X

Is this LG Nexus 5 leak the future? Or fantasy?

These rumored specs for one of a handful of prototypes Google could be evaluating are almost too good to be true.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Expertise Solar, solar storage, space, science, climate change, deregulated energy, DIY solar panels, DIY off-grid life projects. CNET's "Living off the Grid" series. https://www.cnet.com/feature/home/energy-and-utilities/living-off-the-grid/ Credentials
  • Finalist for the Nesta Tipping Point prize and a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
See full bio
Eric Mack
2 min read
An anonymous source claims this is LG's take on the Nexus 5. Android and Me

So, there's a few reasons that some insanely awesome specs for what's purported to be Google's next Nexus phone by LG just popped up less than 48 hours after the introduction of Samsung's new Android flagship, the Galaxy S4.

It could be that someone associated with Google or LG thought it might be a good idea to leak the details in order to take some wind out of Samsung's sails and give us a glimpse at some sweet next-generation hardware that's just a few months off. OR, we're just getting hella-trolled.

So I recommend grabbing Gandhi and heading to the sea to find enough grains of salt to take with this one, but it's still compelling enough to pass on.

Android and Me claims to have received an unverified tip that Google plans to release a Nexus 5 phone around October of this year and is currently evaluating prototypes from multiple manufacturers, including one from LG code-named "Megalodon."

Here's the drool-worthy list of rumored specs for the Megalodon:

  • 5.2-inch 1,920x1,080-pixel OLED Display 
  • 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16-megapixel rear camera by OmniVision, capable of recording 4K video
  • 2.1-megapixel front camera capable of recording 1080p video
  • 3,300mAh lithium polymer battery
  • Front stereo speakers
  • Qualcomm RF360 (LTE 150Mbps and HSPA+)

Related stories

It's also rumored to come in the standard 16/32/64GB storage options and feature some sort of gesture-based controls.

There's an awful lot about this that seems suspect or too good to be true, but there's nothing wrong with setting expectations high if we ever want to see the next revolutionary device.

And in case you're wondering, "Megalodon" refers to a terrifying prehistoric shark that was many times the size of a modern Great White. Perhaps it's an apropos name for a device that could lead us into the next stage of the smartphone wars. Only problem is, right now neither Megalodon is known to actually exist.