Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the high-end Nexus 6P goes up against the newest OnePlus X. In this comparison, we will have to take both specifications into account as well as pricing – the OnePlus X comes in at only $249 while the Nexus 6P starts out with 16GB more storage and a price tag of $499…$250 more than the OnePlus X. Both devices are premium looking – say what you want about OnePlus’ use of ‘last year’s parts,’ they do put out a quality built and looking device, although the all-metal Nexus 6P does not need to make any apologies to the OnePlus X in this category.
Let’s see if there are any similarities between these two smartphones – they both use an AMOLED display technology, but have different sized displays and different resolutions. They both use a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but vastly different models. Both devices are packing 3GB of RAM, although the Nexus 6P is using the faster DDR4 RAM. The camera sizes are very close – 12.3MP vs 13MP – but we all know that good photos are more than simply the number of pixels. They have the same sized 8MP front-facing cameras (FFC) for selfies and video chatting and the both have non-removable batteries with the Nexus 6P at 3450mAh and the OnePlus X at only 2525mAh. They both have some of the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.2 on Nexus 6P and v4.0 on OnePlus X), GPS, and a microUSB port (v2.0 Type-C on the 6P and v2.0 on the OnePlus X).
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
In 2014, Google gave Motorola a shot at the Nexus 6, and it caused quite a ruckus with its large size and big price tag. This year Google decided to ask LG to make a mid-range version and Huawei to produce the high-end Nexus 6P. This formula worked out very nicely…it brought back some previous Nexus owners, and gained new converts that want high-end specs and are willing to pay for them. The Nexus 6P comes with an all-metal body, QHD display, 3GB of RAM, a highly rated camera and all at a great price.
The Nexus 6P sports a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display provided by Samsung with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 518 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) This goes up against the 5.0-inch FHD AMOLED display on the OnePlus X with 441 PPI. The Nexus 6P uses the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.55 GHz and four cores clocked at 2.0 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 6P packs 3GB of DDR4 RAM with 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of internal memory and no expansion available. The OnePlus X comes with 3GB of RAM and only 16GB of internal memory, but offers a microSD card slot to expand another 128GB.
The Nexus 6P uses a Sony IMX377 sensor – 12.3MP main camera with a large 1.55µm pixel, laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash, an f/2.0 aperture and no OIS. It has an 8MP FFC for selfies and video chats. This goes up against a main 13MP sensor on the OnePlus X and an 8MP FFC. The Nexus 6P has a much larger 3450 mAh non-removable battery while the OnePlus X has a small 2525mAh non-removable battery. Both devices should make it through a full day and only the Nexus 6P has rapid charge capabilities via its Type-C reversible port.
A few extras on the Nexus 6P not found on the OnePlus X – a fingerprint sensor and built-in NFC for mobile payments for starters. It will be running the newest Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and with Marshmallow, you will be able to use the fingerprint sensor to authorize mobile payments using Android Pay, among other things. It also sports dual front-facing stereo speakers for a richer sound. The Nexus 6P also uses the newer microUSB Type-C reversible connector and rapid charge. The colors available are Aluminum, Graphite, Frost and Matte Gold depending on the configurations. It will cost $499 for the 32GB model, $549 for the 64GB variant and $649 for 128GB.
OnePlus X
I am not sure why OnePlus built the ‘X’ model after barely getting the OnePlus 2 out the door – I guess we would have to call it an entry-level device with an FHD display. OnePlus seems to be recycling 2014 parts to build the OnePlus X…maybe that is why, OnePlus had leftover parts to get rid of? The Snapdragon 801 processor they selected was a real workhorse, but 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 somewhat of a mystery.
The OnePlus X sports a 5.0-inch OLED FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 441 PPI whereas the Nexus 6P uses a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display with 518 PPI. OnePlus went back to Qualcomm and snatched up an older 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz. This pales in comparison against the Nexus 6P’s 64-bit Snapdragon’s 810 octa-core processor. The OnePlus X is packing 3GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot to expand that memory an additional 128GB. The Nexus 6P also comes with 3GB of DDR4 RAM and a choice of 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of memory with no room for expansion.
In the camera area, the OnePlus X uses 13MP sensor with an LED flash and phase detection autofocus and can reproduce videos in 1080p and 30fps. The Nexus 6P uses a highly rated 12.3MP camera that should out shoot the OnePlus X. The OnePlus X and Nexus 6P both sport a large 8MP FFC for selfies and video chatting. Powering the OnePlus X is a small non-removable 2525mAh battery that should make it through a day. The Nexus 6P uses a much larger 3450mAh 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 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, weighs in at 138 grams, will cost approximately $249. It is made from fire-baked ceramic and is available in two choices of colors -Onyx Black or Champagne White.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
Except for the price factor, this is a no-brainer when it comes to the specifications department – the Nexus 6P is the clear winner in this comparison. I chose the Nexus 6P despite the price difference because I believe that we are looking at two different buyers, although a Nexus 6P owner may buy a OnePlus X as a backup device. The OnePlus X is a smartphone made out of 2014 parts and is simply outdated on every front by the Nexus 6P. Then there is the pure Android 6.0 running on the Nexus 6P versus Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with OnePlus’ OxygenOS running on top.
Two other big reasons to pick the Nexus 6P – it has a fingerprint sensor for Android Pay and other mobile payment options because it has NFC built-in. Apparently, OnePlus does not feel that mobile payments are to the point that warrants NFC capabilities – don’t they want to be proactive rather than playing catchup? The Nexus 6P has a much better display, dual front-facing stereo speakers, a much larger battery that can be charged more quickly and it is unlocked and can be used on every major US network.
It is true that the OnePlus X has an expandable memory – after all it only starts with 16GB – the Nexus 6P can be purchased with up to 128GB of built-in memory. Yes, the OnePlus X looks nice and comes with a cheap price tag, but you get what you pay for. If you want a well-built, sub $250 smartphone and do not want to make mobile payments or have the latest operating system, then the $249 OnePlus X may be just the device for you.
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