The great The Google Nexus 6 has a razor-sharp and expansive show, a the most effective Snapdragon 805 processor, the latest Lollipop OS and an OIS-geared up camera that takes nice out of doors photographs.
The unhealthy The Nexus is heavier and wider than most giant smartphones, and its name extent is low on audio speaker. And with a $650 beginning price, it’s the most costly Nexus yet.
The underside Line even if the Google Nexus 6 trails the slimmer Samsung Galaxy notice four in processor performance and native productiveness options, it can be nonetheless the most powerful pure Android handset to be had and the largest Nexus thus far.
Google Nexus 6
As the primary plus-dimension smartphone from Google, the Nexus 6 is not a easy improve from the Nexus 5. And when Dave Burke, the company’s VP of engineering, first surpassed us the 6-inch handset, he encouraged us to ask not “what’s the right size for a telephone?” but, “what’s the right measurement of a pocket web instrument?”
It was once a clever comment on his part, for should you call to mind the Motorola-madenexus 6 in those terms — as a do-anything-and-everything tablet replacement — then it’s an out of this world tool. With a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 805 processor, a fantastic quad HD show, a nimble digital camera that can take ultra sharp pictures, and that enormous screen, the Nexus 6 provides you extra space for stuff you in point of fact do on a smartphone, mainly checking e mail, shopping the net, watching movies, and taking photos.
That mentioned, whilst other manufacturers rush to construct larger telephones, the jump to the Nexus 6 is a arguable move on Google’s phase. Size does matter, and with the aid of breaking from corporations like Apple and Samsung that make each cellphone and phablet models of what’s primarily the identical handset, Google dangers alienating users who imagine it too large (it’s heavier and wider than other large smartphones) or who don’t need to pay the $650-plus top rate to purchase it.
For these more smaller-minded, there are masses other choices available on the market, such because the additionally pure-Android Motorola Moto X. However for any person looking for a massive-screen handset with an genuine form of the new Lollipop OS, the Nexus 6 is the smartphone you wish to have. It performs neatly and it has all that you juts’ are expecting from the Nexus household. If you wish to go giant and do not want stock Android, though, we provide the Samsung Galaxy observe four the brink. It’s simply as powerful (if not more so), it has extra productiveness options just like the tremendous-to hand S Pen, and its design higher handles the big measurement.
Google Nexus 6 Availability
In the us, that you may pre-order an unlocked Nexus 6 from the Google Play retailer for $649 (32GB) and $699 (64GB). Carriers in order to inventory the software include T-cell, AT&T, Verizon, dash and US mobile, and it is going to hit store shelves in November. Over the subsequent coming weeks, the handset will probably be sold in 28 different countries, with 4G LTE variants both for the Americas and nations on different continents. Within the UK, it’s going to cost £499 (32GB) and £549 (64GB). The 32GB model will cost AU$869 in Australia and the 64GB edition is AU$929.
Google Nexus 6 Hardware and key elements: the heart of the operation
The phone is powered through a quad-core, 2.7ghz Snapdragon 805 processor from Qualcomm, which is the same CPU found in other powerhouse gadgets just like the reworked LG G3 Cat 6 for Korea, the Samsung Galaxy word 4, and the upcoming Motorola Droid Turbo. The processor includes the Adreno 420 GPU for easy images rendering and gameplay.
Giving the Nexus 6 its juice is a non-removable three,220mah battery. Similar to its predecessors, the battery has wireless charging capabilities, and might supposedly regain six hours of power after quarter-hour of charging with a specialized Turbo charger that options Qualcomm quick cost 2.0 expertise. We will element how these stats in fact pan out in a while within the evaluate.
To your digital camera wants, the handset has a 13-megapixel digital camera with a dual-LED flash that encircles the lens, and a 2-megapixel front shooter. Extra candies include 3GB of RAM, and sixteen or 32GB of interior storage. Unfortunately, there is no technique to insert a microsd card for expandable memory.
Design: AKA, the Motorola Moto ‘XXL’
Simply put, the Nexus 6 appears to be like essentially like the second-gen Motorola Moto X on steroids. It has the identical curved again, an aluminum trim that dips down into the back plate on the top side, and a branded M-dimple, for Motorola. This isn’t very shocking given that Google’s made up our minds to move with Motorola to design its flagship, as an alternative of LG as in years past.
But simply because we like the Moto X’s design doesn’t necessarily mean the supersize look translates neatly for the Nexus. For instance, the Moto X’s design is highly customizable, and it’s small enough so that its arched bottom feels comfortable in the hand. Google’s software alternatively, is simply too expensive to grip effectively.
Size AND WEIGHT
Google Nexus 6
Samsung Galaxy observe 4
Apple iphone 6 Plus
Dimensions
6.27 x three.27 x 0.40 inches (159.26 x 82.ninety eight x 10.06mm)
6.04 x 3.09 x 0.34 inches (153.5 by means of 78.6 by eight.5mm)
6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 inches (158.1 x seventy seven.8 x 7.1 mm)
Weight
6.forty nine oz (184g)
6.2 ounces (176g)
6.07 oz (172g)
This is probably not a problem for those with larger arms, but needless to say the handset is also heavier and thicker than the Galaxy note four and the iphone Plus. Even within the realm of phablet, the telephone will prove unwieldy, or as a minimum uncomfortable, for some.
