The market anticipated the Google Nexus 5 for a long time. Now that it has been released, people have more options for their holiday shopping. With the number of Android handsets around, it can still be confusing what item to choose despite the hype around Nexus 5. There are other good contenders like LG's G2 and Samsung Galaxy S4. A rundown of their specs and what they can offer users should help shoppers decide which the best pick for their holiday shopping is.

Google Nexus 5

It is no surprise why the Google Nexus 5 created as much hype. It is the first handset to feature Google's latest Android 4.4 KitKat update. It offers a new and improved interface with a hardware that will normally cost people more. The device starts at $349. Normally, handsets with its built will cost around $600 or more. That alone makes it a deal worth looking into.

The Nexus 5 shares a similar size to the Nexus 4. The handset measures 2.7 x 5.4 x 0.34 inches. It is only slightly longer and thinner compared to the previous model. People will have a hard time distinguishing between the 4 and 5 on first look. Nonetheless, the Nexus 5 is comparatively lighter meaning easier to carry. It only weighs 4.6oz compared to the 4.9 of Nexus 4.

The Nexus 5 comes with a 4.95-in. 1080p IPS LCD display. It offers an impressive 445 pixels per inch. It also sports a Gorilla Glass 3-protected screen which is as appealing as it can get. The rich and vivid colors assure people the display will look great despite the viewing angle. While they are less deeper compared to AMOLED-based panel, the display is more pure looking and is distinguishable even against direct sunlight.

The Nexus 5 packs on a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM. This means the handset is extremely fast. It can handle almost anything a user throws its way. People will have an easy time switching between apps. Swiping the screen is also fast. With its latest processor and more integrated operating system, the Nexus 5 is a runaway winner.

LG G2

Despite not having a similar appearance with top Android phones, suffice it to say that LG G2 is one of the best handsets on the market today. As the maker of the Google Nexus 5, LG makes sure it also delivers with its branded handset. The device features an impressive 5.2-inch screen and packs on a powerful quad-core 2.26GHz CPU.

The 5-inch screen may be a turn off for some but it can also present a lot of opportunities. People can find the larger screen more useful if they get used to the interface. The handset sports a sealed design allowing LG to include an internal battery. People may take some time to get used to the size but overall the components work well together.

As mentioned, LG's G2 comes with a 5.2-inch display. This offers 1,920x1, 080 with 424 pixels per inch. This means the G2 does not fall behind the Google Nexus 5 in terms of resolution and screen sharpness. The processor makes it possible for the G2 to handle majority of tasks as smoothly as possible. Like the Nexus 5, people will find it convenient to change between apps and swipe through the screen.

Samsung Galaxy S4

Many sources agree that the Samsung Galaxy S4 is the best handset the Korean tech giant made yet. The size of the device remained the same as the previous predecessor. The device measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches). The screen comes with a Full HD resolution thus ensuring excellent viewing experience.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 runs on Android Jelly 4.2 but it can be upgraded to a higher Android. In this regard, the Google Nexus 5 trumps it because it already features a better operating system. Nonetheless, this does not mean the S4 falls behind performance. Android 4.2 promises smooth usage.

The quad-core Qualcomm 600 chip, clocked at 1.9GHz and combined with 2GB of RAM ensures fast performance but the LG G2 and Google Nexus 5 may have a slight advantage. The good thing, the S4 comes in two versions, the other version runs on Exynos 5 octa-core. The handset features general Android/TouchWiz. This means users can throw as any widges or apps as they like on the screen.

The interface of the device runs well with the Android 4.2 OS.