Nexus 5 Vs. Nexus 4: Spec and Feature Comparison
The Nexus 5 was finally introduced by Google last week and will replace the wildly popular Nexus 4 that ruled the smartphone market at the end of the last year.
The new device provides users with a bigger version with updated specs and a fresh OS with Android 4.4 KitKat. So how much better is it than its predecessor? The Nexus 4 price will drop to nearly nothing now that the new model is out. So is the Nexus 5 worth the extra scratch at this point?
Display
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The Nexus 5 packs a fancy new 4.95-inch True HD IPS Plus capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels at 445 pixel density. The handset probably offers the best possible picture available in the market at this time. The Nexus 4 packed what was the best technology last year with a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus touchscreen with 768x1280 pixels resolution at 318 ppi density. The screen on the newer version has been greatly improved and has enhanced resolution in order to match the larger size.
Processor
The new Nexus model comes with a quad-core 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor which is known as one of the fastest and most efficient chipsets on the market. The Nexus 4 packs a quad-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The Nexus 5 has been significantly upgraded, but the Nexus 4 still has the ability to hang with many of this year's heavyweights such as the Galaxy S4 and HTC One. The Nexus 5 might blow them out of the water.
Camera
Google and LG avoided the strategy taken by competitors such as Samsung by not increasing megapixels on the camera in order to attract customers. Both have the ability to shoot video in 1080p HD and can take pictures with 3264x2448 pixels resolution. Both feature LED flash. However, the Nexus 5 version comes with optical image stabilization which gives it a slight advantage. Overall, the picture taking experience has been improved, but the Nexus 4 camera won't set tech enthusiasts back that much.
Design
The Nexus 4 was one of the best looking smartphones of last year with its solid frame and glittery blackish backing. The front featured a dull chrome bezel. The device was heavier than some of the other sets found on the market. The Nexus 5 is a bigger device but only weighs 4.59oz and is 8.59mm thin. Its built from the same strong materials as the original version and provides users with a similar feel overall. Both please the eye aesthetically and Google and LG haven't ventured that far from what them successful the last go-round.
Conclusion
Both of these devices are Android royalty, but the Nexus 5 makes up for the few mis-steps of the Nexus 4. The new model can connect to LTE networks, packs a larger, screen, has a better battery, more powerful processor, and is not that much more expensive at $349 for the 16GB version off-contract. Buying the Nexus 4 at this point might save you money, but the absence of some of the essentials found on the new model will hurt users in the long run.
