HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Samsung Galaxy Note 5
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 Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
The Nexus 6P is the newer of the pair, as the Samsung phone has been on the market for nearly two months. We consider them both brand new for the fall of 2015 and think they match up nicely against each other. Let’s take a look at these two and see how they stack up against each other, starting with a head-to-head chart.
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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 is easily the winner here because it runs the absolute latest in Android. Moreover, it’s a stock build of Android which means it doesn’t have carrier-branded apps or services pre-installed.
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.
If history is an indicator, the Nexus will win in the long run, too. Google will be quick to deploy software updates in a timely manner with Samsung’s phones often some months behind the curve. Does this matter to everyone? No, but purists and those wanting the best for their money will care deeply about this. Also, it doesn’t help that Samsung devices can sometimes feel slower and more wonky after major software updates.
Customization
The Nexus 6P comes in four color options for 2015 (Frost, Aluminum, Graphite, Gold) while the Galaxy Note 5 gets White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium colors. Depending on where you buy the phone you may have less colors to choose from, particularly if you’re purchasing the latter through a carrier.
Storage capacity
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 comes with two storage options: 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 storage available, Huawei takes the crown here.
Camera
If you are the kind of person who looks strictly at specifications, then you have to concede this feature to Samsung and its 16-megapixel rear camera. Not simply for megapixels but also for the fact that it has optical image stabilization, too. Then again, until you see real photos and factor in your own needs, this could be a toss-up for average users. Around front, the Huawei packs an 8-megapixel camera to Samsung’s 5-megapixel lens. Again, unless you use the front-facing camera much or have more serious needs, this may not matter much.
Battery
Huawei would win here if it were strictly up to capacity; the 3450mAh battery is considerably higher than Samsung’s 3000mAh unit. But, Samsung’s comes with wireless charging out of the box. And, as if that weren’t enough, it’s designed for quick wireless charging. Then again, if your battery lasts all day long then it might not matter how quickly it charges if you’re only doing it at bedtime.
Availability
You can pick up the Nexus 6P directly from Google and pair the unlocked phone with any major service provider. Samsung’s phone is also available direct to consumer, but US customers will fork over more money if they want an unlocked version.
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 Nexus 6P starts at $500 for the 32GB version; the 64GB and 128GB flavors are $550 and $600, respectively. For the sake of comparison, the Galaxy Note 5 will set you back about $700 for T-Mobile 32GB version. Bump that up to 64GB and you’re looking at $780 and the phone’s still tied to the carrier. In other words, the Nexus 6P sticker is considerably cheaper and there’s carrier flexibility, too.
Other important aspects
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. Samsung’s fingerprint sensor is on the home button on the front.
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 Samsung Galaxy Note 5 still uses the micro USB port for charging and works with every single one of those cables we’ve collected over the years.
Samsung has included its own added security features, KNOX, to its phones, but Google has started integrating that into Android at a platform level. While this was a bigger Samsung selling point in the past, it’s one of those things that simply comes with Android today.
One of the biggest differences in the two phones is that Samsung’s comes with a stylus. For those of us who like to jot down notes, mark up images and documents, or simply draw pictures, the Samsung wins big. The technology behind this is smarter this year and gets better over time.
Another key area to consider is the recently launched Samsung Pay service. If you get used to using it for your quick and painless credit/debit card purchases then you’ll want to stay within the Samsung ecosystem. But, given we are in the very early days of its competitor, Android Pay, there’s no reason to try either one out.
Summary
We love that the Nexus line is stock Android and is supported with updates for at least a few years. Samsung has gotten better at rolling out major updates but it’s sometimes a pain in the butt when they do arrive. We’ve had plenty of reports of people complaining of slowness after getting a new version of Android.
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.
Samsung is still one of the first names in smartphones and you can’t really go wrong with a flagship device. We appreciate that it has been producing better looking (and feeling) models over the last few generations and think they’re sexy as hell.
Which phone is right for you? You’ll have to weigh what’s important to you and decide if it’s worth the extra money to go with the Samsung over the Huawei. If you’re paying for your handset outright, we have to give the nod to the Nexus 6P. But, financing makes it easier to stomach, especially with upgrade options offered by carriers.
