Nexus is returning to Sprint. After skipping the Nexus 4 — and after suffering the pains of being a CDMA carrier with an openy phone in the Galaxy Nexus (it finally got Android 4.3 today) — Sprint has offered up its Nexus 5 plans. You’ll be paying $149 on contract for a 16GB version (after $50 rebate). Pre-orders start Friday, Nov. 1. And, yes, it’ll use Sprint’s new “Spark” tech for LTE data.
If you’re into Sprint’s One Up service, the phone will run you $18.75 a month.
Full presser after the break.
Sprint to Launch Nexus 5 by LG Smartphone on Nov. 8;
$149.99 with Sprint Unlimited Data Guarantee for Life
Sleek, powerful new LG tri-band capable device featuring Android 4.4 will allow users to take advantage of Sprint Spark technology for improved 4G LTE speed and capacity
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Oct. 31, 2013 – Sprint (NYSE:S) and LG Electronics USA today announced Nexus 5 from Google will be available from Sprint beginning Friday, Nov. 8, for $149.99 (16GB version) after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement or $18.75 per month with Sprint One Up (excluding taxes). Nexus 5 by LG will be available in all sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Web Sales and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1). Customers can pre-order the device beginning Friday, Nov. 1, by visiting www.sprint.com/nexus5
Nexus 5 by LG is the first Android™ 4.4, KitKat, smartphone capable of using the tri-band Sprint 4G LTE2 network. Sprint Spark is a unique combination of network technologies, spectrum, capacity and tri-band devices designed to bring customers super-high wireless speeds. Nexus 5 will become tri-band enabled with a software update in early 2014.
“Whether you’re streaming music or video, surfing the Web, gaming online or just catching up on email, in upgraded areas, Nexus 5 will offer Sprint customers a secure, fast connection using all three of Sprint’s 4G LTE network bands, giving customers the best wireless experience for their needs,” said David Owens, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “With the dynamic camera features available on this smartphone, our customers will be able to enjoy sharing all their photos and have the peace of mind by not having to worry about data caps or overage charges. While other wireless providers move away from unlimited service, Sprint stands behind its commitment with Sprint Unlimited Guarantee, allowing our customers to lock-in unlimited talk, text and data, while on the Sprint network, not for just the next two years, but for the life of the line of service.3”
Nexus 5 by LG is made without sacrificing power and speed and features tri-band 4G LTE, a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 800 processor and ultra-fast Wi-Fi® to keep customers connected at blazing speeds to race through games, zip around the Web, and switch between apps at the flick of a finger. At only 4.59 ounces and 0.34-inches thin, it’s the most powerful Nexus phone yet.
James Fishler, senior vice president-Marketing, LG Electronics USA, said, “Nexus 5 by LG expands the successful LG-Google collaboration. This latest flagship Nexus smartphone combines the popular qualities of LG G2 with KitKat for the first time and we are proud that the Nexus 5 by LG will be among the first smartphones capable for use on Sprint’s new 4G LTE tri-band network, bringing to life our brand promise. With LG, it’s all possible.”
KitKat is fast and powerful yet simple to use. Android 4.4 takes system performance to an all-time high by optimizing memory usage in every major component. That means users can run more of their favorite apps and switch between them faster than ever.
The new phone app automatically prioritizes contacts based on who the user talks to the most. Whenever customers get a call from a phone number not in their contacts, Nexus 5 by LG will look for matches from businesses with a local listing on Google Maps™.
Customers can now send and receive SMS right from Google Hangouts™, and Hangouts for Android now supports location sharing.
According to Pew Internet & American Life Project Nov. 2012, 82 percent of all cell phone owners use their phone to take pictures. Nexus 5 by LG makes it easier than ever to captures life’s important moments with its 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and convenient 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. With Photo Sphere, Nexus 5 users can create the effect of an immersive 360-degree view that no traditional camera can match. Each image is enhanced as soon as it is saved, helping the people and places in the photos really stand out. Auto Backup automatically saves every photo and video.
Additional features include:
- 5-inch class full HD IPS display (actual size 4.95-inches)
- Advanced camera lens that lets in more light
- Wireless charging via Qi wireless charging accessories (sold separately)
- 2,300mAh imbedded Lithium-polymer battery
- Best of Google includes access to more than 1 million apps and games on Google Play™, and the newly redesigned Google Maps app makes navigating effortless
- From the home screen, just say ‘Ok Google’ to start a voice search, send a text, get directions or play a song. Swipe over to the left to check your Google Now cards.
- 3G/4G LTE mobile hotspot capability supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
- Nexus 5 customers will be among the first to receive Android software upgrades and new Google mobile apps
Customers who sign up for Sprint’s new Unlimited, My WaySM plan or My All-inSM plan are eligible for the Sprint Unlimited Guarantee.3 The Sprint Unlimited Guarantee gives customers unlimited talk (calls to any wireline or mobile phone), text and data while on the Sprint network for the life of the line of service. The new Unlimited, My Way rate plans start for as little as $80 per month (excludes taxes and surcharges). The Unlimited, My Way plan can offer customers a significant savings when compared to competitors’ capped data plans. For example, smartphone customers can save $30 per month vs. AT&T and Verizon’s comparable plans with only 4GB of data.4
Sprint One Up offers customers an affordable option to upgrade their device more frequently. With Sprint One Up, participating smartphone customers get unlimited talk, text and data for an introductory rate of $65 per month – a $15 per month savings off their Unlimited, My Way standard rate plan and Sprint’s guarantee of unlimited talk, text and data for the life of the line of service5. Sprint One Up is also available for smartphones on the My All-in plan as well. Sprint One Up customers will save up to $45 per month vs. AT&T and Verizon comparable plans.