Google to Discontinue Selling Nexus 4 Smartphones

As the industry starts talking about Google’s next version of Nexus, the Nexus 5, the search engine giant is planning to discontinue the production of its flagship smartphone Nexus 4. A report filed on The Verge site indicates that Google’s online storefront has sold out the 16 GB version of the Nexus 4 and plans to stop producing these devices. In short, it marks the end of the LG-built line.

Last week, to clear the inventory for these smartphones, the search giant offered a clearance sale for 8 GB version handsets. Meanwhile, media reports suggests that a few Nexus 4 handsets are on sale through Google Play in other countries.

Early this month Google announced the next version of Android, the 4.4 KitKat. According to Los Angeles Times, Google may have accidently dropped in the Nexus 5 photo into the new Android promo video that was posted on YouTube. The suspicion grew further when Google removed the video from YouTube after learning about the mistake.

Furthermore, online leakage of Nexus 5 prototype revealed some specs on TechAdvisor which indicate that the upcoming Google smartphone will be about the same size as the Nexus 4 but with a larger screen. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 running at 2.3 GHz clock frequency, Nexus 5 is expected to offer 5.2-inch OLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 16/32/64 GB internal storage. The upcoming Google smartphone is also expected to offer a better resolution rear camera, in addition to a front camera. And is estimated to come with a 3300 mAh Lithium polymer battery. The unit will also come with front positioned stereo speakers.

Its integrated antenna and built-in RF will support 4G LTE networking and DVB-T applications. The smartphone’s screen will also offer leading-edge gesture like controls for navigation, zoom, and much more.

The industry is speculating the arrival of Nexus 5 sometime in October or November timeframe.