Struggling to lay your mitts on a Google Nexus 4? Fortunately another network has added the Nexus 4 to its line-up: Virgin Media.
Virgin is offering a range of two-year contracts, many of which offer the phone for free. The Nexus 4 is so cheap to buy on its own we suggest you think twice about getting it on a pricey network contract, but the phone has now been out of stock at Google for so long that buying from a network is currently the only way to actually get your hands on one.
Virgin's tariffs start at £31 including a Nexus 4 for free, but with a limit of 500MB of data per month. Pah! But you can get unlimited data on a tariff of £34 per month -- with a £100 charge for the phone -- or fork out £39 or more for a free phone and unlimited monthly data.
You can swap tariffs at any time, paying either more or less money.
Other networks selling the Nexus 4 include O2 and Three, but many felt the deals on offer suffered in comparison with the price charged by Google. If you buy the phone from Google -- starting at £240 -- then get a cheap SIM from GiffGaff or the like, then you're likely to save money in the long run. But as Google Play is consistently sold out, expectant Nexus fans may find themselves swallowing the extra cost just to get their hands on the phone.
LG, the manufacturer of the phone, has again claimed this week that production of the phone is on schedule. Google meanwhile says LG's supply has been "scarce and erratic."
Would you sign up to Virgin Media to bag a Nexus 4? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 9
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panos 15 January, 2013 09:45
I suppose that for the same kind of money someone can get the much better samsung s3 or note 2, so... what's the point Virgin?
anonymous 15 January, 2013 10:06
I'll be watching this one. I'm already a Virgin Media customer for TV, internet and landline. They offer good mobile deals for existing customers so will certainly be checking them out when my malignant Orange contract runs out.
anonymous 15 January, 2013 11:20
Its every where but on Google Play Store
AkumaJack 15 January, 2013 12:15
The more i read about this the more it seems Lg have throttled production to the google store. In terms of what the networks are offering , it's stupidity. The only way these prices make sense is if LG are supplying the phones at the same price as the s3, iphone5 etc meaning they want people to buy it from everywhere apart from google. In term how much data some of these phones/contract come with, I don't understand how people have/use and only use 500mb. I use about 3-4gb a month.
anonymous 16 January, 2013 08:50
@AkumaJack 15 January, 2013 12:15
"The more i read about this the more it seems Lg have throttled production to the google store. ........meaning they want people to buy it from everywhere apart from google...."
The Google Play price seems more and more like a "loss-leader" to generate a buzz and create a reputation for low-price, VFM etc.
I'm now convinced that there was never any intention for Google to sell more than a small number of Nexus 4 handsets via Google Play. Clever PR?
If estimated production figures are anywhere near accurate, then it looks as if only something like 10% of production was earmarked for the Google low price.
"......I don't understand how people have/use and only use 500mb. I use about 3-4gb a month."
Web and data analysis shows that most Android users hardly use much data at all and muxch of that is social networking (facebook etc).
Typical useage is texting, social networking and app based gaming.
This may change over time.
anonymous 17 January, 2013 21:30
Why bother getting a silly priced contract when you can get unlimited internet text and loadsa calls on pay as you go nower days for like 15quid :S
and since 35 a month is in the range of like the S3 which costs close to £500 w/o contract where as the nexus4 is about half that much ... WHY would you pay same contract price for a phone half as expensive?
anonymous 19 January, 2013 12:10
Have just had email from Google Play to say they have shipped my Nexus 4 that I ordered on Dec 5th by TNT and that I should have it this Monday 21st Jan, so things are starting to move.
anonymous 19 January, 2013 16:09
To those who comment why by nexus 4 when there is the samsung 3. Being sad enough to own both, I can tell you if I had to give up one it would be the Samsung 3.
anonymous 20 January, 2013 11:23
Virgin used to be competitive, but their price plans are now far too expensive.
Avoid.