T-Mobile states new Nexus phones won’t support band 12 LTE, at least at first
We are wrapping up Google announcement day and simply couldn’t close the cycle without some distress. This time the bearer of bad news is T-Mobile, which states the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P may not be supporting 4G LTE bands as much as everyone believes.
While the specs seem to show all relevant bands are supported, there’s a little hidden caveat with T-Mobile. Unlocked device manufacturers now have to block access to band 12 LTE or get certified for VoLTE. This is something Google, LG and Huawei apparently haven’t done with the new Nexus phones. Well… at least that is what T-Mobile’s Twitter account is saying.
@bickman2k Great questions Adam! They are not going to support Band 12, but we will continue to work with Google to enable this… 1/3
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) September 29, 2015
@bickman2k …feature in the future. That’s a big “yes!” to WiFi calling. While not enabled by default, once you get that sucker… 2/3
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) September 29, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@bickman2k …on our network, you’ll be able to enable it. Thanks again for reaching out! *MaxD 3/3
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) September 29, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
As it turns out, the involved companies can still work on getting certification. Some smaller phone makers usually skip this, but it’s imperative that Google takes care of this. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will be very important devices in the USA.
But why does T-Mobile have to do this? As it turns out there are very valid reasons to block non-certified Band 12 users. There seem to be areas where T-Mobile only has support for band 12 LTE. This would mean that even basic calls will need to use VoLTE, which is fine for many users, but remember things can get touchy if those phones can’t make emergency calls, which would be the case here.
But why not just switch to roaming in these band 12-only spots? There are complications for doing that. So much that T-Mobile would rather block Band 12 from these devices, sending them straight to roaming where other LTE frequencies are absent. It sure is bad news, but Google and company should have already taken care of this. We can assume they will at some point, it would be too big of a fail not to.
Who is thinking about using a Nexus phone on T-Mobile. Would this make a difference to you?
Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P pre-orders in the UK on EE starts October 9
An earlier leak revealed that the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P would only be available to pre-order through Google’s online store. For the most part, that seems to have been the case. However, UK-based carrier EE says it will offer the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P for pre-order starting October 9.
Those interested in the Huawei-made Nexus 6P will be able to pre-order it for £36.99 or £39.99 per month on a 1GB or 2GB data plan, respectively. The LG-made Nexus 5X, on the other hand, will, as expected, cost less. However, there is a upfront fee of £19.99 on a £31.99 or £34.99 plan, which comes with 500MB and 1GB of data, respectively.
Both of these devices will be available to pre-order on October 9 in-store and online. Unfortunately, there’s no solid date when either device will see an official launch, and if there isn’t enough supply to fulfill the demand, consumers could be waiting some time. Let’s just hope this isn’t another Nexus 4 fiasco in the making.
EE TO OFFER GOOGLE NEXUS 6P AND 5X ON THE UK’S BIGGEST AND FASTEST NETWORK
29th September, 2015. London. EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced it will offer Google’s new flagship smartphones, the Google Nexus 6P and 5X, with Wi-Fi Calling* and world-leading 4G+ speeds on its superfast 4GEE network.
GOOGLE NEXUS 6P: Crafted from aeronautical-grade aluminium with diamond chamfers around the edges, the Nexus 6P sets a new standard for handset design. Powered by a 3,450 mAh battery, the handset has capacity to last all day. Combining a powerful octa-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 processor with a 5.7 inch WQHD AMOLED display, the Nexus 6P is perfectly suited to playing the most graphically demanding games, watching HD movies, and listening to audio in crisp quality.
The Nexus 6P will be available for consumer and business customers to pre-order on EE’s superfast 4G network via the EE online shop, EE telesales and EE retail stores on 9th October. From launch, the 6P will be offered on a range of 4GEE price plans, and will be £29.99 on a £36.99 per month, 24 month plan, which comes with 1,000 minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of mobile data or alternatively get market leading 4G+ speeds, as well as 2GB of mobile data per month on a £39.99 per month plan.
GOOGLE NEXUS 5X: The Nexus 5X is a feature-packed smartphone with a bright 5.2 inch display, and robust hexa-core Snapdragon™ 808 processor, offering a premium mobile experience in a compact and lightweight handset.
