The official Nexus 5 thread.

[jiffylube1024]

A crazy part of me thinks the Nexus 5 will shock everyone and debut at $199 on the Play Store. Reason? The Nexus 4 is STILL listed at the same $199/$249 price points with the text "Please check back soon" despite being out of stock and Google stating they have no intentions of restocking it. Why would they tell you to check back soon while keeping the price listings up if they didn't intend to maintain those prices for the next release? Last time this happened when the GNex dropped from $400 to $350, the Nexus 4 debuted at the same price. We'll see.

That is probably the silliest thing I've ever heard. No chance the N5 launches at $199, come on! Especially with their comments on a focus on quality, like a better camera and stuff.

They will release a $199 Nexus 5 why, so they can compete with the $550 iPhone 5C?

The $199/249 was a clearance price on the N4, and the "check back soon" is because they may or may not have more inventory to clear out on the Google store vs. retail channels.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

That is probably the silliest thing I've ever heard. No chance the N5 launches at $199, come on! Especially with their comments on a focus on quality, like a better camera and stuff.

They will release a $199 Nexus 5 why, so they can compete with the $550 iPhone 5C?

The $199/249 was a clearance price on the N4, and the "check back soon" is because they may or may not have more inventory to clear out on the Google store vs. retail channels.

Unlocked Nexus phones compete with subsidized carrier phones. While it's unlikely to release at $199 unlocked, Google's still pursuing a different pricing model than other phone manufacturers. It does not make sense to say the Nexus 5 is directly competing against the iPhone 5C.

Why would it be good to have two buttons to do the same thing?

Because by forcing a menu button in the navigation bar, I can be guaranteed where the menu button will be. In other apps, it's inconsistent. It may be in the upper right. Other apps that don't conform to the Android design standards might place it somewhere else. Furthermore, it's annoying to reach to the top of my screen when I'm mostly interacting with the keyboard and navigation buttons. I prefer not to have to move my hand that much.

 

[Bman123]

I wish it would release at $199 I'd gladly deal with a 8gb model at that price point

 

[antef]

That is probably the silliest thing I've ever heard. No chance the N5 launches at $199, come on! Especially with their comments on a focus on quality, like a better camera and stuff.

They will release a $199 Nexus 5 why, so they can compete with the $550 iPhone 5C?

The $199/249 was a clearance price on the N4, and the "check back soon" is because they may or may not have more inventory to clear out on the Google store vs. retail channels.

I'm not saying it's likely, but it could happen. If not this year, maybe sometime. At the very least I think we will get a 16 GB model for $299 this time instead of 8 GB. As DLeRium said, the price of the iPhone 5C has nothing to do with this at all. Google seems to be shooting for the lowest cost they can manage, period.

Because by forcing a menu button in the navigation bar, I can be guaranteed where the menu button will be. In other apps, it's inconsistent. It may be in the upper right. Other apps that don't conform to the Android design standards might place it somewhere else. Furthermore, it's annoying to reach to the top of my screen when I'm mostly interacting with the keyboard and navigation buttons. I prefer not to have to move my hand that much.

Two problems with this. First a persistent menu button is bad design because it may or may not do anything when pressed, depending on the app and screen within that app. That might be okay for you because you know all your apps inside out, but in general unpredictable buttons is terrible UI design. And what's wrong with it being someplace else on some apps? You already have to glance at the whole UI to see what it offers and what buttons are there, I'm not sure how this is any different.

Second, I don't understand how reaching to the top of the screen can be a problem when that's where the action bar is. Assuming you use the primary features of an app that are located there, you're already reaching up there most of the time as it is.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Two problems with this. First a persistent menu button is bad design because it may or may not do anything when pressed, depending on the app and screen within that app. That might be okay for you because you know all your apps inside out, but in general unpredictable buttons is terrible UI design. And what's wrong with it being someplace else on some apps? You already have to glance at the whole UI to see what it offers and what buttons are there, I'm not sure how this is any different.

Second, I don't understand how reaching to the top of the screen can be a problem when that's where the action bar is. Assuming you use the primary features of an app that are located there, you're already reaching up there most of the time as it is.

Agreed that the persistent menu is bad design. I understand why it's removed from ICS, but now we're at the mercy of app developers. There isn't a universal action bar like in iOS where practically every app has that back feature. Some apps require you to press the upper right for the menu overflow. Some have settings hidden in the slide out menu. It's difficult to keep track. Since my finger is usually closer to the lower half of the phone, it's almost no effort to me to reach the menu button and hit it.

Second I'd argue that reaching to the top of the screen is more difficult especially when I'm typing or interfacing with the nav bar buttons with 1 hand. It's a bit annoying with the larger phones to press the nav bar buttons, and then have to shift the phone in my hand so I can press the upper right menu overflow. So regardless of what the Android design guidelines say, I do like apps that use tabs on the bottom like they do in iOS. It just makes more sense. Why else do you think people were complaining the Gmail app took all the buttons and moved it from the bottom to top?

