LG Nexus 4 review: Google’s flagship with wireless charging
The LG Nexus 4 arrived in late 2012 as Google’s showcase Android phone, pairing clean software with flagship hardware at a surprisingly aggressive price. Built by LG, it offered a quad-core Snapdragon processor, a sharp 4.7-inch display, wireless charging and direct access to Android updates without a manufacturer skin getting in the way.
For Australian buyers, the phone sits in an interesting place in mobile history. It was affordable enough to challenge expensive contract handsets from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, yet its limited stock, missing LTE support and glass construction made it less straightforward than the headline price suggested. Its design and software still make it worth examining.
| Phone | Screen | Processor | Storage | Wireless charging | Australian buying angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Nexus 4 | 4.7-inch IPS LCD, 1280 × 768 | Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | 8GB or 16GB | Qi supported | Strong value, but limited stock and no LTE |
| Samsung Galaxy Nexus | 4.65-inch Super AMOLED, 1280 × 720 | TI OMAP dual-core | 16GB or 32GB | No standard Qi support | Older software and slower performance |
| Nokia Lumia 820 | 4.3-inch AMOLED, 800 × 480 | Snapdragon dual-core | 8GB plus microSD | With charging shell | Windows Phone alternative with expandable storage |
| LG Optimus G | 4.7-inch IPS LCD, 1280 × 768 | Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | Usually 32GB | Regional accessory support | Similar hardware, less direct Google software |
A flagship built around pure Android
The Nexus 4 launched with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, giving buyers a clean version of Google’s operating system. There was no TouchWiz layer, Sense interface or carrier software filling the app drawer. Google’s approach was simple: the Nexus should show Android as the company intended it, with fast updates and a consistent interface.
That clean experience remains the handset’s strongest long-term feature. The notification shade, Google Now cards, voice search and lock-screen widgets felt cohesive in 2012, while the phone responded quickly to swipes and app launches. The interface was less visually crowded than many rival Android phones, making the Nexus 4 feel modern even when compared with more expensive models.
Google’s update policy also gave the handset a clear advantage. Nexus owners generally received new Android versions ahead of Samsung, HTC and Sony customers. For enthusiasts who enjoyed testing the latest software, this was a major reason to choose the Google-branded phone rather than a carrier-supplied model.
Glass design and a bright display
LG used glass on the front and rear of the Nexus 4, separated by a rounded synthetic frame. The rear panel featured a glittering pixel pattern that shifted as it caught the light. It looked distinctive on a shop counter in Melbourne or Sydney, especially beside the plain plastic backs common at the time.
The 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus display delivered 1280 × 768 resolution, giving text and photographs a clean appearance. Colours were natural, viewing angles were wide and outdoor brightness was respectable. It did not have the deep blacks of Samsung’s AMOLED panels, but its white backgrounds and web pages looked more balanced.
The glossy finish had practical drawbacks. Fingerprints appeared quickly, and the rear glass could crack after a drop onto a hard footpath. A protective case was sensible, particularly for commuters carrying the phone in a pocket or bag during a busy train trip through Central station. The design felt premium, but it demanded more care than a typical polycarbonate handset.
Snapdragon performance that aged well
The Nexus 4 was powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro, with four Krait CPU cores running at up to 1.5GHz and 2GB of RAM. In its launch period, that combination was genuinely high-end. Games loaded quickly, browser pages scrolled smoothly and switching between several applications rarely caused frustration.
The Adreno 320 graphics processor helped the phone handle demanding 3D games better than most mid-range Android devices. It also gave the interface a fluid feel, particularly when opening the app drawer or moving between home screens. Everyday performance was one of the clearest signs that this was a Google flagship rather than simply a budget model with a Nexus badge.
Storage was less generous. Buyers had to choose between 8GB and 16GB, with no microSD card slot. After Android, photographs, cached maps and applications took their share, leaving limited room for music and video. Anyone spending long hours travelling around regional New South Wales or Western Australia needed to manage downloads carefully.
The wireless charging advantage
The Nexus 4 supported the Qi wireless charging standard, a feature that was unusual in an affordable 2012 handset. Instead of plugging in a micro-USB cable, owners could place the phone on a compatible charging pad. Google’s official Wireless Charger used a magnetic-style angled design that held the handset in position while it charged.
This was convenient at a desk or bedside table. Dropping the phone onto a pad was quicker than finding the cable in a dark room, and it reduced wear on the charging port. The technology was slower than later fast-charging systems, but overnight charging made that limitation easy to overlook.
Australian buyers needed to check whether a charging pad was included. In many retail packages it was sold separately, and local availability could be inconsistent. A Qi pad from a specialist electronics shop or an imported accessory could add to the cost, which softened the value of the handset. The feature was still useful, especially for people who wanted to charge without keeping a cable plugged in at work.
