As an unlocked smartphone not tied to a specific U.S. carrier's network, the Nexus 4 can run on any compatible carrier, which means T-Mobile or AT&T in the States. That's very limited portability. As for use overseas, most U.S. carriers let you use their locked smartphones abroad on local carriers' networks by swapping the SIM card, so chances are you are already unlocked for foreign access. Also, you can easily get a subsidized smartphone that is unlocked for overseas use.
If you really want to take advantage of the power of Android, you're better off with a Galaxy S III or other high-end model.
This article, "Nexus 4 review: Google's instantly obsolete Android smartphone," was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Follow the latest developments in mobile computing, read Galen Gruman's Mobile Edge blog at InfoWorld.com, follow Galen's mobile musings on Twitter, and follow InfoWorld on Twitter.
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