The Nexus 5X will be available for consumer and business customers to pre-order on EE’s superfast 4G network via the EE online shop, EE telesales and EE retail stores from 9th October. The 5X will be available for £19.99 on a £31.99 per month, 24 month plan, which includes 500 minutes and texts, and 500MB of mobile data, or alternatively get market leading 4G+ speeds, as well as 1GB of mobile data per month on a £34.99 per month plan.
Both the Nexus 6P and 5X handsets will be shipped with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS and boast impressive 12.3 megapixel rear cameras capable of 4k video recording. They have also been ergonomically designed to incorporate fast-reading, secure fingerprint scanners placed on the back the devices. A single touch of the fingerprint scanner will turn the phone on and unlock apps for easier access. Finally, customers purchasing the Nexus 6P or 5X on EE will also receive a free three-month trial of Google Play Music, Google’s music streaming subscription service with more than 30 million songs and specially curated playlists to suit a user’s mood.
Pippa Dunn, Chief Marketing Officer, EE, said: “The Nexus family of devices has established a very dedicated fan base, and we’re sure that the new Nexus 5X and 6P iterations will not disappoint with their great design and features. When partnered with the UK’s biggest and fastest network offering superfast market leading 4G+ speeds of up to 90Mbps, customers really will be able to make the very most of their Nexus experience.” EE’s superfast 4G service is currently available in over 600 major towns and cities across the UK, as well as approximately 6,000 smaller towns and villages, and was recently announced as the fastest and most reliable UK network by RootMetrics**. With EE, customers can also receive money back for their old handset by recycling it at an EE store or online at www.ee.co.uk/recycle. Alternatively, until 31st October, EE customers can hand their old device and take out a great value SIM Only plan starting from just £8 a month.
Pre-orders for the Google Nexus 6P and 5X on EE opens on 9th October.
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Google Nexus 5X versus LG G4
Today was a big day for the Android world, as Google introduced two all-new devices, the Huawei-made Nexus 6P and LG’s Nexus 5X. Both are impressive phones, but the Nexus 5X was arguably the most anticipated given how well the original Nexus 5 was received.
The Nexus 5 was a great smartphone, but it didn’t stack up well with big contenders like the LG G4 as far as specs go. But now that the Nexus 5X is here as the Nexus 5’s successor, let’s just see how well the Nexus 5X and LG G4 contend, shall we? Hit the break to see these two players go head to head!
Design
The newly announced Nexus 5X sizes in at 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm and weighs a light 136 grams. It’s fairly plain on the front, but has the usual button layout–power, volume rocker, and SIM card tray on both sides of the device. Around the back you’ll find a rather large Nexus logo with LG’s own logo right under that.
The LG G4’s features similar dimensions at 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8mm and weighs in at 155 grams. It’s button layout is more unique, sporting the power button and volume rocket on the backside of the device right below the camera.
Winner: Nexus 5X
Display
The LG G4 sports a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS LCD display. Additionally, it has a pixel density of 538ppi and is equipped with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3. It’s a gorgeous display and easily one of the best on the market.
The LG-made Nexus 5X has a 5.2-inch Full HD 1920 x 1280 LCD display. It also sports a pixel density of 424 pixels-per-inch. As for protection, it’s also using Gorilla Glass 3.
Winner: LG G4
Hardware
Google’s Nexus 5X has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor, backed with 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 16/32GB of internal storage, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Interestingly, under that rear camera is a fingerprint scanner and there’s also USB Type-C support.
Under the hood of the LG G4 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a dual-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A57 processor. It has 3GB of RAM, an Adreno 418 GPU, 32GB of internal storage, a 16-megapixel camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Winner: It’s a tie.
Battery
The LG G4 features a massive 3,000mAh battery, and is equipped with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 fast charging technology. In addition to that, it does have Qi wireless charging capabilities for those that want to pick up a wireless charging pad.
On the other hand, the Nexus 5X is equipped with a smaller 2,700mAh battery. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering the noticeable difference in screen specifications, meaning the display is putting out less power, thus using less battery.
Winner: LG G4
Software
Google’s Nexus 5X is running the latest version of Android–Android Marshmallow. As has been historically the case, the benefit of owning a Nexus like the 5X is the lack of bloatware, faster speeds, and timely updates.
