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This year, after years of rumors suggesting Google would launch two Nexus smartphones, the company has finally done just that with the LG-made Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P from Huawei.
The Nexus 5X is a true successor to the Nexus 5 that was released two years ago, while the Nexus 6P feels more like an unabashed, and even superior, entirely different device than the handset it’s replacing from last year (the Nexus 6). Both offer great displays, and both are using a vastly upgraded camera system that, based on the reviews, suggests a Nexus smartphone (or smartphones in this case) finally has a camera that’s worth using — even compared to the other high-end smartphones on the market.
Many publications were able to put reviews together for both new Nexus smartphones, so we’ve given a quick roundup of some of them below, with snippets from the reviews to give you a taste of what to expect in the new handset you choose.
The Verge
“But Google is now selling two Nexus phones, and through that lens, the 5X is very obviously the lesser one. Compared to the larger (and pricier) 6P, it has compromises in both performance and design. And though it fights really well in its mid-tier price bracket, if you bump it up to the next weight class, it doesn’t quite hold up to the true flagships from companies such as Apple or Samsung.”
“If you compare it to the other “premium” phones like the iPhone 6S, Galaxy S6, or Note 5, you’re going to end up finding yourself putting a different set of things on your decision scales than before. With the Note 5: is a slightly better camera and a stylus worth $240 more, or would you rather have a clean Android experience? And the iPhone 6S: is iOS’s superior app ecosystem and 3D Touch worth $150 more,7 or do you live in Google’s ecosystem and want Google Now on Tap?”
TechCrunch
“I’m not going to say that the Nexus 5X is a bad phone, because it’s not. If you’re set on having its screen size and are dead-set against going bigger with the 6P, I’d suggest going after the latest Samsung Edge phone. Of course, you’ll be paying a few hundred extra bucks and losing the flexibility of having an unlocked phone like the 5X.”
“If you’re an iPhone-lover, nothing may ever change your mind. If there’s a phone to do it, it’s this one, though. It’s solid as far as design, hardware and software. The base price of the Nexus 6P is $499, going up if you choose to add more storage. It’s beyond worth it. You’ve probably never experienced a version of Android’s operating system quite like this.”
Engadget
“For those who yearned for the days of budget- and pocket-friendly Nexus handsets, the 5X is for you. No, it’s not quite as premium as its rivals and it doesn’t have the higher-end specs of its bigger 6P brother, but it more than makes up for that with its affordable price. And you do get quite a lot of phone for the money: The display is sharp; the fingerprint sensor works as promised; the performance is smooth; and you get a decent camera too. Even though the OnePlus 2 and the Moto X Pure offer a better deal and slightly better specs, they lack that speedy fingerprint sensor and don’t deliver a pure Android experience, which is important to those who want timelier upgrades. With its sub-$400 price and healthy feature set, the 5X is a more-than-worthy successor to the Nexus 5.”
“The Nexus 6P isn’t a perfect phone. Its power button is frustratingly touchy. Its design is a little lacking in charm. The camera, while better, isn’t a huge leap over last year’s. And yet, what Google and Huawei get right, they get very right. Android 6.0 Marshmallow is a thoughtful, valuable update even if it’s not as outright dramatic as Lollipop was. The fit and finish of the all-metal body is top-notch. The fingerprint sensor works like a charm and the phone packs plenty of oomph into a package you can actually use comfortably with one hand. There’s plenty to like here, even if the phone isn’t for everyone (not that it was ever really meant to be). If you’re down to see where the bleeding edge of Android takes you, this is the phone for you. If you’re just looking for an excellent Android phone, this could be the phone for you too… along with any number of strong alternatives.”
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Nexus 5X
“Overall, the Nexus 5X feels like a nice device. You’re not going to mistake it for an $800 phone, but it’s well-made and feels like it’s worth more than the ~$400-ish dollars they’re charging for it. There isn’t an ounce of give to the body, and, as plastics go, the finish is rather nice.”
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Nexus 6P
“The “P” in Nexus 6P apparently stands for “premium,” and Google tasked Chinese firm Huawei with creating the higher-end Nexus. For a lot of people the Nexus 6P will be their first experience with Huawei, and the company has definitely created a device that makes an excellent first impression. It lives up to the “premium” moniker with an anodized aluminum unibody and only a minimal amount of plastic for insulation and radio windows. “Premium” also comes at a price—the 6P starts a $499 for a 32GB version.”
With all that said, what do you think of Google’s newest Nexus-branded smartphones? Which one did you decide to go with and why?
