We ranked the top 5 flagship Android phones you can get right now
Flagship smartphones are the race cars of the mobile device market. With normal automobiles you don’t need to go 200mph just to get to work. You don’t need specialized tires, exhausts, engines, and steering wheels for an everyday driver, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to go fast. Sometimes you want more than you need, and there is nothing wrong with that if you can afford it.
Without race cars, the limits of automobile technology wouldn’t be pushed. Did you know the rear view mirror and disk brakes came from race cars? What seemed innovative when those products were invented are now standard on all cars and trucks.
The smartphone industry is no different – flagship smartphones push the limits of what you can do with mobile technology. 1080p HD displays were “overkill” just two years ago, but are now almost a must have on a smartphone no matter the price. Fast processors, ultra-clear displays, massive amounts of RAM, and killer cameras on flagships make the mobile tech industry move forward.
While budget smartphones are an area of focus for me, I realize I may have forgotten about the enthusiasts who do want to go 200mph on their commute to work. So I have put together my list of the best flagships you can get before Mobile World Conference brings us a whole host of new phones for 2016.
Bear in mind, when 2016 came about, I made a vow to only use smartphones that are unlocked and cost less than $400. Flagship smartphones are a passion of mine, but for 2016 I am only going to use and review smartphones that can save you hundreds of dollars.
With that being said, I still want to share the top five Android flagship smartphones you can get today without taking money into consideration.
Number 5 – HTC One A9
One of the most underrated phones is the HTC made One A9. Software wise, it is one of the few devices that actually runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with its litany of features many users yearn for. The One A9 is very easy to hold with an all metal design, has a fantastic fingerprint reader for security, and comes with UH OH protection. No other flagship offers free protection from accidents, and that is what sets the A9 apart from the crowd.
No matter how hard some people try, they will drop, scratch and break phones – even with cases on. Replacing or fixing a device is never cheap unless you buy the HTC One A9 since it is free. And better yet, with Android 6.0 the A9 runs buttery smooth and has great battery life.
Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 617, Octa-core; 64-bit, 4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.2GHz
- Memory: 3GB RAM / 32GB Storage
- Main camera: 13MP with sapphire cover lens, auto-focus , BSI sensor, OIS, ƒ/2.0, 1080p video recording
Front camera: HTC UltraPixel™, fixed focus, ƒ/2.0, 1080p video recording - Display: 5.0 inch, Full HD 1080p
HTC One A9 at – Amazon.com, AT&T, Sprint
Number 4 – Samsung Galaxy S6 edge
Without question the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is one of the most unique 5.1″ smartphones you can get today. It has a gorgeous 2.5D dual curved display that easy to use in one hand. With a Samsung made Exynos octa-core processor, and 3GB of RAM, the S6 edge frequently sits atop benchmark tests even though this phone was released almost a year ago.
The dual edge display wraps around the sides to give the phone a full display without bezels. As beautiful as the S6 edge is, the best part about the phone is the 16MP rear camera which is only matched in quality by its bigger brother, the Galaxy Note5. No other non Galaxy smartphone comes close to the high-quality pictures from the S6 lineup. And that 2k Super AMOLED display is to die for.
The main gripes I have with the S6 edge are the lack of expandable memory, slow updates, and replaceable battery. But it is still a great device you can still use in one hand.
Specs:
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 7420 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz; Octa-Core
- Memory: 3GB RAM/32GB Storage
- Main camera: 16MP
Front camera: 5MP
- Display: 5.1 inch, F1440 x 2560 pixels (~577 ppi pixel density) Super AMOLED
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge at Amazon.com, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile
Number 3 – Samsung Galaxy Note5
Any other year and the Samsung Galaxy Note would have been my top pick. The Samsung Galaxy Note line is arguably the most functional smartphone you can get with its top of the line specs, and one of a kind stylus. When the first Note came out, people laughed and said the large display was unwieldy. But the choice to go with a 5.7″ display set the trend for other large smartphones.