The other extreme is the LG G4, which is running the UX 4.0 interface atop of Android 5.1.1. Much like TouchWiz, UX comes with a lot of features, such as QuickMemo+, a built-in File Manager, a bevy of camera options, and much more. Unfortunately, LG isn’t exactly known for its timely updates.
Winner: It comes down to preference.
Availability and Price
The LG G4 is immediately available for purchase and will normally run you $199 on a new two-year contract or $699 outright. However, there are installment plans available through most carriers ranging from $15 – $35/mo.
In contrast, the Nexus 5X is currently pre-order only and will not be available through any major retail outlets or carriers. Those interested can pre-order it from the official Google Store, starting at $379 for the 16GB model.
Wrap Up
And there you have it folks, the Nexus 5X is almost identical to the LG G4! Manufactured by the same company–LG–that isn’t quite surprising. Despite having lower specs than its big brother the Nexus 6P, it’s still one powerful phone at a much lower price point.
Both the LG G4 and Nexus 5X are nice devices, and when it comes down to it, you’re just choosing the experience you want–one from LG or one from Google. It’s merely a matter of preference, as in this case, one isn’t inherently better than the other on paper.
Anyone picking up a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X today? Or are you looking elsewhere? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Come comment on this article: Google Nexus 5X versus LG G4
The Nexus 6P vs. the competition: More than just big screens
Google might not have a new 6-inch handset this year, but fans of larger phones will still be pleased with the 5.7-inch Nexus 6P. It’s got a 12.3-megapixel camera, laser-assisted autofocus and, as always, a stock version of the latest Android. But with manufacturers increasingly putting lighter, less intrusive Android skins on their own devices, what does the latest large-screen Nexus do to stand apart? We’ve matched up the Nexus 6P up against some of its biggest rivals to find out.
| Nexus 6P | iPhone 6s Plus | Samsung Galaxy Note 5 | Moto X Pure Edition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $499, $549, $649 | $299, $399, $499 (on contract); $749, $849, $949 (off-contract) | varies by carrier, starts at $249 on AT&T | $399, $449, $499 |
| Known Dimensions | 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3mm (6.27 x 3.06 x 0.29 inches) | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches) | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm (6.03 x 3 x 0.01 inches) | 153.9 x 76.2 x 6.1 mm (6.06 x 3 x 0.24 inches) |
| Weight | 178g (6.28 ounces) | 192g (6.77 ounces) | 171g (6.03 ounces) | 179g (6.31 ounces) |
| Screen size | 5.7 inches (144.78mm) | 5.5 inches (139.7mm) | 5.7 inches (144.78mm) | 5.7 inches (144.78mm) |
| Screen resolution | 2,560 x 1,440 (518 ppi) | 1,920 x 1,080 (401 ppi) | 2,560 x 1,440 (518 ppi) | 2,560 x 1,440 (520 ppi) |
| Screen type | WQHD AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 4 | IPS LCD, Retina HD | Super AMOLED Quad HD | IPS TFT LCD |
| Battery | 3,450mAh | 2,750mAh | 3,000mAh | 3,000mAh |
| Internal storage | 32 / 64 / 128GB | 16 / 64 / 128GB | 32 / 64GB | 16 / 32/ 64 GB |
| External storage | None | None | None | microSD (up to 128GB) |
| Rear camera | 12.3MP, f/2.0, 1.55µm pixel size | 12MP iSight, f/2.2, 1.22µm pixel size | 16MP, f/1.9, LED flash | 21MP, f/2.0, phase-detect auto-focus, HDR |
| Front-facing cam | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.4µm pixel size | 5MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2 | 5.0MP, f/1.9 | 5MP, f/2.0, 1.4µm pixel size |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K at 30fps | 4K at 30fps | 4K at 30fps |
| NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 | v4.2 | v4.2 LE | v4.1 LE |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 | Apple A9 | Samsung Exynos 7420 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 |
| CPU | 2GHz octa-core | 1.8GHz dual-core | 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz octa-core | 1.8GHz hexa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | NA | ARM Mali-T760 MP8 | Qualcomm Adreno 418 |
| RAM | 3GB | 2GB | 4GB | 3GB |
| WiFi | Dual band, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Dual band, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Dual-band, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Dual-band, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Operating system | Android 6.0 | iOS 9 | Android 5.1 | Android 5.1 |
| Standout features | Nexus Imprint, USB Type-C | 3D Touch, 2nd-gen Touch ID, Retina flash | S-Pen, fast wireless charging, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, fingerprint sensor | Water-repellent nano-coating, TurboPower charging |
