LG is reportedly prepping an Android Nexus smartphone based on its flagship Optimus G handset.
According to MoDaCo founder Paul O’Brien, the device, which is slated to launch in mid-November, will not be an exact copy or even resemble LG’s current smartphone lineup.
The leaked (purported) specs sound pretty sweet so far, as the LG Nexus will apparently be powered by a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor paired with a 1280×768 “True-HD” IPS screen and Google’s upcoming Android 4.2.
Additional specs include 2GB of RAM, 8GB-6GB of internal storage (no microSD expansion?), on screen soft keys, an 8 Megapixel Camera, a sealed, non-removable battery, wireless charging out of the box, and perhaps a screen size of around 4.7-inches.
As TG Daily previously reported, Google is believed to have altered its Nexus strategy in recent weeks. Indeed, the approach thus far has been to designate one manufacturer with the honor of creating the next “Nexus” smartphone. Mountain View would then become involved in the design process and treat that device as the most important, giving it priority when it comes to things like firmware upgrades.
However, it seems as if Google will soon begin offering “Nexus” certifications to any manufacturer that meets certain specifications. So far, there have been three Nexus smartphones – the Nexus One, the Nexus S, and the Galaxy Nexus. All have been critically praised but not exactly blockbuster in sales performance. By widening its reach, the Nexus moniker could begin having a bigger impact.
Google doesn’t want to outright diminish its significance, though, which is why devices need to be somewhat future-proof, with manufacturers guaranteeing a firmware upgrade to fresh versions of Android.
