Good replacement for a Nexus 4
October 16, 2014 7:34 PM   Subscribe

My wife's Nexus 4 has died (due to an accident) and we are looking for a replacement. The Nexus 5 would be the obvious choice but is out of stock in the Play store (and given that the Nexus 6 has been announced may not be coming back). What should she get?

The Nexus 4 was perfect for us (I have one too). $350 for an unlocked smartphone that could handle whatever apps were out there. What is the equivalent device now? Is there such a thing? We're in Canada and on Wind Mobile (HSPA 1700). She'll be out of the country until January so we have until then to get the replacement.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm to Shopping (17 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
I just got a MotoX version 2 and it is a really good android device.
posted by humanfont at 7:45 PM on October 16, 2014




I have a Moto G for the sole reason of price, and I have to admit it's pretty decent. The Moto X is probably even greater.
posted by General Malaise at 8:01 PM on October 16, 2014


I faced a similar decision last month and went with the Moto X (2013, 1st gen), which you may still be able to get customized through Moto Maker for $399 or in black/white for much cheaper on eBay. The 2nd gen is closer to $500.
posted by muddgirl at 8:14 PM on October 16, 2014


Nexus 5 is apparently coming back but who knows when it will be back in stock. Moto G is apparently a very good phone. I would not hesitate to get that.
posted by GuyZero at 8:18 PM on October 16, 2014


I'm very happy with my OnePlus One. It's a bit big, but it's screamingly fast, and the display is glorious.
posted by scruss at 8:25 PM on October 16, 2014


My husband also really likes his Nexus 5, if it ever does come back in stock. It sounds like you have some time to wait.
posted by muddgirl at 8:27 PM on October 16, 2014


The red and white 32GB Nexus 5 phones are in stock right now. I still consider them a good deal, especially compared to what Wind mobile charges for them.
posted by Harpocrates at 8:30 PM on October 16, 2014


I think the Galaxy S4 is a good phone but only because I've got one. Presumably the S5 is one thing better.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:33 PM on October 16, 2014


If you really want a Nexus 5 they're going to be on all the reseller/wholesaler/discount type sites- google didn't manage to just perfectly manage their stockpile, they just shipped it all off.

Which will make for some good deals I would imagine.
posted by phearlez at 8:38 PM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


My husband has just been investigating this, as he broke his Nexus 4 last week. He decided that the OnePlus One was the best option if you can handle waiting (for us it would have involved shipping to the USA and then from there to Australia, so a long wait - maybe not so bad for you if you can get an invite). Since he didn't want to wait, he went with the Nexus 5. It's still in stock on the Australian store. And since the Nexus 6 is in such a different size and price class, I imagine Google will continue to make the 5 as well.
posted by lollusc at 10:52 PM on October 16, 2014


As long as you don't mind having a fairly rubbish camera, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Moto G.

Apparently the new model has a larger screen and a better camera at the price of some battery life and a slightly less sharp screen. So if the manageable form factor of the nexus 4 was important to you I'd look out the older one. (If mine broke today I'd get the older model despite the camera, fwiw)
posted by ominous_paws at 11:43 PM on October 16, 2014


Google is still advertising the 5.
posted by devnull at 1:16 AM on October 17, 2014


There's a monster refurb deal on the nexus 4 that just popped up. It's getting an official update to android L, and possibly some maintenance updates after that. Its specs still aren't too shabby and are a bit ahead of say, last years moto x or a lot of lower-mid end phones now. It compares favorably to the new moto g and many other midrange phones.

And really, $150, it's pretty hard to beat that.

If you have a spare phone to hobble along with for a bit, like even a few weeks, i bet the nexus 5's are going to start popping up all over the place pretty soon. Possibly as a big black friday blowout.

The oneplus one is awesome and a good deal, but huge. It's also annoying to actually get ahold of. You can't beat it for the price, but i'd only investigate that route if you had already made piece with having a gigantic phone. The nexus 4 was a really nice, reasonable size. The nexus 5 doesn't really feel any bigger. The oneplus, and the other big 5ish inch phones like the s4 and the htc one and the new moto x and such really do feel a lot bigger than a nexus 4.
posted by emptythought at 5:03 AM on October 17, 2014


I have the Nexus 4 and am a woman with smallish hands. If your wife is like me, she may prefer phones that are no bigger than the Nexus 4, which is just the right size for me. They keep making these bigger screened phones - which are good for big handed people - but are much too big for me and my thumbs. Just something to keep in mind.
posted by jillithd at 7:35 AM on October 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


Google recently launched a relatively unannounced program where they will replace a nexus 5 free regardless of how damage was caused (I've heard of people successfully getting a nexus 4 replaced).

Check this link: Google Play support team
for the correct number to call for your location. It couldn't hurt to check to see if your device qualifies.

The device had to have been purchased on the Google Play store in order to qualify, however.

Good luck!
posted by Advocate, I at 11:34 AM on October 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


I just transitioned from a Nexus to an LG G3 and I love it. Phenomenal screen (1440×2560 with amazing clarity). Has an IR blaster, allowing you to use it as a remote for your tv and other stuff. Top notch camera. Here's a recent-ish review from Forbes calling it "the best Android phone in the world."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:46 AM on October 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


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