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While the Note5 sits at number three, it used to sit at number one for me. Samsung decided to take away features like the IR Blaster, expandable memory, and removable battery from its most prolific smartphone. It replaced those features with an S6 like build that indluded a metal frame sandwiched in between two very sturdy pieces of Gorilla Glass 4. The processor, camera, and 2k AMOLED display are the best you can get on any smartphone. And like the S6 edge, the Note5 also has built-in wireless charging capabilities making it much more convenient to recharge your device.
And the S-Pen, while not for everyone, is super useful for those who still like to use a pen for note taking.
Random question – Did you know Samsung refers to the Note5 without a space in the name?
Specs:
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 7420 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz; Octa-Core
- Memory: 4GB RAM/32GB Storage
- Main camera: 16MP
Front camera: 5MP
- Display: 5.7 inch, F1440 x 2560 pixels (~518 ppi pixel density) Super AMOLED
Samsung Galaxy Note5 at Amazon.com, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon
Number 2 – LG V10
LG quietly sneaked out a powerhouse in the second half of 2015 with the LG V10. The LG V10 is a dual display smartphone with just about every feature you can think of. The dual display is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge design from 2014, but instead of the second display being on the side, it sits on top of the main display. You can control your music, see current weather conditions, check recently used apps,and see notifications all without disturbing your main display.
The V10 also added real steel siding to the smartphone that gives it a gorgeous look with a four foot drop rating to keep it from breaking in minor accidents. The base memory is also massive at 64GB with the option to expand via the micro SD card slot, and it also has a user replaceable battery too. I find the V10 to be the replacement for what I miss most in the Galaxy Note5. The Quantum 2k display is a real gem too – it has one of the clearest displays of any smartphone and it does it without Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology.
If you like HiFi music, the V10 also has a built in digital to analog converter(DAC) which is audiophile code for a chip that makes music sound awesome. The built-in DAC sets the V10 apart from all other Android smartphones.
Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992, Hexa-core, 1800 MHz, ARM Cortex-A57 and ARM Cortex-A53, 64-bit
- Memory: 4GB RAM/64GB Storage
- Main camera: 16MP
Front camera: 5MP
- Display: 5.7 inch, F1440 x 2560 pixels (~515 ppi pixel density) Quantum IPS
LG V10 at Amazon.com, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon
The best of the best Google Nexus 6P
You can’t go wrong with any of the top three phones if you like plus sized phones. But the Huawei made Google Nexus 6P is the overall champ of the flagships. It comes in an all metal body that is gorgeous, easy to hold, slim and “premium”.
What sets the Nexus 6P apart from the others is the ability to be used across any network, including Google’s own Project Fi, and the pure unadulterated version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Manufacturers are struggling mightily to keep up with Google’s software updates, and sometimes over customize what Android should be.
The Nexus 6P doesn’t have the greatest specs on paper, but with a clean version of Android it has incredible battery life, access to the most timely updates, and the smoothest software interface of all Android smartphones. The included fingerprint reader on the back is also amazing with incredible accuracy, and your finger will not only unlock your device, it will also turn on the display.
Other flagships that are sold through wireless carriers get added bloatware, and another layer of customization which slows updates to a grinding halt while taking up valuable space. Pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow is Google’s idea of what mobile software should be and I agree 100%. It’s fast, clean, and gets regular updates.
Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 2.0 GHz Octa-core 64-bit
- Memory: 3GB RAM/32GB Storage
- Main camera: 12.3MP
Front camera: 8MP
- Display: 5.7 inch,WQHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED display at 518 ppi
Nexus 6P at Amazon.com, and Google.com
I know my top five smartphones you can get today may not match your list. Let me know what your top five phones you can get today are below.
The post We ranked the top 5 flagship Android phones you can get right now appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Problems with the Nexus 6P and how to fix them
This year, Google strayed from their usual release pattern by launching not one, but two new Nexus smartphones. The availability of a more affordable option meant that Google was able to go all out with their high-end offering, and in the Nexus 6P, we finally have a device that can more than effectively compete with other current generation flagships. With its beautiful design and solid build quality, high-end specs, top of the line camera, and of course, a smooth and snappy pure Android experience, the Nexus 6P is certainly one of the best Android smartphones of the year.
