Holiday Buying Guide 2015: The best Android phones
We live in a mobility-focused world, and manufacturers from all over the world have risen up to meet this demand. You have Samsung with its new line of premium Galaxy devices, Google revolutionizing the off-contract market with the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, Motorola’s own off-contract efforts, and even up and comers like Alcatel OneTouch. There are so many different smartphones out there, all for different types of people. With that in mind, it can be difficult to find the perfect handset, especially with how expensive many of these devices are.
Here at Talk Android, we’ve put together a detailed shopping guide on the best smartphones in the market for the holidays. There’s something for everybody on this list, whether it be powerful performance packages that Samsung offers, something more luxury in the Sony Xperia handsets, or even the media production capabilities in many of LG’s new devices.
We’ve taken the liberty of digging through the mire in order to bring you the best Android smartphones for this holiday shopping season. One thing we can guarantee: there’s something for you on this list.
Stocking Stuffers ($99 – $199)
Moto G (2015)
Motorola can make some impressive devices, even with decidedly mid-range specifications. The company created the Moto G with low price points and high performance in mind. It goes without saying, the Moto G delivers.
Motorola equipped the Moto G with a 5-inch 1280 x 720 display, a quad-core Snapdragon 410, 8GB ROM/1GB RAM or 16GB ROM/2GB RAM configurations, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a 2470mAh battery. The smartphone comes with Android 5.1 straight out of the box with planned upgrades to Android 6.0 down the road.
The specifications may be low, but the off-contract handset is just as slick as many high-end devices. Not only that, but it’s guaranteed to save some money on those outrageous carrier bills by helping you ditch contracts. That’s the big benefit with the Moto G (2015): ditching carrier contracts while not breaking the bank on an off-contract smartphone. As mentioned earlier, even at its low price point, it has great mid-range specifications. In some cases, if you were to put the Moto G and a Galaxy Note 5 side-by-side and navigate the software, you wouldn’t notice much of a difference in speed or smoothness. It’s most definitely a win for the person that wants to get rid of contracts while still having a great smartphone.
The Moto G also has a lot of different accessories available for it, particularly an arsenal of back plates in different colors. Motorola also offers tons of different cases, shells, battery packs, microSD cards, and earphones for the Moto G. And if you’re still on the fence, be sure to check out review of the device. Starting at $179, a mid-range handset truly doesn’t get any better than this.
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (4.7)
Alcatel OneTouch first launched the Idol 3, arguably one of the most impressive off-contract smartphones on the market. But with the demand for smaller devices, Alcatel OneTouch launched a smaller version of the handset, the Idol 3 4.7. It’s notably different in performance, but still delivers.
The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (4.7) features a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 display, a quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8/16GB ROM configurations, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a 2,000mAh battery. As far as software goes, it’s running Android 5.0. Alcatel OneTouch hasn’t made their plans known to upgrade the device to Android 6.0 yet, which may be something to consider when thinking over your purchase.
The highlight of the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (4.7) certainly isn’t specifications, but providing a truly elegant device in a size that most people prefer. 5.5-inch or 6-inch devices are quickly becoming the norm, but aren’t for everyone. With that in mind, the Idol 3 with the 4.7-inch display is quite literally the perfect fit for those who want something smaller. On the downside, there aren’t a whole lot of accessories beyond your standard third-party cases for this device. However, much like the Moto G (2015) a great plus is that you get a formidable off-contract smartphone on the cheap.
Alcatel OneTouch did an impressive job with the Idol 3 4.7, bringing both performance and elegance in a relatively cheap package. For $179, this handset will break you free of carrier contracts while giving you something to impress your friends with.
[Alcatel OneTouch] [Amazon] [Newegg]
Under the Christmas Tree ($199 – $399)
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE isn’t very well known in the United States, but the Chinese manufacturer is trying to change that by offering high-end devices at a competitive price point. That said, some might be surprised to see this device under the Christmas tree this year, but won’t live to regret it.
