Price and specifications of LG Nexus 4 E960 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Network and Connectivity

The LG Nexus 4 E960 supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, offering broad coverage in terms of cellular connectivity. It supports 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100), allowing users to connect to various carriers across the globe. The device achieves data speeds up to HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, ensuring reasonably fast internet access for browsing, streaming, and downloading applications.

Launch and Availability

Announced in October 2012 and released in November 2012, the LG Nexus 4 E960 quickly gained attention for its impressive specifications at an affordable price. Despite its discontinuation, the phone is still fondly remembered by tech enthusiasts for its role in defining Google's Nexus line of smartphones.

Design and Build Quality

The Nexus 4 boasts an aesthetically pleasing design with dimensions of 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm and a weight of 139 g, making it comfortable to hold and use. It features a Micro-SIM slot, which was standard at the time. The back of the device is glass, giving it a premium feel, although it makes it prone to cracks if dropped.

Display Features

The device is equipped with a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display, with a resolution of 768 x 1280 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 318 ppi. This ensures vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and sharp text and images. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2, providing some durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Hardware

Powered by the Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, the Nexus 4 features a quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU and an Adreno 320 GPU. This hardware configuration was quite powerful at the time of its release, providing smooth performance for both daily tasks and gaming. The device comes with 2GB of RAM, which helps with multitasking, although many modern apps may push its limits.

Memory and Storage

Available in two storage variants, 8GB and 16GB, the Nexus 4 lacks an expandable storage option through a microSD card slot. This limitation requires users to manage their media and app downloads carefully, especially considering the growing size of apps and multimedia files.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera on the Nexus 4 is an 8 MP shooter with autofocus and LED flash, capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. Despite the sensor size, it was competitive for its time, producing respectable photos in good lighting conditions. The 1.3 MP front camera offers basic functionality for video calls and selfies but is limited in quality.

Sound and Audio

The Nexus 4 comes with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, delivering satisfactory sound output for calls and media playback. The audio quality is decent with noise and crosstalk at -82.3 dB and -82.0 dB, respectively.

Communication Features

With comprehensive connectivity options, the Nexus 4 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot capabilities, and Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP. Positioning is assisted by GPS and GLONASS, ensuring accurate location tracking. Additionally, NFC capabilities allow for contactless payments and data transfer, although the lack of a radio might be a downside for some users.

Sensors and Extras

The device is equipped with several sensors including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer. These sensors enhance the user experience, supporting various functionalities in apps such as games, navigation, and weather monitoring.

Battery Life

The Nexus 4's 2100 mAh Li-Po battery is non-removable and offers wireless charging capabilities (Qi standard). With a standby time of up to 390 hours on 3G and talk time up to 15 hours, the battery life was acceptable but not exceptional by today's standards. The endurance rating of 32 hours indicates a full day's use with moderate activity.

Miscellaneous and Pricing

Available in black and white colors, the Nexus 4 was priced around 250 EUR at launch, offering exceptional value for its features. The device's SAR values are within safe limits at 0.55 W/kg for head and 1.27 W/kg for body (US), and lower in the EU.

Performance Tests

Performance benchmarks of the Nexus 4 scored a Basemark X rating of 6639, reflecting its capabilities during its time. The display contrast ratio is notable at 1341 (nominal) and 1.926:1 (sunlight). Audio tests reveal solid performance with voice, noise, and ring at 71 dB, 66 dB, and 78 dB, respectively.