That said, as is the case with any smartphone or tablet nowadays, the latest flagship offering from Google is not without its issues. Which is why, we’ve rounded up some of the most common problems that Nexus 6P owners have faced, and offer potential solutions on how to fix them!
Disclaimer: Not every Nexus 6P owner will face these issues, and it is actually more than likely that you won’t come across any of the problems listed below.
Problem #1 – Auto Rotate not working
Some users have found the auto-rotate feature of the Nexus 6P to not be working even though the setting is enabled. This issue occurs across all apps, including when watching videos, playing games, or using the camera. Users who face this problem have found it to occur after a few weeks of use, during which everything was working fine.
Potential solutions:
- A rogue app may be causing this issue. To check if this is the case, boot the device in Safe Mode (you can find the instructions below), and see if the problem persists. If it doesn’t, a recently-installed application is the cause for concern. Uninstall any apps that were added just before the problem started, and see if that fixes it.
- This could also be an issue with the accelerometer and G-sensor as well. Download an app from the Google Play Store like GPS & Status Toolbox and re-calibrate the sensors, and see if that fixes it. If this is proves to be a hardware issue, the only option will be to pick up a replacement.
- A temporary workaround that has worked for some is using an third-party app, such as Rotation Control, that will let you manually trigger the switch to the landscape orientations. This seems to be a software issue and is something that Google is tracking, so a permanent fix will hopefully be available soon.
Problem #2 – Device stuck on Do Not Disturb mode
After having set the device to Do Not Disturb, or with Priority notifications set up with automatic rules, some users have found themselves unable to de-activate these settings anymore, using either the on-screen toggles or the volume buttons, even after multiple reboots.
Potential solutions:
- This is a software issue that has been acknowledged by Google, and hopefully a permanent fix will be on the way soon.
- A temporary workaround that users have found to have worked is to go to Settings – Sound and Notification – Do not disturb – Automatic Rules, and set up a custom rule to start at some point in the past, and end a few minutes after you set up the setting. Let the phone go into standby, and after the rule expires, it will turn off Do not disturb.
See also: Best Android phones (December 2015)
Problem #3 – Muffled voice, poor call quality
A lot of users have found the call quality to be very poor, with the other party hearing a muffled or very quiet voice. This issue seems to be related to the sensitivity of the noise-cancelling microphone on the back of the device.
Potential solutions:
- This is a software issue that Google has acknowledged, and the official update to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow seems to have fixed this problem for some.
- As mentioned, this issue seems to be related to the noise-cancelling mic found on the back of the device below the camera unit, but the solution seems to be quite different. Some users have found that covering up the mic fixes the issue, while others have stated that the fact that the mic is covered, by a case or how you are holding the phone, is what is creating the problem. While on a call, either uncover or cover the mic to see what works for you.
- If you are rooted, users have found that de-activating the noise-cancelling setting seems to make the problem go away. You can do so in your build.prop, by finding persist.audio.fluence.voicecall=true, and changing it to false.
Problem #4 – Connectivity issues
As is the case with any new device, you may find yourself facing some connectivity issues with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Bluetooth issues seem to be especially prominent with the Nexus 6P, with problems connecting to Bluetooth speakers, the car, and smartwatches.
Potential solutions:
Wi-Fi issues
- Turn the device and the router off for at least ten seconds, then turn them back and retry the connection.
- Go to Settings – Power saving and ensure that this option is turned off.
- Use the Wi-Fi Analyzer to check how crowded your channel is, and switch to a better option.
- Forget the Wi-Fi connection by going to Settings – Wi-Fi and long tapping the connection you want, then selecting “Forget”. Re-enter the details and try again.
- Make sure the router firmware is up to date.
- Make sure the applications and software on the device are up to date.
- Go into Wi-Fi – Settings – Advanced and make a note of your device MAC address, then make sure that it is allowed access in the router’s MAC filter.
Bluetooth issues
- With issues when connecting to the car, check the manufacturer’s manual for the device and the car and reset your connections.
