December 18, 2012, 4:00 PM — Does the world really need another Android smartphone? Not if it's the Nexus 4, the new Google-branded smartphone made by LG. As with its Nexus 10 tablet counterpart, there's nothing terribly wrong with the Nexus 4 -- it does what a smartphone should do. But that's it. The Nexus 4 offers no compelling reason to choose it over another Android smartphone.
However, there's a very good reason not to buy it: It's a 3G-only device (for AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States) without LTE compatibility to take advantage of the 4G networks now coming online. It's instantly obsolete.
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The Nexus 4 is an undistinguished black slate, like Google's Nexus 10. A closer look shows it to be nearly identical in physical shape to the Samsung Galaxy S III, which boasts a more interesting trim, color scheme, and more pleasant material. Unlike the Galaxy S III, the Nexus 4 has no physical Home button, in keeping with Google's desire to showcase the "pure" Android experience in its Nexus line.
