LG's Nexus 4 phone sells out within 30 minutes in UK

The new LG Nexus phone sold out within 30 minutes of appearing on Google's Play store in the UK this morning.

The phone, an Android 'flagship' which offers a 'pure' version of the operating system, is £239 for an 8GB model.

Apple's cheapest iPhone 5 is £529.

Both models, including the £279 16GB model went from 'Buy' to 'Notify Me' within half an hour, according to tech site The Register.

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"It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that the initial Nexus 4 UK allocation - or that of any other recently released device - was pegged to ensure it would be sold quickly," said the site.

Google recently introduced new models of its Nexus 7 tablet, and a Nexus 10 made by Samsung.

Prices start at £159 for the Nexus 7 16GB, at £319 for the Nexus 10 16GB, and at £239 for the Nexus 4 8GB.

The search giant also recently launched its music store on Google Play in the UK.