Google Nexus 6P review – CNET

The Good One of the first two Android 6.0 phones, Google’s metal Nexus 6P has a sharp, high-resolution screen and a solid camera, an accurate fingerprint reader, loud speakers and works with every major carrier. Its lower cost makes it a good top-tier value buy.

The Bad It’s big, a bit boxy and top-heavy, the fingerprint reader’s position isn’t always convenient and the 6P ditches the wireless charging of previous models.

The Bottom Line The Nexus 6P doesn’t have the most inspiring design, but when it comes to hardware prowess, value for money and Google extras, this best-ever Nexus is hard to beat.

Summer ’16 update

After struggling to find its footing in recent years, HTC, manufacturer of the Nexus One and Nexus 9 tablet, is rumored to be hard at work building the next Nexus smartphone for Google. And a series of leaked images and rumored specs published in recent months paint an increasingly vivid picture of what we might expect.

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An image of what is said to be the forthcoming Google Nexus phone. Credit: Android Police.

Android Police

In April 2016, veteran leaker Evan Blass reported that HTC was building devices that would run Android Nougat, Google’s yet-to-be released operating system, following 6.0 Marshmallow. In fact, HTC is believed to be making two devices with similar specs but different screen sizes. The larger phone, which is code-named Marlin, is expected to be equipped with a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display with a 2,560×1440-pixel resolution. Meanwhile, the smaller device, referred to as Sailfish, is said to feature a 5-inch Full HD display with a 1,920×1080-pixel resolution. The rumors suggest that the next Nexus will feature a curved aluminum exterior.

Other specs include a quad-core Qualcomm processor, 12-megapixel rear camera, 8-megapixel front camera, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a USB-C port and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Editors’ note: The original Google Nexus 6P review, published in October 2015, follows.

In my mind, there are two things that a Nexus-branded phone is supposed to do, and the Google Nexus 6P does them both very well. First, it’s meant to showcase the very newest Android software. Check! (So does the cheaper, smaller LG-made Nexus 5X.) Second, it should package together very capable hardware for a lower sticker price than more familiar brand-name competitors. Yep, that it does. (See our pricing chart below.)

And then the weighty, 5.7-inch Nexus 6P goes further. It adds a metal frame (a Nexus first!) and a crisp, high-resolution display; a spot-on fingerprint reader; a capable 12-megapixel camera; and strong stereo speakers. It also introduces China-based Huawei, which made the phone, to a whole new audience of people, Google’s Nexus fans. (Although I have to say, this breakthrough, while significant for Huawei, is only a passing curiosity for a buyer who’s focused on finding the right handset.)

This year’s Nexus phones are also compatible with most major carriers, which is terrific, and support Google’s own unique Project Fi wireless service — meaning you can switch among carrier plans without swapping your SIM card or phone. You don’t actually need Fi to do that, though, you can seamlessly carrier-hop on your own without Google’s specialized SIM card, too.

Here’s what I’m saying: the 6P here is the most ambitious and advanced Nexus phone Google has put its stamp on, and it comes closer than previous Nexus devices at meeting and beating premium handsets, big and small — like the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Edge+ , Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Premium — with its combination of internal performance and relatively low cost.

Like all phones, this one isn’t without flaws. It’s still a large, heavy device. I’m not wild about the design, which is completely fine, but a little generic. The position of the fingerprint reader isn’t always convenient. The native camera has fewer options and controls than many rivals. And unlike the Nexus 6 and other Nexus phones, this refresh lacks wireless charging, which would be extra useful backup if you leave your new Type-C charger at home. The 6P also won’t have the Note 5’s stylus, the Edge+ curves or the Xperia’s waterproofing. You have to decide how important those finishing touches are to you.

Feast your eyes on the Marshmallowy Google…
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A little warning for those who want to buy the 6P to mine the Android 6.0 Marshmallow software for all its goodies: while the new operating system brings a few interesting and somewhat useful tools — like contextual searching through the Now on Tap feature and battery life boosting that works quietly in the background — the 6P’s real take-home value is less about the wonders of Android 6.0 and more about your total bang for the buck.

Android 6.0’s nice-but-not-astounding bag of tricks may not have been as successful as past Nexus’ braggable features ( Android 5.0 Lollipop was quite the overhaul), but the 6P’s Marshmallow status still nabs you certain advantages, like fewer preloaded apps (“bloatware”) and being first in line to receive Google’s forthcoming software updates. “Pure” Nexus phones are also free from vendors’ custom take on Android, which can be good, bad or neutral depending on your stance. On the one hand, custom layers eat up storage space and delay upgrades, but on the other, they can also add handy features and snazzy design layouts.

