LG Google Nexus 4 Unboxing!!

So today I had the chance encounter of receiving some time with one of the rarest Android devices currently on the market, and certainly the only one I've seen so far here in Sydney - the LG Google Nexus 4!

Prepare for some incredible photos from the GNex
(I should be using my sister's  SLR...)

Sadly, it's not mine to keep but I can say I'm over the moon for its new owner, a good friend of mine. A friend so good in fact, that he managed to contain his eagerness once it arrived, and even made the effort to drive out to my place just so I could be there for the unboxing – salivating and the whole bit.

Anticipation rose quickly in the room, as my friend cut with fine precision along the black tape on the underside of the box (mind you, up until this time the two of us had already been snapping photos of the box in our excitement). The lid of the black box was gently removed and as a choir joined us momentarily to let free from their pipes a heavenly cry, the black beauty was revealed. Dormant in its cradle, it was waiting to be brought to life, only the two of us had paused – myself in awe at the sight of this special piece of hardware. The software hadn’t bothered me at all, I’m already running 4.2.1 on my Galaxy Nexus, but to see the immediate differences in build and material choices to an otherwise identical shape to its predecessor had floored me. The subtle metal finish around the edges caught my eye instantly, as did the fact that the screen appeared to curve into the edges, instead of running straight into them. Once it was removed, a better look at the back particle/pixel design revealed it was far less noticeable than photos online had made it out to be which I much preferred, although we hadn’t been directly under our artificial light, nor had we taken it out under natural light so that may have factored in a little bit.

As though we were star-stuck -  the room went silent

First impressions from just holding the device, I certainly gathered the fact that the Nexus 4 was shorter than my Gnex, which I had beside me to compare, and I wasn’t surprised given the latter is around 1.5mm taller, which makes a world of difference when looking at the two. Also noted was that the Nexus 4 was undeniably wider, even though that too was merely 1mm more than the Gnex, but I found the tapered matte plastic around the edges helping the device sit better and more comfortably in my hand, at least compared to my white Gnex - and I mention white because its plastic is noticeably more slippery than its titanium grey counterpart, which was already known for being a slippery handset. There’s not much of a point saying the Gnex is thinner than the Nexus 4 because it both deceptively is and isn’t, what with its contour display shaping the overall design of the device, but the N4 is more streamlined and familiar to hands – even though on paper it’s the thicker one of the two.

All in all, I was extremely impressed with the way the Nexus 4 had turned out on the design front, and although I had been sceptical over issues of build quality and durability, the device undeniably feels sturdier and as though it was made with a keener eye on detail as opposed to its predecessor. That’s not to say I’m ready to throw my Gnex in the round filing cabinet just yet – I’m still madly obsessed with its shapely contour design, but sadly I don’t get enough opportunities to show off its slim form since it’s often given more bulk whilst nestled in a TPU case, as I fear it will fall clean out of my hands, as I’ve let happen in the past. The Nexus 4, with the exception of the glass panel on the rear could do without a case; however the optional bumper from the Play Store would add some piece of mind whilst allowing it to keep most of its figure.