Nexus 5 release date, price and design rumors

You know what would go perfectly with an Android Marshmallow? S'more of that easy-to-hold Nexus 5 for 2015.

It was the reasonably sized, reasonably priced LG-made phone that Google launched 2013, and if all of the new Nexus 5 rumors are to believed, there's a sequel on the way.

That's good news for anyone who was disappointed that the Mountain View company stopped selling its acclaimed phone earlier this year, in favor of focusing on the much bigger Nexus 6 2014.

Current speculation points to LG giving its phone a specs boost, much-needed camera upgrade, and a high resolution display that packs more pixels into the same likable 5 inches.

There's still bound to be a new Nexus 6 2015, but for non-giants who lack meaty paws, here's what we know about the Nexus 5 refresh.

Update: We now have a rumoured launch date of September 29 and a new render of what the new Nexus 5 2015 could look like.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? Google's upcoming Android flagship phone
• When is it out? Possibly September 29 or October 2015
• What will it cost? Less than rivals, but it won't be cheap

Nexus 5 2015 release date

We have an answer for anyone who asks us, "When is Nexus 5 2015 release date?" and it's "as soon as Android Marshmallow launches." They're not amused.

However, it's true. Google uses its Nexus devices as a reference design and pushes out a new phone with every major Android update. Exactly when it'll be ready is still a mystery.

With Android Marshmallow on its final developer preview as of this week, the speculation seems to indicate that it'll be announced as soon as September.

Don't get your Google Wallet ready just yet. September is crowded (see: iPhone 6S). It might not arrive in stores until October, which is the same month the Nexus 6 2014 was unveiled.

However, a new rumour posted on a Korean website hints that the Nexus 2015 will hit the Google Store on September 29.

The information comes from an anonymous source who apparently correctly leaked the release date of the original Nexus 5 when it launched in 2013.

However the source does not specify if the Nexus 5 2015 will launch worldwide on September 29, or just in Korea on that date.

Nexus 5 2015 price

The new Nexus 5 could once again give us a solid-performing phone at an affordable price, and that's a relief because last year's Nexus 6 bumped up the price considerably.

How much will the Nexus 5 2015 cost? While no one is certain, unconfirmed prices range between $300-400 (around £193-257 / AU$406-542), according to GizmoChina.

That's very comparable to the SIM-free Nexus 5 from two years ago, which retailed for $349 (£299, AU$399) without a contract. It's also a savings next to the Nexus 6, which cost $650 (£500, $870) at full retail when it came out almost a year ago.

Nexus 5 2015 design

Phone designs are trending in the direction of premium build materials, like the glass-and-metal Samsung Galaxy S6 and the leather-backed LG G4. That's not what we expect from Google's affordable handset, however.

Backing up this theory, we may have just gotten our first glimpse of the Nexus 5 2015, thanks to a leak out of Indonesia, and the photo jives with other rumors we've heard before.

Previously, GizmoChina claimed that the new Nexus sports a matte plastic back cover. That's what we may be seeing in the blurry picture.

There's also further evidence in that photo that there will be a fingerprint sensor on the back. Android Pay, anyone?

Other Nexus 5 2015 design rumors include an aluminium frame, volume and power buttons on the side (and not on the back), and front-facing speakers.

Android Marshmallow is pushing USB Type C support for the first time, and the Nexus 5 could make a good example of its use. Why let the OnePlus 2 have all of the fun, being the only phone with this next-generation connector?

Renowned leaker account @OnLeaks also posted an image on Twitter that apparently shows the new Nexus 5 2015 in all its glory. The image ties in with other rumours we've heard about the Nexus 5 2015, and @OnLeak's reputation is pretty solid when it comes to revealing up coming phones.

Display, specs, camera and battery life rumors

Nexus 5 2015 display

Expect an LG-made Nexus 5 to stick with a battery-friendly 1080p display instead of going the quad HD route that will likely be chosen for the new Nexus 6 2015.

That said, Nexus 5 rumors suggest that the screen technology will change from an IPS LCD to a P-OLED, and that it'll go from the 4.95-inch size we saw two years ago, to 5.2 inches.

Yes, it can still be called a Nexus 5, even with this minor adjustment. Phone manufacturers like round up or down when considering a device's name, so larger display isn't all too surprising.

Nexus 5 2015 specs

The new Nexus 5 may put "premium" in its internal specs instead of its body or display, and that seems to be what new benchmark leaks indicate.

It's pegged to have a Qualcomm processor, with rumors hinting at a Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor, like the LG G4 (that makes sense) – or, if we're lucky, a Snapdragon 820.

The Snapdragon 820 chip may be saved for the Nexus 6 2015, but a new Nexus 5-linked benchmark test would have you think – and hope – otherwise.

The best phones in the latter half of 2015 are boosting their performance with 4GB RAM, and that's what has been tipped for the Nexus 5 2015. That's double the memory two years ago.

Nexus 5 2015 camera

If there's one thing Google needs to get right with its next Nexus, it's making a phone with a great camera. Nexus fans have consistently complained about mediocre photos.

There's a little more confidence behind the Nexus 5 camera knowing that LG may be in charge of the device again. The firm really stepped up its sensor and post-processing game with the LG G4.

Rumors point to a 13MP snapper on back, with a wide f/1.8 aperture lens, LG's advanced laser autofocus, optical image stabilisation and a dual-LED flash.

Save for the 16MP sensor and the dual-LED flash, these camera specs matches the LG G4. Next to the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5, it's the best smartphone camera out there.

Nexus 5 2015 battery life

The Nexus 5 2013 battery life was the phone's second biggest problem, and LG may address that by upping the capacity from 2,300mAh to 2,700mAh or even 3,180mAh.

This giant leap would actually best the LG G4 battery, that's an even 3,000mAh, despite the company's 5.5-inch flagship having more room.

Now, if LG could do a better job of reducing its handset battery drain, that would be perfect. The G4 had issues with background tasks eating away at otherwise solid battery capacity.

Android Marshmallow is just around the corner, and that almost certainly means that so is an LG-made Nexus 5 for 2015. We'll keep updating this page with all of the rumors until Google makes the big announcement.

• Here's what we've heard about the Nexus 6 2015

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