcomm's next-generation Adreno 320 GPU. The combination proved quite formidable in the MDP/T we tested, as well as LG's recently announced Optimus G. The SoC drives a 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 IPS display and is paired with 2GB of LPDDR2 memory. The Nexus 4 ships unlocked with 8GB of NAND for $299 without a contract ($349 for the 16GB version). Pair that with DC-HSPA+ support and you get an absolute killer smartphone for use on T-Mobile: no contracts, very low monthly fees, and compelling cellular performance.

Screen

• 4.7" diagonal
• 1280 x 768 pixel resolution (320 ppi)
• WXGA IPS
• Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2

Dimensions

• 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm
• 139g

Cameras

• 8 MP (main)
• 1.3 MP (front)
• Connectivity
• WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n

Connectivity

• NFC (Android Beam)
• Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
• GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• 3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• HSPA+ 42
• Wireless charging
• SlimPort (TM)

Processor and memory

• 8GB or 16GB (actual formatted capacity will be less)
• 2 GB RAM
• Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro CPU

Features

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• Accelerometer
• GPS
• Gyroscope
• Barometer
• Microphone
• Ambient light
• Compass

Final words


The Nexus 4 offers not only astonishing power from its quad-core chip, but an excellent screen and exciting updates to the Android operating system. Most importantly, it comes with a price tag at least half that of its technical rivals.

It's not only the best phone to get if you're on a budget, it's one of, if not the best Android phone to get, regardless of how much money you have to splash around. The lack of expandable storage and removable battery are a little disappointing, but it more than makes up for it in every other way.