Now that the Nexus 6 has been released the big question is what happens now to the Nexus 5? Well, it seems not much to be honest. With the Nexus 6 representing Google’s entrance into the much sought after phablet market it seems Google have taken the Nexus 5 into consideration during the development. Initially, the public seemed adverse to the massive 6″ device as it was felt to be too big compared to what is commonly thought to be the maximum size for a phablet namely 5.5″. Unless of course you are the Galaxy Note. However, now the devices are here and as the dust settles it seems Google intentionally meant for the Nexus 6 to be a big boy to keep the Nexus 5 in production. As the Nexus 5 already weighs-in at a big enough 4.9″ in size if Google had gone any smaller than the Nexus 6 would certainly be a more comparable device to the Nexus 5. Instead, now it can be seen as a bigger and harder version of the Nexus 5. In short the nexus 6 will be for those who can handle the size (and price) while the Nexus 5 will remain for those who want a more ‘normal’ sized device.
Google’s intention seems to be reiterated when you look at the price difference. Consumers already seem to be commenting the Nexus 6 is over-priced (relatively speaking to previous models) although in fairness this is not technically true. The first few Nexus devices all came with a big price tag and only the more recent editions dropped down to what is now thought of as a ‘Nexus price’. With the Nexus 6 coming in at $750 a piece and the Nexus 5 pricing at $350 a piece this can again be further seen as Google’s intention to offer both devices alongside each other. Want a big sized device with big specs? Sure then pay a big price. Want a slightly smaller sized Nexus with smaller specs? Sure, pay a slightly less price. This seems to have been Google’s intention all along. While the market all expected a replacement for the Nexus 5 the truth is they were simply looking to offer another device, at another size and for another price.
Need further confirmation that the nexus 5 is here to stay? Well that’s fine. Head over to the Nexus page and it seems all is clear. The Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 have now been dealt a slow death with both devices being removed from the Play Store and replaced with the newly added Nexus 9. In contrast while the Nexus 6 has been added, the Nexus 5 remains and holding its own. The specs alone are enough to suggest why Google will keep both running alongside each other. While the nexus 6 brings with it a 13MP rear camera a 2 MP front camera, the Nexus 5 comes with an 8MP rear camera and 1.3 front facing shooter. Lastly while the Nexus 6 comes with a Quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor (clocks at 2.7GHz) the Nexus 5 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor (clocks at 2.26GHz). It makes sense for the two devices to be offered together and at their relative price-points. Customers might not like it, but it seems like good business from Google’s point of view. On a last point – within the few hours since the news of the newer Nexus, people seem to be claiming companies like OnePlus have no competition now due to the price of the nexus 6. Well, let this be a warning for OPO owners. If you think the OnePlus2 will be priced like the OPO was then think again. Once devices like the OPO hit prices as low as they are ($350) they only have so low they can go. It is highly likely the OPO will remain selling on the OnePlus website while the new OnePlus2 will come with a higher price tag. If OnePlus were not planning this before you can bet they will be now after Google has shown them how to do it.