Nexus 6 Review: Features, Android Lollipop and Price Tag
Unwilling to take a back seat in the manufacturing world of smartphones, Google started releasing its own handsets back in 2010. Taking its pick of smartphone maker, there have been a number of Google phones made by Samsung, LG and now, Motorola. And now we have been treated to Google’s latest addition to the Nexus line up, the Nexus 6, a larger than life 6-inch phablet which is bursting at the seams with an array of new and exciting features from Android Lollipop.
Intrigued? Read on in our Nexus 6 review…
Larger than Life Design
Looking at the Nexus 6 Google phone compared to last year’s model made by LG, you can instantly see the difference. For a start the new Nexus phone sports a much larger display, measuring in at a massive 6-inches- which, to put it into perspective is an inch bigger than last year’s model, and 0.5-inches bigger than the new iPhone 6 Plus phablet!
However one good thing about the Nexus 6’s design is that its extremely slim bezels means that the 6 inch screen goes almost edge to edge, making the handset smaller in overall size than you otherwise might have thought. Also, thanks to its curved back, the phone feels a lot slimmer, at the same time as feeling more comfortable in the hand.
The handset boasts a glam-looking aluminium trim all along its super slim edges, which gives the new Google phone that added edge over many of its all all-plastic clad competitors.
**Do size matter to you? **Take a look at our review of Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus which features a 5.5-inch display.
Specs
With Android being the king of the online world, there’s no way that its latest smartphone would feature anything but the best specs under the hood. That’s why the Nexus 6 sports a mighty quad-core 2.7GHz processor and a huge 3GB of RAM which will keep you ticking over no matter how many apps you’re running. It also arrives with 4G connectivity, meaning that you can stream your favourite movies without glitches.
Although the Google smartphone hasn’t got a card slot like many other Android handsets, it does come in either a 32G or 64GB memory variations, meaning you’ll never run out of space to store all your fave pics, tunes and apps.
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Nexus 6 Camera
Google has awarded the Nexus 6 with a 13 megapixel rear lens, similarly to its older brother, the Nexus 5. But not a fan of playing it safe, Google has stepped things up a little, offering a range of camera features set to blow the socks off your typical Android camera phone.
With the HDR+ mode, which made its first appearance on the Nexus 5, your photos are so much sharper compared to ordinarily shot snaps, as the clever technology instantly combines tens of images taken at different exposure levels, to produce on that is the perfect blend of light and sharpness.
Plus, with optical image stabilisation and a dual LED flash on board, you’ve got a pretty good camera on your hands with the Nexus 6.
Google Features
Power Saving
One feature that really makes the new Nexus stand out from all of its Android counterparts is its powerful battery. Not only does the phone offer a 3220mAh power pack which can last for over 24 hours of use, but by popping it on to charge for just 15 minutes enables you to get up to 6 extra hours your of your battery!
Dual frontal speakers
HTC might have kick started the trend of dual-frontal speakers, but Google has jumped onto the bandwagon two feet first! By placing not one, but two speakers on the front of the Google phone, rather than on the back or base, you can benefit from a much crisper and louder sound. Perfect for watching films on your new 6-inch screen or annoying your neighbours by playing Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off on repeat.
Android 5.0 Lollipop on the Nexus 6
Now to the good stuff. Google launches a new version of its operating system every year, always named after a sweet treat. And this year is the turn of Android Lollipop, or Android 5.0, as it’s otherwise known.
First off, the Google OS has been given a fresh lick of pain with a new colour-coordinated design which brings it formerly into 2014. Google also has made it easier for its huge Android fan base to connect your smartphone to an Android tablet or smartwatch with its new connectivity features, meaning you can start writing an email or editing a photo on one device, then finish it off on another seamlessly.
Google Lollipop offers you more control over your phone too. With the new Priority Mode, you can choose exactly who gets in contact with you when you’re busy. So if you’re out on a Saturday and trying to avoid a phone call from the office, all you have to do it set up a request in your Priority Mode settings- it’s really that simple!
Lollipop 5.0 will was rolled out on all Android smartphones from November onwards, but the Nexus 6 was the first phone to offer a stock Android experience, without the likes of Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony putting their stamp on it!
Did you know? Google has even launched Android for your TV. Here’s what you can expect to see on Android TV!
Nexus 6 Price
The price tag for the Nexus 6 has yet to be revealed, though it is expected that the phone will range at around £400 for the 32GB model and around £460 for the larger 64GB version. However, Nexus devices have notoriously been given an affordable price tag for pay monthly deals, meaning that the new Nexus could well make it onto your wish list this year…
Released in December, you can expect the Nexus 6 to cost around £20 per month with 1GB of data. Browse through our Motorola pay monthly contracts to choose your deal.