Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new LG Nexus 5X goes up against the latest OnePlus X. Priced at only $379, the mid-range Nexus 5X is an example of true Nexus value – however, the OnePlus X will only cost you $249…is that even a better value? OnePlus X is probably the better looking or more premium looking of the two devices, as OnePlus does try to make a solid device no matter what the price. The mid-range LG Nexus 5X is made from polycarbonate, and while not luxurious looking by any means, it is certainly a solid device. There are a few similarities between these two devices and we will look at them first, before we go into more detail.
For starters, the LG Nexus 5X and OnePlus X are very close in physical dimensions with the Nexus 5X just slightly larger with the OnePlus X only 2 grams heavier. The displays are only .2-inch different – the Nexus 5X uses a 5.2-inch LCD display and the OnePlus X is a 5-inch AMOLED display. They both use a 64-bit Snapdragon processor, but different models and number of cores. Both models have a 16GB memory option, but the OnePlus X offers external memory expansion via a microSD card slot. The camera areas are very close when it comes to megapixels with the 5X using a 12.3MP sensor and the OnePlus X using a 13MP main camera. Both have non-removable batteries.
Both have most of the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (v4.2 on the 5X and v4.0 on the OnePlus X), GPS and a microUSB port…Type-C reversible style on the Nexus 5X, but only the Nexus 5X has NFC.
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
LG Nexus 5X
Google went back to LG this year and asked them to make the mid-range Nexus 5X. LG has built two other models, the Nexus 4 in 2012 and the Nexus 5 in 2013. Motorola took a turn in 2014 for the Nexus 6, and caused quite a ruckus with its large size and big price tag. The Nexus 5X with a 5.2-inch display puts it right in that sweet spot that many customers love and with a price of only $379 that hits a sweet spot as well. Any mid-range device has to cut a few corners and in this case, LG had to use a polycarbonate build that is rugged, but not very premium feeling or looking.
The Nexus 5X sports a 5.2-inch FHD LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 424 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) This goes up against the 5.0-inch FHD AMOLED display on the OnePlus X with 441 PPI. The Nexus 5X uses the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.44 GHz and two cores clocked at 1.82 GHz. OnePlus reached into the past and pulled out a great processor, but decidedly older, with the 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor for the OnePlus X. The Nexus 5X packs only 2GB of RAM with either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory with no expansion available. The OnePlus X comes with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, but offers a microSD card slot to expand another 128GB.
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 5MP front-facing camera (FFC) for selfies and video chats. This goes up against a main 13MP sensor on the OnePlus X and a large 8MP FFC. The Nexus 5X has a larger 2700 mAh non-removable battery while the OnePlus X has a smaller 2525mAh non-removable battery. Both devices should make it through a full day and only the Nexus 5X has rapid charge capabilities via its Type-C reversible port.
A few extras on the LG Nexus 5X – a fingerprint sensor and NFC for mobile payments. It 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, among other things. The Nexus 5X also uses the newer microUSB Type-C reversible connector and a single, front mounted speaker. The colors available are Carbon, Quartz and Ice. It costs $379 for the 16GB model and $429 for the 32GB variant.
OnePlus X
The OnePlus X is a tough phone to categorize – I guess we would have to call it an entry level device with an FHD display. OnePlus barely got the OnePlus 2 model launched and are now recycling 2014 parts to build the OnePlus X. While its Snapdragon 801 processor was a real workhorse, it is only 32-bit and four cores in a 64-bit, octa-core world. However, with a price tag of only $249, you would expect a bargain device…but exactly what audience OnePlus is trying to attract remains a mystery.
The OnePlus X sports a 5.0-inch AMOLED FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 441 PPI…that falls right in line with the 5.0-inch FHD display and 424 PPI on the Nexus 5X. OnePlus went back to Qualcomm and snatched up and older 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz. This goes up against the Nexus 5X’s 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor that certainly outdoes the OnePlus X’s 801. The OnePlus X is packing 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot to expand that memory an additional 128GB. The Nexus 5X comes with 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of memory and no room for expansion.
The OnePlus X uses 13MP sensor with an LED flash and phase detection autofocus with videos in 1080p and 30fps. The Nexus 5X uses a highly rated 12.3MP camera that should out shoot the OnePlus X. The OnePlus X sports a larger 8MP FFC for selfies and video chatting while the Nexus 5X uses a 5MP FFC. Powering the OnePlus X is a small non-removable 2525mAh battery that should make it through a day. The Nexus 5X uses a larger 2700 mAh non-removable battery that should easily make it through a day and can rapid charge thanks to its Type-C connector.
The OnePlus X comes with 4G LTE connectivity and a single speaker at the bottom of the device and it also sports an FM radio. It is running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with OxygenOS on top. The device measures 140 x 69 x 6.9 mm and weighs in at 138 grams and will cost approximately $249.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
It was very easy for me to declare the Nexus 5X as the winner of this comparison – sure, the OnePlus X is cheaper, but it should be as it is a smartphone made up of 2014 parts. It has less of a processor and while the old Snapdragon 801 quad-core was a great processor two years ago, it is outdated by the Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor in the Nexus 5X. The 5X may only have 2GB of RAM, that is all that is necessary to run an optimized pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Nexus 5X has an excellent main camera, and it should outshoot the OnePlus X.
Two other big reasons I can pick the Nexus 5X with confidence – fingerprint sensor and built-in NFC capability – which means that you can make mobile purchases. OnePlus claims they will start including NFC once it is more popular…this tells me that OnePlus doesn’t expect you to keep your OnePlus device since NFC is finally becoming a ‘popular’ as mobile payments are gearing up. It just seems to me that OnePlus should be ahead of the game, not playing catchup. The Nexus 5X also has a front-facing speaker, a slightly larger battery that offers rapid charge via its Type-C connector. It is an unlocked device that can be used on all major US networks.
It is true the Nexus 5X does not have expandable memory beyond the 32GB option, but it offers so many other features that make up for lack of expansion…and if you want expandable memory in a smartphone, you could probably find a better example that comes with NFC.
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