Note: Portions of this post’s content is also used in other head-to-head comparisons.
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Leaks no more! Google officially unveils the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P
After leaks and rumors and rumors and leaks, Google has finally, OFFICIALLY, introduced the new line of Nexus devices. In a new move for the tech giant, we are now seeing two new Nexus phones announced at the same time. Previously, Google only announced one Nexus phone per year, but with the LG Nexus 5X and the Huawei Nexus 6P, they have changed things up a bit.
LG Nexus 5X
The LG Nexus 5X has been rumored since the beginning of the year, and as the leaks kept rolling, the anticipation continued to grow. Much of the anticipation was due to the love that Nexus users had for the original LG Nexus 5 which was released in 2013.
The Nexus 5X will be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, making it one of the first two devices that will see the latest version of Android. With a 5.2-inch, 1080p display, the Nexus 5X is keeping a smaller form-factor for those who don’t want a gargantuan like the Nexus 6P or its predecessor, the Nexus 6.
As for the camera, Google and LG have added new camera sensors into the Nexus 5X. To take some awesome selfies, there is a 5MP front-facing camera with an aperture of f/2.2, allowing for more light to shine through and light up those faces. The rear-facing camera has been updated to a 12MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture, laser-assisted auto-focus, and the ability to shoot videos in 4K.
Under the hood we will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 2.0GHz Hexa-Core processor with 2GB of RAM. You will also find an Adreno 418 GPU powering the graphics for the Nexus 5X. In terms of storage, the Nexus 5X will have two options, a 16GB variant, and a 32GB variant, with no-inclusion of a Micro-SD card slot.
Now for some of the fun additions to the Nexus 5X, compared to the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6. The Nexus 5X will feature fingerprint scanner, which lines up perfectly with the release of Android Pay and the current push to have mobile payments become the norm. The Nexus 5X will also feature USB Type-C with Quick-Charging capabilities, which hopefully, will make up for the lack of wireless charging that has been found in every Nexus since the Nexus 4.
The Nexus 5X will come in three color variants; Charcoal Black, Quartz White, and Ice Blue. Preorders for the 5X start today, and will start at $379.99 with the device shipping in October. Additionally, if you preorder the Neuxs 5X, your device will come iwth a $50 Google Play credit.
Google Store: LG Nexus 5X
Huawei Nexus 6P
Huawei has been making quite the impression over the last year or so with devices like the Huawei Watch, and the Mate S which features Force Touch technology. It’s not known why Google chose Huawei to make the Nexus 6P, but we can only speculate that it’s due to how beautifully designed the other products from Huawei are.
It wasn’t long after rumors of the Nexus 5X started to crop up before we started seeing information leaked about the Nexus 6P. Now that the device has been officially unveiled, we have all the pertinent information that you will need before making the decision to pull the trigger.
Sporting a 5.7-inch 2K QHD AMOLED display, with Corning Gorilla Glass and a 518ppi, the Nexus 6P’s display promises to be absolutely stunning. Hidden beneath the display is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor powered by 3GB of RAM, and an Adreno 430 GPU.
For the camera, the same 12.3MP rear-facing camera that is found in the LG Nexus 5X, will be found in the Huawei Nexus 6P. The front-facing camera is actually a bit better than that found in the 5X, clocking in at 8MP. This will make the Nexus 6P a selfie-machine, if that’s the sort of thing that floats your boat.
The Nexus 6P is also coming in with a 3450mAh battery which, coupled with Doze power management, should allow this device to last all day, if not longer. Battery life on Android has been a hot-topic of debate when you consider the issues that are still being had with Android Lollipop, so it’s nice to see Google listening, and implementing a larger battery in their top-of-the-line Nexus device.