The ZTE Axon Pro (review here) sports a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 display, an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB ROM configurations, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 3,000mAh battery, and it’s running Android 5.1 with ZTE’s own skin over top.
ZTE’s Axon Pro is an off-contract smartphone, which might be surprising from the specifications. High-end smartphones are far and few between as far as off-contract devices go. What’s even more surprising is that the Axon Pro is a high-end/flagship smartphone at a cheap price. The specifications are close to that of the Galaxy Note 5, but there’s still a good $400 – $600 difference in price. That makes the Axon Pro a hard one to pass up for the person looking for a flagship device, but still wanting to break free of those sometimes nasty contracts.
ZTE has undoubtedly become one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to producing off-contract and high-end smartphones at a low price points. Not only that, but the company offers an array of decent accessories for the device. Whether you need cases, shells, flip covers, clear cases, Bluetooth speakers or earphones, ZTE has it all available for the Axon Pro through its online store.
Still not sure about the Axon Pro? Check out our review for more details. Starting at $400, what you get from ZTE in the Axon Pro is pure, unadulterated quality.
Moto X Pure Edition
The Moto X Pure Edition is the best of Motorola all in one pretty package. Not only do you get relatively powerful specifications, but you also get to tailor this handset to your likes and dislikes inside the Moto Maker. That last feature is what truly makes the Moto X Pure Edition special–the Moto Maker. Just about anyone can make a great performing smartphone with high-end specifications, but not many give you the ability to customize the device in almost every way possible.
Whether you want a traditional plastic back plate, bamboo, wood, a textured back, the Moto Maker has it all. You can go crazy and make your Moto X Pure Edition pink, neon green or even settle for some more standard colors. Whatever you choose to do, the Moto X Pure Edition is truly tailored to your likes. The customization does have a small downside: the smartphones takes a little longer to get to you. But if you can wait an extra couple of days, the Moto X Pure Edition is well worth having.
Motorola’s Moto X Pure Edition sports a 5.2-inch 2560 x 1440 display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 16/32/64GB internal storage configurations, 3GB of RAM, a 21-megapixel rear camera, and a 3,000mAh battery. It’s also running Android 5.1 with plans to upgrade to Android 6.0.
Just like with the Moto G (2015), Motorola offers tons of different accessories for the Moto X Pure Edition, whether it be cases, shells, earphones, and more. Motorola has everything you need available to you, and that kind of service truly makes the Moto X Pure Edition worth having.
For just $399, you not only get a great performance package and the ability to break away from carrier contracts, but you get a device tailored to you.
Nexus 5X
The Nexus 5X is not only the latest and greatest from Google, but also the successor of the famed Nexus 5. Like many devices on this list, the Nexus 5X will break you free from those nasty carrier contracts, and maybe even offer you something better with Project Fi, that is, if coverage is available in your area.
This handset features a 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080 display, a Snapragon 808 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB ROM configurations, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, a 2,700mAh battery, and it’s running Android 6.0, the latest version of the mobile operating system.
The Nexus 5X is a hard one to pass up for the tech enthusiast in your life. Being a Nexus device, it’s one of the first devices on the market to get the latest versions of Google’s mobile operating system, which is every tech-savvy individual’s dream. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t offer a lot of accessories for the device, but you do have the option of getting the Nexus 5X Folio from the Google Store as well as a handful of other cases for the handset.
At $299, between the performance and continued support, it’s a difficult device to pass up. But if you have more money to spend, it might be worth passing this one by and looking at the Nexus 6P, which we’ve detailed below.
[Google Store] [Amazon] [Best Buy] [B&H Photo]
For someone special ($399 – $899)
Galaxy Note 5
The Galaxy Note 5 is the latest and greatest from Samsung. It’s not a huge upgrade from last year’s Note 4, but the Galaxy Note 5 takes everything from its predecessor and makes things even better. It has a slightly larger display, more beautiful body, and all-around better improvements. Almost anyone would love to see this behemoth under the tree Christmas morning.
