Nexus 5 Release Date Approaches: Renders Surface Inspired By Device Sighting At Android 4.4 KitKat Unveiling

Interest in the next Nexus smartphone, likely to be called the Nexus 5, has been growing since Google unveiled its next Android operating system, Android 4.4 KitKat, and many are anxious to know what the Google-made Nexus 5 smartphone will look and feel like. Recently, three renders have surfaced to give us an idea of what we may expect to see in the next-generation Nexus device.

In rapid succession, Google announced that its next OS would be called Android 4.4 KitKat, and unveiled its traditional Android mascot statue at its Mountain View, Calif., campus on Tuesday, where employees were spotted on video handing an unknown Nexus device believed to be the Nexus 5. Soon afterward, a device under the model number LG-D820, which many believe could be the Nexus 5, surfaced in an FCC filing. The filing indicated a number of features for the device, including LTE and full connectivity, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and Android 4.4 KitKat.

These various sightings of the mysterious, supposedly LG-made Nexus device have given designers enough ammunition to make more educated guesses about what the Nexus 5 may look like. Months ago, Nexus 5 concepts remained fairly far-fetched; however, with the device expected to be unveiled in approximately one month, there is more of a chance that we do in fact already know what it looks like.

The first Nexus 5 render was shared on Thursday by tech website Yugatech and was inspired directly from the device seen in the video of Google's unveiling event. The rendered device has a boxy shape and appears longer than the current Nexus 4. However, the recent FCC report indicates that the LG-D820 "Nexus 5" may have a display and dimensions slightly smaller than the Nexus 4. The render also shows the Nexus branding going lengthwise along the back panel instead of widthwise, similar to the device in the video.

The second Nexus 5 render was shared on Friday by tech website Droid Life and appears inspired not only by the device in the video but also by rumors that indicate the Nexus 5, which is rumored to be produced by LG, will have a design similar to the LG G2. The rendered device shares the same Nexus branding and large camera sensor as the device in the video, but also features curved edges similar to the LG G2. Amid the LG rumors, many note that the Nexus device in the video does not particularly resemble the L2 G2, largely because it lacks the volume keys and power button on the back panel.

The final Nexus 5 render was also shared on Friday by a user on Reddit and compares the Nexus 5 to its predecessors, the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus. The rendered device shares the same curved design as the devices before it; however, it does appear less bulky. It seems the designer did not take into account depth, but it seems to fall in step with the recent trend of ultra-thin devices.

Of course, renders are by no means confirmation of a device, but with Android 4.4 KitKat announced, we expect to see even more information on the next Nexus smartphone circulate soon. We feel there is a good chance the device in the video is actually the Nexus 5. This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen a device spotted in the wild in such a fashion prior to its release. The Moto X notably made its rounds at an industry conference in July and also a separate private Motorola event before being unveiled in August. The leaks not only gave us a glimpse of the device, but also let us know that manufacturers make good use of upcoming devices before they are released.

Both the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat operating system are expected to be unveiled and released in October.

Do you think these Nexus 5 renders give us an idea of what the real thing will look like? Let us know in the comments below.

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