The Huawei Nexus 6P will be available in three different storage capacities; 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, making the Nexus 6P the first Nexus device with 128GB of storage available. For those who were hoping the rumors were true, you will be disappointed as neither Nexus features support for a Micro-SD card, even though Google has integrated MicroSD card compatibility throughout Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Also like the LG Nexus 5X, the Huawei Nexus 6P will feature USB Type-C, with Quick Charge capabilities. Just a reminder, those awesome wireless charging stands that you currently have, will now be useless with these new Nexus devices as Google has ditched Wireless Charging support. We can assume that this was because Quick Charging seems to be moving in the right direction, quickly, and definitely has more benefits than having your device slowly charge wirelessly.
Finally, the Nexus 6P will include a fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone, similar to the one that can be found on the Nexus 5X. We won’t know exactly how well these will perform compared to the Galaxy Note5, OnePlus 2, or iPhone, but it’s definitely a welcome sight to see in today’s day and age.
You will be able to get your hands on the Nexus 6P in October, and the device will come in three different color variants; Aluminum, Frost, and Graphite. With pricing starting at $499, you’ll be able to pick the capacity and color you want, and get the greatest Nexus device to date.
Google Store: Huawei Nexus 6P
Software
Both of these devices will the first to be shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Unveiled at Google I/O 2015, there are a slew of new features that will be coming with these devices, including built-in support for fingerprint scanners. This means that it will only be a matter of time before we see applications (i.e PayPal) updated with support for fingerprint authentication instead of entering a password or pin.
Additionally, Google is hoping that their Doze features will increase battery life by at least 30% for those older Nexus devices, and announced which devices will be seeing an update to Android Marshmallow.
Official support for the Nexus 5 is a bit surprising, but maybe Android 6.0 will be optimized enough to run well on the 2-year old device. Google announced that the update will begin rolling out to these devices in the coming weeks, so if you haven’t been running the Developer Preview, you’ll be able to get your fingertips on Android Marshmallow in no time.
In addition to improved battery management and support for the fingerprint scanners within the OS itself, Google is rolling out Now on Tap, which will come in extremely handy once everyone can get a hold of it.
Although these two devices stole the show, there was a whole lot more information shared with the world at today’s event. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for information regarding the other announcements from today’s event. In the mean time, let us know what you device you think you’ll be picking up that was announced today.
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Google’s next Nexus flagship is the 5.7-inch, Huawei-built 6P
We knew with near-certainty that (one of) the next Nexus flagship phone would be a Huawei-built device called the 6P, and now Google has just made that official at its event in San Francisco this morning. Naturally, the new phone is running the latest version of Android, 6.0 Marshmallow. Surprisingly, the device is a little bit smaller than the Nexus 6 it’s replacing — the Nexus 6P has a 5.7-inch screen running at 1440p resolution. That works out to 518 pixels per inch, an absurdly high ratio that’s becoming commonplace on plenty of flagship devices. Also of note is the device’s high-end construction: Google says that the phone is made of “aeronautical-grade aluminum.”
There’s also a new fingerprint sensor called Nexus Imprint, and Google says it opens up fingerprint recognition to the “entire app ecosystem.” Once trained, the sensor can recognize fingerprints in less than 600 milliseconds, and it learns more about your fingerprint over time to get more accurate. Naturally, this system also works with Android Pay.
Dig deeper and the spec sheet continues to impress. The Nexus 6P features a 12.3-megapixel back camera with an impressive f/2.0 aperture and what should be a pretty solid autofocus system — Google says it uses IR lasers to assist with autofocus, a feature found on devices like LG’s G4. It’s far too soon to say for sure, but we might be looking at the first Nexus phone to have a really great camera on board. The front-facing camera has similarly impressive specs, with an 8-megapixel resolution and an f/2.4 aperture.
The camera also as significantly larger pixels than the original Nexus 6, which allows for significantly better low-light photography either indoors or outside once it gets dark. There’s a new burst mode on board that captures photos at 30 frames per second. The camera can also shoot slow-motion video at 240 frames per second, and it can also shoot 4K video. And if you want to get right into the camera, you can just double click the unlock button. The samples Google showed off certainly are impressive, but we’re going to have to put it through its paces in the real world before making any judgements.