Samsung, being the smartphone giant that it is, has tons of accessories for this device as well, and I mean that in the literal sense. You can get almost anything you need for this device from Samsung, and even things you may not need. There’s S-View flip covers, protective covers, battery charging packs, wireless charging pads, wireless headphones, car accessories, and much, much more.
The handset has a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display, an octa-core Exynos 7420 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB ROM configurations, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a non-removable 3,000mAh battery. It also is running on Android 5.1 (planned upgrade for Android 6.0) with Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI atop.
There’s a couple aspects that make the Galaxy Note 5 the handset to buy this holiday season. Not only does it have high-end specs and a beautiful media package, but it also comes with some extra nifty features, thanks to the S-Pen. Using features like Air Command and Air View with the S-Pen makes this device that much easier to use. And with its massive 5.7-inch display, media doesn’t get any better on a smartphone. If you feel like splurging this holiday season, the Galaxy Note 5 is the device to do it with. Still not sure? Be sure to check out our detailed review–it’s truly the best of Samsung!
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 price varies from retailer to retailer, but you can generally get it for $699 outright, $199 on a new two-year contract, or as low as $20/mo on a device payment plan through a carrier.
[Samsung] [Amazon] [Verizon] [AT&T] [T-Mobile] [Sprint] [Newegg]
Galaxy S6 Edge+
With how much of a hit the Galaxy S6 Edge was, it only made sense for Samsung to introduce a successor: the Galaxy S6 Edge+, a cross between its predecessor and the Galaxy Note 4. It’s one of the most premium devices on the market, and is the perfect companion for those that aren’t sure about the S-Pen on the Galaxy Note 5. Not having the S-Pen, you don’t get any of the extra features that come with it, which is a huge benefit for those that don’t actively use styluses; it also frees up some storage space.
This is exactly the same device as the Galaxy Note 5, just without the S-Pen, although there is the inclusion of the “edge” display, which adds some additional functionality that can prove to be useful. Much like the Galaxy Note 5, there’re tons of accessories for this device, whether that be protective shells, S-View flip covers, wireless chargers, and so on. Specifically for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is also the optional physical keyboard accessory. It makes typing easy and efficient, but the downside is that it takes up way too much screen real estate.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is sporting a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display, an octa-core Exynos 7420 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB ROM configurations, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a non-removable 3,000mAh battery. Similar to the Note 5, it’s running Android 5.1 with a planned upgrade to Android 6.0. With the Galaxy S6 Edge+ (and Galaxy Note 5) Samsung also added a neat feature, allowing users to stream video directly to YouTube. With that in mind, the S6 Edge+ might just be the perfect choice for content creators as well.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ sits around the same price as the Note 5 at $799 outright, $399 on a new two-year contract, or around $25/mo on a device payment plan. Not sure about making the leap for the device? Talk Android’s very own Justin Herrick put together an all-around solid review on the Galaxy S6 Edge+.
[Samsung] [Amazon] [Verizon] [AT&T] [T-Mobile] [Sprint] [Newegg]
Nexus 6P
Google partnered with up and coming Chinese manufacturer Huawei to make the Nexus 6P. Despite some wild controversy, the handset is one of the best Android experiences we’ve seen from the search giant yet. Not only will it save you a chunk of change by breaking you free of carrier contracts, but it’s also the perfect companion for consuming media, taking pictures, playing games, and even work.
The handset is equipped with a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 display, an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32/64/128GB ROM configurations, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, and a non removable 3450mAh battery.
Much like the Nexus 5X, there aren’t many accessories for the Nexus 6P, but Google does have their own Folio cases and regular cases available for the device in the Google Store. Not only that, but Google is also advertising a handful of other third-party cases in the Google Store that work well with the handset.
