Nexus 4
The Nexus 4 (codenamed Mako) is a smartphone co-developed by Google and LG Electronics as part of the Google Nexus line. It was the fourth smartphone in the series, succeeding the Galaxy Nexus. The device was announced on October 29, 2012, and became available for purchase on November 13, 2012, via the Google Play Store in select markets.
Key Features:
- Operating System: The Nexus 4 launched with Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean" and received updates up to Android 5.1 "Lollipop." It was known for its timely software updates directly from Google.
- Hardware: The phone featured a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display with a resolution of 1280x768 pixels. It was powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2 GB of RAM. It came in 8 GB or 16 GB storage options.
- Camera: It included an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.
- Design: The Nexus 4 featured a distinctive glass back panel with a holographic pattern.
- Connectivity: It supported Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), and HSPA+ mobile data. It did not support LTE (Long-Term Evolution) connectivity, a feature that was becoming more common in smartphones at the time.
- Wireless Charging: The Nexus 4 was one of the first Nexus devices to support wireless charging via the Qi standard.
Reception:
The Nexus 4 was generally well-received, praised for its performance, unlocked bootloader, clean Android experience, and competitive price point. However, it was criticized for the limited storage options and the lack of LTE support. Availability issues due to high demand and limited stock also plagued the device's launch.
Successor:
The Nexus 5, manufactured by LG again, succeeded the Nexus 4 in October 2013.