Nexus 5 (US$349) Official Pictures are now Available

Google is having little luck keeping its next flagship smartphone a secret. Could be on purpose too. The so-called Nexus 5 has been heavily leaked, and even directly on Google Play Store as well. Here’s the confirmation on what we now know, and see, and also a little snippet on what to expect come launch day.

Google’s tagline for the LG-made Nexus 5 is “Capture the everyday and the epic in fresh new ways.” The listing has been taken down quite shortly after it appeared but here are some of the screen grabs of the official images. Also, most importantly, the price point has been revealed — a starting price of $349 for the 16GB version. It’s the same price as the Nexus 4! While that’s a higher barrier to entry than we saw with the Nexus 4, which also cost $349 at 16GB but had a $299 8GB model, it’s still an attractively low price for what appears to be a more than capable device.

The next version of Android, 4.4 KitKat, looks to employ translucency effects on elements such as the app drawer and on-screen buttons, and the blue accents used in earlier versions of the software appear to have been replaced with white. Some apps have received new icons, too, including the camera and phone, and the wallpaper features an abstract “5” design in much the same style as the new Nexus 7’s.

With so much news surrounding the Nexus 5, it would be a major surprise if Google pulls the carpet under us and do NOT reveal it at the upcoming press release on October 24th. Well, a number of reports have cited Google as reporting that the New York based event next Thursday will not see any new hardware introduced, with the event instead set to act as nothing more than a meet-and-greet and look at the company’s latest digital store options. I am still going to bet on the Nexus 5 announcement on the 24th though.

Immediate availability will be through Google Play Store, which would require a VPN for purchase. May need to get those ready, especially for us people in Singapore. An alternate source could be Amazon. From this year launches of Nexus 7 2013 and the Chromecast, Amazon have been pretty well stocked and could provide shipping directly to Singapore. Worth a check. Like us on Facebook to follow launch day news and availability.