The Nexus 6P is truly the best from Google, and it’ll be officially supported for quite some time. Google is promised monthly security updates for many of its Nexus devices in addition to providing all of the latest versions of Android in a timely manner. If you’re looking for a handset with a beautiful and large display, all while sticking with stock Android, the Nexus 6P might just be right up your alley.
Starting at $399, this is one of the most premium devices you’ll ever get from Google.
[Huawei] [Google Store] [Amazon]
If you’ve got any questions, concerns, have a suggestion for this Holiday Buyer’s Guide, or saw a deal on any of these awesome devices, be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Come comment on this article: Holiday Buying Guide 2015: The best Android phones
Is there a new king of affordable handsets? BLU Life One X vs Moto G (2015)
There has never been a better time to purchase a budget-friendly smartphone than right now.
As it turns out, all four major mobile service providers in the United States have almost completely done away with the standard two-year service agreements, this is giving customers more reason to go for inexpensive handsets. And that’s great, too, because low-cost smartphones are getting really good. No, seriously.
Just a few years ago, if you wanted to do anything on your smartphone that was worth doing – playing video games, streaming music, web browsing, etc. – you almost had to purchase a flagship smartphone. Now that’s changing. There are nearly hundreds of great low-budget smartphones available on the market these days.
Related: Best cheap Android phones
Another interesting trend when it comes to budget phones is screen size, with the majority of options packing 5.5-inch or even larger displays. For some, that’s the perfect size, but it’s not so great for those looking for a device that is easier to use with just one hand.
Thankfully, for those that prefer a budget-friendly device that is a bit more compact, there are still some solid options out there. Today we are going to be taking a look at two smartphones that fall in the 5 to 5.2-inch screen size range – the BLU Life One X and the Motorola Moto G (2015).
While the Moto G series has long been considered the “king of affordable handsets”, BLU’s latest phone was officially announced today, packing a pretty powerful punch, a sleek design, and an even cheaper price tag than the Moto G.
So has BLU’s new budget darling stolen the crown from Motorola? Let’s jump in and find out.
Specifications
| BLU Life One X | Motorola Moto G (2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.2-inch LCD display 1920 x 1080 resolution, 424ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
5.0-inch IPS LCD display 1280 x 720 resolution, 294ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | 1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753 | 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 |
| GPU | Mali T720 GPU | Adreno 306 |
| RAM | 2GB | 1, 2GB (depending on storage option) |
| Storage | 16GB | 8, 16GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 64GB | Yes, up to 32GB |
| Dual SIM | Yes | Yes |
| Networks | 3G: 850/1700/1900/2100 4G: 2/4/7/12/17 Up to 150Mbps |
GSM (XT1540) LTE (2, 4, 5, 7, 17) UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 1700/AWS, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) US Cellular, Virgin Mobile (XT1548) LTE (2, 4, 5, 12, 17, 25, 26) CDMA (800, 850, 1900 MHz) TD-LTE (41 TD2500) |
| Software | Android 5.1 Lollipop | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Camera | 13MP rear-facing camera, Phase Data Autofocus 5MP front-facing camera, LED flash |
13MP rear-facing camera, autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash 5MP front-facing camera, auto-HDR |
| Battery | 2900mAh, non-removable | 2470mAh, non-removable |
| Dimensions | 186.8 x 72.8 x 8.4mm | 142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6mm, 155g |
| Price | $149 ($99 for limited time) | $179 |
Design
From a design perspective, the 2015 Moto G is almost identical to the previous two generations. Up front sits a single loudspeaker underneath the 5.0-inch 720p display. The whole front is also covered by Gorilla Glass 3. Motorola has also introduced the Moto G to Moto Maker this year, which means the back plate and colors you choose will depend entirely on whether or not you decide to customize the phone online.
The standard back plate is made of a nice rubbery material that’s quite grippy, but not so much so that it will get stuck in your pocket when trying to take it out. And although the device is made to look similar to the Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition) don’t be fooled – the metallic accent that surrounds the device is cheap and plasticky, which makes the device feel more affordable than premium.
