Google Nexus 5 Round Up: Everything That We Know

First, a huge thanks to @epicrivas for the render at the top of the post. While that’s not official, we know that the device does look similar, thanks to a quickly pulled Google Kit Kat unveiling video. For now, this is about as clean as it gets in terms of a look at the new Nexus. While it may be another mega-black slab, it does look minimal and sexy. Mmhmm.

Sources of ours had previously indicated that this launch would be more of a new “Nexus 4″ than a Nexus 5. But with a 5″ display, that could obviously change.

Specs:

In terms of connectivity (the important stuff to Verizon customers), we are looking at a GSM/CDMA device that can also connect to a variety of LTE bands. Unfortunately, this does not look like a Verizon-compatible device, as much as we all hope that it will be, the chances are pretty slim. The FCC filing shows GSM and WCDMA, meaning it should work fine on both T-Mobile and AT&T in terms of 3G. Verizon, as you know, runs its 3G network on CDMA, which is also present here in bands 0, 1, and 10. Now, the tests show CDMA frequencies in the 800MHz and 1900MHz ranges, but those could be for Sprint. Verizon does run its CDMA network in those ranges, so yes, there is a bit of hope.

In terms of LTE, we’re looking at bands 2, 4, 5, 17, 25, 26, and 41. Notice anything missing? That would be band 13, the LTE frequency that Verizon currently runs its entire LTE network on. Now, you will notice a band 4 in there, which will eventually host Verizon’s AWS LTE spectrum, and should rollout later this year. Problem is, Verizon only plans to launch 5,000 sites with AWS connectivity by the end of the year, which is not exactly covering much of the country. So even if Verizon decides to allow the new Nexus access to its CDMA network, the phone wouldn’t even have full LTE coverage throughout the country. Can you really envision a situation where Verizon, who is as anal as it gets about experience on its network, is going to allow a phone to barely work on only a portion of its network?

I hate to squash dreams, but no band 13 is not a good sign. Remember, with CDMA, Verizon gets to decide who connects to their network – this could be a case where they said, “No thanks, and please don’t use our LTE either.”

“But what if it’s an LTE-only device?” you ask? Could be, but again, Verizon is only deploying 5,000 AWS sites by the end of this year. They will continue to rollout more next year of course, and will also include the AWS frequency in phones by the end of the year, I just don’t think this Nexus is making the cut. After all, it’s still a phone that needs to make calls, something it wouldn’t be able to do if it couldn’t also connect to Verizon’s CDMA network.

The phone will work just fine on Sprint (bands 25 and 26), T-Mobile (band 4), and AT&T (band 17) LTE networks.

Exciting stuff (if you aren’t a Verizon customer). We are hearing from sources that late October could be the big reveal.

  

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