The Good The Google Nexus 6 has a razor-sharp and expansive display, a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 805 processor, the latest Lollipop OS and an OIS-equipped camera that takes great outdoor photos.
The Bad The Nexus is heavier and wider than most big smartphones, and its call volume is low on audio speaker. And it's the most expensive Nexus yet.
The Bottom Line Although the Nexus 6 trails the slimmer Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in processor performance and native productivity features, it's still the most powerful pure Android handset available and the largest Nexus yet.
As the first plus-size smartphone from Google, the Nexus 6 isn't a simple upgrade from the Nexus 5. And when Dave Burke, the company's VP of engineering, first handed us the 6-inch handset, he encouraged us to ask not, "What is the right size for a phone?" but, "What is the right size of a pocket Internet device?"
It was a clever comment on his part, for if you think of the Motorola-madeNexus 6 in those terms -- as a do-anything-and-everything tabletreplacement -- then it's a fantastic device. With a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 805 processor, a gorgeous quad HD display, a nimble camera that can take ultrasharp photos, and that large screen, the Nexus 6 gives you more room for things you really do on a smartphone, mainly checking email, browsing the Web, watching movies and taking pictures.
That said, even as other manufacturers rush to build larger phones, the jump to the Nexus 6 is a debatable move on Google's part. Size does matter, and by breaking from companies like Apple and Samsung that make both phone and phablet models of what is essentially the same handset, Google risks alienating users who consider it too big (it's heavier and wider than other big smartphones) or who don't want to pay the $650-plus premium to buy it.
For those more keen on going small, there are plenty other options on the market, such as the also pure-Android Motorola Moto X. But for anyone looking for a big-screen handset with an authentic form of the new Lollipop OS, the Nexus 6 is the smartphone you want. It performs well and it has all that you'd expect from the Nexus family. If you want to go big and don't need stock Android, though, we give the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 the edge. It's just as powerful (if not more so), it has more productivity features like the super-handy S Pen, and its design better handles the large size.
GOOGLE PLACES A BIG BET WITH ITS NEXUS 6 (PICTURES)
Availability
In the US, you can pre-order an unlocked Nexus 6 from the Google Play Store for $649 (32GB) and $699 (64GB). Carriers that will stock the device include T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and US Cellular, and it will hit store shelves in November. Over the next coming weeks, the handset will be sold in 28 other countries, with 4G LTE variants both for the Americas and countries on other continents. In the UK, it will cost £499 (32GB) and £549 (64GB). The 32GB model will cost AU$869 in Australia and the 64GB model is AU$929.
Hardware and key components: The guts of the operation
The phone is powered by a quad-core, 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor from Qualcomm, which is the same CPU found in other powerhouse devices like the reworked LG G3 Cat 6 for Korea, theSamsung Galaxy Note 4 and the upcoming Motorola Droid Turbo. The processor includes the Adreno 420 GPU for smooth graphics rendering and gameplay.
Giving the Nexus 6 its juice is a non-removable 3,220 mAh battery. Similar to its predecessors, the battery has wireless charging capabilities, and can supposedly regain 6 hours of power after 15 minutes of charging with a specialized Turbo charger that features Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology. We'll detail how these stats actually pan out later on in the review.
For your camera needs, the handset has a 13-megapixel camera, with a dual-LED flash that encircles the lens, and a 2-megapixel front shooter. Additional goodies include 3GB of RAM and 16 or 32GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, there is no option to insert a microSD card for expandable memory.
Design: AKA, the Motorola Moto 'XXL'
Simply put, the Nexus 6 looks essentially like the second-gen Motorola Moto X on steroids. It has the same curved back, an aluminum trim that dips down into the backplate at the top edge, and a branded M-dimple, for Motorola. This isn't very surprising since Google's decided to go with Motorola to design its flagship, instead of LG as in years past.
But just because we like the Moto X's design doesn't necessarily mean the supersize look translates well for the Nexus. For example, the Moto X's design is highly customizable, and it's small enough so that its arched backside feels comfy in the hand. Google's device however, is just too wide to grip comfortably.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
| Google Nexus 6 | Samsung Galaxy Note 4 | Apple iPhone 6 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.27 x 3.27 x 0.40 inches (159 x 83 x 10.1mm) | 6.04 x 3.09 x 0.34 inches (154 by 79 by 8.5mm) | 6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 inches (158 x 78 x 7.1 mm) |
| Weight | 6.49 ounces (184g) | 6.2 ounces (176g) | 6.07 ounces (172g) |
This may not be a problem for those with larger hands, but keep in mind that the handset is also heavier and thicker than the Galaxy Note 4 and the iPhone Plus. Even in the realm of phablets, the phone will prove unwieldy, or at least uncomfortable, for some.
In addition, compared to the previously mentioned devices, the Nexus 6 doesn't feel as premium. Don't get us wrong, the handset doesn't look cheap in anyway -- the dark aluminum trim adds an element of luxury, and we dig the dual front-facing speaker grilles. But it doesn't have the glossy, contemporary aesthetic of the Note 4, or the lightweight all-metal build quality of the iPhone 6 Plus.
The phone's plastic back also traps fingerprints easily. Since we reviewed the Midnight Blue variant, it might have been easier to see our prints compared to the Cloud White version, but nevertheless, we had to constantly wipe it down to clear away smudges. Moreover, every time we did this, the plastic rear made crackling noises as we pressed and rubbed against it. This isn't enough to turn us away from the Nexus 6 altogether, but for a $650 device, it was still unnerving to hear.
