LG Bets Big on LG G5 by Opting out of Making Nexus for Google

The Korean smartphone brand has opted to work on its own product by ditching the Google Nexus.

LG Nexus 5X could be the company’s last Nexus phone for a long time. (Photo: The Quint)

This year’s Nexus smartphone is not going to be built by LG, which puts Google in a spot of bother. The Korean conglomerate has shared its lack of interest in working on Google’s Nexus project, in order to focus on building its potential with the G5.

The company’s spokesperson at MWC 2016 in Barcelona was quoted on this matter, thereby confirming the speculations.

There are no plans to build a successor to Google’s Nexus 5 or Nexus 5X phones. LG needs to focus on its own brand. 

<a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/google-nexus-5x-lg-successor-nexus-5-there-wont-be/"><b>Company spokesperson</b></a>

While Google is yet to comment on LG’s supposed decision, if the company has made its final move, that leaves Google short on time to look for alternative partners.

Nexus Brings an End to LG & Google Marriage?

Nexus has helped many brands build their way to success, for example, Asus, that made the first set of Nexus 7 tablets. Others like HTC and Motorola have also been part of Google’s Nexus hardware project but most of these associations have come to an abrupt end.

For upcoming brands like Asus, Google acted a springboard to launch from, while established names like HTC and Motorola were overshadowed by Google’s insistence on making crucial product decisions. HTC made the Nexus 9 tablet in 2014, after Google decided to give Apple’s iPad a run for its money, but that didn’t quite work out.

However, we’ve got nothing against Google for this, and hopefully LG’s got bigger plans to look at this year.

LG G5 > Google Nexus

This year’s MWC 2016 has been a dull affair with most product announcements being mere upgrades. It’s safe to say that LG managed to steal the big smartphone thunder from its counterpart, Samsung, with the LG G5.

Unlike its predecessors, the G5 manages to stand out in the crowd with its modular concept. It’s the first modular phone to hit various markets later this year.

Also Read: LG G5 Is a Modular Phone With Dual Camera & Swap Out Battery

This excitement has put LG in a bullish mood, to the extent that they feel putting all their eggs in the G5’s basket is the right move. This will impact their focus on plans with the Nexus 5 for 2016, so it makes sense for them to cull the project altogether.

If LG manages to scale up its efforts with the LG G5, the company at long last can show off its flagship prowess. Everything depends on LG now, regarding how they price the product and its supporting modular parts, and if it can justify those permutations.

Who’s Making 2016 Nexus, Google?

Now that LG has seemingly confirmed it is not making the 2016 Nexus 5, it’s a good time to ask Google about their new partner plans. Will they rely on their trust with HTC and Motorola to give them the Nexus 5X upgrade, or do they have new brands like Xiaomi or LeEco in their plans? We hope to know soon.