- Ensure that you are not missing a vital part of the connection process.
- Go to Settings – Bluetooth and ensure nothing needs changing
- Go into Settings – Bluetooth delete all prior pairings and try setting them up again from scratch.
- When it comes to issues with multiple device connection, only a future update will be able to address this problem.
Guides: Hard reset, Wipe cache partition, Safe Mode
Hard reset:
- Turn off the phone
- Hold the volume down button and Power button simultaneously until the device switches on.
- You should see “Start” with an arrow
- Tap volume down twice and the power button to enter Recovery Mode
- Hold the power button then press and release the volume up button
- Use the volume buttons to select wipe data/factory reset
- Choose “Yes – erase all data” with the power button
Safe Mode:
- Hold the power button after ensuring the screen is on.
- Tap and hold the Power off selection in the menu
- Tap OK to initiate Safe Mode
Wipe cache partition:
- Turn off the phone
- Hold the volume down button and Power button simultaneously until the device switches on.
- You should see “Start” with an arrow
- Tap volume down twice and the power button to enter Recovery Mode
- Use the volume buttons to select Wipe cache partition
[alert variation =”alert-success”] The official update to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow has addressed a few other issues already, including the device not recognizing the camera, camera taking photos upside down, colors on the display appearing washed out, and device being unable to switch easily between Wi-Fi and data connectivity. [/alert]
So, there you have it for this roundup of some of the common issues that Nexus 6P owners face, and the potential solutions on how to fix them. We will continue to update this post as more problems or solutions arise, and if you have faced any other issues, do let us know in the comments section below. For more Nexus 6P discussions, check out our official forums as well.
Nexus 6P videos
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It is also worth mentioning that if you are considering picking up the Nexus 6P, don’t let these issues put you off. Most of these issues are software related, and future updates will fix them, and in all likelihood, these problems won’t come up for you anyway. The Nexus 6P is still one of the best Android smartphones currently available, and is a great choice for anyone.
Best Buy is selling the Nexus 6P, temporary discount included
The Nexus 6P, Google’s high-end flagship to carry the company through most of 2016, is now being sold by another retailer. As expected, Best Buy is selling the Nexus 6P. The electronics retailer is selling just the 64GB model in Aluminum at the moment while also taking $50 off of its price. So you can get this model for $499 compared to its usual $549 price.
It’s unclear when (or even if) Best Buy will be adding other storage options and colors of the Nexus 6P to its lineup.
The bad news, at least for now, is that Best Buy has completely sold out of the Nexus 6P online and stores are not yet selling the handset. If you’re trying to get one before Christmas on Friday, head over to the Google Store because Google is selling the Nexus 6P for $449 to start and overnight shipping is included at no extra charge.
[Best Buy]
Come comment on this article: Best Buy is selling the Nexus 6P, temporary discount included
Gold Nexus 6P coming to India via Flipkart, pre-orders start tomorrow
Anyone can get a Nexus 6P, but very few have access to the gold variant, which was exclusively launched in Japan. The rest of us either have to wait and see if the phone is released in the USA or import it for around $2000. Is this special edition Nexus 6P really catching your eye? If you live in India you will soon be able to waltz into an online store and purchase it.
The golden Nexus 6P will become available in India, exclusively from popular online retailer Flipkart. Pre-orders begin at 12 AM IST, on December 21st. This is the 64 GB version and goes for 23,999 Rupees, which is equivalent to about $664.50 USD.
Aside from the color, everything else is identical to the regular Nexus 6P. This is a marvelous handset, packed with a 5.7-inch 2560x1440p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 12.3 MP rear camera, an 8 MP front-facing camera and a 3450 mAh battery.
You can read our full review to learn all about the phone. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of preference. Will you go with the luxurious golden Nexus 6P? Or are you more of a traditional user? I happen to prefer the more modest colors.
Gold-colored Huawei Nexus 6P Special Edition launched in India today
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After launching the gold-colored variant of the Nexus 6P in Japan, Huawei has launched it in India today. The Huawei Nexus 6P Special Edition is listed on Flipkart with a price tag of $663.49 (~ INR 43,999), and will be available for purchase exclusively through the e-commerce giant starting next week – December 21.
