Motorola teases Moto X Style for India
Motorola released its cost effective Moto X Play smartphone in India back in September and the company has now begun teasing that the high-end Moto X Style will also be making an appearance in the country.
Motorola hasn’t announced a specific release date for the Moto X Style just yet. The company simply states that the phone is “coming very soon”.
Get ready to live life to the fullest & party in 15 minutes flat with the Moto X Style. Coming very soon! pic.twitter.com/7b9JgGtPPP
— Motorola India (@MotorolaIndia) October 2, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The Moto X Style features a number of upgrades over its X Play counterpart, including a more powerful Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM and larger 5.7-inch display with a boosted QHD (2560×1440) resolution. The phones share the same 21 megapixel rear camera, which is one of the best around right now, and also comes with dual-SIM support. However, the X Style features a slightly smaller battery.
Read on: Motorola Moto X Pure Edition (Moto X Style) review
Unfortunately, the Moto Maker service isn’t available in India, so we will have to see what customization Motorola will offer in the country. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for an official release date from Motorola in the coming days. Perhaps the company will partner up with FlipKart again for this release.
Motorola Moto X Play review
Mid-range smartphones are becoming more and more appealing to consumers around the world. Especially now that numerous smartphone manufacturers are choosing to forgo the carrier partnerships and sell their flagship devices off-contract, users aren’t as willing to pay +$600 on a new phone anymore. One of the most popular phone makers leading the charge on this front is Motorola, specifically with the company’s recently-announced 2015 Moto X line.
Alongside the flagship Moto X Style (or Pure Edition if you live in the U.S.), the now Lenovo-owned company unveiled a slightly less expensive device that still brings some killer specs, design and software features to the table. Dubbed the Moto X Play, this device couples premium features with a cheap price point – but does it fall short in any key areas? We aim to find that out, and more, in our full review of the Motorola Moto X Play!
The latest from Motorola
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Design
Taking a look at the Moto X Play’s design, it’s instantly clear that this is a Motorola device through and through. The speaker grills and inconspicuous front-facing camera sensor are the only two features adorning the phone’s front, aside from the big 5.5-inch display. A 5.5-inch screen may seem too big for some users, but the device actually seems quite small thanks to the thin bezels on the left and right sides.
The right side houses a textured power/standby key and volume rocker. Unlike the Motorola-made Nexus 6, these two buttons unfortunately feel cheap and plasticky. Up top sits the 3.5mm headphone jack and Nano SIM card tray – which doubles as a microSD card slot – that sits slightly to the left.
The back of the phone houses the signature Motorola dimple that sits in a metal strip beneath the camera module. This is a nice and simple design touch, though there’s no real use for the metal strip.
Overall, the phone feels really great in the hand, and it’s pretty difficult to notice that it’s slightly thicker than the average smartphone. This is thanks in part to the phone’s curved back, which is removable should you feel the need to try out other back plate colors through Moto Maker. Moto Maker is by far one of the biggest draws to purchasing a Motorola device. Not only can you choose between 14 different back plate colors, 7 accent colors and 2 front colors, you can also get an engraving on your Moto X Play, and even a custom greeting when you turn on your phone. This provides a sense of personalization that you just can’t get with other smartphones.
Display
one of the best 1080p panels we’ve ever seen on a smartphone
The Moto X Play features a 5.5-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a pixel density of 403 ppi. Even though it doesn’t feature the highest resolution display on the market, we don’t really think that matters much in this case. This is one of the best 1080p panels we’ve ever seen on a smartphone.
With that said, though, Motorola’s decision to include an LCD panel instead of an AMOLED display is certainly an odd one. One of Motorola’s most innovative and interesting features is Moto Display, which definitely doesn’t look as good on an LCD panel. Other that this gripe, though, the display is quite good.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the Moto X Play features an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor clocked at 1.7GHz, backed by 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 405 GPU. Even though the device only sports 2GB of RAM, that hasn’t really been a problem for us on the performance front. It’s perfectly capable of performing everyday tasks without a hitch, so you shouldn’t run into many issues when gaming or multitasking. With that said, it’s not the most powerful processor on the market, so if you’re a power user, you may run into a few more issues than we did.
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On the storage front, the Moto X Play comes in 16 and 32GB variants with microSD card expansion up to an additional 128GB. As always, we’d prefer to see the base model of storage bumped up to 32GB, but a base of 16GB is par for the course when it comes to mid-range devices.
