After numerous leaks and teasing, Google has finally unveiled Android 4.4 KitKat and the Nexus 5. The new Nexus 5 is a big step up in every way compared to the Nexus 4, and shows how relevant Nexus devices still are in this age of Google Play edition devices.

The Nexus 5 packs in a lot of goodies and features for a relatively low price of $349, making it a must-have phone. Below is everything you need to know about the Nexus 5, before you decide to pull the trigger on it.

• The Nexus 5 is the slimmest Nexus phone till date from Google.

• The Nexus 5 design is inspired from the new Nexus 7, and not the LG G2.

• The 8MP F/2.5 sensor on the Nexus 5 is made by Sony (IMX179).

• The Nexus 5 has a new HDR+ mode that, apparently, helps in taking the device better HDR images.

• The Nexus 5 aspect ratio is different from that of the Nexus 4. Because of this change in aspect ratio, the app drawer now displays 5*4 grid of shortcuts, instead of the 5*5 as seen on the Nexus 4.

• The physical keys on the Nexus 5 are made out of ceramic.

http://youtu.be/hQ0XTJqFLIE

• Thanks to the Snapdragon S800 processor and KitKat, the Nexus 5 has built-in step-counting and other motion detecting abilities.

• The use of OIS and presence of 1.4u pixels means that the the Nexus 5’s camera performance is much better than previous Nexus devices. Ref: Camera samples.

• Thanks to Audio tunnelling in Android 4.4 and the Snapdragon S800 processor, the Nexus 5 can provide up to 60 hours of music playback.

• The Nexus 5 also has partial always-on listening mode like the Moto X. However, this feature only works when the device screen is active.

• Like the Note 3, the Nexus 5 comes with Qualcomm’s QFE110 mobile ET chip, which greatly helps in reducing power consumption.

• Improvements in hardware and underlying software means that the Nexus 5 touch screen is much faster and accurate to your touches.

• Like the Nexus 4, the Nexus 5 uses a microSIM card slot.

• Unlike the Nexus 4, the Nexus 5 supports LTE but it won’t work with Verizon’s network.

• Google has released two variants of the Nexus 5 to support different LTE bands all over the world. The one in the USA also supports pentaband WCDMA, meaning the same phone will work across T-Mobile and AT&T flawlessly.

• Sprint and T-Mobile will soon start selling the Nexus 5 in the United States.

• This is the first time that Google has announced a Nexus handset with immediate availability on the Play Store.

• Compared to the Nexus 4 launch, Google has handled the Nexus 5 launch in a much, much better way.

• Currently, the 16GB Nexus 5 is out of stock on the US Play Store with the 32GB shipping in 2-3 weeks.

• The Nexus 5 is also the first Nexus device to be available in a wide array of markets including US, the UK, Europe and India.

Do drop in a comment and let me know if I have missed anything.