When compared to the normal variant of the Nexus 6P, which is available in silver and grey colors, the Special Edition can be differentiated only by its golden color. Moreover, it is features 64GB of internal storage, unlike the normal version of the device, which is available in both, 32GB and 64GB, storage sizes.
The Huawei Nexus 6P was launched in India by Google on October 13 along with the LG Nexus 5X. While the Nexus 6P was launched exclusively through Flipkart, the 16GB variant of the Nexus 5X was available exclusively through Amazon India. However, both these devices are now available through various online and offline retailers.
“The Huawei Nexus 6P has been well received by the Indian audience and keeping in mind the niche target group, we have introduced the Gold color Special Edition of the smartphone.”
– Allen Wang, President of Consumer Device Business Group, Huawei India.
In other news, the price of the LG Nexus 5X has been dropped to just $347 (~ INR 22,999) from its initial price of $482 (~ INR 31,990). Both, the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P, come pre-installed with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box and feature 12.3-megapixel 1/2.3-inch camera sensors with laser autofocus. Both these devices were unveiled by Google on September 29.
The post Gold-colored Huawei Nexus 6P Special Edition launched in India today appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Project Fi now offers device insurance
Users who purchased a Nexus 5X or 6P on Google’s Project Fi have sadly been unable to take advantage of the Nexus Protect program, Google’s insurance for Nexus devices. Google looks to change that this week by offering Project Fi users an insurance option directly from the carrier. The new insurance would be different from Nexus Protect, which is a one-time fee added on to a device purchase.
The Project Fi insurance will come in the form of a monthly charge of $5, which covers manufacturer defects as well as user-inflicted damage to the device. A possible downside to this plan versus Nexus Protect is that users will have to pay a deductible fee if they file a claim for anything other than a manufacturer issue. That fee will be $69 for the Nexus 5X and $99 for the Nexus 6P.
Interestingly, the new insurance program would cost more than Nexus Protect for the 5X and 6P. A quick look at the numbers shows that over two years, it would cost roughly $120 for insurance on one of these devices, but the Nexus Protect program offers coverage for the Nexus 5X and 6P for $69 and $89, respectively.It is worth noting that the Project Fi insurance only applies to devices bought through Project Fi, so users can still buy a Nexus directly from Google and enroll in Nexus Protect.
Source Phandroid
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Announcing the results of Best of Android and Readers’ Choice 2015
We don’t think about it, but we Android fans are very lucky. Every end of the year, we get to look back and say “wow, what a year is has been!”
In 2015, the vibrant Android ecosystem reached new heights. Phone makers launched amazing flagships with stylish designs and impressive features. Budget buyers were spoiled with quality devices at low prices. It’s never been easier – and cheaper – to stay on the edge of technology, opening possibilities with a profound impact on our lives and society.
With so many good Android smartphones – each of them special in their own way – coming out in 2015, it’s pretty hard to single out the best phone of the year. That’s why we launched two initiatives designed to surface the best Android phones of 2015, as seen by the AA team and by you, our dear readers. These are Best of Android and Smartphone of the Year: Readers’ Choice. And here’s the wrap-up!
Don’t miss:
Best of Android 2015
With Best of Android, we started from the devices that we felt are the most representative for the high-end Android landscape. We picked the phones that stand out from the crowd through their design, quality, and user experience. That doesn’t mean that only the six phones we included are worthy of your attention, not by a longshot. However, because we wanted to test in-depth the best phones of the moment, we had to limit ourselves to these flagships: LG V10, Moto X Force, BlackBerry Priv, Galaxy Note 5, Nexus 6P, and the Xperia Z5 Premium.
We went up close with these phones, throughout a suite of tests and comparisons. We looked at specific metrics like display brightness and battery charging times. We also weighed in on more subjective topics, like photography and software.
We don’t claim that the comparisons were perfect: it’s been a learning experience, and you can bet that next year’s Best of Android will incorporate the lessons we got from this year’s feedback.
