Designed by Google and produced by partners such as Samsung, LG and ASUS, smartphones and tablets of the Nexus line were created as “poster boys” of Android. Equipped with cutting edge hardware and the latest version of the OS with updates guaranteed, they are the way that Google has found to show the consumers what your system has to offer, and send a message to the many manufacturers that use the software: “That’s what we hope for a good Android. Make equal or do better. “
newcomer to Brazil and designed by LG Optimus in G (which is also coming to the country), the Nexus is the Android 4 time. And one thing must be said: as well as powerful and full of features, it is very elegant.
Hardware and Design
Seen from the front the Nexus 4 resembles its predecessor, the Galaxy Nexus, and both the front and back are covered with glass (Gorilla Glass). The rear panel has a carved pattern of dots that reflect light in different directions, creating a beautiful shimmering effect. The sides are made of plastic and beveled (creating a ‘V’), which makes the device more comfortable in the hands.
Despite the 4.7-inch screen, it is no bigger than devices with a screen of 4.3 “like the Motorola RAZR MAXX or even a Galaxy S II: are 6.8 cm wide, 13.4 cm high and only 9.1 mm thick. The Nexus 4 is also very light, 139 grams, and in fact there were several times when I got the device in his hands and thought “wow, how is light”.
Nexus 4 (left) and a Motorola RAZR MAXX. Almost
the same size, despite the Nexus has a bigger screen
design has some problems: the main thing is that because of the rear unit tends to slip when placed on smooth surfaces. Twice I took the Nexus 4 trying “to play” a Formica countertop in my kitchen, which has the top slightly tilted. Another problem is that as the back is completely flat, just support the unit on a desk to muffle 80% of the volume of the speaker.
Google seems to be aware of these problems: equipment manufactured abroad recently won two “little feet” on the back to prevent slipping and slightly away from the smartphone to the surface where it is supported, improving the sound. We have not seen this in any adjustment to the design of domestic appliances we found.
As in many other recent Android the only buttons are the on / off switch and volume control on the side. The traditional Android buttons (Home, Back, Multitasking) are virtual, drawn on the bottom of the screen when necessary. The only connectors are the headphone at the top, and the USB underneath.
To connect the Nexus 4 to a TV adapter required SlimPort, which is plugged into the micro USB port and provides an HDMI output. The Analogix Devices, which makes the adapter, promises to launch in June a model with a VGA output, which will make it easier to connect the smartphone to projectors. MHL cables used in devices like the Galaxy S II, Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note not work.
Nexus 4 Back Cover: glass with a shimmering effect
Inside the Nexus 4 is based on a quad-core processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) running at 1.5GHz, accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. The rear camera has flash and uses an 8 MP sensor, and there is a 1.3 MP front camera for video calls. The screen has a HD resolution (1280 x 768 pixels) and is based on IPS technology, which ensures color, clarity and excellent viewing angle. Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n), Bluetooth (4.0) and GPS are present, as usual in any modern Android, but there is no FM radio. The device uses microSIM cards installed in a tray on the left side as the Motorola RAZR HD.
As with other devices Nexus family, since the Nexus S, there is a slot for memory cards. And the back cover and battery are not removable, a trend that is being followed by more manufacturers. Another omission: the Nexus 4 is not compatible with 4G networks, neither the existing nor abroad that are being implemented in Brazil.
Software
Like its predecessors, the Nexus 4 is one of the few devices to leave the factory with a “clean” copy of the latest version of the Android operating system, in this case 4.2.2. It is Android in its purest form, without any modification by manufacturer or provider. No demos of games or apps of dubious utility pre-installed or modified interfaces (like Samsung’s TouchWiz).
And being a Nexus, it will also be the first to receive new versions of the operating system, which are usually released every six months. Yes, I can hear you asking: “Wait, the Galaxy Nexus is also an X, but stood in Android 4.1 while abroad has received a 4.2. How is that? “.
Who isexplains Hugo Barra, Vice President of Android on Google: although the hardware is identical to the Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy X is not considered a family member. He was released in Brazil by Samsung, who took responsibility for the software update, which explains the discrepancy. The Nexus 4 is a “Nexus of truth”, according to the first bar of the lineage in Brazil, and Google ensures the update.
Google Now: information before you even look for it
Among the many features of the Android 4.2.2 few favorites are the ability to have multiple users on your smartphone, each with their own settings and apps (great for letting children playing without fear that put out an e-mail the firm important or app) and typing through gestures, similar to the popular keyboard “Swype”.