As well as, in comparison with the up to now talked about devices, the Nexus 6 does not really feel as top rate. Don’t get us wrong, the handset doesn’t look cheap in anyway — the darkish aluminum trim provides a component of luxurious, and we dig the twin entrance-going through speaker grilles. Nevertheless it doesn’t have the glossy, up to date aesthetic of the observe 4, or the light-weight all-metal construct quality of the iphone 6 Plus.
The phone’s plastic again also traps fingerprints easily. Seeing that we reviewed the midnight Blue variant, it could have been more uncomplicated to look our prints in comparison with the Cloud White version, however nonetheless, we needed to continuously wipe it right down to clear away smudges. Moreover, every time we did this, the plastic rear made crackling noises as we pressed and rubbed in opposition to it. This isn’t sufficient to turn us far from the Nexus 6 altogether, however for a $650 software, it used to be nonetheless unnerving to listen to.
Display: Going giant for a cause
After all, the main advantage of the handset’s higher design is its monumental screen. Vibrant, razor sharp, and immersive, the cellphone serves up virtually six inches of media-viewing goodness. Websites, HQ videos and graphics-intensive games all regarded buttery-smooth, with dynamic colors and effective important points.
Both the Nexus 6 and the Galaxy be aware four have a better decision and pixel density than the iphone 6 Plus, with the latter having essentially the most pixels packed per inch among the three. However while we can slice hairs over the numbers on paper, variations between the show resolutions are negligible to the bare eye. Even beneath shut examination with a magnifying lens, all of the displays appeared equally crisp and well defined to at least one every other.
Show RESOLUTIONS, in comparison
Google Nexus 6
Samsung Galaxy word four
Apple iphone 6 Plus
Display
5.ninety six-inch quashed, AMOLED (2,560×1,440)
5.7-inch quashed, super AMOLED (2,560×1,440)
5.5-inch HD liquid crystal display (1,920×1,080)
Pixel density
493ppi
515ppi
401ppi
We had been ready to notice different details, alternatively. Given the phone’s lcd reveal and the opposite two’s AMOLED show, there were glaring differences in shade temperature. Inexperienced, blue, and purple colorations were extra saturated and rich on the Galaxy word 4. The iphone showed the purest and brightest whites, which was particularly obvious subsequent to the Nexus, which displayed whites with a faint coloration of yellow. The deepest blacks came from the be aware four, with Apple’s phablet showing its black with a virtually bluish tone, and the Nexus coming someplace within the middle.
Basically, it is all a topic of personal preference. The Galaxy note four lets you alter display tones, besides, its screen has probably the most punch to it. Every now and then although, colors can seem unrealistic (particularly pores and skin tones). On the opposite aspect of the spectrum, the iphone comes off a tad muted, but colors are extra genuine-to-lifestyles. The Nexus 6 is the very best compromise between the two. It has better shade illustration than the be aware four, however isn’t as bright. On the related time, it’s extra vivid than the iphone, however its colors don’t seem to be as accurate. Whichever device you go along with, then again, you’re nonetheless guaranteed to get an attractive and expansive viewing expertise.
Instrument features: Oh loll, loll, loll
There are tons more options in Android 5.0 Lollipop, so remember to investigate cross-check deep dive here.
Residing in a subject material world
With the new replace, Android 5.0 introduces an absolutely redesigned interface called subject material Design. Animated, playful, and colorful, subject matter reaches with reference to every corner and crevice of Android — from the dialer, to the notifications color, and even the hotkeys for again, home, and overview (up to now known as, contemporary apps) have changed into easy geometric shapes.
As prior to now talked about, animations are a massive part of subject matter. Just about everything that you simply interact with by way of touch will move by some means. On occasion it’s a transparent gray color that ripples outward with each tap, or it can be a small wave that moves as you drag your finger throughout the display. While you launch the app drawer, its round icon expands into an immense rectangular window; and if you find yourself on the free up monitor, texts zoom inside and out. After some time, these respiratory animations give off the impact that your Android handset could be very so much alive and dynamic. Some of us for my part like this, however different CNET editors say that having too many animations can make your cellphone look adore it’s working slower than it in truth is.
Every other attribute of subject material is cards. Notifications, the app drawer, and textual content in many apps have their own designated card that’s layered on top of the background. We now have seen this prior to in Google Now, however Lollipop has built-in it much more.
Gmail and Calendar obtained the biggest makeover with the OS replace. The former, for instance, has a simplified inbox and refreshed sidebar. Calendar has whimsical, full-colored seasonal themed backgrounds for each and every month, and it may add relevant images to occasions using key words entered through customers equivalent to “dinner.” These pictures pop up thru a parallax scroll impact, and you can turn them off, however they’re quiet charming to ignore.
