Cracking Open the LG Nexus 4
Google's Nexus 4 offers a pure Android experience on an unlocked device at a great no contract price.
It's also fairly easy to disassemble and hides a bit of a hardware secret inside.
Let's find out what it is.
I'm Bill Detwiler and this is Cracking Open.
With its 4.7-inch IPS display, quad-core CPU, 2 gigs of RAM
and an 8 megapixel main camera, the LG-built Nexus 4 holds its own among high-end smartphones.
And given its support for NFC and wireless charging, it's even a step ahead of many.
It's also well-built, feels sturdy in your hands and as I'll show you fairly easy to take apart.
First, remove the sim card and the two torch T5 screws along the bottom edge.
Then, using a thin tool gently pop off the back cover.
Now
attached to the inside of the back cover are both the NFC antenna and wireless charging induction coil.
The 3.8V Lithium-Ion battery is held to the motherboard by a pair of screws and to the internal frame with a lot of adhesive.
Removing it takes quite a bit of patience.
The speaker enclosure comes out next followed by the plastic frame covering the motherboard.
The phone's vibration motor and earpiece speaker are attached to this frame.
After detaching a few
connectors and cables, you can remove the motherboard and separate the front and rear facing cameras.
We can now remove the metal shields from the motherboard that conceal most of the phone's chips.
Prominent chips include the RAM chip that's likely stack on top of a Snap Dragon CPU as well as a Qualcomm modem.
Now it's really interesting about this modem is despite the Nexus 4 not officially supporting LTE, this chip actually does.
And I've read
online reports of people connecting to some LTE networks that operate on band 4 in the 1700 and 2100 MHz spectrum.
But there's no guarantee it will work for you in your area or that the functionality won't be disabled at some point.
So, even with this modem, there's still no real LTE support.
Now, turning our attention back to the disassembly, we can now remove the smaller circuit board which contains the phone's micro-USB port,
a microphone and several speaker contacts as well as the 3.5 mm headphone jack assembly which also houses the Ambient Light Sensor.
As the front glass panel LCD and internal frame are all fused together, our teardown is complete.
The Nexus 4 may not have the stylish design of Samsung's Galaxy S III or the outstanding battery life of Motorola's Droid Razr Maxx HD.
But it's a solid phone
and one that's not too difficult to crack open.
And at $299 unlocked without a contract, it's definitely price right.
Now, for more information on the Nexus 4 including real world test and pricing, check out Lynn La's full CNET Review.
Now to see teardown photos and read my full hardware analysis, go to techrepublic.com/crackingopen.
I'm Bill Detwiler.
Thanks for watching.
Up Next
Xbox Series S teardown live at CES 2021
Up Next
Xbox Series S teardown live at CES 2021
PS5 Teardown reaction - Everything we learned
PS5 Teardown reaction - Everything we learned
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus teardown: What's inside?
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus teardown: What's inside?
What's inside Tile Bluetooth trackers
What's inside Tile Bluetooth trackers
Dissecting the Google Home Hub and Amazon Echo Show 2
Dissecting the Google Home Hub and Amazon Echo Show 2
What's inside the all-weather Nest Hello video doorbell?
What's inside the all-weather Nest Hello video doorbell?
We cracked open the Galaxy Note 9
We cracked open the Galaxy Note 9
Cracking open the Amazon Fire TV Cube
Cracking open the Amazon Fire TV Cube
Cracking Open a phone after 2 months in the ocean
Cracking Open a phone after 2 months in the ocean
10 years of Cracking Open the Apple iPhone
10 years of Cracking Open the Apple iPhone
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
New Xbox Leaked
New Xbox Leaked
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro