Finally after all the brouhaha both the Android 4.4 KIT KAT and the first smart phone running on it is out. The Google Nexus 5 running on Android 4.4 KIT KAT is available on Google Play India. The prices are as follows
1. Nexus 5 16GB Black/White > Rs.28999.00
2. Nexus 5 32GB Black/White > Rs.32999.00
Though the Google Play says that both the versions are 'Coming Soon' I would advise buyers to wait for the Google Nexus 5 before buying any other smart phones. Why?
First and foremost Google and LG have got the pricing absolutely perfect on this one. A brief look at the specifications of Google Nexus 5 >
- Processor: Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 with 2.30GHz Quad-Core Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU
- Operating System: Android 4.4, KitKat
- Display: 4.95-inch Full HD IPS at a resolutions of 1920 x 1080 pixels(~445 ppi pixel density)
- Network: CDMA/1xRTT/EVDO, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA+, LTE
- Memory: 32GB / 16GB (your choice)
- RAM: 2GB
- Camera: Rear 8.0MP at 3264 x 2448 pixels resolution and 1080p video output @30fps with OIS / Front 1.3MP HD
- Battery: 2,300mAh Li-Polymer (embedded)
- Size: 137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59mm
- Weight: 130g
- Others: Wireless charging, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi hotspot, microUSB (SlimPort) v2.0
The nearest competition to Google Nexus 5 is LG G2 and is priced closest to the Nexus 5 at Rs 41,500.00 for a 16 GB version, while a 32 GB version of the smartphone is Rs 44,500. You can get both the versions cheaper online with Flipkart giving 16GB at Rs.37999.00 and 32GB one at 40490.00.
But that still makes the LG G2 around Rs.10000.00 dearer than the Google Nexus 5. LG G2 has a bigger 5.2-inch screen with a better 13 megapixel camera but remember it still runs on Android 4.2.2 with LG’s Optimus 3.0 user interface on top. So you are getting a little high speced smart phone with a older OS by paying Rs.10K more.
The next one is the list is Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Like LG G2, the Samsung Note 3 also has a bigger screen than Google Nexus 5, 5.7 inches to be precise with a 13MP camera. It also has 3GB RAM while the Google Nexus 16/32GB will have 2GB RAM. The Samsung Note 3 is available on Flipkart for Rs.46899.00 which Samsung website lists it at Rs.47900.00. This makes the Samsung Note 3 (comparing 32GB versions) about Rs.13000.00 dearer than the Google Nexus 5, 32GB version.
Again the Samsung Note 3 runs on Android 4.3 and the only thing that is exciting about Samsung Note 3 is the 'S Pen' it bundles and the seamless connectivity with Samsung Gear smart watch (for which you have to spend another Rs.20K)
The other flagship offering from Samsung which is close to Google Nexus 5 is the Samsung Galaxy S 4. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is priced at Rs 40,690 on Samsung’s website and is retailing for the same price on Flipkart and at RS.39999.00 on another ecommerce portal Infibeam.
The Samsung Galaxy S 4 has a almost similar size 5-inch full HD screen but with a 13 megapixel camera and an Octa-core processor(which is almost double power over Nexus 5 in geekspeak). But then this device won’t support 4G in India and only has 16 GB memory. So are you interested in paying Rs.13000.00(against Google Nexus 16GB version) extra for the processor speed and 13MP camera for a smart phone which also runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (Samsung will be updating it)
Sony is another worthy competition to Google Nexus 5. Its latest flagshop launch, Xperia Z1 comes with a whopper of a camera at 20.7MP. In addition the Xperia Z1 is all kinds of proof (water/dust). Sony Xperia Z1 is retailing online for Rs 42,990.00. If you compare the Xperia Z1 and Google Nexus 5, the biggest differential is the camera but you get it for almost Rs.14000.00 extra over Google Nexus 5 16GB version.
If you are a photography aficionado you might as well learn about the massive 41MP camera smart phone from Nokia. The Nokia Lumia 1020 running on Windows Phone 8 has a 41MP camera but sadly does not have a full HD screen or a quad core processor like Google Nexus 5. The smartphone’s official price is a huge Rs 49,999.00 while it is available on Flipkart for Rs 47,222.00.
The Nokia Lumia 1020 is a great offering for those who are real photography buffs but the sore points like it running on Windows Phone 8 without many Apps and the others pointed above, you did wish you go for Google Nexus 5.
Leaving Android and Windows Phones smart phones available in the market we do have the Apples latest foray into budget space. iPhone 5c running on iOS 7. But again the budget smart phone from Apple is slightly overbudget for my liking, available at Rs 41,900.00 for a 16GB version while the iPhone 5s will start at a whopping 53,500 for a 16GB version. While RCom has come with a nice contract offer where you get the iPhone 5c for Rs.2600.00 a month locked for 24 months, I dont think any other operators will come up with such kind of scheme.
So all in all Google has come up with a real beauty both with the price as well as specifications. You did have to wait only till end of this month to get your hands on Google Nexus 5 instead of spending around 10 to 20K extra for a nice smart phone.
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