In contrast, the Life One X is made from a high-quality aluminum that feels great in the hand, largely due to the sand blasted matte finish that makes for an interesting texture. On the front sits a slightly curved 1080p panel covered in Gorilla Glass 3 for an extra layer of protection. Around back the device has a leather pattern that’s coated in a smooth paint layer. The result of this is a grippy, premium feel in the hand that we don’t typically see on smartphones in this price range.
Needless to say, if you care at all about “premium looks”, the new BLU Life One X is the champion here. While the Moto G looks fairly good for a “budget device”, the Life One X is a premium-feeling handset that would fool you into thinking it cost at least double its retail price.
Display
On the display front, the Moto G has a 5.0-inch LCD display with Gorilla Glass 3 and a 1280 x 720 resolution. While the 720p resolution is pretty decent for a screen this size, these days even budget-level handsets are starting to make the leap to 1080p, so it’s a bit disappointing to see that Motorola hasn’t caught up with the times.
On the other hand, the Life One X not only has a slightly bigger 5.2-inch LCD display, it also has a resolution of 1920 x 1080,putting this 1080p display above its budget-friendly competitor.
Processing power and hardware
Starting off with the BLU Life One X, one of the headline features of this device is the 1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor backed by 2 gigabytes of RAM. While we haven’t put the One X through our full review process just yet, in our time with the device we’ve found that this processing package is more than capable when it comes to general day to day tasks, multi-tasking, and gaming. It also has the advantage of a 2,900 mAh battery, which is pretty large for a phone of the size/budget.
The Moto G offers a very different processing package from BLU’s offering, with a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 and 1/2GB of RAM, depending on whether you pick the model with 8 or 16GB of on-board storage. Regardless of which model you choose, you’ll get the same 2470mAh battery, which is a little smaller than we’d like to see.
The MediaTek-powered BLU Life One X outperforms the Moto G in every benchmarking test you throw at it
The 410 is a good processor, and it’s proven itself in many other handsets. We didn’t really experience too many performance hiccups in our full review o the device, but we reviewed the higher-end model that runs $219 and comes with 2GB RAM. The lower-end model can be found for a bit cheaper at around $180, but we can’t help but feel that 1GB RAM is just too little for a modern smartphone and so expect a somewhat less impressive experience if you plan to opt for that model.
Okay, but which chip is the better one? While Qualcomm has a reputation for being one of the best chip makers in the industry, MediaTek has really upped the ante over the last year or so. The end result is that the MediaTek-powered BLU Life One X actually outperforms the Moto G in every benchmarking test you throw at it — as you can see for yourself below.
In AnTuTu, the BLU Life One X scored an overall ranking of 31,367 vs the 22,767 for the Moto G.
Left: BLU Life One X / Right: Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
Geekbench 3 pained a similar picture with the Life One X achieving a single-core score of 629 and multi-core score of 2842, vs the Moto G’s 524 and 1580 scores respectively.
Left: BLU Life One X / Right: Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
Turning to Vellamo, the Chrome browser experience was put to the test, and as you can see, the BLU Life One X had a score of 2669, versus 2042 for the Moto G.
Left: BLU Life One X / Right: Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
While we already knew the BLU Life One X had a bigger battery than the Moto G, that doesn’t always equate to better battery life. Thankfully for BLU, in this case it does. According to the Geekbench 3 battery test metric, the BLU Life One X had a battery runtime of 8:48:20 and a battery score of 3598, vs 7:00:40 and a score of 2804 for the Moto G.
Left: BLU Life One X / Right: Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
Lastly, both BaseMark OS II and GFX testing were ran, showing a similar story of better performance from the BLU Life One X when compared to the Moto G.
Left: BLU Life One X / Right: Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
Left: BLU Life One X / Right: Motorola Moto G (3rd gen)
While benchmark tests don’t always tell the full story, it is a great indicator for general performance and we have to admit we are pretty impressed by what BLU managed to achieve with its latest entry-level handset.