The Nexus 6P is running off of the Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor with 3GB of RAM, another impressive spec that’s seemingly becoming commonplace on a host of Android phones. Google’s offering healthy amounts of storage here too, with the phone available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB configurations. And the phone is Google’s first Nexus device to feature USB Type-C connectivity — not a huge surprise after the new Chromebook Pixel put it front and center, but we’re still excited to see it becoming more commonplace.
As for pricing and availability, Google says the Nexus 6P will be available in Google’s online store as of today for pre-order in the US, UK, Ireland, and Japan. More countries will be coming over the next few weeks. Outside the US, both phones will be sold through local retailers and carriers. The 6P will start at $499 for a 32GB model and will start shipping in October. Naturally, they’re unlocked, available without contract, and should work on all US carriers as well as internationally; there’s also Project Fi support on board. Google’s also throwing in a 90-day free subscription to Google Play Music as well as a $50 Google Play credit with every purchase.
Google’s also trying to alleviate stress over breaking your phone, so there’s a new Nexus Protect program that provides two years of coverage for both mechanical problems and accidental damage. You’ll be able to get a replacement phone as quickly as the next business day, and you’ll be able to file a claim 24 hours a day. Naturally, it’s not free — it’ll cost you $89. Still, this sounds like a huge step forward for Google’s Nexus support.
A microSD card slot, OIS, and wireless charging will be absent from the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P
So it turns out that three features that consumers often expect in a flagship phone will not be included with the upcoming Nexus phones. Android Police, the publication that has been the source of just about every Nexus-related piece of information surfacing in recent weeks and months, has clarified that both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will lack a microSD card slot, optical image stabilization (OIS), and wireless charging. It was originally reported that Google would implement these features in its latest round of Nexus hardware; however, that has ended up not being the case.
When it comes to storage, buyers of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will have to work with internal storage and Google Drive to keep items stored on their phone. This may not be a problem for those who buy the Nexus 6P as that phone will come with up to 128GB of internal storage, but the starting 16GB within the Nexus 5X could be an issue for many (and it only goes up to 32GB). Google clearly wants to transition people to be more reliant on the cloud.
Honestly, this isn’t that big of a deal. Many companies (even Samsung) are letting go of microSD card slots.
In 2012, the Nexus 4 debuted as one of the first devices on the market to feature wireless charging. The Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 also followed up with the same technology, too. But now, three years after the release of the Nexus 4, neither of the two newest members of the Nexus family are going to have wireless charging. It could be that Google wants to really push the USB Type-C port (as it has with another device) or the Doze feature from Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Unlike ditching expandable storage, Google not including wireless charging is quite surprising. Even if the bodies of both devices are indeed metal, Qualcomm has a new technology that nixes a potential conflict for wireless charging.
Finally, the optical image stabilization (OIS) that the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 had in their respective rear cameras is also gone. This means that Google is leaving out a technology that disregards a bit of shakiness when the user is taking pictures. Cost is perhaps to blame for the decision to not have OIS in the phones. But Android Police has confirmed that the 1.55µm pixels in the image sensor makes it impossible to have OIS. Because of that, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P could each have more dense sensor.
Google is holding an event tomorrow, September 29, in San Francisco where a myriad of new hardware and software will be revealed to the public. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are expected to be made available exclusively through Google right after the event’s end.
Source: Android Police (1) (2) (3)
Come comment on this article: A microSD card slot, OIS, and wireless charging will be absent from the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P
Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P to be sold online only, rumor says
We’re only a day way from getting the official unveiling of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, and so far we’ve seen just about everything there is to know about the two devices. However, new information is saying that they’ll be sold online only, and won’t be available in carrier stores like prior models have.
Android Police reports that this change is because Google is seriously trying to push its Google Store as the place to buy Nexus products in addition to all of the other goodies the store offers.
There’s no telling if this will affect the availability of other online retailers, such as Amazon. If so, the devices will no doubt end up on there anyway by way of third-party sellers.
This would be a great move from Google, allowing consumers to get away from the carriers and selling the devices unlocked. However, it’s also a downer for those that like to see the physical device before purchasing. That said, if Google were to sell its Nexus devices exclusively through the Google Store, it’d be nice to see some brick-and-mortar outlets pop up around the world.
