So the Nexus 4 just killed the Optimus G. Why is LG eating itself?

[thatotherdude12345]

Actually, I went into a T-Mobile store last week and found the Nexus 4 on display as soon as I came in. The actual product was sold out. The Galaxy Nexus advertisements was plastering Verizon for months. So yes people can find the nexus in stores.

 

[natehoy]

Actually, I went into a T-Mobile store last week and found the Nexus 4 on display as soon as I came in. The actual product was sold out. The Galaxy Nexus advertisements was plastering Verizon for months. So yes people can find the nexus in stores.

They can, but the question is, will the average consumer actually buy one?

Most people who walk into a T-Mo store are going to want a subsidized phone. That's the expected model, and if you're going to sign up for a postpaid plan like most Americans do you might as well get the subsidy to go with it. The Gillette model is alive and well in the USA.

Walk into a T-Mo store right now. Chances are, you'll see a HUGE SIGN that the HTC One S, the Optimus 9, and a few other phones are free. The Galaxy S2 is $150, the S3 is $280, and the Note II is $370. Most of the above are 4G phones. Many have SD slots. Most importantly, they'll all be on display in every store.

If you haven't been made aware of the Nexus 4, you'll not know to call ahead to find a store that carries it, talk to sales reps at that store until you find someone who has heard of it. Then you'll shell out $200 for a subsidized phone without LTE, without an SD card, no headphones in the case, etc.

Those of us who value the N4 for what it does are valuing it for something that the majority of phone owners in the US are (a) unaware of, (b) if made aware of it probably wouldn't care, and (c) if made aware of it and cared would only see it as one factor among many decidin... OH, LOOK, LTE!

With apologies to Douglas Adams:

Arthur Dent: You hadn't exactly gone out of your way to call attention to the Nexus 4 had you? I mean like actually telling anyone or anything.
T-Mobile Rep: But the phones were on display...
Arthur Dent: On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.
T-Mo Rep: That's the display department.
AD: With a torch.
T: Ah, well the lights had probably gone.
AD: So had the stairs.
T: But, look, you found the Nexus didn't you?
AD: 'Yes. Yes, I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of The Leopard".

 

[LNWJ]

Aside from the sense of dread I have that I am going to drop and shatter this thing, I am very impressed with the phone. Based on this hardware (so far) I would buy another LG phone in the future. So there you go.

 

[Ugslick]

I've been wondering this since the rumors began about an LG made Nexus that was almost identical to the Optimus G. In fact, now that its been announced, is an even better version of the Optimus G. The design is much better looking, none of that L-shape boxy nonsense. The processor and RAM is identical. The camera is identical to the 8MP version (the 13MP is a sham), identical screen, and even the shiny nexus-y back pattern is a million times better looking than the ugly crystal dimple thing on the Optimus G. You also get the latest Android update of course, none of that complicated stuff with the LG skin. And for only $299! Or $349, if you need the space. Either way, it is almost half the cost of an Optimus G, which will probably retail for $599.

Why is LG doing this? Releasing a competing product to its flagship phone that is better in almost every respect, especially the price? Also, it's pretty much guaranteed that they are selling it at a break-even price, no profit, just like the Nexus 7. You wouldn't be able to achieve that amazing pricepoint of $299 otherwise. The Optimus G is suppose to be LG's money maker. What in the world are they doing?

This makes absolutely no sense to me. Without the Optimus G, there is no Nexus 4. They arent seperate phones, LG makes the Optimus G, Google likes the phone, so by whatever process happens between the two companies, the G is chosen as the platform to build the new Nexus 4 on. They change the shape to fit Googles design demands, and thats it. Its a Google version of the Optimus G. Personally I really like LGs custom UI. In benchmarks its shown to be a tiny bit more compact and optimized for performance compared to the Nexus 4s stock 4.2. It has some functionality that the N4 doesnt have. Personally I like the shape of the G better, it looks nicer from the front, The N4s back design is sexy though, and the Gs isnt as nice, but its still a nicer looking phone than pretty much anything else on the market. The biggest difference, to me, physically was the N4s rubber grip. That is such a functionally sound addition, and it is kind of sad the G doesnt include something like this, but either way both of these devices are by and large, among the top 3 devices on the market (Id put the Note2 among those 3 as well, no particular order though)

Anyways the point: The G is LG's flagship phone. The N4 is a googlized version of the N4, but it becomes a google device, subsidized and supported by Google more than LG except at the hardware level. The 2 different devices have different market penetration in different markets (The G is more popular in Korea, Japan China etc, while the N4 is taking off in US/Canada compared to the Optimus. Im not sure about the European market). At a Carrier level they dont carry the N4, so the average untechy user who will walk into the carrier to find a new phone will never hear about the N4, while they WILL encounter the G. Its a good marketing/sales strategy, and it is paying off for LG more than doing them harm. LG benefits if you buy either the N4, or the G, so they arent increasing competition for themselves. Its like when you go to best buy, and decide to buy your merchandise from Future shop instead. The same person gets the moeny in the end, but to you it seems like theyre competition and more choice for you as a consumer. In the end LG wins, details some people might not like on the G are mitigated on the N4, and vice versa, so the consumer also wins with more choice.

 

[Ugslick]

LOL. Exactly. The carrier (despite carrying the phone) actually benefits from sales of the other phones more than from the Nexus, some users might not appreciate, but T-Mo is using it as a draw. They are the ONLY carrier to get the N4, other carriers havent bothered with it because it either doesnt make them enough money, or Google didnt comply with their demands for the device (software touchups and whatever). T-Mo will get more customers, someone who wanted the N4 but couldnt find it online has another option in their local T-Mo.