We do hope that we provided a valuable comparison for all Android fans out there. And, in 2016, the technical knowhow we acquired from these hands-on tests will help us create better reviews, comparisons, and up-close looks at all Android devices.
And the winner is…
Without further ado, here are the winners from each test:
- Display: After analyzing the brightness, color accuracy, and white balance of our contenders, as well as assessing the overall image quality, we crowned the BlackBerry Priv as the winner, followed by the Note 5, and the LG V10. Read the full comparison.
- Audio: We employed a combination of measurements and listening tests to find the clearest, most accurate, and most pleasant audio experience. At the end of the day, the LG V10, with its 32-bit DAC, took home the title, followed by the Note 5 and the Xperia Z5 Premium. Read the full comparison.
- Performance: We put our flagships through a series of benchmark tests and hands-on tests where we tried to simulate real life usage scenarios. The Galaxy Note 5 won by a margin, followed by the Z5 Premium and the Nexus 6P, which were very close. The Snapdragon 808-powered devices were a little slower. Read the full comparison.
- Battery: Great performance and dense displays are great, but they’re nothing if your phone dies when you need it the most. In our battery tests, we looked at which phone has the longest battery life in standby mode and with heavy usage. The Note 5 came on top again, followed by the Moto X Force and the BlackBerry Priv. Read the full comparison.
- Camera: Increasingly, users demand cameras that can handle even difficult lighting conditions, so we paid close attention to this section. We put the devices through a shootout and then the entire team voted their preferred devices for each comparison. The Nexus 6P got the first place, followed closely by the Galaxy Note 5 and the LG V10. Read the full comparison.
- User experience: This was probably the hardest comparison to do, simply because you can’t quantify things like the usefulness of software features or the impression left by a design element. We ran through the main hardware and software features and we voted on which device is the best. With the disclaimer that this ranking is admittedly subjective, the AA team preferred the Nexus 6P, followed by the Note 5, and the Moto X Force. Read the full comparison.
Tallying up the votes across comparisons, the Galaxy Note 5 comes across as the undisputed leader. Samsung’s device ranked consistently among the best; it captured the first place in two comparisons and the second place (and not far behind the leader) in the others. Across precise measurements and subjective tests, the Note 5 showed it’s still the king of the Android world.
Following up, the Nexus 6P confirmed that this year’s Nexus generation is truly the best one yet. Google finally made a device without glaring flaws, and more impressively, one with a great camera, a first for the family.
LG’s V10 gained the third place, helped by the audio performance and a generally decent showing across comparisons.
So there you have it: our Best of Android flagship of 2015 is the Note 5. What about your favorite?
Best smartphone: Readers’ Choice
We wanted to give you a say in the selection of the smartphone of the year, and a chance to win the device that takes home the laurels.
The 2015 Readers’ Choice poll was open for almost ten days, and in this time, we tallied over 12,000 votes. We kept the voting results anonymous, so votes aren’t influenced by the current ranking of each device.
Drawing the line, it’s clear what Android Authority readers consider the best Android smartphone out there, and that’s Google’s own Nexus 6P.
The 6P gathered almost 30% of the votes, and almost double the votes of the second place, the Galaxy Note 5. Samsung won another place on the podium with the Galaxy S6/Edge, confirming its standing as the top Android manufacturer. The LG V10 came in a respectable fourth place, in another decent, if not amazing performance.
Here are the full results.
There you have it. The results of our in-depth testing and the popular vote show that the two top smartphones of the year are the Galaxy Note 5 and the Nexus 6P. Without doubt, these phones have set a very high standard for the entire ecosystem, and, particularly if you prefer large phones, you can’t go wrong with either of them. The V10 also made a strong showing, as did the Moto X Force (Turbo 2). The Xperia Z5 Premium did not score a top position in our testing, but it’s clearly a fan favorite.
Now read: Samsung Galaxy S7 rumor roundup: release date, price, specs, features
And with that, we thank you for reading through Best of Android and invite you to join us in 2016 for more in-depth analyses of the Android world. What do you think about the winners?