We’re only a day out from Google’s event in San Francisco, so we’ll no doubt hear all the official details then.
Keep in mind that we’ve only seen details on the two Nexus devices. Google’s rumored to unveil some other things at the event, so there’s still some awesome things to look forward to tomorrow.
Anyone getting excited?
source: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P to be sold online only, rumor says
New Nexus phones surface at FCC with clues to features, carrier support
Over the weekend Google’s new Nexus devices surfaced in the FCC database just ahead of their anticipated launch announcement tomorrow. Both the LG manufactured Nexus 5X and the Huawei manufactured Nexus 6P have passed through their FCC certification. One big piece of information that can be gleaned from the information is that the devices have support for all wireless bands, both CDMA and GSM, meaning they should work on any of the major U.S. carriers including Verizon.
Along with the versions of the devices that appear to be headed for the U.S. market, the FCC also approved international versions of each device. For the Nexus 5X, it appears the battery will not be removable. On the international model, it looks like LG may have at least tested wireless charging as well, so it may be possible the Nexus 5X will support that feature.
The Nexus 6P may have a little surprise as well as there are some references to micro SD card slots in the FCC materials. It is not not clear whether the actual device available to consumers will have a micro SD slot so users can upgrade their own memory, but Huawei and Google appear to have at least considered this option.
Come comment on this article: New Nexus phones surface at FCC with clues to features, carrier support
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Huawei Mate S – quick look
Samsung has bedazzled us with a number of flagship devices this year, from the now humble looking Galaxy S6 through the S6 Edge and S6+ Edge and on to the Note 5. But Samsung isn’t the only smartphone manufacturer who is trying to take a slice of the flagship pie. Among many others there is Huawei. I recently reviewed the Huawei Mate S and now it is time to put it side by side with the Galaxy Note 5.
Design
Samsung has certainly switched things about a bit with its designs since the Galaxy S5 and Note 4. Everything changed with the Galaxy S6 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has followed suit by adapting the new design language. However Huawei hasn’t remained stuck in the past either and although Huawei has a had other metal phones, the Mate S also sports a new design.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has a body made of metal and glass, with a unibody design that is unlike many others. Similarly the Mate S has an all metal frame and a non-removable battery.
The Mate S has the power key and the volume rocker on the right, whereas the Note 5 has the volume keys on the left and the power of the right. The Note 5 has the Samsung home bottom on the lower bezel, flanked by capacitive keys. The Mate S has no button and no capacitive keys, all the keys are on screen. Lastly we mustn’t forget that the Note 5 also includes a stylus in the S Pen, a feature missing from the Mate S.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 touts a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, which is larger than Huawei’s 5.5-inch AMOLED panel. Aside from size, we are looking at Full HD resolution on the Mate S and QHD (2560x1440p) on the Note 5, however both are using similar screen technologies. Super AMOLED and AMOLED panels are known for emitting very vibrant/saturated colors, as well as deep blacks, something that can be clearly seen on both devices.
One aspect of the Mate S that some people won’t like is that the designers have elected to use a very thin bezel, so much so that there is a black border around the display where the active pixels stop and the display material continues towards the edge. Personally I don’t find this a problem, however some users find it quite distracting.
Hardware & performance
The Note 5 clearly has the upper hand when it comes to raw processing power with its Exynos 7420 octa-core processor. Although the Kirin 935 is also an octa-core processor, Huawei have opted for two clusters of quad Cortex-A53 cores. Whereas the Exynos 7420 uses four Cortex-A53 cores and four Cortex-A57 cores. Also, the GPU is the in Exynos 7420 is the Mali T760, but the Kirin 935 is sporting the lower performing Mail T628. The other big difference is that the Mate S has 3GB of RAM, while the Note 5 packs a jaw dropping 4GB.
But let’s move on to other components. Internal storage options for the Mate S are 32GB and 64GB plus a 128GB variant with a pressure sensitive screen. However this latter option won’t be available globally. The Galaxy Note 5 has a similar lineup, however there is no 128GB variant. Both suffer from excess use of the internal storage by the system, as both devices only offer around 24GB of free space to the user from the 32GB of total flash memory.