Camera
Both the Moto G and the BLU Life One X have pretty solid cameras, especially given the affordable nature of these devices.
Starting off with BLU’s Life One X, it comes with a 13MP rear-facing camera with an added Blue Optical Filter that will give your photos a nice finishing touch. It also comes with handy features such as Phase Detection Autofocus, Panorama, Picture-in-Picture mode, and face beautification, which is definitely a nice touch. The camera app on the BLU device is quite simple and intuitive. The shutter button, video button and gallery shortcuts are found on the right side of the app, and you can adjust your camera’s settings on the left side.
Additionally, the Life One X comes with a 5MP front-facing camera which has a wide-angle lens, making it easier to fit everyone in a single photo. Also, for low-light situations, it has a front-facing flash.
The Moto G (2015) comes with a 13MP rear-facing camera as well. And interestingly enough, this is the same Sony IMX214 sensor found in Google’s 2014 flagship Nexus 6. The Nexus 6 had optical image stabilization, however, and the Moto G does not, which can be a big problem at times.
In daylight, the camera produces colors that are vibrant and captures an impressive amount of detail. In particular, HDR mode makes a big difference to images and while some other phones do very little in HDR mode, the Moto G does a really good job in lighting up shadows. Sadly, as the sun drops so does the camera performance. Daylight images have very little noise but a lack of light results in focal problems and digital noise.
Motorola’s camera app is far from the best out there. It’s simple, almost to a fault. Switching modes can be particularly difficult if you’re in a hurry. And now that the camera is pretty good this time around, we would have liked to see more granular controls over specific aspects of the camera, such as white balance and shutter speed.
Software
The BLU Life One X runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with BLU’s Carefree launcher on top. The Carefree launcher is an OEM skin that we really like – it brings some nice Material Design tweaks to the user interface, as well as a bevy of smart gestures, custom applications, and more. Plus, BLU has previously said that it’s making timely software updates a priority, so hopefully that means an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow is in the cards.
Motorola’s Moto G (2015) is in a very similar boat. It’s running Android 5.1 Lollipop and has a very stock-like nature to it. There are a few handy Motorola applications thrown into the mix that really help with the overall experience, too. Unfortunately Motorola hasn’t been incredibly upfront about pushing out timely software updates as of late, so some folks are nervous that they won’t be able to see Marshmallow for some time.
Pricing and final thoughts
Going down the list, the Moto G proves itself to be an excellent budget-friendly smartphone. That said, the BLU Life One X manages to best it in several key areas: design, display, and even the processing package.
Of course, the Moto G has some pretty big strengths of its own and remains an excellent choice for fans of the brand. Some solid extras found with the Moto G include waterproofing and Moto Maker customization.
Ultimately, for those in the market for a truly affordable handset, the real winner comes down to pricing. In that metric, the BLU Life One X wins out with a price tag of just $149. Meanwhile, the Moto G starts out at $179, but the model with same storage/RAM actually is priced at $219 — making it $70 more than BLU’s latest contender. As if the pricing difference wasn’t already big enough, BLU is also doing an introductory sale from 12/10 to 12/12, ending at midnight EST where the phone will be offered for $50 off, bringing it down to just $99! That’s a heck of a deal to say the least.
You really can’t go wrong with either of these handsets, though we can’t help but feel like BLU’s new Life One X has raised the bar when it comes to sub-$200 handsets. And at the sale price, the BLU Life One X is really a no-brainer.
Get the Life One X on Amazon now
Also check out: Battle of the flagship killers: Pure XL, Nexus 5x, OP2, and Moto X Style
[Deal] Nexus 5X gets discounted $50 on the Google Store and Amazon
Only one month after its launch, the Google Nexus 5X has already begun showing deals. Through the end of the year, one can purchase the Nexus 5X at a discounted price on either the Google Store or Amazon.