Deal: Save $50 on the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X from the Google Store
In need of a really great unlocked Android smartphone? We may have just the deal for you. Right now, the Google Store is selling both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X for $50 off. That means the 6P is now starting at just $449, and the 5X is going for only $329. These are the lowest prices we’ve seen yet, so if you’ve been waiting for the prices to drop on either of these handsets, now may be your best bet.
To make the deal even sweeter, Google is including free overnight shipping with both of these handsets, allowing you to get your hands on the device in just a few days. Not bad!
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The Huawei-made Nexus 6P is one of the best Android smartphones on the market. It comes with a big 5.7-inch display, a super fast Snapdragon 810 processor and one of the best cameras available on a smartphone to date. The Nexus 5X is no slack, either, with its 5.2-inch display, Snapdragon 808 processor, and a camera that’s nearly identical to the one found on the 6P. Whichever one you choose, you’re bound to be happy with your purchase.
Interested? Follow the links below before the Google Store runs out of stock!
[Deal] Google Store takes $50 off the Nexus 6P and 5X
Both of Google’s Nexus phones to carry the company into 2016 are seeing discounts in the Google Store.
The Nexus 6P normally starts at $499 but can be purchased right now for as little as $449 in your choice of Aluminum, Graphite, or Frost. Opting above the standard 32GB of internal storage will increase the price to $499 for 64GB and $599 for 128GB. The Nexus 5X is now at an incredibly attractive price that starts at $329 for 16GB of internal storage. The 32GB model is listed at $379 and color options for either one are Carbon, Quartz, and Ice.
The discount is in addition to free overnight shipping.
An end date was not specified by Google, but the promotion likely ends on December 31 at the latest. And all purchases made through December 25 can be returned up until January 23.
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Google Store takes $50 off the Nexus 6P and 5X
Nexus 6P – second opinion
Google decided to take their smartphone line in a new direction this year, by introducing not one, but two, new Nexus devices for consumers to choose between. A very smart move was the introduction of the Nexus 5X, giving folks who prefer smaller screens a Nexus option. The spiritual successor of the very popular Nexus 5 retained all that was great about the original, while of course, being updated to keep up with the times.
The availability of a smaller, and more affordable, option allowed Google to also go all out with their high-end Nexus offering, and by not having to cut any corners, what we have in the Nexus 6P, manufactured by Huawei, is a smartphone that is more than well-equipped to comfortably take on its current generation competition. We have already taken an intricate look at this device in the comprehensive review, but here, I would like to share my thoughts on this smartphone as well, in this “second opinion” look at the Nexus 6P!
Design
Anyone familiar with Huawei will know the company’s prowess when it comes to the design and build quality of their high-end smartphones, and that is seen with the Nexus 6P as well. The full metal unibody construction feels solid in the hand and looks fantastic. Despite the metal body, the Nexus 6P is also not as slippery as some other devices that feature metal builds, with the chamfered edges and flat sides contributing to the grip.
The Nexus 6P is a tall device, and is even taller than last year’s Nexus 6, but is fortunately not nearly as wide, which makes the former much easier to wrap your hands around. Of course, the Nexus 6P is still a large smartphone, and while the handling experience is a lot more manageable this time around, one-handed use may still not be particularly comfortable for some users.
The black glass visor on the back, that houses the rear camera unit and its peripherals, is also a unique design element that I really like. It is something that definitely looks much better in person than in renders or photos, and doesn’t protrude as much as you might have thought either. Overall, it gives the Nexus 6P a different look from what would otherwise be a standard smartphone design.
Display
The Nexus 6P comes with a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution, and it is a gorgeous looking screen. I personally prefer AMOLED displays anyway, mainly due to the deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratios. The use of AMOLED displays also work very well with Nexus smartphones, with the screen blending in extremely well with the clean black front, and its great to see Google and Huawei stick to it with their high-end flagship.
In the case of the Nexus 6P, the display is as bright and vivid as expected, and while not everyone may be a fan of the large display size, anyone who uses their smartphones a lot for watching videos or playing games will certainly appreciate the additional screen real estate that is available.
