Nexus 5 vs iPhone 5s: Specs comparison

Google has launched the Nexus 5, which will be the first smartphone to run its refreshed Android KitKat 4.4 operating system.

SIM-free pricing start at 299 for the 16GB handset. This makes the device 230 cheaper than the equivalent SIM-free iPhone 5s (529) - although both are available for free on 24-month contracts starting at 32 per month.

Manufactured by LG, key features of the Nexus 5 include a 4.95in full HD display (1920 x 1080), 8-megapixel camera and 16GB of internal storage.

The device is powered by a 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and is accompanied by 2GB of RAM.

If you're looking to buy a device SIM-free, the Nexus 5 represents outstanding value.

But if you're looking to buy on a contract, the decision is tougher. Both Android and iOS have over 1 million apps, and provide access to vast quantities of books, music, films and TV shows. So it will largely depend on whether you prefer Google's services such as Gmail, Drive and Maps or Apple's iCloud, Maps and Messages.

Khidr Suleman is the Technical Editor at IT Pro, a role he has fulfilled since March 2012. He is responsible for the reviews section on the site  - so get in touch if you have a product you think might be of interest to the business world. He also covers the hardware and operating systems beats. Prior to joining IT Pro, Khidr worked as a reporter at Incisive Media. He studied law at the University of Reading and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism and Online Writing at PMA Training.