LG-manufactured Nexus 4 poses for the camera again

When it comes to the next big smartphone launch, all eyes are now directed towards LG and Google as various reports indicate that they will be announcing the next Googlephone later this month. Over the last few weeks there has been  a slew of leaks and the latest one is an image where we can see both sides of the handset in all its glory.

As per a report by Engadget who has sourced the images via Belarusian site Online.by, we can see that it is similar to the images that had leaked before. This indicates that LG and Google may have finalised on the design of the upcoming smartphone and this could be the final look of the handset once it gets announced.

Rear view

As per the report by Engadget, the author Richard Lawler states, “While Google and LG have kept quiet on the subject of any prospective Nexus phone, the leaky ship that is the LG E960 "Mako" popped another hole today as Belarusian site Onliner.by has apparently gotten its hands on a prototype unit.”

From the images that had leaked earlier, the face of the handset is similar in design to last year’s hugely popular Galaxy Nexus manufactured by Samsung. The major difference between them can be seen at the back of the device, where it has a crystal-like design that it gives it a rich and classy finish.

Similar in design to the Galaxy Nexus

The report by Android and Me also states that this device has been codenamed 'Mako'. Through the NenaMark benchmark, we can see a range of specifications that will feature in this handset. This matches up with previous rumours about the smartphone featuring Qualcomm’s 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro with Adreno 320 GPU.

The LG-manufactured Nexus is expected to come with 2GB of RAM, a 1280 x 768 True-High Definition IPS display, an 8-megapixel camera, and a non-removable battery. It will also have no microSD slot, and will have from 8GB to 16GB of internal storage.

Google will co-host the launch event with LG, where it will introduce the next version of Android – version 4.2, rumoured to be named Key Lime Pie – along with a new phone, presumably a Nexus based on LG’s recently announced Optimus G. The report also states that Google’s Nexus flagship device concept is going to undergo a major overhaul. Now, any manufacturer will be able to release a smartphone under the Nexus banner, but they will have to adhere to some strict rules set by Google. According to the rules, manufacturers must use stock Android and have 64MB of secure memory for media streaming. Custom UI skins such as HTC’s Sense UI or Samsung’s TouchWiz will be allowed in the new Customization Center. Also, some hardware requirements must be met so that the devices will be able to run Android v5.0, scheduled to arrive by fall 2013.

Rumours indicate that this handset will be announced on the 29th of October 2012 and once unveiled; it could be called the Nexus 4.