 

[zerogear]

I'm hoping for a 32GB/64GB. But I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Sind]

I'm going for it and praying they are prepared on launch day with product to ship.

 

[shabby]

I'm going for it and praying they are prepared on launch day with product to ship.

Nope, they'll be "surprised" again with its demand and it'll be out of stock within seconds and ship in a few weeks.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm going for it and praying they are prepared on launch day with product to ship.

I'm more concerned about the website actually working on the day of. The iPhone 5S orders this year went by completely flawlessly. It seems any issues they had with the 4S preorders were resolved. Let's hope Google can learn a lesson. But given how their Google I/O tickets sold out in no time, I'm not too convinced that they've figured things out.

 

[lopri]

Someone ran GFXBench on the N5 and it's up.

http://gfxbench.com/device.jsp?benchmark=gfx27&D=Google+Nexus+5&testgroup=overall

I don't really care for the benchmark scores but it pretty much confirms what we know about the N5's internals. S800, 1080p, new version of Android. Interestingly the tested phone's OS is referred to as KeyLimePie. So KitKat seems to be just a new name for KeyLimePie.

 

[Strk]

Someone ran GFXBench on the N5 and it's up.

http://gfxbench.com/device.jsp?benchmark=gfx27&D=Google+Nexus+5&testgroup=overall

I don't really care for the benchmark scores but it pretty much confirms what we know about the N5's internals. S800, 1080p, new version of Android. Interestingly the tested phone's OS is referred to as KeyLimePie. So KitKat seems to be just a new name for KeyLimePie.

Here's hoping it includes a non-crappy speaker for once

 

[jiffylube1024]

Here's hoping it includes a non-crappy speaker for once

+1. N5 looks amazing on rumors, but I'd definitely like to see how it camera, speaker and battery life are in reviews. 32gb is a necessity as well (for me, at least).

 

[Crono]

Interestingly the tested phone's OS is referred to as KeyLimePie. So KitKat seems to be just a new name for KeyLimePie.

Some of the UI indicates that, too. It's too bad, as I actually liked the Key Lime Pie name, as well as Key Lime pies. Mmm.

 

[Graze]

Someone ran GFXBench on the N5 and it's up.

http://gfxbench.com/device.jsp?benchmark=gfx27&D=Google+Nexus+5&testgroup=overall

I don't really care for the benchmark scores but it pretty much confirms what we know about the N5's internals. S800, 1080p, new version of Android. Interestingly the tested phone's OS is referred to as KeyLimePie. So KitKat seems to be just a new name for KeyLimePie.

I think this is already known. Google was going with key lime pie but adopted Kit Kat instead

 

[OS]

A bunch of new leaks today;

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/30/4788774/this-could-be-the-clearest-image-yet-of-the-nexus-5
http://www.gsmarena.com/leaked_nexus_5_log_reveals_most_of_the_specs-news-6876.php
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=18049399#post18049399

"Most of the stuff is no surprise – a 5" screen (actually, 4.97") with 1080p resolution, 442ppi pixel density, a Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage ... The phone ran Key Lime Pie (a.k.a. Android 4.4 KitKat), build version KRS74H ... It seems that the camera has been changed to an 8MP snapper ... A case maker, SPIGEN, puts the Nexus 5 launch date at October 31, a month from now."

I had a gold 5S on order but cancelled it, got tired of waiting. I don't care much for Google's practices now, but I intend to reload 3rd party ROMs on any android devices.

 

[lopri]

This person claims that her/his icons and themes are borrowed from Kitkat.. Has to be a fake, right?

http://www.appbrain.com/app/gauravmantri.theme.jellybean43#descriptionsection

 

[lothar]

A bunch of new leaks today;
http://www.gsmarena.com/leaked_nexus_5_log_reveals_most_of_the_specs-news-6876.php
"Most of the stuff is no surprise – a 5" screen (actually, 4.97") with 1080p resolution, 442ppi pixel density, a Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage ... The phone ran Key Lime Pie (a.k.a. Android 4.4 KitKat), build version KRS74H ... It seems that the camera has been changed to an 8MP snapper ... A case maker, SPIGEN, puts the Nexus 5 launch date at October 31, a month from now."



I had a gold 5S on order but cancelled it, got tired of waiting. I don't care much for Google's practices now, but I intend to reload 3rd party ROMs on any android devices.

Doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over my Nexus 4 to me.
a.) 5"? Don't care either way. 4.7-5", same difference.
b.) 1080p? A welcome addition, but not one of the "top" things I'm clamoring for.
c.) SnapDragon 800 performance? Excellent, but this alone may not be worth the upgrade for me.
d.) 2GB RAM? Already have it.
e.) 16GB storage? Already have it.
f.) KitKat? My Nexus 4 will get it, and so will the Galaxy Nexus.
g.) 8MP camera? Doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over a Nexus 4 to me.
h.) LTE? I already have it.
i.) Battery life? Will wait and see...
j.) Pricing? Will wait and see...but based on this specs, I don't expect the phone to cost more than $400.

Battery life for me will be the key test...

But I might decide to wait for a full review and may not purchase one day 1 even with the possibility of it being sold out like last year for almost 2 months.
At the same time, I may purchase one on day 1 because I'm planning to travel back home in December where we don't have 24hr electricity luxury, and I can justify the splurge by having a spare phone or passing my old phone to my brother. I gave him my Galaxy S II when I upgraded to a Nexus 4 in April and I don't have a backup phone.



You're crazy. You should have sold that iPhone 5S Gold for $$$ rather than cancelling your order. People are having enough of a hard time finding a Gold iPhone 5S in this market.

 

[lopri]

Not sure what to think of the soft-touch back. It should be more secure in hand, and better protect the internals as well as itself. But how about stains or wears? Will it stay clean over time?

To me the 5" screen means more than 1080p, esp. since the phone's physical size did not grow from all indications. That means my hands will do the same work as they did on the N4 yet my eyes will be more comfortable on the N5.

 

[Red Storm]

That bottom bezel is too big.

 

[OS]

You're crazy. You should have sold that iPhone 5S Gold for $$$ rather than cancelling your order. People are having enough of a hard time finding a Gold iPhone 5S in this market.

I didn't want to deal with selling and collecting on it. Something like that is asking for headache and scams.
Lots of people on macrumors are claiming their iphones were stolen in transit however possible that may be.

 

[Red Storm]

I didn't want to deal with selling and collecting on it. Something like that is asking for headache and scams.
Lots of people on macrumors are claiming their iphones were stolen in transit however possible that may be.

Would have been as simple as meeting the buyer in a carrier store and doing the transaction there.

 

[Strk]

Doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over my Nexus 4 to me.
a.) 5"? Don't care either way. 4.7-5", same difference.
b.) 1080p? A welcome addition, but not one of the "top" things I'm clamoring for.
c.) SnapDragon 800 performance? Excellent, but this alone may not be worth the upgrade for me.
d.) 2GB RAM? Already have it.
e.) 16GB storage? Already have it.
f.) KitKat? My Nexus 4 will get it, and so will the Galaxy Nexus.
g.) 8MP camera? Doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over a Nexus 4 to me.
h.) LTE? I already have it.
i.) Battery life? Will wait and see...
j.) Pricing? Will wait and see...but based on this specs, I don't expect the phone to cost more than $400.

Battery life for me will be the key test...

But I might decide to wait for a full review and may not purchase one day 1 even with the possibility of it being sold out like last year for almost 2 months.
At the same time, I may purchase one on day 1 because I'm planning to travel back home in December where we don't have 24hr electricity luxury, and I can justify the splurge by having a spare phone or passing my old phone to my brother. I gave him my Galaxy S II when I upgraded to a Nexus 4 in April and I don't have a backup phone.



You're crazy. You should have sold that iPhone 5S Gold for $$$ rather than cancelling your order. People are having enough of a hard time finding a Gold iPhone 5S in this market.

In all fairness though, annual upgrades aren't necessarily that amazing. Sure, more features get added every year, but for the big boost? Wait a couple.

 

[lothar]

In all fairness though, annual upgrades aren't necessarily that amazing. Sure, more features get added every year, but for the big boost? Wait a couple.

The Nexus 4 was a BIG upgrade from the Galaxy Nexus.
I never owned a Galaxy Nexus, but based on me playing with one for a few days/weeks and testing somethings out, it was.

Nexus 5 from Nexus 4? Based on the initial specs, not so much...
Only thing going for the Nexus 5 for me so far is the screen. LG G2 has the best non-AMOLED screen on the market today and I hope the Nexus 5 willl feature the same type of screen.

Again, battery life compared to current Nexus 4 will be the key test here for me.
Motorola really needs to make a Nexus ASAP.

 

[ilkhan]

Battery life should a good bit better between the snapdragon 800 improvements and panel self refresh.
Official (and not just T-Mo) LTE will be nice.
I expect official or 3rd party active notifications (cant remember the actual name right now) with the AMOLED screen.
I suspect we'll see the always on voice stuff as well since support is part of snapdragon 800.

 

[lothar]

Battery life should a good bit better between the snapdragon 800 improvements and panel self refresh.
Official (and not just T-Mo) LTE will be nice.
I expect official or 3rd party active notifications (cant remember the actual name right now) with the AMOLED screen.
I suspect we'll see the always on voice stuff as well since support is part of snapdragon 800.

It has an AMOLED screen?