Ever since LG confirmed details of its latest flagship, the Optimus G, there has hardly been a break in the rumors about a new Nexus-branded smartphone based on the very same hardware.

The South Korean manufacturer has previously been tipped to be one of several device makers that would come out with a Nexus-branded device or another in the near future, and this was swiftly followed by leaked pictures and rumored specifications.

Now, a pair of Google and LG employees has seemingly let the cat out of the bag with regards to the upcoming Nexus’ camera specifications and name. The name “Optimus Nexus” or “Optimus G Nexus” has been thrown around in earlier rumors, but going by the leaked pictures, Google and LG may have selected to use the name “Nexus 4” for their new smartphone. This detail was revealed in some photos taken by an as-yet unrevealed device with that name.

UK-based retailer Carphone Warehouse also lists a black LG Nexus 4 in its inventory system, which may lend some credence to the report. This firm was one of the first to confirm the color options for Samsung’s Galaxy S3 earlier this year, so it’s a fair bet that the latest Nexus handset would bear this name and come in such a color.

Going by the use of a screen size-based naming scheme for the Nexus 7 tablet, Google and LG may have chosen the Nexus 4 moniker to highlight the smartphone’s 4.7-inch screen size. A “phablet”-sized device was earlier tipped to also be in the works.

However, the “4” could also be interpreted to indicate that the device is the fourth generation of Nexus-branded smartphone that would be released, after the Nexus One, Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus.

Update: The photos have been pulled from the Google+ accounts.