Some of you might prefer the Huawei Mate S when considering storage, as it supports microSD cards, something Samsung has done away with. However neither offer removable batteries. The battery in the Note 5 is a 3000 mAh unit, while the Mate S packs a 2700 mAh unit.
Both devices have a built in fingerprint reader, but how they are implemented is quite different. The Note 5 includes the fingerprint reader in the home button on the front of the device, on the lower bezel. Huawei have taken a different approach and placed the finger print reader on the back.
While both fingerprint readers are highly accurate, I personally find the fingerprint reader on the Mate S easier to use. The reason why is quite simple: the Mate S allows you to wake and unlock your phone in one step, whereas the Note 5 requires two steps. The thing about all lock screen technologies is that the harder they are to use the more likely they are to be ignored. On your Android phone you can set a PIN or a pattern to unlock the phone and I know lots of people that use them. But when the authentication step becomes too cumbersome then users tend to do away with them. I tried using a PIN or pattern on my phone but having to type in the PIN or make that pattern like 50 times in a day drives me crazy, so know I don’t use one.
Fingerprint readers offer an authentication step that should make unlocking smartphones quick. When it comes to unlock, both the Note 5 and the Mate S do an equally good job. Some people won’t like the fact that the fingerprint reader is on the back of the Mate S as it means that you can’t unlock your device without picking it up. That is a fair criticism, however it I have been digging deep into my memory and I can’t actually recall I time I tried using my phone without hold it in my hand. However if it is essential to unlock the phone without holding it then there is always the backup PIN, which can be tapped in on those occasions when you aren’t holding your phone.
However where Mate S gets it right and the Note 5 gets it wrong is that the Mate S allows you to wake and unlock you phone in one step. With the phone asleep you can just press your finger on the reader and the phone will wake and unlock in one swift movement. On the Note 5 you need to wake the device with the power button and then place you finger on the senor. Or you need to press the home button and leave your finger on the button until the fingerprint is read. I have practiced this maneuver repeatedly and it still takes around one second to wake and unlock the phone. Don’t get me wrong, one second is great, but it seems like a long time when you compare it to the instantaneous wake and unlock of the Mate S.
Camera
The Huawei Mate S comes with a 13 MP rear camera that includes a 4-color RGBW imaging sensor and Optical Image Stabilization. Also, the camera housing is scratch proof thanks to sapphire protection. However, the Note 5 has a 16 MP sensor, an f/1.9 aperture as well as Optical Image Stabilization. There is no doubting that the camera on the Note 5 is the better of the two. Here are a few sample photos from both cameras to show how they compare.
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On the front side you will find an 8 MP camera on the Huawei Mate S and a 5 MP front shooter on the Note 5. Here, on paper at least, the Mate S offers more to selfie lovers.
Software
Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Huawei Mate S run Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, but this doesn’t exactly mean their software is identical. In fact, their UI skins are quite different.
Samsung’s TouchWiz UI was stripped down for the Galaxy S6, and we are thankful the same philosophy has been applied to the Galaxy Note 5. It still has all those great S-Pen features, multi-tasking tools and other elements, but the interface is much sleeker. The phone now lets you scribble down your notes without waking it up, making it really easy to save a phone number or a quick memo for later. Besides that, all the features we know and love from the Note series are present, making the Note 5 an excellent choice for productivity-minded users.
Huawei’s version of Android is known as Emotion UI and it differs significantly from TouchWiz and stock Android. The most notable difference is the lack of an app drawer which means you are dependent on folders to keep things organized.
Huawei has added also some extra built-in functionality, including a set of motion controls like flip to mute and the Knuckle gestures. There is also a one-handed layout mode which temporarily reduces the size of the UI so that it is can be used with one hand. Finally, EMUI has some support for dual-windowing, mainly for use with some of the stock apps like gallery, notepad, videos, and so on. Overall, Huawei’s take on Android is certainly different from the stock experience, however it is very sleek and is well designed.
