LG has claimed that Google dramatically ‘underestimated’ the Google Nexus 4, whilst admitting that it was guilty of the same crime.
Speaking at MWC 2013, official LG spokespeople have told TrustedReviews that both Google and LG itself “underestimated demand” of the Android 4.2 handset, an oversight which resulted in the repeated stock shortages that plagued the device’s release.
“We didn’t expect the response to the Nexus 4 that we got,” Shaun Musgrave, Product Marketing Manager for LG said. “The issues around availability, I think even Google underestimated the demand for the device for some reason.”
Suggesting that communications between the two companies broke down during production and launch of the 4.7-inch, quad-core Samsung Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5 rival, LG revealed that it was by no means faultless for the severe stock shortage which saw UK Google Nexus 4 launch stocks sell out within 30 minutes.
“It wasn’t working in terms of supply between them and us, but I’m not blaming everything on them, I don’t want to do that at all, because even ourselves, we underestimated how great the phone would be as well,” Musgrave said.
With a Google Nexus 4 UK release date seeing the handset first hit markets on November 13, the latest Nexus branded device, which plays host to an 8-megapixel camera, a 4.7-inch 1280 x 768p IPS touchscreen display and a svelte 9.1mm thick form factor, remained sold out until well into the new year, bar a single day stock release in late December. Further bolstering the device’s appeal, the Google Nexus 4 paired a strong specs sheet with a budget price tag, a move that saw the 8GB and 16GB storage options line up at £239 and £279 respectively.
Although the Google Nexus 4 stock issues have reflected badly on both companies, LG suggested that it has unfinished business with Google and that the next Nexus handset could also be manufactured by the South Korean company.
Speaking on the two companies’ relationship, Musgrave stated: “I genuinely think there is still legs in there, and long may it continue.” He added: “Google will hopefully see that this is by far the most successful Google handset so far.
“Every manufacturer has the tenure for a device with Google, we are one of them, but in terms of whether it will be us to do the next Nexus phone, I genuinely don’t know.”
Did the repeated Google Nexus 4 stock shortages put you off snapping up the wallet friendly handset? Let us know via the TrustedReviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