Personally, I like the the Nexus 6P quite a lot — it does everything right and very little wrong. While it doesn’t grab me the way the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge’s unique design does, it’s still a phone I’d heartily recommend. As a utilitarian workhorse, the Nexus 6P does the job for less cash, and that’s smart.

Pricing and availability

The Nexus 6P is available for pre-order in the US, UK, Ireland and Japan from Google’s online store, and will be ship in October. Check out pricing for the US, UK, and Australia in this handy chart below:

Google Nexus 6P pricing

$499	$549	$649
£449	£499	£579
AU$899	AU$999	AU$1,099

To sweeten the deal, Google tacks on a 90-day subscription to Google Play Music (plus a $50 credit for its Play Store for US buyers).

Google also wants to sell you a two-year warranty that covers breaks and water damage, which it’s calling Nexus Protect. It costs $89 in the US. If something goes wrong, you can get a new device as soon as the next business day.

In the US, the Nexus 6P works on all major carriers. It’ll also support Project Fi , the company’s SIM card that uses Wi-Fi hotspots for a network connection, falling back on T-Mobile and Sprint networks.

Specifications versus top rivals

Specs comparison

5.7-inch AMOLED with 2,560×1,440-pixel resolution	5.2-inch LCD with 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution	4.7-inch IPS with 1,334×750-pixel resolution	5.7-inch AMOLED with 2,560×1,440-pixel resolution	5.5-inch IPS with 3,840×2,160-pixel resolution
515ppi	423ppi	326ppi	518ppi	806ppi
6.27×3.06×0.28 inches	5.78×2.86×0.31 inches	5.44×2.64×0.28 inches	6.03×2.99×0.29 inches	6.07×2.99×0.31 inches
159.4×77.8×7.3mm	147.0×72.6×7.9 mm	138.3×67.1×7.1mm	153.2×76.1×7.6mm	154.4×76.0×7.8 mm
6.27 ounces (178 grams)	4.80 ounces (136 grams)	5.04 ounces (143 grams)	6.03 ounces (171 grams)	6.34 ounces (180 grams)
Android 6.0 Marshmallow	Android 6.0 Marshmallow	Apple iOS 9	Android 5.1 Lollipop	Google Android 5.1 Lollipop
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
12.3-megapixel, ultra HD video (4K), 240fps slow motion video	12.3-megapixel, ultra HD video (4K), 120fps slow motion	12-megapixel, ultra HD video (4K), 240fps slow motion video	16-megapixel, ultra HD video (4K), 120fps slow motion video	23-megapixel, ultra HD video (4K), 120fps slow motion video
No	No	No (only 6S Plus)	Yes	Yes
8-megapixel	5-megapixel	5-megapixel	5-megapixel	5-megapixel
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810	1.8GHz 6-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808	64-bit A9 chip with M9	Octa-core Exynos 7420	Octa-core Snapdragon 810
32GB, 64GB, 128GB	16GB, 32GB	16GB, 64GB and 128GB	32GB, 64GB	32GB
3GB	2GB	2GB	4GB	3GB
No	No	No	No	Up to 200GB
No	No	No	Yes, PMA and Qi	No
Nonremovable 3,450mAh	Nonremovable 2,700mAh	Nonremovable 1,715mAh	Nonremovable 3,000mAh	Nonremovable 3,430mAh
$499, £449, AU$899	$379, £339, AU$659	$649, £539, AU$1,079	~$700 (but varies), N/A, AU$1,100	N/A, £630, AU$1,200

Google’s first metal Nexus

• 5.7-inch screen with 2,560×1,440-pixel resolution
• USB-C charging port
• Fingerprint reader
• Stereo forward-facing speakers
• Dimensions: 6.3 by 3.0 by 0.29 inches (159.3 by 77.8 by 7.3mm)
• Weight: 6.3 ounces (178 grams)

Big and aluminium with rounded edges and a fingerprint reader on the back, the Nexus 6P embraces quite a few trends of the day. The 5.7-inch display is a skosh more sizeable than the 5.5-inch iPhone 6S and right on par with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ . Its high-resolution AMOLED display, sometimes referred to as 2K, fits in with the times as well, lending the 6P a sharp and clear screen, with high contrast. (Sony is already pushing boundaries with its world’s-first 4K display , which is probably overkill in most scenarios.)