Wrapping up
When it comes to pricing, the Mate S is available for €649 in Europe, while the Note 5 is available for $700 for those in the USA. If you use a direct conversion between dollars and euros then the two devices are similarly priced. However the Note 5 isn’t available in Europe and a direct conversation never works. For example, the new Amazon tablets cost $49 from Amazon.com and €60 from Amazon.de, but €60 is actually around $67.
If you could get a Note 5 in Europe for the same price as you can get it in the USA then the Note 5 would be a real bargain. Likewise if you could get a Huawei Mate S in the USA for only $550 then it would clearly be the cheaper of the two devices.
And there you have it – a quick comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Huawei Mate S. If you had to pick between the two, the decision might not just come down to specs but things like regional availability and local pricing will also be a factor. Ignoring price and availability then the Note 5 is the better of the two devices, however even though it is weaker in certain departments, the Mate S isn’t too far behind when it comes to the overall experience.
Android Authority this week – September 27, 2015
Android fans, this week brought us last minute details about the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P; we’ve got the first official look at the BlackBerry Priv (formerly known as Venice); LG joined the metal club with the Class; Xiaomi introduced its new $200 flagship; we’ve got our best looks at the upcoming LG V10 and HTC’s One A9; and Samsung introduced the consumer version of the Gear VR.
Inside AA HQ
The biggest week in the Android calendar is coming. New devices, a new Android version, and perhaps some surprises? Oh my! It’s like Christmas eve, and we’re all kids trying to sneak a peek. Though, truth is, Google did a lousy job hiding the presents this year, so we already know what to expect. (If you’re curious, check out the Nexus rumor roundup.) Join us from Tuesday as we analyze everything.
This week Josh attended the Oculus Connect developer conference in LA and brought you his impressions of the Gear VR and the Oculus Touch controller. One thing is clear: VR technology is ready to break into mainstream. Between Oculus, Samsung’s Gear VR, Google’s low-fi Cardboard, Sony’s PlayStation VR, Microsoft’s HoloLens, and HTC’s Vive, the ecosystem is already growing fast. Will 2016 be the year when our VR dreams finally turn into reality? It’s about time!
Congratulations to Nishant P. from India, the lucky winner of last week’s Sunday Giveaway prize, a Galaxy Note 5. This week, we’re putting up for grabs a Moto X Pure (Style). Enter here!
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Tech talk: What’s new in Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3 standard? Rob explains.
- Review: Gary reviews the excellent Huawei Mate S
- Unboxing: Josh brings you his first impressions of the elegant Huawei Watch
- Tips and tricks: Let Josh help you make the most of the Galaxy Note 5
- The big picture: What are the countries leading LTE adoption? Rob takes a look at the data
- Impressions: After two weeks with the Moto X Play, Nirave brings you his impressions
- DIY: You don’t need to pay for your Cardboard set: Taylor has a DIY guide
- Feature: The tablet market is polarizing: what are the consequences?
Top news of the week
LG shows some Class
Nexus 5X and 6P countdown
- Huawei Nexus said to feature 128GB of storage space
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow set to roll out October 5, according to Telus
- Nexus 5X & Nexus 6P packaging, Nexus 6P press image leak ahead of announcement
- Amazon India lists Nexus 5X, confirms storage, processor, color options and more
- Leaked presentation reveals the Nexus 6P will feature a big 3450mAh battery
Xiaomi Mi 4c: flagship, on the cheap
- Xiaomi launches the Mi 4c: high-end specs for less than $240
- Xiaomi launches “Mi Mobile”, offers 3GB data for under $10
LG V10: trying new things
- LG V10’s secondary “ticker” display shown off in new leak
- LG gives us a glimpse of its upcoming cutting edge smartphone
One A9: HTC’s next big bet
Gear VR is getting closer
BlackBerry focuses on Priv(acy)
- It’s official: Android-powered BlackBerry Priv (Venice) coming this year
- In his own words: BlackBerry CEO John Chen explains why his company’s Priv is all about Android
- Blackberry CEO John Chen awkwardly showcases the Blackberry Priv
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Leaked presentation reveals the Nexus 6P will feature a big 3450mAh battery
The latest Nexus devices have been leaking like crazy as of late. We’ve already gotten a good look at some purported press images of the LG-made Nexus 5X and Huawei-made Nexus 6P, including a long list of specs for each device. But if you thought you’d have to wait until the official unveiling on October 29th to get another look at the new handsets, we have some good news for you. Someone has just leaked an official Google presentation for the Huawei Nexus 6P, giving us many more details on the upcoming higher-end Nexus device.
