Yeah, I finally hold my brand new Nexus 5 with Android KitKat in my hands. The Google/LG phone was launched on the 31st of October in North America, Western Europe, Australia, Japan and Korea Republic. I ordered the black 32 GB version for 399 Euro. A friend from Germany who came to visit me in South Africa brought the phone with him.
A user from mybroadband.co.za wanted to know whether the Nexus 5 also works on SA networks. I was quite sure of that otherwise I would not have ordered it but I promised to check and let him know.
So when I just received the Nexus 5 I cutted my old SIM into a micro SIM card because the Nexus 5 only works with this format. You can also buy a Mirco SIM card in a cellular shop and swop your number but I did not want to wait and pay the service charge for it. And my cutted Mirco SIM card works just fine.
So yes, the Nexus 5 works on SA mobile networks. If you don’t want to wait until it will be launched in South Africa (if ever…) you can order it in the US, Japan or Europa and import it.
Befor setting up my new Nexus 5 I rooted it using the CF Auto Root method. If your android phone was rooted you gain full read and write permissions on your device and are able to modify the software on the very deepest level, install your own mods, root-only apps and skins, remove preinstalled apps, overlocking the CPU and so on. But please don’t do it if you don’t know what you do. You could destroy your phone and void your warranty. Also remember that all your data will be wiped when you first root your android phone. So you should do it before you set up your phone.
Here are some pictures:
I probably won’t write a review of the Nexus 5 because there are already so many online. You just have to google for it. So far I am very happy with it and engadget.com thinks that it is the best phone $350 can buy.
Mind if I ask, which online store did you purchase your one from? Did you get the 16GB or 32GB model? I’m planning on purchasing one right now, however I’m not sure which online store to purchase from. I figure it’s pointless waiting for the phone to sell in the stores here – as most of the stores here don’t really understand Android software or any of these phones much – and I really doubt they will take into consideration that the main selling point of this device is the price. Stores in SA generally sell any new phone at an outrageous price so I’m planning on ordering one from overseas. I was thinking Amazon. But I just wanted your opinion. Where di d you get yours from, and how long did it take to arrive? Thanks Klaus.
Hi Shonay,
I ordered the Nexus 5 (32 GB version) directly from the german Google Play Store as it is more expensive at Saturn, Mediamarkt and Amazon. No, I need to correct myself, my brother ordered it for me because it is not possible to access the Play Store here in South Africa (unless you use a VPN client). BUT: They won’t send the phone to South Africa. I used the delivery address of a friend in Germany and he brought the phone with him when visiting me in Cape Town. It took Google 4 working days to deliver the phone to Germany.
Hope you manage to get your hands on the Nexus 5. I have not regretted the purchase for a second yet.
Hey guys a friend in America can buy and ship to Me however I don’t know how shipping and import tax and all charges involved. Really appreciate the push in the right direction
Hi Klaus,
Can you explain how exactly you did cut your old sim card into a micro sim card? Did you take a scissor and simply cut the sim card to be the size of a micro sim card?
Regards,
Mandla.
Hi Mandla,
yes, that’s basically how I dit it. I used this template (http://www.thechinacellphone.com/micro_sim_template.pdf) and took a pair of scissors to cut it out.
Thanks for the response, Klaus.
Hi Klaus,
I’m currently on holiday here in S Africa. I bought a prepaid Sim from Vodafone to use in my Nexus 5. I’m able to make calls and send SMS, but data does not work at all. I called Vodacom and they say everything is set up correctly. Did you have to do anything special to get your Nexus 5 to work on these networks? Thanks! I appreciate any info you can give me.
Hey Tim,
Did you buy a data package from vodacom or do you use your normal airtime for data usage which is much more expensive? I bought a data package (the one for 49 Rand) and with that data works fine when I don’t have a wireless connection. I did not have to change any settings. If it does not work with you try to visit a vodacom store and show them your phone. Perhaps they can help you better when they see and check your phone. Good luck!
I bought 1 GB of data for my stay here. I tried calling Vodacom support again but they weren’t much help. I’ll have to stop at a store and see if they can help. Its good to know that yours works without changing anything though. Thanks again!
Hi
Ordered it on the U.S playstore on the 9th Nov. Still waiting for Google to ship.aaahh
Nexus 5 comes in 2 models, the D820 and D821. se ethe dffierences here: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Differences-between-the-two-Nexus-5-models-D820-and-D821_id48985
So which one did you get?
Will they both work well here in South Africa?
I ordered mine from the German Play Store, so it should be the D821. Mowadie ordered his Nexus 5 in the U.S. So he should be able to tell you whether it works on SA networks or not. But I am pretty sure it does.
Hi received my nexus today.My data is not working on vodacom I will let you know if I can get it resolved
Hi Tim,
Just call vodacom (111) free from vodacom network and ask them to activate lte.Then choose lte as your access point.
I can confirm the D820 working fine on the vodacom network both voice and data
hey guys how do i order this phone from the play store and delivered in SA?
Hi, I’m in Nigeria, & want to order from U.S. But i don’t know which to order. The D820 or D821 version. I use the MTN mobile network. Pls help me out. Thank you.
Both models should work. I have the D821 one and it works fine in South Africa.
Hi Klaus
Thanks for the very valuable information. I’m myself now in that ‘conundrum’ of whether to wait for FNB to possibly bring it in, get it in from overseas (via family) or just take a ‘safer’ option and get another phone from Vodacom.
My primary concern is warranty – if there is no local distributor, and you get the phone in from overseas in the way you did – who is going to honour any warranty that the phone may have? What happens if it breaks down a month from now?