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
Meet the Nexus 6P, Google and Huawei’s shockingly svelte flagship
After last year’s unwieldy attempt, Google had to think a little more carefully about how its nerd-friendly Nexus line should work and feel. Rather than just offer one new phone today, Google showed off two — the Nexus 5X and 6P — meant for different subsets of people. The former? It provides enough horsepower for the masses in a body that normal humans won’t have trouble carrying (and I’ll have a deeper dive ready shortly). The 6P, on the other hand, is the more sophisticated cousin, and more impressive than it might look at first glance. Slideshow-323971
First off, it’s just as sleek and light as you’d expect a modern Huawei phone to be — the designs might be different, but you can definitely feel some of the P8’s unibody metal DNA here. In fact, it’s just that devotion to metal that drew Google to Huawei in the first place. As an Android team staffer casually mentioned while showing me the phone, Huawei is one of only a few companies that can make these unibody metal chassis at scale, and that sturdier direction is what Google was gunning for this year.
Sturdier, in this case, doesn’t mean “heavier.” Like the fantastic-in-plastic 5X, the Nexus 6P feels almost impossibly light, belying the power of the revised Snapdragon 810 with 3GB of RAM thrumming away inside. Can we real talk for a moment? It feels great. It might seem a little tricky putting a chipset with that much power into a slim metal frame, but nothing we could do with it here at the venue could make the thing overheat. Yet another nail in the coffin of those persistent rumors about the 810’s heat-management problems. Anyway, that much power should ensure the 6P runs nice and snappy, which is exactly what I experienced while I was fiddling around with the phone and testing out some of Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s newer features. Throw in a nicely saturated, 5.7-inch WQHD display that showed off some sweet, deep blues and the 6P’s broad strokes are very encouraging ones.
One of the last big question marks leading up to today’s show was the big, black bar that swallowed up the 12.3-megapixel rear camera lens. Turns out, it’s actually hiding quite a lot. I’m told that next to the camera and two-tone LED flash is the near-invisible laser autofocus module and a whole host of coils and antennas to help with connectivity. That’s the problem with metal bodies, right? Too much metal could mean WiFi, cellular or NFC signals get snuffed out, so Google and Huawei shoehorned a bunch of them behind that black plastic bar. Aesthetically it’s still a little weird, but it’s a neat engineering solution that should get the job done — we’ll bring the full low-down once we get a review unit. Same goes for the ballyhooed camera that Google and Huawei dropped into this thing; the shots we got in this dim event space were better than I’d expected, but they require even more scrutiny.
Despite spending about a half hour with the phone, I’m still a little surprised it’s a Huawei. Yes, the company makes good, well-built devices. I simply didn’t expect Google to give it a public pat on the back like this. Being tapped to build a Nexus phone is no sure sign that a company will find huge success, but it is a very nice gesture toward a company that has made many great phones without a glut of admiration.
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
Huawei Nexus 6P specs and details
The post Huawei Nexus 6P specs and details appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google debuts cool fingerprint scanner with new Nexus devices
Finally the wait is over for Android lovers who had been waiting for the unveiling of the new Google Nexus devices with bated breaths. As Google debuted Huawei’s Nexus 6P and the LG Nexus 5X today, it also announced a great hardware feature of these phones – Nexus Imprint.
While fingerprint sensors have been here for some time, they have not always been entirely secure or lag-free. Google’s engineering chief Dave Burke announced at today’s event that Nexus Imprint uses a new sensor that not only makes unlocking the phones more secure, it recognizes your fingerprint in less than 600 milliseconds. The new sensor also has an extremely low false reject rate that means you won’t have to swipe your fingers over and over again to unlock your phone.
The Nexus Imprint is supposed to become more accurate at recognizing your fingerprints over time, which means the likelihood of someone misusing your mobile device, making fraud payments or stealing credit card details becomes extremely low.