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According to the slides, the Huawei Nexus 6P will feature a 5.7-inch WQHD display, a slim, metal unibody, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, dual front-facing speakers and a USB Type-C port. All of these specifications have been rumored for some time, so these shouldn’t come as a surprise. What hasn’t been rumored is the device’s battery size, which, according to the slides, will come in at 3450mAh. The 6P’s screen will also be made of Gorilla Glass 4. The device will also weigh a total of 178 grams, which is relatively light considering the Nexus 6P’s all-metal build. For comparison, the Motorola Nexus 6 weighs 184 grams.
The device will come in 32, 64 and 128GB variants and will be available in Aluminum, Graphite, Frost and Gold color options. The Gold option will be a Japan-exclusive for the time being.
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Aside from the specs listed above, the slides aren’t really showing us any other new bits of information we haven’t heard in the past. One slide does talk about the 6P’s improved camera that will let in more light for better quality photos, as well as a faster Google Camera application that will let you capture photos much more quickly.
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There are also some slides that detail some new features that will be available with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, including Google Now on Tap and the new Doze feature that will help save precious battery life.
We’re still not sure how much money this device will cost or when exactly it will be available, but we probably won’t need to wait much longer to find out.
Here are the videos you don’t want to miss this week – September 26, 2015
We’re just now wrapping up yet another busy week in the Android world. As we get ready for Google to unveil the new Nexus devices in the next couple days, we thought it would be a good idea to catch you up on some of the best Android-related videos of the week.
Both the new Moto 360 and Huawei Watch showed up on our doorstep, and we’ve wasted no time unboxing and giving you our first impressions on both devices. We’ve also published our full reviews of the Huawei Mate S and BLU Vivo Air LTE, and brought you some handy tips and tricks for your brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
Without any further ado, here are the videos you don’t want to miss this week.
Unboxings
Motorola Moto 360 (2nd Gen.) unboxing and first look
Motorola created one of the best looking Android Wear smartwatches with last year’s Moto 360. How does this new one compare? Josh unboxes and gives us his first impressions on the Moto 360 (2nd Gen).
Huawei Watch unboxing and first look
The second-gen Moto 360 is quite the attractive device, but it looks like it has some big competition. Don’t miss Josh’s unboxing of the Huawei Watch.
Reviews
Huawei Mate S review
Just recently unveiled at IFA 2015, Huawei’s Mate S boasts some impressive specs and features. Does Huawei have another hit on its hands? Check out Gary’s review to learn more.
BLU Vivo Air LTE review
BLU has proven itself time and time again in the mid-range smartphone market, but the company’s Vivo Air LTE has some quirks you should know about. Don’t miss Bailey’s full review.
Tips and tricks
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 – 5 tips and tricks
Want some advice on how to use your new Galaxy Note 5? Josh is here to give you five tips and tricks for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
How to…
Make your own Google Cardboard headset
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With the launch of Google Cardboard, VR is making its way to the masses. Here’s how to assemble your very own Cardboard headset.
The latest in VR
New Samsung Gear VR reaction at Oculus Connect
Samsung just recently unveiled a new Gear VR headset. Josh got the chance to try it out, and he’s here to give you his reaction.
Oculus Touch demo reaction at Oculus Connect
Want some more information on the new Oculus Touch controller for the Rift? Josh will walk you through the basics.
Android Apps Weekly
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Free music, cheap apps, FIFA 16 and Eternity Warriors 4 – you don’t want to miss Joe’s newest episode of Android Apps Weekly!
AIVAnet 