Nokia took a similar accessory-based approach with the Lumia 820 wireless option, although its removable back made the charging setup different. The Nexus 4 had wireless charging built into the phone, which was the cleaner solution.
Camera, battery and network limitations
The rear camera used an 8-megapixel sensor and could produce attractive photographs in good daylight. Google also promoted Photo Sphere, which allowed users to create interactive 360-degree images. The front camera was suitable for video calls, although neither camera could match the low-light results of later phones.
Image quality became less reliable indoors. Autofocus could hesitate, highlights were easily lost and night shots showed noise. The camera application was also fairly basic at launch. It was fine for snapshots at a barbecue or a view across Bondi, but it was not a replacement for a dedicated compact camera.
A 2100mAh battery powered the Nexus 4. With moderate use, it could last a full day, but mobile data, gaming and navigation placed heavy demands on it. Australian network conditions also mattered. The phone worked on 3G networks, yet the lack of official LTE support meant it could not take advantage of the faster 4G services beginning to expand through Telstra and other carriers.
That omission was significant for a flagship released as networks were changing. Buyers in central Sydney or Melbourne might notice the difference less than someone travelling through areas where coverage varied, but the Nexus 4 was less future-proof than an LTE-equipped rival. It also lacked a removable battery, so long-term owners could not carry a spare cell.
Pricing and availability in Australia
Google’s international pricing strategy made the Nexus 4 famous. In the United States, the 8GB and 16GB versions were sold through the Play Store at prices far below conventional flagship phones. Demand quickly overwhelmed supply, causing stock shortages and frustration. Australian shoppers faced similar uncertainty, with the phone appearing through Google’s online store and selected retailers rather than being consistently available everywhere.
The recommended price was competitive, particularly against premium models sold through carrier plans. However, a low upfront price did not automatically mean a cheap overall purchase. GST, delivery costs, accessory pricing and retailer margins could make the Australian deal less dramatic than the American headline figure. Grey-import stock also raised questions about warranty support and network compatibility.
Some customers preferred to buy outright from a retailer such as JB Hi-Fi, while others considered a month-to-month plan from Optus or Vodafone. Telstra customers could be tempted by broader coverage, but the Nexus 4’s 3G-only capability reduced the appeal of paying extra for a premium network experience. Checking bands and return policies was essential before handing over the money.
The handset was also competing with much simpler Android phones. A review of the Lenovo A369i budget phone shows how far the market stretched, from basic dual-SIM models to Google’s powerful flagship. The Nexus 4 cost more, but its processor, screen and software updates justified the difference for demanding users.
How it compared with iPhone and Android rivals
The Nexus 4’s closest Android competition included the Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and LG Optimus G. Samsung offered expandable storage and a larger ecosystem of accessories, while HTC delivered a polished camera experience and distinctive design. The Optimus G shared much of the Nexus 4’s hardware but used LG’s own software and did not receive Android updates as directly.
The Google phone’s appeal was its balance. It was faster than many mid-range devices, less expensive than premium contract phones and free from heavy manufacturer customisation. Buyers who valued software simplicity could accept the smaller storage capacity and average camera.
Against the iPhone 5, the comparison was more personal than technical. Apple offered a smaller display, a tightly controlled ecosystem and strong retail support, while the Nexus 4 gave users a larger screen, more customisation and a lower outright price. Readers comparing different generations can browse the site’s Apple mobile coverage for a broader look at the competing platform.
In Australia, the choice also depended on existing services. An iPhone fitted naturally into households using Macs, iPads and iTunes, whereas Android suited people who relied on Google accounts, Gmail and flexible file transfers. Neither phone was universally better; the Nexus 4 simply offered more flagship hardware per dollar for shoppers comfortable buying online.
Is the Nexus 4 still worth remembering?
The LG Nexus 4 was not perfect. Its glass body was fragile, storage was fixed and the missing LTE radio limited its lifespan as Australian networks moved towards faster mobile broadband. Battery endurance and camera quality were acceptable rather than exceptional, and the wireless charging pad was often an additional expense.
Its strengths were unusually coherent. The Snapdragon S4 Pro and 2GB of RAM made Android feel quick, the IPS display was sharp, and direct Google updates gave the device a sense of importance beyond its price. Wireless charging was a genuine convenience rather than a marketing checkbox, especially for owners who kept the phone beside a bed or computer.
For a 2012 buyer, it represented a rare combination of flagship speed and near-budget pricing. For a modern collector or Android historian, it shows how Google used the Nexus programme to push hardware partners, software design and new features forward. The phone helped establish wireless charging as a practical feature that could eventually reach mainstream handsets.
If you are researching classic smartphones, comparing launch prices or tracking the history of Android in Australia, the Nexus 4 deserves a place on the list. Explore related mobile reviews and buying guides on New Mobile Arrivals to see how this Google flagship compares with the devices that came before and after it.