If you can shed some light on this I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
Hi Ruan,
unfortunately Google does not provide international warranty. The warranties for Nexus devices purchased directly from Google Play are only valid in the country it’s purchased in. So if there is a problem you will need to return it to that specific country. There might be the possibilty that LG provides a warranty in South Africa but I did not check that.
You can order locally from the Orange store here for R6500 incl. delivery.
Also, it can be delivered on the same day.
http://store.orange.com/za/p_orange_product.aspx?i=255489
I received a Nexus5 from my nephew 2 weeks ago. Great phone. I want to take out a contract with Cell C. Am I correct that it should work with any of the 3 major networks. I’m based in Jhb
Hi Roy,
I use Vodacom but I am pretty sure it also works with Cell C. But before you sign a contract just ask them to confirm. They should know best.
Hey Roy
I’m on Cell C in Cape Town and my Nexus 5 works great, I also just cut my regular sim card to fit.
Definitely need to get hold of one! I’ve got the Nexus 3 and love it.
One question – what about software upgrades to 4.5/5.0 in future? – obviously Vodacome etc won’t release it – how would you go about getting the update?
Hi Michael,
Google distributes the updates automatically. I already have updated to Android 4.4.2.
CF auto root WONT wipe your Data! I have CF root on all mine and other tablets and phones and does NOT loose your data.
Hi, I’ve been looking into getting one, can you advise me on how well your N5 is working so far?
Haven’t had any problems so far. I am still very happy with my Nexus 5.
Thanks. And tell me, has the battery life deteriorated at all? Also have you dropped it and how sturdy is the phone and how damage resistant is the screed?
Is LTE working on all the nexus 5
Ordered my Nexus 5 (820 – says so in the regulatory info) from New York, a mate brought it to Joburg, and then I read your blog and other online posts. PANIC – what if I have a $400 brick? How do I return it for a replacement????
Anyway, went to get my sim cut and put it in the phone – issues registering with Vodacom Network. Did some research on APNs – no joy.
Read the LTE comment – you must call vodacom to turn it on – phoned them, systems were down (as usual) but they said they would get to it.
Next went to Vodacom store – they confirmed that my LTE was on (from the request the night before).
But my chip was still not working. They tried a microsim with LTE enabled. It worked. So they had to do a sim swap as my sim had been damaged during the cutting down to microsim size.
I did not have my ID, so needed to email them the details before they processed the sim swap. Sent the email, called the shop – systems were down (as usual).
Phoned again this morning to make sure my sim swap had been processed – it had not. They did it over the phone (I had left the 20 Rands payment at the shop).
Been turning my phone on and off all morning until now when the sim swap completed and the phone started to work.
Lessons:
1) Turn on LTE by calling Vodacom
2) Cutting a sim down may damage it – best to do a sim swap.
Now lets see jow it performs!
Hi James, thanks for your comment. That might help others. I don’t use LTE so it is good to know what one needs to do in order to activate it.
And yes, your sim card can be damaged by cutting it. Although it worked for me even by cutting of some of the contacts there is never a guarantee. So it is always best and safest just to do a swim swop. Thanks for pointing that out!
Got my Nexus 5 32gb through Orange online store. Took 5 working days for delivery from UK. Phone works great. The battery is no worse than the Samsung phones.
Hi, I also just received my Nexus 5, I’m wondering if anyone knows where to get accessories for it? Amazon is being a dick and won’t send any here, looking for screen protectors and something like the Spigen Slim case. Thanks!
Hi Klaus.
I’m in the process of ordering my Nexus 5, I was just curios as to whether it is necessary to flash or root you phone? Ordering from google playstore. Also can I ask what you payed for shipping?
Regards
Hi Hilbert,
no it is not necessary to root the Nexus 5. It is just a gimmick for geeks who want to do things with the phone they otherwise can’t. Rooting allows access to the “brain” of the phone. But if you don’t know what you are doing better don’t root it.
I haven’t paid any shipping fees because I imported the phone myself (I am from Germany).
Hey, thanx for the reply.
Yup I’ve rooted allot of my other phones, to get rid of the annoying service provider branding and to free up some more phone memory, but since I’m now getting it from google I figured it won’t be needed, thank you.
What I guess I mean with shipping fees are, the courier fees to the home you delivered it to. I’m asking my cousins in America to get me one. The price on on google play for a 16GB Nexus 5 is $350, what I’m not sure about is whether it is only for the phone or if it includes delivery, i.e “shipping costs” 🙂
Thanx again.
In your case rooting is not necessary.
I think Google shipping fees were around 10 €.
Yup. Cool cool, thank you very much.
Thanks for all the info. My daughter is traveling to South Africa soon. She has a new nexus 5, 32 G. I want her to get a sim card to use while she is there. She thinks it will render her phone back to zero. Will she lose all her contacts, apps, etc by swapping sim cards? It is defiantly more cost effective than buying international minutes on our plan.
Thanks,
I brought back my UK nexus 5. I just called vodacom (111) and activated the device. All works fine.
Sorry Sue, I only found your comment in my spam folder now.
She can change the sim card without problems as the contacts and apps are stored on the phone or additionally online (depending on your settings).
Hi everyone, I bought a Nexus 5 model D820 and tried dailing *#*#4636#*#* to set the radio band and the LTE when mine was not working, but i don’t know what to set it to. Can someone please send me a screen shot of the settings on their D820 model? Thank you all.
Unfortunately, I can’t help you. My Nexus 5 just broke down and I had to send it in for a replacement. Hope somebody else here has an answer for you.
hi klaus..
i dropped some water on my google nexus 4 which i also bought in Germany. The phone works fine, except that if i’m making a call, i have to put it on speaker phone. Do you know of any place in south africa that can repair google phones? i love this phone and i don’t want to replace it!