Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – two devices released the same month and both devices running almost pure Android – the LG Nexus 5X goes up against the Motorola Droid Turbo 2. Both devices sport a metal frame, but use polycarbonates for the outer shell. These two devices seem to match up pretty good against one another, but just how good is the moderately priced Nexus 5X (32GB) against the higher priced Droid Turbo 2? The Nexus 5X does have a plastic feel about it, yet it feels solid in your hand. The Turbo 2 can have a variety of looks using Moto Maker, but is Motorola’s typically solid build. Let’s take a look just to see what these two devices have in common and then we will take a closer look at each individual device.
The Nexus 5X and Droid Turbo 2 are a similar physical size, although the Turbo 2 with a slightly larger display (5.2-inches vs 5.4-inches) is also slightly larger and outweighs the Nexus 5X – 136 grams versus 170.1 grams. We mentioned the displays were close in size, but they use different resolutions and technologies. Both devices use a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but again, different models. They both offer a 32GB model, although the Turbo 2 is capable of expansion. The camera areas, though vastly different in megapixels, take very good pictures as well as having the same size (5MP) front-facing camera (FFC) for selfies and video chatting. They both have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.2 on the Nexus 5X and v4.1 on the Turbo 2), GPS, NFC and a microUSB v2.0 port (Type-C on the Nexus 5X). They both have non-removable batteries and offer rapid charge.
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
Nexus users expect decent specs at a reasonable price. LG has built two other models, the Nexus 4 in 2012 and the Nexus 5 in 2013. Google skipped LG for Motorola in 2014, but went back to LG and asked them to make the mid-range Nexus 5X in 2015. With a 5.2-inch display and priced at only $379 – $429, it makes the Nexus 5X a true mid-range device. A lower price means that specifications must be cut and LG started by using a polycarbonate body – while rugged, it does not have the premium feel or look of metal, glass, leather or wood.
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 5.4-inch QHD AMOLED display on the Droid Turbo 2 with 540 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. The Droid Turbo 2 went with the 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor. The Nexus 5X packs only 2GB of DDR3 RAM with either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory with no expansion available. The Droid Turbo 2 comes with 3GB of faster DDR4 RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of internal memory with expansion via a microSD card.
The Nexus 5X uses a Sony IMX377 sensor – 12.3MP main camera with large a 1.55µm pixel size, laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash and no OIS. It has a 5MP FFC for selfies and video chats. This goes up against a huge 21MP sensor on the Droid Turbo 2 and a 5MP FFC. The Nexus 5X has a smaller 2,700 mAh non-removable battery while the Droid Turbo 2 has a larger 3,760 mAh non-removable battery. Both devices should make it through a full day, with the Turbo 2 hitting two days. Both devices have rapid charge capabilities.
The LG Nexus 5X comes with a fingerprint sensor and is running Android 6.0, the newest Android OS Marshmallow. 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 reversible microUSB Type-C connector and a single, front-facing speaker. The available colors are Carbon, Quartz and Ice and the Nexus 5X will cost $379 for the 16GB model (currently available for $349.99) and $429 for the 32GB variant (currently available for $399).
Motorola Droid Turbo 2
The Motorola Droid Turbo 2 is the second rendition of the exclusive Droid Turbo line on the Verizon network with the Turbo model making its first appearance last year. While the new model has retained essentially the same look, there were several improvements – an all-new 21MP sensor for better pictures, faster charging, and the new ShatterShield display. As expected, the Droid Turbo has a solid build and by using Moto Maker, you can customize the look/backing.
The Droid Turbo 2 comes with a 5.4-inch QHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 540 PPI and is protected by Motorola’s exclusive shatterproof display that they are calling ShatterShield. This compares to the 5.2-inch FHD IPS LCD display with 423 PPI on the Nexus 5X. The Droid Turbo 2 sports a 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and four cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and an Adreno 430 GPU. This compares to the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor and Adreno 418 used in the Nexus 5X. The Droid Turbo 2 has 3GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal memory – the Nexus 5X only uses 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, with the Droid Turbo 2 able to expand memory via a microSD card.
Motorola really improved the camera in the Droid Turbo 2 by stealing the one they used in the Moto X Pure Edition. It uses a new 21MP sensor, f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and a dual-tone LED flash with a 5MP FFC for selfies and video chatting. This goes up against the tested 12.3MP main camera and 5MP FFC on the Nexus 5X. The Turbo 2 has a huge 3,760 mAh battery to offer up to two days of use, and if you should need to charge the device, it comes with a Turbo Charger for quick charges and wireless charging is included as well. The Nexus 5X has a much smaller 2,700 mAh battery but offers rapid charge. Both batteries are non-removable.
The Motorola Droid Turbo 2 has dual front-facing speakers and is running almost stock Android (upgraded to Marshmallow), although Motorola adds their Moto Voice, Moto Assist, Moto Display and Moto Actions. Besides the using the Turbo Charger for quick charges, the Droid Turbo 2 also has built-in wireless charging. It also has an IR Blaster and nano-coating for water resistance. The device measures 149.9 x 78 x 9.2 mm and weighs in at 169 grams and will cost approximately $625.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This is a tough decision – the Droid Turbo 2 has better specifications, but lacks a fingerprint sensor and is priced about $200 higher (comparing 32GB models) than the Nexus 5X. Is the Turbo 2 worth an extra $200 when it does not have a fingerprint sensor for Android Pay or mobile payments? I guess that is something only you can decide, but for me, I will go with the Droid Turbo 2 as the winner of this specification comparison.
The Droid Turbo 2 has a better display, better processor, better GPU, faster and an extra gigabyte more RAM, internal memory expansion, comparable camera area, nano-coating for water resistance, shatterproof display, built-in IR Blaster, larger battery and wireless charging.
The Nexus 5X is a great mid-level device and should not disappoint you – running pure Android, 2GB is more than enough RAM and it does have a fingerprint sensor for mobile payments. It also comes equipped with the new Type-C reversible connector that promotes faster charging and data transfer. The Nexus 5X does this all at a reasonable price, but in this specification’s war, it just cannot stand up to the higher priced Turbo 2…nor should it.