Notifications, overview and quick settings
Notifications can now be viewed within the lock screen, similar to Apple ios and Moto signals on Motorola gadgets. Tapping a notification will launch the related app, whereas swiping dismisses it altogether. Users might also control how much knowledge apps show, which turns out to be useful for sensitive emails and messages.
Long-urgent a notification card within the menu colour will expose person settings, but Google incorporated an “app notifications” master listing inside the settings menu as neatly. Signals for telephone calls, alarms, and texts can pop up while you are in the middle of a smartphone activity. These are known as heads-up, and which you can interact with them the identical manner as before (faucet to launch or swipe to dismiss).
Latest apps and multitasking have now been renamed as “overview” and are certain by means of the sq. Hotkey positioned on the backside proper of the display. Tap it and you can see all the lively apps which can be running the heritage. Laid out like a stack of cards, overview additionally presentations you multiple duties inside person apps. With reference to Gmail, for instance, two overview playing cards would seem when you have your inbox open and if you are drafting a new message.
Overview offers a extra informative preview and context to your recent apps. But if you’re a regular smartphone user, recent apps can add up quite quick. The addition of multiple tabs per app additionally piles on extra windows. As such, it can be unlucky there’s no “clear all” button that closes them . As a substitute, you can need to swipe or tap these playing cards individually, which will get tedious.
The quick settings menu, which is out there with a two-finger downward swipe on the prime of the display, has been refigured as smartly. In addition to the regular mainstays like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles, two welcomed settings have been added: auto-rotate and flashlight. These toggles have not been featured in inventory Android prior to, and it can be great to look them eventually baked into quick settings.
Further candies
Below the initiative of “mission Volta,” Google set out to support the software’s battery life as smartly. With the OS replace, builders are able to keep an eye on how their apps affected battery lifestyles, akin to scheduling tasks and fetching knowledge most effective when the phone is plugged in to a charger. As well as, a new battery-saver mode will flip off historical past information and reduce the CPU clock pace during instances of low battery.
Lollipop additionally enables customers to liberate their smartphone by the use of Bluetooth. If the Nexus 6 senses a identified non-public Bluetooth tool nearby, similar to a Motorola Moto 360 or LG G Watch wearable, the telephone will routinely free up itself.
To limit access from other users, Google brought screen pinning and visitor mode. Display pinning restricts others to only one screen, either an app or game which is given, whereas visitor mode lets different get right of entry to your handset as a visitor. This mode only bargains other users access to Google apps, the camera, messages, and the dialer (though as the proprietor of the device, which you can disallow others to make calls underneath guest mode).
If you are transferring from every other telephone to the Nexus 6, Google let’s you beam your apps, wallpapers, and account settings via NFC. Simply turn on NFC on each gadgets, faucet the backs, and wait unless each handsets connect. The loading process takes a couple of minutes relying on how a lot content you might have in your previous instrument, but it makes the migrating course of a lot easier.
Digicam and video: Sharp capturing
Take the Nexus 6’s 13-megapixel camera out of doors into the light and it is going to reward you to your religion with quite a lot of crisp, balanced photography that rival those of different high telephones. Lighter colorings are vivid and blacks are darkish. Vivid colors flood the eye. Even supposing prime quality typically, whites bleached out in some situations and low light shots weren’t as good as rival phones like the Microsoft Lumia (nee Nokia) line can produce.
HDR mode rescued some landscape scenes, particularly when combating harsh daylight angles, and indoor photos had been generally excellent. We found that the lens wouldn’t all the time focus on extreme close-ups, like flower petals, prior to starting to fuzz the perimeters.
Entrance-facing images on the two-megapixel camera had been just right each indoors and out, with faithful shade representation and enough element to fulfill without realizing every facial cranny and nook.
Android 5.0 Lollipop brings with it its own structure and tool set for the native camera, most of which you get entry to by using swiping to the fitting. These are basics, like Panorama and HDR mode, plus a lens blur function and photo sphere. You’ll turn grid strains on and hop into the settings to activate manual publicity (in advanced settings). Even higher could be an auto-HDR mode or onscreen toggle like the Samsung Galaxy note four has.
You is not going to, however, find filters and tinker with white balance presets within the default controls. Google saves these for its thorough editing instruments in the photographs gallery. Here, there’s auto-editing and cropping, and all kinds of tuning changes for things like brightness and saturation. You’ll be able to additionally be capable to add a ton of filters and put up-processing computing like tilt-shift and HDR Scope.
Newcomers to this sort of editing will want to embody the philosophy of trial and blunder as they dig deeper into the adjustment sliders and sub-menu instruments. Google has a normal visible tutorial, however could almost definitely have added some useful textual content-pushed device guidelines as well.
One closing comment for the photograph apps: it might be good if the images app had a simple, clear way of keeping apart out images from screenshots right off the bat, without you having to tinker with albums yourself.
This is a sampling of the Nexus 6 picture high quality below. You could click on images for full resolution, but be forewarned: they’re large.