Speaking of payments, Google revealed that using Android Pay will be a breezy experience on the new Nexus devices thanks to Nexus Imprint. All you have to do is, tap the sensor at the back of the smartphone twice to unlock it and then tap the payment terminal in the Google Play Store. Voila, your have just purchased yourself a new app, a book or who knows a Chromecast.
Do you think that Nexus Imprint will guard your phone’s privacy and security more efficiently than other flagship phones launched this year such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, the HTC One M9+, the new Galaxy Note 5 and the OnePlus One 2?
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Google officially launches the Huawei-made Nexus 6P, pricing starts from $499
The live stream coverage of Google’s Nexus announcement is still ongoing, and here we have the official launch of the Huawei-manufactured Nexus 6P (and the Nexus 5X made by LG). As you may know, the Nexus 6P is the first Nexus device to be produced by a Chinese handset maker. Join us after the break for the specifications as well as the promo video.
Key specifications:
- 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) AMOLED display (Gorilla Glass 4 protection)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 octa-core processor
- 3GB RAM
- 12.3MP / 5MP cameras
- 32GB/64GB/128GB of internal storage
- 3450mAh battery
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm, 136g
- USB Type-C port (with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology)
- Fingerprint scanner
- Dual front-facing stereo speakers)
The Nexus 6P will be available in Frost White, Aluminum and Graphite Black. Google is pricing this phone at $499, $549, and $649 depending upon which storage size is chosen. Pre-orders will be accepted in select markets starting today through the Google Store.
What do you make of the Huawei made Nexus 6P? Will you choose the Nexus 6P or the LG-made Nexus 5X? Let us know your choice in the comments below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google officially launches the Huawei-made Nexus 6P, pricing starts from $499
Nexus 6P officially announced: everything you need to know
Note: story is developing… be sure to check back soon for more details on pricing, release, and more!
While the Motorola Nexus 6 certainly had its fans, the new phablet-sized device was a pretty massive departure from the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, not just in size, but also when it came to the price tag. With its latest Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones, Google looks to bridge the best of both worlds, offering premium specs, two different screen sizes, and relatively affordable price tags.
The Huawei Nexus 6p is the successor to Motorola’s Nexus 6 and marks the first time that the Nexus-making gauntlet has been passed to a China-based company. Although the Nexus 6 was easily the most ‘premium’ Nexus to date, the Nexus 6P takes things a step further with an all-metal design that features a somewhat unique looking bulge where the camera package can be found. The Nexus 6P is not only the first all-metal Nexus phone, it and the Nexus 5X are also the first to offer fingerprint scanners and Type-C USB ports.
As for the size compared to its predecessor? The Nexus 6P actually slims things down a bit from the Nexus 6, with a 5.7-inch QHD display and a body that is thinner and lighter, at 159.4 x 77.8 x 7.3mm and 178g, versus the Nexus 6’s dimensions of 159.3 x 83 x 10.1 mm and weight of 184g.
Nexus 6P Specs
| Display | 5.7-inch AMOLED WQHD 518ppi |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 810 v2.1 |
| GPU | Adreno 430 |
| RAM | 3GB |
| Storage | 32/64/128GB storage |
| MicroSD | No |
| Networks | GSM 850/1900 W-CDMA 2/4/5 CDMA 0/1/10 LTE Band 2/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/41 |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes, rear-mounted |
| Camera | 12.3-megapixel rear cam, 8MP front cam |
| Battery | 3450mAh non-removable battery |
| Wireless charging | No |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 77.8 x 7.3mm and 178g |
| Colors | Aluminum, Frost, Graphite |
As you can see, the Nexus 6P offers all the latest specs you’d want to see from a high-end flagship. Not only do you get QHD display quality and front-firing speakers, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 810 processing package is also onboard, alongside 3GB RAM. While the Snapdragon 810 has received a lot of bad press over its life, revisions to the chip, as well as measures like throttling and heat-conscientious design choices mean that heat probably won’t be the issue that 810 critics will claim it to be. Of course, we really can’t say for sure until we have time to conduct a full review.
