The Nexus 4 is reportedly disappearing from stock and Google is promoting a limited time offer featuring a free bumper, Ping Zine reports, prompting rumors the phone could have a release date earlier than expected. 

While the company has not announced official plans for the Nexus 5 or a release date, the stock and promotional move have caught the attention of Nexus users hungry for a new phone. 

"Look across retail outlets and perhaps you'll notice one thing: The Nexus 4 is reportedly disappearing from stock," writes Ping Zine. 

"Via the Play Store homepage, Google also pushed a limited time offer for the Nexus 4 featuring a free bumper - a sign that the company could be trying to empty its own stock. The missing inventory could clear the way for a new Nexus release in the form of the 'Google Nexus 5.'"

But other rumors suggest LG's rumored phone might be similar to the company's Megalodon, manifesting rumors that the new phone would inherit similar specs from its predecessor.

The rumors sparked after LG Europe spokesman Won Kim said that a Nexus 5 move would be risky, considering its production issues and Google involvement.

"The Nexus 4 was a great success despite the production problems for us and Google. However we do not need such a marketing success again," Kim told reporters.  

But now those statements seem to lay in the past as LG prepares for the possibility of releasing a new phone.