Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – two new devices, the Huawei Nexus 6P goes up against the LG Nexus 5X. Last year, Google tapped Motorola to build the Nexus 6 and what we received was a large, 6-inch QHD display and all of the top components of the day to take the Nexus line to new heights in specs and price. This move alienated many Nexus loyalists, so this year, Google tapped LG to go back to their Nexus roots and Huawei to produce a higher end device. By doing this, Google can reach a much larger audience with their pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow. We will take a look at what these two devices have in similar before we look at each one on an individual basis.
There are only a handful of similarities between the Huawei Nexus 6P and the LG Nexus 5X. Both devices have Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system and will receive the fastest updates available from Google. They both sport a fingerprint sensor that can be used for unlocking the device and making mobile payments with Marshmallow. Neither device has a microSD card slot for expanding internal memory. Both cameras use a 12.3MP main sensor and laser autofocus, but neither one has OIS. They both have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC, a Type-C microUSB ports for charging and data transfer and both have a quick charge non-removable battery.
Please take a deliberate look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each individual device in greater detail and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Huawei Nexus 6P
Up until last year, when the Motorola Nexus 6 was introduced, Nexus owners were accustom to a more mid-range spec’d and priced device, like the new Nexus 5X. At the same time, Google didn’t want to exclude the buyers that are seeking a more premium device so Google had Huawei make the Nexus 6P as the high-end and more expensive device. Both devices should make many people happy and both have a unique look and build. The Nexus 6P is a beautifully designed and well-built device with an all-metal unibody construction and is available in three colors – Aluminum, Graphite or Frost – and still very reasonable at $500.
The Nexus 6P comes with a Samsung-made AMOLED QHD display that measures 5.7-inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 518 PPI. This compares to the 5.2-inch LCD FHD display on the Nexus 5X with 424 PPI. Huawei likes to use its own HiSilicon Kirn processor, but instead went with the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, version 2.1. It has four cores clocked at 1.55GHz and four cores clocked at 1.9GHz. We can only guess that Google must have wanted their Nexus devices to use a more familiar and trusted brand name or that Huawei, wanting to gain more access to the US market, opted for the Snapdragon. The Nexus 5X skipped the Snapdragon 810 in favor of the 64-Bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor. The Nexus 6P has 3GB of RAM and 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of internal storage – the Nexus 5X uses 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage and neither one has room for external expansion.
The camera on the Nexus 6P was recently rated one of the best by DxOMark with a score of 84, right under the 86 score of the Samsung Galaxy S6. It has a 12.3MP sensor, laser autofocus and dual-tone LED flash…but no OIS. This goes up another good camera on the Nexus 5X with a 12.3MP sensor, autofocus, and dual-tone LED flash. The Nexus 6P has a large 8MP FFC for selfies and video chatting, while the Nexus 5X has a 5MP FFC. The Nexus 6P has a large, 3450mAh non-removable battery that includes Quick Charge. The Nexus 5X has a small 2700mAh non-removable battery with a fast charge feature.
The Nexus 6P has a few features not found on the Nexus 5X – let’s start with a full metal body. It has dual front-facing stereo speakers for great sound and a good location for watching videos or playing games. It too uses the Type-C reversible microUSB port for faster charging and data transfer, is running pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and will always get the fastest upgrades possible when new versions come out. It will cost you $500 for the 32GB model.
LG Nexus 5X
LG is a well-known name in the Nexus circles – back in 2012, LG built the Nexus 4 and in 2013 they made the Nexus 5. Motorola took a shot with a huge 6-inch Nexus 6, which was too large by most user standards, as was the price. Google went back to LG and asked them to make the mid-range Nexus 5X and LG was happy to oblige. With a 5.2-inch display, it makes the Nexus 5X a great size and priced at only $379. However, to get to that low price, LG had to use a polycarbonate build that is rugged, but not very premium feeling.
The Nexus 5X sports a 5.2-inch FHD LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 424 PPI. This goes up against the 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display on the Nexus 6P with 518 PPI, with the nod going to the 6P. The Nexus 5X uses the Qualcomm 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.44GHz and two cores clocked at 1.82GHz. The Nexus 6P decided to go the v2.1 Snapdragon 810 route, despite its overheating issues. The Nexus 5X packs 2GB of RAM with either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory with no expansion available. The Nexus 6P comes with 3GB of RAM and a choice of 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of internal storage and no means to expand.
The Nexus 5X uses a Sony IMX377 sensor – 12.3MP main camera with laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash, with no OIS. It has a large 5MP FFC for selfies and video chats. This goes up against a 12.3MP sensor on the Nexus 6P main camera and a very large 8MP FFC. The Nexus 5X has a smaller 2700mAh non-removable battery while the Nexus 6P has a larger 3450mAh non-removable battery. Both devices should make it through a full day – both have quick charge capabilities.
The LG Nexus 5X will be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow – the newest Android OS. With Marshmallow, you will be able to use the fingerprint sensor to authorize mobile payments using Android Pay. The Nexus 5X uses the newer microUSB Type-C reversible connector. The colors available are Carbon, Quartz and Ice. It costs $379 for the 16GB model and $429 for the 32GB variant.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
I have to pick the Nexus 6P as the winner of this comparison – it has a better display, faster processor, more RAM, the ability to increase internal memory to 64GB or 128GB, better camera area, dual front-facing stereo speakers, all-Metal body and larger battery. All that for only $500 for the 32GB model compared to $429 for the 32GB Nexus 5X model.
The Nexus phones for 2015 are exactly what the Nexus followers were looking for – a cheaper and smaller device, like the Nexus 5X and a higher-end model with a premium build and larger display, like the Nexus 6P. You can take your pick, but for me, the Nexus 6P wins this comparison.
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