The Nexus 6 also offers a small jump in battery life over the Nexus 6, going from 3200 mAh to 3450 mAh. Huawei has a reputation for big batteries and equally great battery life with its Mate series, and while you might not get the 2+ day life you’d get out of something like a Mate 7 or Mate S, we imagine the battery life should, at the very least, easily make it through a full day’s use — or longer. This should be especially true with Android 6.0’s power-saving integrations that greatly improve standby time and more. And of course, you can also expect quick charging tech to be fully baked in as well.
When it comes to storage, the Nexus line tends to forgo things like microSD, and this remains true for the Huawei Nexus 6P, though thankfully there are options ranging from in-built 32GB, all the way up to 128GB.
The camera package is an area that Nexus phones tend to be weak on, and although the original Nexus 6 saw big improvements here over the Nexus 5, the camera was still arguably one of the phone’s biggest weaknesses. It is way too early to say if the Nexus 6p improves on the camera experience in a meaningful way. On paper at least, things don’t seem a lot different, with the Nexus 6p still rocking a 13MP rear cam, with the front cam going from 2MP to 8MP.
Of course, megapixel count only tells a small part of the story. For what it is worth, Google claims that the camera package will offer great low-light performance, and the front 8MP camera should provide a great selfie experience. Google actually spent a good deal of its conference talking about the camera experience, and while we don’t know for sure how it will compare to other high-end cameras like found on the Note 5, GS6, G4, and Moto X Pure, it certainly sounds like Google has put a lot of focus into the camera this time around.
We look forward to spending more time with the phone’s camera in our future full review.
Software
The Nexus 6P runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which many of us have already played around with through the Android M Developer Previews. Aesthetically speaking, Marshmallow doesn’t offer much different than Lollipop, aside from some minor changes to the app drawer and launcher.
Where Marshmallow really shines is through improved battery management, bug fixes, Google’s Now on Tap improved search technology, and the introduction of numerous new APIs offering support for fingerprint scanners and more. Android 6.0 Marshmallow also adds greatly improved permissions, allowing you much more granular control over what parts of your phone experience your apps have access to.During the press event, Google also talked a lot about the fingerprint scanner, which it referred to as Nexus Imprint, making it easy to unlock your phone and offering compatibility with Android Pay.
Bottom-line, all the things that stock Android fans love will be found here, alongside a bevy of enhancements and bug fixes.
Pricing and availability
Unlike in past years, Google doesn’t plan to offer its phones directly via carriers in the US, in a model similar to what we are seeing from Motorola with the Moto X Pure Edition. In fact, while select international retailers will still offer the Nexus family, in the US the Nexus phones will be available only through the Google Store.
As for how much the phones will set you back? The Nexus 5X will start at $379 for the base 16GB model, with the 32GB variant priced at $429.99. The Nexus 6P is obviously a bit more expensive, thanks to its beefier specs and more premium design, with a starting price of just $500 for the 32GB variant. The 64GB model is $549, and the 128GB model with price at $649. Those who buy either model will also get 90 days of free Google Play Music, and those who pre-order will get a $50 Google Play card as an added perk.
In addition to announcing the new phones, Google also took the wraps off its new Nexus Protect program. You can learn more about it here.
More coverage
Be sure to check out more of our coverage from today’s Nexus event (we’ll update this list as we add more):
What do you think of the latest member of the Nexus family? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Motorola Moto X Pure Edition
We’re smack-dab in the middle of a heated smartphone release cycle which means consumers have some really great new devices to choose from. If you are in the market for a new device, the next few weeks will provide you with a number of excellent models to consider. Two such handsets are the Huawei Nexus 6P and the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition.
The Nexus 6P is the newer of the pair, however there’s only a couple of weeks separating them. In other words, we might as well consider them both brand new. Let’s take a look at what makes up these two and see how they stack up against each other. To do so we’ll start with a head-to-head chart from our friends over at Graphiq.
https://s.graphiq.com/rx/widgets.js
Software
As you likely know, hardware isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to picking out a smartphone. Software plays an important role in helping decide which model might be best for you. To that end, the Nexus 6P comes out ahead because it runs the absolute latest in Android.
Dubbed 6.0 Marshmallow, the newest release brings about a number of new features and native support for others. Google Now On Tap, for example, provides contextual answers and information to users without any effort. Other goodies found in Android 6.0 include support for USB Type C charging and fingerprint verification.
