Rumor: LG to build the Nexus 5 after all?

By Andy Boxall August 16, 2013

LG G2

Check out our review of the Google Nexus 5 smart phone.

The mystery of the Nexus 5 has taken a slightly unexpected turn, as despite previous statements claiming otherwise, a new report has linked LG with the Nexus 5. The news comes from the often reliable Vietnamese site Tinhte.vn, where it’s stated LG is hard at work modifying its new G2 flagship Android phone to become the much discussed device.

Before you get too excited, if the Nexus 5 does turn out to be version of the G2, it’s unlikely it’ll come with LG’s innovative rear-mounted buttons. It’s hardly surprising really, as this is what makes the G2 standout against the Galaxy S4, the Xperia Z, and the HTC One. However, the big, 5.2-inch 1080p screen should remain, meaning at least its specs will suit the 5 in the Nexus 5’s name.

Should LG be making the phone, it’s possible it’ll bring over the glass rear panel introduced on the Nexus 4, indicating the feature may become something of a Nexus smartphone trademark. Also, the Snapdragon 800 processor may provide the power, and the chassis could be slimmer than the already sleek G2.

This is all at odds with a statement made by an LG vice president earlier this year, who claimed LG wasn’t interested in making another Nexus phone just yet; a decision perhaps influenced by the considerable effort it had to put into getting the Nexus 4 out the door, only for it to be priced at cost by Google.

It also comes after a well-known Android blogger said Motorola would be building the next Nexus phone for Google, which made sense seeing as Google owns the firm; but crucially the Nexus 5 name wasn’t mentioned, meaning there’s a chance there are two Nexus smartphones on the horizon, or someone is mistaken.

Combine all this with the fact the Nexus 5 has been a consistent no-show for many months, and we don’t know what to believe. As always, none of this is confirmed, official information, so we’ll just have to wait and see what Google reveals when the time comes.

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Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

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