Performance and hardware
The Nexus 6P comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, backed by the Adreno 430 GPU and 3 GB of RAM, which is the current flagship standard, and as such, performs as expected. The Nexus 6P flies through everything, and handles everything from general everyday tasks to multi-tasking and gaming with ease. There have been no instances of lag or stutter, and it is by far the most fluid experience I’ve had on an Android device this far. As powerful as this processing package may be, also making a significant contribution to the performance aspect is the stock version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow that the device runs.
One of my favorite features of the Nexus 6P has to be its dual front-facing stereo speakers, which do a great job in complementing the beautiful display and further enhancing the media-consumption or gaming experience. These speakers get extremely loud and feature fantastic audio quality, and can easily give something like HTC’s front-facing BoomSound speakers a run for its money. I am a huge fan of front-facing speakers, and still find it extremely surprising that not a whole lot of flagship devices offer them, but it’s great to see Google retain this feature from the Nexus 6.
A new addition to the Nexus line this year is the fingerprint scanner, found on the back of both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. Given the great experience I had with the fingerprint reader of the Nexus 5X, it wasn’t surprising to find the one of the Nexus 6P to be just as fast and accurate. Granted, its placement on the rear means that you won’t be able to unlock the device using it when it is kept on a table, but the positioning is ideal for when you are holding the phone up, with your index finger naturally gravitating to that point on the phone. The scanner is fast, accurate, and lets you wake and unlock the device in one shot, and is a great implementation overall.
The Nexus 6P comes with a large 3,450 mAh battery, and it is very easy to comfortably get a full day of use out of the device, save for the days with heavy usage that involved a lot of gaming. If you do run out of juice, the fast charging capabilities that are available means that you are also able to be back up and running in a very short amount of time.
See also: Best Android phones (December 2015)
Camera
Both the latest Nexus smartphones feature the same camera setup and image processing, and as I noted during my review of the Nexus 5X, these are excellent cameras. The camera is capable of taking excellent shots in virtually every lighting condition, with the larger pixel size making for the lack of OIS when it comes to low light or night time shots. OIS would have still been a nice feature to have though, with its absence particularly noticeable when recording video.
Camera samples from review
With the camera of smartphones being a big focus this year, and with there already being quite a few fantastic options, Google couldn’t have picked a better time to get things right with this one aspect which has historically been quite lackluster.
Software
One of the biggest reasons why I’ve been a fan of the Nexus series is because of the software experience these devices provide. The Nexus 6P runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and it is by far the best version of Android yet. Marshmallow feels extremely polished, which makes sense, given that this was what the update was about. Android 5.0 Lollipop may have introduced Material Design, and a lot of the aesthetics have been retained with the current version, but it had a lot of problems that have mostly been addressed with Android 6.0, along with a host of useful additions.
New features with Marshmallow include Doze, which allows for better battery life in standby, user defined app permissions, contextual search results with Google Now on Tap, and revamped volume controls. Of course, Marshmallow isn’t absolutely perfect, but is definitely a big step in the right direction, allowing for a smooth and snappy software experience that is practically unmatched.
Specifications
| Display | 5.7-inch AMOLED display 2560 x 1440 resolution, 518ppi |
| Processor | 2 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor Adreno 430 GPU |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32/64/128 GB not expandable |
| Networks | GSM 850/1900 W-CDMA 2/4/5 CDMA 0/1/10 LTE Band 2/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/41 |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes |
| Camera | 12.3MP rear-facing camera 8MP front-facing camera |
| Battery | Non-removable 3450 mAh |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 77.8 x 7.3mm, 178g |
Gallery
Final thoughts
So, there you have it for this second look at the Nexus 6P! Google and Huawei have built a phone that can finally compete with the best Android flagships out there with their being no corners cut with the high-end Nexus offering. This smartphone is a great choice for not only fans of the Nexus line, but Android fans in general, and if you are looking for the best Android experience that Google has to offer, look no further than the Nexus 6P!
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