LG at the ongoing MWC trade show in Barcelona has confirmed that it won’t release a Nexus phone this year. An LG spokesperson confirmed plans to CNET, and added, LG needs to focus on its own brand. Considering that the Nexus phones made by LG have been very popular, the news may come as a surprise to LG Nexus 4, Nexus 5, or Nexus 5X users. Adding further, the spokesperson said that LG has been very happy with its relationship with Google. He also revealed that the Nexus program requires resources that could be used on LG phones. LG launched the Nexus 4 back in 2012, followed by the Nexus 5 in 2013. And after a year’s break, the company came back with the Nexus 5X in 2015.
The LG spokesperson also revealed plans to restart sales the second-edition of the LG Watch Urbane LTE in the second half of 2016. The company had pulled it off the shelves due a display hardware issue. Apart from Watch Urbane LTE 2nd Edition, LG is also planning a second smart-watch; though details about the device are not yet available. Based on preliminary leaks, Google is reportedly working with HTC for this year’s Nexus smart phones. The Taiwanese company in collaboration with Google is expected to unveil two Nexus-branded smartphones this year.
LG’s move to not launch a Nexus phone this year may be to focus more on the current flagship – G5. The South Korean company has unveiled its LG G5 with bumped up innards as well as featuring few modular components. LG has confirmed that the segment below the display can be removed, and replaced with a module. It also revealed some new modules such as the LG Cam Plus which enhances camera capabilities as well as adding a 1200mAh battery to the smart phone. The second module revealed was the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play which promises to offer high-definition audio playback.