There
personal assistant Google Now, that crosses personal information with your internet habits to introduce you “cards” with information useful in day-to-day even before you look for them, such as the time required to return home at the end of the day, taking into account the traffic, the departure times of the next trains when you arrive at the station or a list of the closest restaurants at lunchtime.
Google Now also answers questions aloud. Ask for “Cinema”, for example, and it returns a list of the closest theaters and movies in theaters. You can also make more complex queries. Ask: “How old is Sylvester Stallone?” And he has the answer on the tip of the tongue 66 years. Great to resolve disputes at the bar table.
You ask, aloud, and responds Google Now
Camera
Nexus 4 uses the default camera app for Android, which has a very clean interface: you only see three icons on the right side of the screen. One indicating the current shooting mode (Normal, or if some HDR scene mode or flash is used), a large blue button to capture a photo and a icon to select the operating mode of the camera: photography, video, panoramic photos or “Photospheres.”
To make exposure adjustments, white balance, flash or scene mode, simply hold your finger over the picture and a circular menu pops up. Then just slide your finger to select the desired option. It is a very practical arrangement that allows the operation and adjustment of the camera with one hand. To focus the image, just tap the screen and use the zoom (digital 4x) just do a pinch gesture with two fingers on the image. An indicator on the screen shows the slop.
example in HDR photo taken with the Nexus 4. Click to enlarge
Photos
under the sun are great, and even made the evening or in dim light has noise under control. You can also record videos in Full HD (1080p), with the right to zoom in photos, and take photos without interrupting the shoot: just touch the screen. One of the features of the camera is an HDR mode, which lets you capture photos with a better balance between the lightest and darkest parts of the image and higher level of detail. It is very useful for photos on cloudy days, or in situations of “shadow”. But we found a bug: sometimes the Nexus 4 has difficulty focusing on the image when in HDR mode. When this happens it is necessary to leave the HDR mode, and return the focus to make the HDR photo.
Another very interesting feature is the Photospheres, 360 ° panoramas very easy to make. Just hit the first photo and turn the body, aligning the marker in the center of the screen with the blue dots that appear in the image. When you finish shooting just click the Stop button and smartphone makes stitching images, generating an interactive image.
The stitching is good but is not always perfect, especially when there are moving objects (such as people or cars) in the scene. Another problem is that objects too close to the lens may be distorted. Ie the Photosphere is best to document landscapes than your room.
A nighttime shot taken with the Nexus 4. Click to enlarge
Yet the result is very cool, and remember the images from Google StreetView: you can explore the scene looking up, down or sideways, as if you were there. The images can be seen in the own smartphone, or shared on the web on your Google+ profile. There’s even a group dedicated to sharing this kind of images.
Performance and Battery
Nexus 4 performance in our tests with AnTuTu was a pleasant surprise: he reached 17,511 points, just edging out the Galaxy Note II (17,400 points), which until then was the fastest smartphone there had passed our hands.
And like the Samsung any task he faces day-to-day, simple web browsing sophisticated games like Real Racing 3, even without a choke. In fact, I was surprised by the fluidity of the interface and the response to taps on the day-to-day: back to an Android smartphone oldest after a few days with the Nexus 4 was odd, since even small hiccups in animations and transitions, as before passed unnoticed, were immediately evident.
sophisticated games are no problem for the Nexus 4
The battery life of the Nexus 4 is good. Could it be better? Sure, but he did not let me down. Under typical use it consistently reached the end of a work day, about 13 hours unplugged with 16% charge remaining, and total autonomy estimated at just over 16 hours. Test video playback, with the device in airplane mode and screen brightness at 50%, got a battery life of approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes. For comparison purposes a Galaxy S III can handle about 8 hours and 20 minutes.
Verdict
Nexus 4 has a stylish design, excellent performance, good camera with very interesting features and battery life which, though not impress, it is enough for the day-to-day. And it gets even more attractive considering the price: R $ 1,699. Is not as low as in the U.S., where the device costs $ 300 (subsidized by Google), but less than many models “top” in stores. Taken together it comes easy for the list of best Android smartphones on the market.
Just got areclamaçãozinha: the packaging there is a pair of headphones, only the handset, charger and USB cable. I understand that Google wants to keep the price down, but it would make much difference?
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