$99 nexus 5?

[gunshotlead]

Google has already publicly stated they're not going to see any real fruits of the Moto acquisition for a while because the handset maker has an 18 month product pipeline to work through before they can even start to focus on a ground-up Google device. So the next "Google Hero" phone will likely be made by someone else. My only experience with ZTE was the old Sprint iPod 3G sled that gave a Touch wireless data capability. Not bad, but wasn't great either.

I'd love to see a more affordable Nexus but not at the cost of diluting the Pure Android experience. The problem of course is if Mountain View lowers prices too much, the other handset makers start to feel the pinch and might go start making more rival OS systems to get back share or profit. And Samsung is the Silent but obvious gorilla in the room, which just really complicates matters more...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

Does it smell like R. Kelly's sheets?

But shucks, it was 99 bucks.

 

[ConTejas]

I'm a never say never type of person, but....THIS...will never happen. If nothing else, Google will not do business exclusively with ZTE/Huawei for very public concerns over their general integrity/business practices AND their questionable "relationship" with the Chinese government.

Also, that article makes a few ridiculous claims such as HD screens, quad core + processors, and the like will be "the norm" in 2013. Certainly for flagship devices, but certainly not "the norm." The majority of smartphone users still have single core processors...AND you still can't buy most of those devices unlocked USED for $100. Ancient hardware by technology standards.

"By the end of this year, consumers will be able to purchase smartphones that exceed the Nexus 4 in every way possible at only a fraction of the current retail prices."

I WISH this statement was true. I just sold a used verizon SGS3 for $450. So someone gladly paid $100 MORE for a device that is inferior to the Nexus 4 in nearly every way. If you need a removable battery or sd card, you may not agree with this statement, but on paper it's a fact.

 

[Whyzor]

There are many Chinese manufacturers already planning or have released Quad-core MT6589 5+" 720p or 1080p phones for about $200 USD out of contract. Google search JiaYu G4, UMI X2, Iocean X7...etc. They're not heard of in western markets, but are very popular in emerging markets. Here's a more complete list as of March 2013:

Top 15 1080HD Android phones from China! - Gizchina.com

 

[anon(631531)]

Anyone who buys the ZTE Nexus 5. I'll be willing to buy your Nexus 4. How about right now?

 

[TheLibertarian]

A $99 phone? Hell yeah I would be excited.
And after Google CFO said that the moto X would not be a game changer that people think it will be, I decided to order the N4. Arriving next month

I'd keep my Nexus 4 until the Nexus 6. And no, Google's CFO did not say the X-phone wasn't a game changer, he said Motorola's pipeline when Google acquired Motorola Mobility wouldn't "wow" anyone; the X-phone is a decidedly recent development and the result of Google working with Motorola to create it.

You could buy a $100 Chinese Galaxy S3 knock-off, too, but I'd rather not blow my money on poorly built crap ;-)

 

[Aquila]

A $99 phone? Hell yeah I would be excited.
And after Google CFO said that the moto X would not be a game changer that people think it will be, I decided to order the N4. Arriving next month

He actually said that the things that were already in Moto's supply feed were not game changers and up to Google's "wow" standards, indicating the 18 months or so of items already developed. This doesn't speak to the X Phone at all, as it is one of the first collaborative projects, not something Moto developed pre-Google.

 

[Aquila]

I'd bet my socks that Google selected their partner prior to this article coming out, development on the hardware design and specs are probably 95% cemented in. Prototypes probably already exist. We won't find out who was selected until probably after I/O, but will be able to gauge many of the features from what KLP offers, as the .1 added in the fall will likely be incremental features added to the base of KLP this summer. If I had to guess on who the partner was, I'd assume LG, ASUS or Sony. Seriously doubt it'll be Samsung or HTC, as Google wants to promote OEM diversity and they're already established, but my preference would be HTC, Sammy or ASUS.

 

[royalpig180]

For $99? Hell, I'd grab one... I'm really excited about where the Nexus product line is going.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[briankariu]

There are many Chinese manufacturers already planning or have released Quad-core MT6589 5+" 720p or 1080p phones for about $200 USD out of contract. Google search JiaYu G4, UMI X2, Iocean X7...etc. They're not heard of in western markets, but are very popular in emerging markets. Here's a more complete list as of March 2013:

Top 15 1080HD Android phones from China! - Gizchina.com

WOOOOOW!!! Tjose are very interesting ideas coming from CHINA!!!! And nobody can claim that this are iphone/s3 ripoffs...I think some brands should try and move out of china and get some international recognition. The mi-phone is one such phone.
All in all, am a bit hoohum about zte, because they have never made a device that blew my socks of. But again, LG was in the same boat until a couple months ago

And on Googles side, it does make sense. They need to make inroads into the worlds biggest economy somehow. Baidu and the like have made a joke out of Google in China
All in all, a $99 nexus, I would jump on that like ants on honey

 

[briankariu]

ZTE Nubia Z5 Preview: A Beautifully Made Premium Smartphone ? M.I.C. Gadget

This is made by ZTE

 

[TheLibertarian]

WOOOOOW!!! Tjose are very interesting ideas coming from CHINA!!!! And nobody can claim that this are iphone/s3 ripoffs...I think some brands should try and move out of china and get some international recognition. The mi-phone is one such phone.
All in all, am a bit hoohum about zte, because they have never made a device that blew my socks of. But again, LG was in the same boat until a couple months ago

And on Googles side, it does make sense. They need to make inroads into the worlds biggest economy somehow. Baidu and the like have made a joke out of Google in China
All in all, a $99 nexus, I would jump on that like ants on honey

Chinese phones don't utilize Android? Hmm...

