Could this leaked Nexus 5 image be Google's iPhone-rivalling new smartphone?

The first Google Nexus 5 smartphone was released back in 2013 and quickly became popular with those who preferred the company's Android system over Apple's iPhones.

The search giant stopped selling the Nexus 5 earlier this year (instead focusing on the massive Nexus 6) but internet rumours have been persistent that the company is building a sequel.

According to the web-based chatter, Google is teaming up with Huawei and LG to build a 5.7-inch phone and a 5.2-inch phone respectively.

Both models are believed to be spiritual successors to the original Nexus 5 and combine quality components and build quality with a low price.

Now, an image supposedly showing the LG Nexus 5 has been pictured (above) and uploaded to Google+, the search giant's own social network.

There's not much to be gleaned from the image, but the protruding camera lens (similar to the iPhone 6) suggests LG could be building a very thin product.

What's also intriguing is the silver circle below the camera lens - believed by some experts to be a fingerprint scanner.

Further rumours suggest that the phones will use the new USB Type-C ports, used most notably by Apple for its new Macbook laptop.

The Nexus 6 is Google's current flagship but the 6-inch screen size doesn't appeal to everyone

It could, of course, simply be an elaborate hoax designed to whip up the fervour of smartphone-loving tech types.

Google hasn't commented on the images but tech watchers are predicting the company could reveal the two new phones at some point in October.

That would come a mere month after Apple is rumoured to be revealing its new iPhone handsets.

Both companies will be looking to tempt you to upgrade to their shiny new phones over Christmas