The instant hit that it is, Google's Nexus 5 is officially a hot item at the moment but getting it means waiting up to a month's time as buyers scramble to get a piece of the KitKat 4.4 device, prized for its powerful specs but affordable price tag.

Scoring the stock Android smartphone, which replaces the equally popular Nexus 4, could take four weeks before delivery is made, according to CNET. That is if the purchase is made via the Google Play Store.

The terms apply for the off-contract Nexus 5 variants.

It appears too that U.S. telcos picking up the new handset for distribution are not sure how swift they can push out the device though the same CNET reported noted that Sprint is advertising a Nov 8 delivery target for customers that will finalise their orders by Nov 4.

Other service providers are vague on their pronouncement, at best, hinting only that shoppers can expect the iPhone S rival to touchdown in the immediate weeks ahead.

Yet the waiting moments could stretch well into the first week of Dec 2013 so looking for alternatives could be the prudent thing to do for now. One candidate that promises so much spunk is within the Google house, so to speak.

Motorola, a Google division, is uncloaking the mass-market version of its Moto X, which the company is calling the Moto G.

Looking at the specs, the Moto G is no Nexus 5 nor a Moto X but the capabilities are not too bad all. Billed as an entry-level Android, the device will reportedly sport a 4.5-inch AMOLED display panel with a 720p resolution.

The power beneath is courtesy of Qualcomm, specifically a quad-core CPU with a muscle of up to 1.2GHz.

Other details about the phone remain under wraps though Android watchers expect the internal memory to come in 16GB and 32GB configurations and possibly a microSD card slot for extending the storage space.

This is not a flagship phone so the price tag shouldn't be too high. Per Gotta Be Mobile, the Moto G is likely to sell between $200 and $250, with the latter as the max point.

When pitted against the Nexus 5, basing on published specs, the Moto G is no match as early reviewers called the former an Android beast for its impressive capabilities, thanks to its mix of high-end components and killer features via the new KitKat 4.4.

But for the budget-conscious buyers, the Moto G should perform to moderate expectations, which could be ramped up a bit in the event the gadget also debuts with the candy bar KitKat. It should be like biting the new Android sweets and save as much as $150 in the process.

It should be noted that the Nexus 5 retails starting at $350 for the 16GB model.

Following its Nov 13 unveiling, Motorola is expected to opt for an immediate release date for the new smartphone, likely for the Moto G to start luring buyers that come out in droves for the 2013 Black Friday feast.