Perhaps one of the best features is the new way in which Android will hibernate apps and services to prolong battery life. As we all know, whether it’s fast charging or wireless, batteries could always use some help.
App permissions get smarter and more intuitive with Android 6.0, too. Customers will find that they have more control over which permissions are granted on an app; developers win with a better user experience that doesn’t ask for all of these requirements ahead of launching the app.
Either phone is going to give you a stock, or near stock software experience that is clear of any bloated carrier-backed apps. The Nexus will likely win in the long run with what expect to be more timely software updates, however Motorola has proven to be quite supportive of its older models, too. Really, it’s hard to go wrong with either one.
Customization
Although the Nexus 6P comes in four color options for 2015 (Frost, Aluminum, Graphite, Gold), the advantage still belongs to Motorola. Thanks to its Moto Maker tool, the Moto X Pure Edition can be designed with more than 1,000 color, accents, and and even back cover finishes. If you are looking for a phone that is uniquely you, you won’t beat Motorola.
Storage capacity
The Moto X Pure Edition is offered in three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. As for the Nexus 6P, it comes with 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities. Depending on your needs, and how much you rely on cloud backups and storage, this could be a moot point. But, if you’re looking for the most available, the Moto X Pure Edition still edges Huawei if only because of the microSD expansion card slot (up to 128GB). Were that not the case, the Nexus 6P comes away the clear winner.
Camera
If you are the kind of person who looks strictly at specifications, the Motorola camera bests the one found in Huawei’s phone. But, until you see actual photos and consider your own needs, the jury is still out. We’re very curious to see how the 1.55 micron sensor looks, especially for low light conditions. As for not having optical image stabilization, that’s a bold move on Google’s part.
Around front, the tides turn as Huawei packs an 8-megapixel sensor while Motorola’s includes a 5-megapixel shooter. Again, unless you use the front-facing camera much or have more serious needs, this may not matter much.
Battery
Huawei runs away with this one, at least on paper. The 3450mAh battery is considerably higher than the Motorola’s 3000mAh unit. Both offer fast charging and neither of them are designed for wireless charging.
Availability
You can pick up the Moto X Pure Edition from Motorola.com and pair it with any major service provider. This is essentially the same thing you’ll find in the Nexus line as Google sells it through its own store.
Price
Perhaps one of the most important aspects in purchasing a smartphone, the overall cost often determines if a phone is “too rich for our blood”. Moreover, it’s price that helps us determine whether a certain feature is worth spending the cash or if we’re actually content with a little less.
The Moto X Pure Edition starts at $400 for the 16GB model with 32GB coming in at $450 and the 64GB option at $500. If you opt for a premium finish case (leather or wood), then look to add another $25 to the cost. The Nexus 6P starts at $500 for the 32GB version while the 64GB and 128GB flavors commanding $550 and $600, respectively.
Other important aspects
Indeed, each phone has a few details that help to separate them from the rest of the pack. The Huawei Nexus 6P, for instance, is constructed of an all metal unibody, the first in the Nexus line. Motorola, on the other hand, has made its Moto X Pure Edition splash resistant and ever so slightly “waterproof”.
The Nexus 6P comes with a fingerprint reader on the rear, which is used for security and authentication. Depending on what you plan to do with your smartphone, this could be a make-or-break factor.
Something else worth noting, the Nexus 6P comes with a USB Type C charger. Why is that important? Well, we venture to guess you’ll need to get some new cords and chargers for the house and car if you plan to juice up throughout the day. This means some added cost to the bottom line. The Moto X Pure Edition still uses the micro USB port for charging and works with every single one of those cables we’ve collected over the years.
Summary
Which phone is right for you? We can’t answer that for you. You’ll have to weigh what’s important to you decide if it’s worth the extra money to go with the Nexus 6P. And, really, it’s not as if you have to settle for a Moto X Pure Edition. We simply love that phone and will gladly recommend it to anyone and everyone. We have become increasingly fond of Huawei over the years and really look forward to seeing more from the hardware maker.
The Nexus line is one of our favorites in all of smartphones and we’re super pleased to Huawei partnering with Google for 2015. It might be the first time you’re really hearing of Huawei’s name, but you’re not going to end up with some generic experience. These guys are very good at what they do.
Note: Portions of this post’s content is also used in other head-to-head comparisons.
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