Related: Moto X Play announced: great specs, budget-friendly pricing
When it comes to sound quality, listening to music or podcasts with headphones through the Moto X Play is quite nice. We tested out multiple pairs of headphones with this device, and overall, we really liked what we heard.
With that said, externally speaking, the phone could use some work. Although there looks to be two front-facing speakers, only the bottom one works, which means listening to music or watching videos in landscape mode makes for an oddly unbalanced audio experience. Coming from the Nexus 6, which features some of the best speakers we’ve used on a smartphone, the Moto X Play just doesn’t stack up.
Battery
One of the biggest selling points of the Moto X Play is the battery, which is gigantic. It’s a non-removable 3630mAh cell, which is much bigger than what you’d normally get on a mid-range device. In our experience, it’s been really easy to achieve upwards of four to five hours of screen-on time. We had no problems getting through an entire day on a single charge.
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With that said, not all is great in the battery section. The device features quick charging functionality, which Motorola says can get you up to 8 hours of usage in just a 15 minute charge. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately Motorola doesn’t include a Turbo Charger in the box for some reason, so you won’t be able to quickly charge the phone unless you purchase one separately.
Camera
Motorola says the camera on the Moto X Play is the best the company has ever made, and they’re right. The rear-facing camera comes in at 21MP and sports a dual-LED flash. In great lighting conditions, the rear camera can really shine. It consistently produces a ton of detail in each shot. Color reproduction is on point with just the right amount vibrancy and saturation, and it does a great job at bringing out details in shadowy areas. Camera quality quickly degrades when moving into poorly-lit areas, though. Low light performance isn’t terrible by any means, but it still could use some work.
Oh, and there’s also a 5MP front-facing camera for all of your selfie-taking needs.
Motorola’s camera interface is very easy to use, but it might be a bit too simple. You won’t find any manual controls here, and it’s not the most efficient when you’re quickly looking for a particular setting. With that said, taking a quick photo is pretty easy. Simply tap anywhere on the viewfinder to take the photo, and swipe left to review any photos that you’ve taken. You can also swipe right to make adjustments to the camera settings. There aren’t a lot of settings, but you can choose from a few standard modes like HDR, Night mode, panorama, 4K video recording, and a few others.
Software
One of the most appealing features found in Motorola devices in recent years is the near-vanilla Android experience, and this time it’s no different. The Moto X Play runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and very minimal customization from Motorola, meaning the device will likely get quicker updates than most other phones on the market. Plus, it’s being sold completely free of carrier intervention, so there’s no additional bloatware to get in the way. This is the closest phone to a Nexus device in terms of software, save for a few of Motorola’s own additions.
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Moto Display is an innovative and convenient way to get quick access to notifications when the phone is asleep. Plus, Motorola now gives you the ability to control music from Moto Display, making this feature even more handy.
Moto Voice has also made its return this time around. This feature lets you dictate voice commands to the device even when it’s asleep, which is really convenient if the phone is sitting on the other side of the room. You can even customize the experience a bit by creating your own key phrase to wake the device. We found this feature most handy when using it for navigation, as you won’t need to wake the phone by touching it while you’re driving to tell it navigation instructions.
The Moto X Play also offers Moto Assist, which lets the phone read text messages out loud if it senses that you’re driving, and it can even keep your phone quiet if you’re in a meeting or simply need to get some sleep.
Don’t miss: Two weeks with the Motorola Moto X Play
Moto Actions are also available with the Moto X Play, which is one of our favorite software features. With Moto Actions, you can do a double twist with the phone to activate the camera in an instant, or even chop twice to start up the phone’s LED flashlight.
All in all, these software features provide a ton of extra functionality without being intrusive in any particular way, which is just the way it should be.
Specifications
| Motorola Moto X Play | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution 403ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | 1.7GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor Adreno 405 GPU |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Storage | 16/32 GB expandable via microSD up to 128GB |
| Camera | 21 MP front-facing camera with dual LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1 NFC GPS+GLONASS |
| Battery | 3630mAh, non-removable |
| Wireless charging | No |
| Software | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Colors | Customizable via Moto Maker – 14 back plate colors, 7 accent colors |
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Pricing and final thoughts
So, should you buy the Moto X Play? Yes! This is a great phone at a great price. The camera is solid, the screen is crisp, and Motorola’s added software features provide just the right amount of functionality without getting in the way. If you can get past the poor speaker quality and lack of included Turbo Charger, you might want to consider picking up a Moto X Play for yourself.
You can purchase the Moto X Play from Motorola’s website, Amazon and various other online retailers starting at £279.00.
