We all know the folks from Google have pretty big plans for their upcoming I/O developer event in May, but what exactly will we be seeing is still anyone’s guess. We’ve heard and reported countless rumors but today another has appeared that takes the cake. Apparently Google will be dropping a new LG Nexus 4 (not a 5) with 32GB of storage and full support for 4G LTE. It will run Android Key Lime Pie and be revealed at Google I/O.

Now we’re going to take this rumor with a pretty big grain of salt for now, but it actually sounds quite plausible. The reason being we aren’t so sure Google is already prepared to release another actual hardware device completely redesigned. The Nexus 4 came out in October, and the Galaxy Nexus before it had a similar time-frame and eventually hit Verizon in December of 2011.

We’ve reported rumors about an LG Nexus 5, dreamed about an HTC Nexus 5, and of course the Motorola X-Phone. Multiple reports claim that Motorola’s X-Phone has been delayed and will be a no-show at Google I/O, so this makes perfect sense to be honest.

Then there’s also the confirmation that Google’s current LG Nexus 4 and the Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor under the hood already has dormant and disabled 4G LTE radios. It’s been hacked to work in Canada and a few select AT&T users. Maybe Google’s been working with the carriers to enable this in the next iteration of Android, and hopefully, just hopefully a CDMA version will also hit the streets. The rumor suggests a 32GB LG Nexus 4 will arrive for Verizon with 4G LTE, and of course be running the latest version of Android.

So could Google be preparing a 32GB 4G LTE Nexus 4 for Google I/O, then update the current devices to support AT&T and T-Mobile’s LTE networks? Sounds like a pretty good plan to us, even if we do want new hardware. What do you guys think?

[via SidhTech]

43 COMMENTS

  1. Whatever the next Nexus 4 (or 5?) is going to be, it’ll be my next phone. I really hope it has a microSD slot, but if not it’s a small omission compared to the $ I’ll be saving when I switch to a $40-$50 a month plan.

  2. PLEASE make this work for Verizon. I would love to buy my device directly from Google and use it on my network without a contract.

    • If it includes Qualcomm’s RF360, you won’t have to worry about LTE band fragmentation or any cellular network frequency for that matter.
      Hope this chip makes it to the next Nexus.

  3. I haven’t heard of any AT&T users who have enabled LTE on a Nexus 4. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have support for the band AT&T uses. It supports Band 4, which is what T-Mobile has.

    I have Tmo LTE on my Nexus 4, as do thousands of others.

    You have to flash CyanogenMod 10.1 and then the .33 radio. I get 30 down/10-12 up in my house. Signal is spotty around Phoenix, but it is growing.

    I would love it if the Nexus got LTE via OTA. I’d revert to stock. I bought the thing to break out of the CM cycle.

    • Someone made it up and Android Community is stupid enough to post it. Oh, SlashGear too.

      Same site, same rumors. Useless “reporting”.

      • Yup they’d be mad not to go 1080p, at least Snapdragon 600, hopefully 800, 1080p has been around for 6 months already, lets get it cheap with easy OS updates. Snap Pro can’t drive 1080p gaming like 800 , it’d run hot and drain the battery too fast.

  4. I don’t know how I feel about an LTE Nexus 4. The battery life on my HSPA+ Nexus 4 is mediocre enough. Running on LTE would probably drain this thing inside of 3 hours.

  5. Oh Jesus Christ…

    Really? Seriously?

    These rumors are really getting stupid.

    Do you Android blogs believe EVERYTHING? I didn’t leave iOS for this shit…

  6. LG’s hardware seriously lacks the ability to showcase what’s possible on Google’s Android. Hope Google kicks LG out and brings in HTC or Sony to give the companies a boost.

    Also, whats the source of this?

  7. Ughhh, please let this not be true. I don’t care at all about LTE, I thought I did until I started using the HSPA+ network on T-Mobile. Since then, I’ve never had a moment where I thought “I wish the internet speed was a bit faster”. You can do better Google. I’d prefer a Nexus with a better camera.

    • You hit the nail on the head. I too could care less about LTE, can anyone say battery drain, when the speeds we get via HSPA is great. The Camera upgrade is a must & I pray that they get rid of the Glass backside, a good quality polymer or carbon-fiber would fine by me.

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