Besides, 98%+ of Google's profits stem via advertising; the Nexus devices do next to nothing for Google financially. I'm not sure why you think Google is a joke in China, they're a massive, global company.

EDIT: At the heart of all of this, I don't buy anything Chinese that I can help. If I can't purchase from the U.S. and support our economy, at least I can avoid investing in this nation's largest threat from an economical standpoint.

 

[briankariu]

Chinese phones don't utilize Android? Hmm...

Besides, 98%+ of Google's profits stem via advertising; the Nexus devices do next to nothing for Google financially. I'm not sure why you think Google is a joke in China, they're a massive, global company.

EDIT: At the heart of all of this, I don't buy anything Chinese that I can help. If I can't purchase from the U.S. and support our economy, at least I can avoid investing in this nation's largest threat from an economical standpoint.

but the world is not the US
The thing is, in China sinoweibo (Social) and Baidu(search) are the default. And for google to make ad revenue, people must use google services, right?
So a presence in China would really help them

 

[TheLibertarian]

but the world is not the US

...what? I don't even know what that comment is directed at.

While Baidu may be the search king in China, it's nothing compared to what Google is from a global standpoint. Google also makes a killing off mobile searches, though now we're getting off topic.

Google partnering with ZTE would do what, exactly, for Google? Nexus devices are not mainstream, and as previously stated, the Nexus line does little in the way of revenue or publicity for Google. I see no benefit for Google to pair with a cheap, Chinese manufacturer when they can choose to work with globally successful and far more innovative companies. Android is Google's way of breaking into China, and that's obviously what they've been focusing on, i.e. AdMob.

Just my $0.02

 

[ConTejas]

And on Googles side, it does make sense. They need to make inroads into the worlds biggest economy somehow. Baidu and the like have made a joke out of Google in China
All in all, a $99 nexus, I would jump on that like ants on honey

I'm nitpicking... but you should know the US economy is nearly TWICE the size of China's.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[Citizen Coyote]

I'm a never say never type of person, but....THIS...will never happen. If nothing else, Google will not do business exclusively with ZTE/Huawei for very public concerns over their general integrity/business practices AND their questionable "relationship" with the Chinese government.

Also, that article makes a few ridiculous claims such as HD screens, quad core + processors, and the like will be "the norm" in 2013. Certainly for flagship devices, but certainly not "the norm." The majority of smartphone users still have single core processors...AND you still can't buy most of those devices unlocked USED for $100. Ancient hardware by technology standards.

"By the end of this year, consumers will be able to purchase smartphones that exceed the Nexus 4 in every way possible at only a fraction of the current retail prices."

I WISH this statement was true. I just sold a used verizon SGS3 for $450. So someone gladly paid $100 MORE for a device that is inferior to the Nexus 4 in nearly every way. If you need a removable battery or sd card, you may not agree with this statement, but on paper it's a fact.

Agreed that a $100 unsubsidized new Nexus won't happen, but for somewhat different reasons. Sure, a Chinese company may be able to sell such a device in China, but it would never make it to Europe, the US, or the rest of Asia. Why?

One word: patents.

Once you stick cellular technology into a device, you're dealing with a slew of patents, patent holders, and the licensing demands and costs that come attached. It's just not economically feasible at this time to sell an unlocked flagship smartphone in most of the world for $100. Doesn't matter how cheap you can make the hardware, you still gotta pay the patent holders or risk getting sued. In China, where IP law and enforcement are feeble at best, you could get away with something like this. In other major markets, however, no way.

 

[anon5664829]

I definitely, would tap dat

 

[Casey Rendon]

In the original promo video for the Nexus 4, Matias Duarte said a lot of manufacturers approach Google about building a Nexus. He went on to say that Google chose LG because they liked what LG was doing with their hardware, and gave inductive charging as an example. Can ZTE bring anything special to the table besides a low cost of production?

 

[Aquila]

Garbage in; Garbage Out.

 

[anon5664829]

Chinese phones don't utilize Android? Hmm...

Besides, 98%+ of Google's profits stem via advertising; the Nexus devices do next to nothing for Google financially. I'm not sure why you think Google is a joke in China, they're a massive, global company.

EDIT: At the heart of all of this, I don't buy anything Chinese that I can help. If I can't purchase from the U.S. and support our economy, at least I can avoid investing in this nation's largest threat from an economical standpoint.

Wow no wonder Americans are not taken seriously.