View full gallery The Nexus 6P is a solid slab of aluminum, a Nexus first.
Josh Miller/CNET

Shape-wise, the Nexus 6P is smaller and narrower than Motorola’s 6-inch Nexus 6. Still, it’s a two-hander. Not the easiest jumbo phone (or, phablet, if you prefer) for my smaller hands to hold. Its slim, straight sides challenged hands larger than mine when I passed the phone around. Some combination of the straight edges and smooth back made the 6P seem unwieldy, slippery, even a little top-heavy. The similarly sized Samsung Galaxy Note 5, S6 Edge+ and iPhone 6S Plus seem proportioned and contoured to fit my mitts better.

Its unibody build means you won’t be able to access the battery, and there’s no microSD card slot for extra storage either. This is a typical trade-off in full-metal phones. During some of my testing, the Nexus 6P’s backing felt warm to the touch, but not dangerously or uncomfortably so.

Since I grip the bottom half of the device to use it, the placement of the Google Imprint fingerprint reader was often a stretch; I sometimes had to shift my grip in order to unlock the phone. If you have larger hands, you probably won’t have the same concerns.

View full gallery Double-click the power button to launch the camera.
Josh Miller/CNET

I like that double-pressing the lock key launches the camera, but I’m not a fan of the haptic jiggle that confirms you’ve opened it, and I haven’t found a way to turn it off.

You can pick up the Nexus 6P in three colors: aluminum (silver), graphite (black) and frost (white), our favorite of the trio. Japan gets it in gold, too. My all-black model looks nice in a generic way, with subtle chamfered edges around the rims, though the design isn’t inspired.

Loud stereo speakers

Audio quality from the dual front speakers was pretty great for a phone. I played a lot of music videos from YouTube. The highest volume setting filled a room, and songs sounded clear. Compared to a set of good headphones or a decent Bluetooth speaker, though, the 6P’s audio still sounded jangly and two-dimensional, where my over-ear In Case headphones sounded rich. But the 6P is still notably better than you’ll get from the default speaker in most rival smartphones.

Type-C marginally better

I like the reversible USB Type-C charging port in theory, and once more phone-makers start using it, charging cables will be easier to come by. If you forget the Type-C to Type-C fast-charger and Type-C to USB cables that arrive in the box, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one lying around — it’s not compatible with your other devices’ cables. Wireless charging would be a convenient backup here, but unlike the 2013 and 2014 Nexus models, that feature is absent.

View full gallery Better keep an extra Type-C cable.
Josh Miller/CNET

If you get the 6P, prepare to also buy a few extra chargers and a micro-USB to Type-C adaptor that fits over the tip. (For Type-C fans, keep in mind that the Nexus 6P uses the Type-C charging shape, but not all the features that also support faster file transfers and charging for other devices. Read more about that here.)

Android 6.0 Marshmallow: Now on Tap is not great

• “Pure” Android software
• Google Now on Tap
• Android Pay support
• Doze function saves battery

A Nexus phone is the first to debut Google’s latest Android software. Always. In our case, that’s the Android 6.0 build , codenamed an ooey-gooey Marshmallow. It promises, as always, to be faster and smoother than the previous generation and filled with more tricks and treats.

The most enticing of these is Google Now on Tap, which is an obscure name for an extra layer of software that lets you more deeply interact with whatever’s on the screen. The classic example is asking Google simply, “Who sings this?” when listening to any given song, without having to specify the track’s title.

View full gallery Google Now on Tap is essentially a shortcuts bar within Android 6.0.
Josh Miller/CNET

Let’s say you’re on a restaurant menu and you press and hold the home button. Mini “cards” pop up on the bottom half of the screen with buttons you can press (shortcuts) to search on Google, open a menu, make a reservation, call the business, navigate there and see Google Street View. You can also use voice search to ask for additional information (“show me her tour dates” for example) without having to reframe the question.

CNET will do much more Now on Tap testing, but in my initial tests, I threw a barrage of questions and commands at it, and opened the Now on Tap cards from a variety of Web pages. Some scenarios seem to work better than others. For example, contextual voice searches usually worked, but interrupted the songs I asked about, which made for a pretty disruptive listening experience, since getting search results on-screen essentially stops the music, at least with YouTube.

Other times, Now on Tap presented useful information, like a restaurant menu link and icon shortcuts to other apps, other times, I didn’t get what I wanted. Also keep in mind that clicking a link from Now on Tap whisks you away to a new page. Either way, Now on Tap cards took about two seconds to load, which felt slow.