When it comes to the Nexus lineup, we are used to a ton of rumors, leaks and blogs (even Android Headlines) hypebeasting the new device(s). I remember back, last fall there were so many rumors for the Nexus 4. There were even a couple of hoaxes going around. At one point, we thought there would be an LG Nexus, a HTC Nexus and a Sony Nexus. Well the Sony Nexus turned out to be false, the HTC Nexus was just the HTC Droid DNA for Verizon and the LG Nexus was the real deal. Literally everyday there was another leak or rumor going around. So when the Nexus 4 was finally unveiled (through a press release from Google and The Verge exclusive), many people were upset that there was no 32GB version and no LTE on the Nexus 4.
Each Nexus device has gone through that much hype leading up to it’s release. Following release, there are always shortages. Which somehow makes the device hyped even more. Don’t ask me how that happens. The Nexus 4 is very, very similar to the Optimus G that’s on AT&T and Sprint right now. One thing that makes the Nexus lineup standout from other devices, are the frequent updates. Right now my Nexus 4 is running Android 4.2.2, if I had a HTC One X, or Galaxy S3 it would still be on Android 4.1 unless I rooted and flashed a custom ROM. Speaking of Custom ROMs, that’s another reason that makes the Nexus line so popular. It’s a piece of cake to root and unlock the bootloader as well as develop for. The Nexus line started as a developer phone or device, and has rapidly turned into a consumer device because consumers got tired of waiting for updates, and also paying nearly $600-700 for a new phone.
So that leads us back to our topic. A Nexus 4 refresh at Google I/O really would suck. Recently we’ve heard rumors that the new Nexus 4 being announced at Google I/O in a matter of days would have 32GB of storage and 4G LTE. Really Google? This is the Nexus 7 all over again. Back last year at Google I/O, Google announced the Nexus 7 which came in 8GB and 16GB variants and were Wi-Fi only. Then in the fall with the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 announcement, Google introduced a 32GB version (axing the 8GB) and a HSPA+ variant for either T-Mobile or AT&T. One thing I don’t want, and I know I’m not alone here, is a refreshed Nexus 4 only 6 months after it was launched. This isn’t Apple here, who did that to their fans with the iPad 3 and iPad 4 last year. I’d rather Google just give us the Nexus 7 and possibly the X Phone – keep your fingers crossed for that one.
Who else agrees with me that adding a 32GB variant with LTE to the Nexus 4 choices would suck? Especially for those of us who were early adopters. I bought my Nexus 4 on launch day, November 13th, 2012. And if Google brings out a 32GB version with LTE (for T-Mobile) I’ll probably go ahead and buy it anyways. But why can’t Google have these refreshes available at launch? By now Google should know that people want more internal space and LTE. I understand why they don’t want to add a microSD card slot and I’m fine with that. Just give us 32GB and 64GB variants from the start, like HTC does. Okay, Google?