The Nexus 5X was already an affordable device, but has now become even more affordable. Both the Google Store and Amazon are running the same $50 promotion, which will apply for both the 16GB and 32GB versions. The 16GB model now costs only $330, down from $380, and the 32GB version now costs $380 rather than the original $430 price tag. In addition, Best Buy is running a similar promotion on the handset. All prices are for the unlocked version, which are not linked to any carrier or contract agreement. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Our review of the Nexus 5X is coming soon, but for now, you can check out the specs overview here.
[Google Store] [Amazon]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Nexus 5X gets discounted $50 on the Google Store and Amazon
Nexus 5X now $60 off: Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy!
Google is in the giving mood! After a brief price break for Black Friday, the Nexus 5X is back on sale, this time for a decidedly longer duration. From now until December 30th, the Google Store has taken $50 off the price tag bringing the 16GB model to $329 and the 32GB model to $379. Amazon and Best Buy are also in on the sale and have reduced their product prices as well!
Another potential present for smartphone shoppers at the Google Store is an extended return window. Purchases made from December 8th through December 25 can be returned through January 22, 2016. This applies to everything however, not just the Nexus 5X.
Notes on the Nexus
The Nexus 5X, made by LG Electronics, is the smaller of this year’s two Nexus smartphones, the other, pricer yet more powerful and potent being the Huawei Nexus 6P. Just as with Black Friday, it is only the LG variant which has received a discount, however those customers who went shopping the day after Thanksgiving ultimately got the better deal as said sale was for $80 off.
In our official review, we concluded that:
There is no doubt that the Nexus 5X is a worthy successor to the Nexus 5, but this device faces far harder competition that anything seen by the Nexus 5. While aspects like the really good fingerprint scanner, a far improved camera, and smooth performance are fantastic to see, it isn’t that difficult to find a worthy alternative either, depending on your needs.
Nexus 5X
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While everyone can appreciate a good deal, we suspect this prolonged price point might have to do with a sales trend favoring the Huawei Nexus, which was sold out upon its release at the Google Store. The Nexus 5X on the other hand, was readily available from day one.
Seeing Overseas
The retail prices of carrier Nexus 5X units in Japan is so expensive they are higher than the 6P hardware.
This sale is not limited exclusively to America however, as it appeared this morning here in Japan where the device – like in other territories – is significantly more expensive than it is in the United States. The return window component is also present, as it is in Google Stores around the world.
In Japan specifically, this is a rather surprising development given that Christmas is not observed here and relegated to a decorative event with a pretext for dating. Google is thus assuming citizens are going to be purchasing presents, though with New Years coming up – a holiday that is a major family event here – the gesture is still applicable.
To buy or not to buy?
Will this price break on the Nexus 5X encourage you to do some smartphone shopping? Is it a better value at the new reduced cost, or would you still preferentially prefer a a Nexus 6P? Leave us your comments below and be sure to let us know!
Android 6.0.1 activated T-Mobile’s band 12 for the Nexus 6P and 5X
Monday was a busy day for Google and its Nexus devices. The company pushed out Android 6.0.1 with new emojis and security patches, but users of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X could have a bonus included with the software update. Multiple owners of those two handsets on T-Mobile’s network are reporting that the software update activated band 12 support.
A few weeks ago, T-Mobile added only the Nexus 6P to its Extended Range LTE page. Nothing was official from T-Mobile or Google. The page, however, now reflects that both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are compatible to operate on the the carrier’s 700MHz spectrum. Users of either handset on T-Mobile’s network benefit from Extended Range LTE by getting better coverage in buildings and rural areas.
Via: TmoNews
Come comment on this article: Android 6.0.1 activated T-Mobile’s band 12 for the Nexus 6P and 5X
Nexus security update for December is released
Google has released an OTA security patch for Nexus devices. The new Nexus firmware can also be found on the Google Developer site.
Builds LMY48Z or later and Android Marshmallow with Security Patch Level of December 1, 2015 or later address these issues. Refer to the Common Questions and Answers section for more details.