Display: Going big for a reason
Of course, the main advantage of the handset's larger design is its enormous screen. Vibrant, razor sharp, and immersive, the phone serves up nearly six inches of media-viewing goodness. Web pages, HD videos and graphics-intensive games all looked buttery-smooth, with dynamic colors and fine details.
Both the Nexus 6 and the Galaxy Note 4 have a higher resolution and pixel density than the iPhone 6 Plus, with the latter having the most pixels packed per inch among the three. But while we can slice hairs over the numbers on paper, differences between the display resolutions are negligible to the naked eye. Even under close examination with a magnifying lens, all the screens looked equally crisp and well defined to one another.
DISPLAY RESOLUTIONS, COMPARED
| Google Nexus 6 | Samsung Galaxy Note 4 | Apple iPhone 6 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.96-inch AMOLED (2,560x1,440) | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED (2,560x1,440) | 5.5-inch LCD (1,920x1,080) |
| Pixel density | 493ppi | 515ppi | 401ppi |
We were able to notice other details, however. Given the iPhone's LCD screen and the other two's AMOLED display, there were obvious differences in color temperature. Green, blue and red hues were more saturated and rich on the Galaxy Note 4. The iPhone showed the purest and brightest whites, which became especially apparent next to the Nexus, which displayed whites with a faint shade of yellow. The deepest blacks came from the Note 4, with Apple's phablet displaying its black with an almost bluish tone, and the Nexus coming somewhere in the middle.
In general, it's all a matter of personal preference. The Galaxy Note 4 lets you adjust display tones, but even so, its screen has the most punch to it. At times though, colors can look unrealistic (especially skin tones). On the other side of the spectrum, the iPhone comes off a tad muted, but colors are more true-to-life. The Nexus 6 is the perfect compromise between the two. It has better color representation than the Note 4, but isn't as vibrant. At the same time, it's more vivid than the iPhone, but its colors aren't as accurate. Whichever device you go with, however, you're still guaranteed to get an engaging and expansive viewing experience.
Software features: Oh lolli, lolli, lolli
There are tons more features in Android 5.0 Lollipop, so be sure to check out deep dive here.
Living in a Material world
With the new update, Android 5.0 introduces a completely redesigned interface called Material Design. Animated, playful and colorful, Material reaches just about every corner and crevice of Android -- from the dialer, to the notifications shade and even the hotkeys for back, home and overview (previously known as, recent apps) have changed into simple geometric shapes.
As previously mentioned, animations are a big part of Material. Nearly everything that you interact with via touch will move in some way. Sometimes it's a transparent gray shade that ripples outward with every tap, or it's a small wave that moves as you drag your finger across the screen. When you launch the app drawer, its circular icon expands into a big rectangular window; and when you're at the unlock screen, texts zoom in and out.
After a while, these breathing animations give off the impression that your Android handset is very much alive and dynamic. Some of us personally like this, but other say that having too many animations can make your phone look like it's working slower than it actually is.
Another characteristic of Material is cards. Notifications, the app drawer and text in many apps have their own designated card that's layered on top of the background. We've seen this before in Google Now, but Lollipop has integrated it even more.
Gmail and Calendar received the biggest makeover with the OS update. The former, for instance, has a simplified inbox and refreshed sidebar. Calendar has whimsical, full-colored seasonally-themed backgrounds for each month, and it can add relevant images to events using key words entered by users such as "dinner." These graphics pop up through a parallax scroll effect. You can turn them off if you want, but I find them quite charming and easy enough to ignore if they aren't your thing.
Notifications, overview and quick settings
Notifications can now be viewed in the lockscreen, similar to Apple iOS and Moto Alerts on Motorola devices. Tapping a notification will launch the relevant app, while swiping dismisses it altogether. Users can also control how much information apps display, which is useful for sensitive emails and messages.
Long-pressing a notification card in the menu shade will reveal individual settings, but Google included an "app notifications" master list inside the settings menu as well. Alerts for phone calls, alarms and texts can pop up while you're in the middle of a smartphone task. These are called heads-up, and you can interact with them the same way as before (tap to launch or swipe to dismiss).
Recent apps and multitasking have now been renamed as "overview" and are designated by the square hotkey located at the bottom right of the display. Tap it and you'll see all the active apps that are running the background. Laid out like a stack of cards, overview also shows you multiple tasks within individual apps. In regards to Gmail, for example, two overview cards would appear if you have your inbox open and if you're drafting a new message.
Overview gives a more informative preview and context to your recent apps. But if you're a regular smartphone user, recent apps can add up quite quickly. The addition of multiple tabs per app also piles on more windows. As such, it's unfortunate there is no "clear all" button that closes them all at once. Instead, you'll need to swipe or tap these cards individually, which can get tedious.
The quick settings menu, which is accessible with a two-finger downward swipe at the top of the screen, has been rejigged as well. In addition to the regular mainstays like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles, two welcomed settings have been added: auto-rotate and flashlight. These toggles haven't been featured in stock Android before, and it's great to see them finally baked into quick settings.
Additional goodies
Under the initiative of "Project Volta," Google set out to improve the device's battery life as well. With the OS update, developers are able to control how their apps affect battery life, such as scheduling tasks and fetching data only when the phone is plugged in to a charger. In addition, a new battery-saver mode will turn off background data and decrease the CPU clock speed during times of low battery.
Lollipop also enables users to unlock their smartphone via Bluetooth. If the Nexus 6 senses a known personal Bluetooth device nearby, such as a Motorola Moto 360 or LG G Watch, the phone will automatically unlock itself.
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