LG tweaks Nexus 5 hardware, new model shipping now

LG and Google only announced the Nexus 5 just over a month ago, but already it looks like LG has made some design tweaks to the hardware. Which seems either odd that it didn't get the device as good as it could before launch, or shows it's listening to its customers, depending on which way you look at it.

Over on the XDA Developers forum, user "shinral" writes of a member of an Italian forum calling him or herself "infa89" who had defects with their Nexus 5. The SIM card tray protruded from the device, for example. infa89 returned their Nexus 5 to Google, who replaced it with a new one. And infa89 noticed a few tweaks compared to the original model.

The holes in the speaker grille are bigger, for a start, which could make for louder sound. The volume and power buttons are now stiffer, which should mean no disconcerting rattling noises when you shake the handset. The SIM card tray is now flush with the body, too.

But it's not all champagne and roses. According to shinral, the replacement model has a "more yellow display" and "green stuck pixels". Which doesn't sound good.

I've contacted LG and Google for comment, and a complete breakdown of all the changes, and will update this story if I hear back. I've also asked whether we can return our first-gen Nexus 5s for this snazzy new model, and if so, how we'd go about doing so.

The Nexus 5 is one of the best smart phones around right now. It's unbeatable value, and is only let down by its camera. Though Google has a fix for that in the pipeline.

There's also a rumour that LG will make the next Nexus 10, instead of Samsung. Which could mean we soon see an improved -- not to mention more wallet-friendly -- 10-incher from Google's stable. Let's hope so.

Have you seen this rejigged Nexus 5? Did you have any issues with your handset? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.

Image credit: shinral on XDA Developers 

Update: A spokesperson for LG told me: "We can confirm that the Nexus 5 has not undergone any hardware design changes since launch." I asked LG how they explain the differences in the photo, and was told: "Naturally, we can’t really speculate on this specific handset. However, it could be that the user is or was in possession of a pre-commercial unit which may differ slightly from the final hardware."