The Next Google Nexus Phone Will Be… LG Optimus Nexus G?

Contrary to previous rumors, Google will not be partnering with HTC for their next Google Nexus phone. Instead, they’ve opted to go with LG.

Android And Me claims that they have a source who has access to the new Google Nexus phones by LG. The devices were handed out last week for testing:

“I can confirm the next nexus is LG Optimus based. The phone looks surprisingly like the Galaxy Nexus and does not have sharp corners like the LG Optimus we already know. It has a silver’ring like the iPhone 3G around the outer edge of the screen which seemed to be similar to the Galaxy Nexus in size but was much better in brightness.

“I couldn’t have said if it was larger in the few minutes that I had the phone. Also, it has Nexus written on the back like the Nexus 7 except there is a color element to it. The ‘X’ is in four colors. There was also the LG logo on the back.

“Android 4.2 in its current state looked exactly like the 4.1.1 we love. There were no tabs on that build version for home-screens as you suggested from your other tipster. What I was amazed by is how fluid everything seemed to be from exiting apps, switching, etc. It seems like they’ve increased the number of transitions and their types. It still had the hodge-podge mess of multiple communication tools: Messenger, GTalk, Voice and SMS.”

Android and Me said that they also received a picture taken with the new LG-based Google Nexus phone and found that it was taken with an 8 MP camera using the EXIF data. However, the “nature of the photo” makes them unable to share it with the public.

We’re keeping an eye out on any corroborating evidence that the next Google Nexus phone will indeed be developed by LG. However, it’s been about a year since the Galaxy Nexus was announced so I’d say we’re due for an update from Google soon.

Would you like LG to develop the next Google Nexus phone? And what is the nature of the freakin’ photo that was sent to Android and Me? Speculate in the comments below!

[via Android And Me]