What are your thoughts? Are you a fan of Motorola’s latest mid-range offering, or do you have your eye on something else? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Google and Microsoft agree to end patent feud over smartphones and gaming systems
After a multi-year conflict in the courtroom, Google and Microsoft have finally agreed to end their big patent feud. No financial terms were disclosed, though the two companies have agreed to drop roughly 20 lawsuits in the United States and Germany.
The two companies have been in dispute since 2010, when Google’s former Motorola Mobility unit began demanding royalties on Microsoft’s Xbox gaming system. At the same time, Microsoft had sought to prevent Motorola’s mobile phones from using certain features that have been patented by Microsoft.
As GeekWire reports, here is the joint statement released by Google and Microsoft earlier this morning:
Microsoft and Google are pleased to announce an agreement on patent issues. As part of the agreement, the companies will dismiss all pending patent infringement litigation between them, including cases related to Motorola Mobility. Separately, Google and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate on certain patent matters and anticipate working together in other areas in the future to benefit our customers.
Now the two companies have agreed to drop all patent litigations in question, and work together in areas that would more greatly benefit their customers. One way the companies are doing so is by focusing on the newly-formed Alliance for Open Media, of which both Google and Microsoft are members. The alliance, which is setting out to develop a royalty-free video compression technology for the web, includes key players in the tech world like Amazon, Cisco, Intel, Netflix, Google, Microsoft and more.
[Deal] You can now pick up a brand new, factory unlocked Nexus 6 for $299.99 on eBay
If Google’s recently-announced Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P didn’t tickle your fancy and you find yourself still drawn towards bagging yourself the original Nexus 6, you’re in luck as independent retailer, QualityCellz, has just taken to eBay to kicked off a fantastic sale on the device. For a limited time only, you can pick up a brand new, factory unlocked 32GB LTE model of the handset for just $299.99.
For those thinking that the Nexus 6 is old hat now because it has a couple younger siblings on the way, it’s not. It’s a very powerful device that’s still able to compete with many of the flagship smartphones currently on the market. This is a direct result of its beefy internals, which include a 6-inch qHD display, a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, Adreno 420 GPU and a 3,220mAh battery.
It’s important to bear in mind that as this is an unlocked variant of the Nexus 6, it will only work on GSM carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T and not with CDMA carriers like Verizon and Sprint. A full list of supported carrier bands can be seen below:
- 2G : 850/900/1800/1900
- 3G : 850/900/1900/2100
- 4G LTE : 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700)
If you like the sound of the Nexus 6 and would like to take advantage of this deal – hit the source link below.
Source: eBay
Come comment on this article: [Deal] You can now pick up a brand new, factory unlocked Nexus 6 for $299.99 on eBay
Google and Microsoft end their years-long patent war
And just like that, another one of the tech industry’s epic patent battles is coming to a close. Google and Microsoft have dropped all 20 (!) of the lawsuits they’ve filed against each other, ending their five-year dispute over everything ranging from phones (Microsoft’s main gripe) to Xbox video playback (Google’s gripe, and formerly Motorola’s). The two will now partner both on technology as a whole and on “certain patent matters,” such as building a royalty-free video format that prevents these kinds of legal fights in the first place. The truce is no doubt a relief if you’re tired of seeing endless stores about the lawsuits (guilty!), although it’s not a complete shock if you’ve been following changes in corporate culture.
You see, Microsoft is in a very different place than it was when it first sued Motorola in 2010. Back then, the company under Steve Ballmer was bent on containing Android’s growth wherever possible and giving Windows Phone a shot at recreating Windows’ desktop monopoly. Flash forward to current CEO Satya Nadella and it’s a different story. He’s less interested in operating system dominance (in part because that’s no longer realistic) and more in putting Microsoft’s apps and services in front of as many people as possible, even if that means supporting Android ahead of Windows. We’d add that Google isn’t facing nearly as many threats as it has in the past — there’s less incentive to countersue and push for settlements. In either case, the hot-blooded competition that fueled the lawsuits has long since cooled down.
Source: Bloomberg
HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: LG Nexus 5X 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 LG Nexus 5X and the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition.
The Nexus 5X 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 5X 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 5X comes in three color options for 2015 (Carbon, Quartz, Ice), 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 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 5X, it comes with only 16GB or 32GB capacities. Depending on your needs, and how much you rely on cloud backups and storage, this could be a moot point. Since both devices have options for 16GB or 32GB, the winner here is the Moto X Pure Edition due to the fact that you can go up to 64GB of storage. Additionally, the Moto X also offers microSD card support, so that sets the LG Nexus 5X a little bit further behind.
Camera
If you are the kind of person who looks strictly at specifications, the Motorola camera bests the one found in LG’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 battle is pretty equal due to the 5-megapixel sensor in the LG Nexus 5X while the Moto X Pure also includes a 5-megapixel shooter. Because of the fact that they are both 5-megapixel, this battle may come down to overall performance in regards to which can take the best selfie.
Battery
The Moto X Pure takes the cake in the battery department, but not by too much. The LG Nexus 5X features a 2750mAh battery, while the Moto X Pure Edition is sporting a 3000mAh battery. We’ll see how well Android Marshmallow does with their Doze settings, and if the latest version can really extend battery life by that much. Keep in mind, Motorola is usually right behind the Nexus devices with software updates, so it may not be too far off before Android Marshmallow makes its way to the Pure Edition.
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 5X starts at $379 for the 16GB model, with the 32GB variant coming in at $429. Either way, you’ll be saving some money with the Nexus 5X compared to the Pure Edition.
Other important aspects
Indeed, each phone has a few details that help to separate them from the rest of the pack. The Nexus 5X 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 5X 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 5X. 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. LG seems to have stepped up their game for the Nexus 5X, hoping to repeat the cult-like following that the 2013 Nexus 5 received.
The Nexus line is one of our favorites in all of smartphones and we’re super pleased to see LG partnering with Google again for 2015. It’s only a matter of time before we see these two devices in a hands-on head to head comparison, so be sure to keep an eye out.
Note: Portions of this post’s content is also used in other head-to-head comparisons.
The post HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: LG Nexus 5X versus Motorola Moto X Pure Edition appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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.
The post HARDWARE SHOWDOWN: Huawei Nexus 6P versus Motorola Moto X Pure Edition appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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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Moto 360 2nd gen experiencing production issues
Motorola’s newly announced second generation Moto 360 smartwatch is one of the hottest out there. Unfortunately, Motorola has send out a message regarding a slowing in production.
Pre-orders have nearly began and Motorola is experiencing “technical difficulties” causing a delay in production of its new 360 smartwatch. Buyers who have pre-ordered the device should have received an email explaining the cause for the delay. According to Motorola’s VP of E-Commerce, Bjorn Kilburn, the company is having issues with its order process and shipping system. Perhaps the company is having a hard time keeping up with all the customized units.
Hopefully Motorola makes some adjustments and gets back on track so people can get their hands on the latest smartwatch shortly.
Via: Droid-life
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Customers will be able to custom build Droid Turbo 2, report says
We haven’t yet heard much about the sequel to last year’s Droid Turbo. If you’re on the Big Red network, the Turbo was one of the best Android offerings in 2014, packing top-end specs and a hefty battery. Now that Q4 2015 is around the corner, you may be wondering what the successor will bring to the table.
Our buddies over at Phandroid were kind to share some alleged details about the upcoming launch of the Droid Turbo 2. First up is that it is said to have Moto Maker support this time.
Moto Maker is Motorola’s nifty online smartphone customization tool, allowing the customer to specify phone body and accent colors to their heart’s desire.
Although Moto Maker has been around for a couple years, the original Turbo only got Verizon-specified appearances, with the dark/industrial Droid themes.
It would be logical that the Turbo 2 still rocks those interesting chassis materials (metallized glass fiber with kevlar reinforcement or ballistic nylon), to differentiate it from other phones. We’re unsure how Verizon will handle the customization when buying at the store vs online. Moto Maker is an online-only tool.
As far as specs, this is what has leaked so far:
- Display: 5.43″ QHD
- SoC: Snapdragon 810
- Memory: 3GB RAM
- Storage: 32GB/64GB internal (no word on microSD support)
- Cameras: 21MP rear and 5MP front
- Battery: 3,760mAh
There are a couple of interesting things to note here. The Turbo 2’s display is said to be “Shatterproof”. It is suspected that this means there will be extra measures of reinforcement to insure the glass is well protected. There isn’t such thing as unbreakable glass.
Also, the battery capacity slightly shrunk from last year. From 3,900mAh to 3,760mAh. The use of the Snapdragon 810 is also interesting. We have yet to see a phone use Qualcomm’s 820 chipset. It’s looking more and more that we’re going to have to wait until next year.
The Droid Turbo 2 is expected to launch on Oct. 29th, with an official announcement on Oct. 15th. Let us know what you think about it so far.
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