This is part of Google’s Android Security Bulletin Monthly Release process. All partners were notified about the update on or before November 2, 2015. Source code patches will be released to Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository over the next 48 hours.
Most of the issues this update will fix are minor, but there was one major Critical security vulnerability that could enable remote code execution on an affected device through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files. However, Google says they have no reports of any of these security issues being used on customers.
Source: Nexus Security Bulletin
Come comment on this article: Nexus security update for December is released
Factory images for Android 6.0.1 update have been released
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We’ve had the Android 6.0.1 update on our radar for some time now and it seems Google has decided today is the day – Google has released the factory images for Android 6.0.1 for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. While the update inevitably contains the December security update, one of the more anticipated additions are the new emoji that SVP of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer announced would be coming in this update. We also got a sneak peek at all the new emoji if you’re not keen on flashing a new factory image right now.
As with all software updates, you can either wait for the update to roll out to your device – which can take days or weeks depending on where you are – or you can download the factory image from the Google Developers website and flash it yourself. In case this is your first time, flashing a factory image will wipe everything on your device, so make sure to backup everything before you attempt anything – otherwise, you might be better off waiting for the OTA (over-the-air) update.
Are you excited to see the factory images for Android 6.0.1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Google Developers via TalkAndroid
The post Factory images for Android 6.0.1 update have been released appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google publishes Android 6.0.1 factory images for Nexus devices
Google has published the factory images for the long-awaited Android 6.0.1 update for the Nexus 5, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. The upgrade brings a brand new Emoji set to these devices, in addition to the latest security patch which is targeted at resolving any critical issues present in the open-source operating system.
Hit the source link below to download the factory images from the official Google Developer Blog for manual flashing. Alternatively, you can wait for the OTA to start rolling out, which should start soon.
Source: Google Developers
Come comment on this article: Google publishes Android 6.0.1 factory images for Nexus devices
Google rolling out Android 6.0.1 update to Nexus devices
We know that most of you are still waiting patiently for Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to hit your smartphones. And it only hurts more when we hear that some Nexus devices have now jumped the queue to receive the Android 6.0.1 update. Yes, you read it right – Google is pushing the new software update to the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9 and the Nexus Player.
As part of the software update, devices running the latest version of Android would receive 200 new and redesigned emojis. The good news for the world obsessed with texting is, Google has included unicorn, cat, cheese-block, popcorn and taco emojis in the latest update. Just like we informed in our earlier report, many old emojis such as poop and body parts have have been redesigned and recolored. It is noteworthy that the new emojis have already been available on Windows 10 and iOS platform for a few weeks.
Another small change that users who have tablets running Android 6.0.1 will notice that the ‘Back’ and ‘Home’ navigation buttons are now located on the left hand side of the display’s base instead of their central position. The Android 6.0.1 factory images are also available to download on Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus Player, Nexus 9, Nexus 7 (2013).
Via: Mobile Syrup
The post Google rolling out Android 6.0.1 update to Nexus devices appeared first on AndroidGuys.
A fix is coming to those experiencing a slightly tinted display on their Nexus 5X, 6P or Player
If you own one of Google’s newest Nexus smartphones or a Nexus Player that’s experiencing screen issues, you’ll be happy to know that a fix is coming.
Google has finally found what’s causing the display problems on select Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X units. If you’re unaware of the issue, colors on select handsets were reported slightly washed out. The company is now on top of it and is finalizing an update containing a fix. Nexus owners are very fortunate that the issue turned out to be software related and not a hardware problem in the display itself. Google is planning to push out the update containing the fix to all Nexus 5X and 6P owners in the near future. Nexus Player owners that reported a similar issue will also be glad to know that a fix has been made and will be sent out shortly via OTA. Have you experienced any problems with your Nexus device?
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: A fix is coming to those experiencing a slightly tinted display on their Nexus 5X, 6P or Player
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