Last year, Google released two Nexus smartphones to replace the previous Nexus ‘phone, the Motorola-built Nexus 6. Google released the LG-built Nexus 5X and the Huawei-built Nexus 6P. These devices are as similar as they are different: the Nexus 5X uses a polycarbonate body wrapped around a 5.2-inch, 1080p LCD. There’s a 1.8 GHz, 64-bit, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 System-on-Chip, 2 GB of RAM, a choice of 16 GB or 32 GB storage options, a 2,700 mAh battery and a 12MP main camera. Although a larger device than the 2013 LG-made Nexus 5, the Nexus 5X is considered by many to be the spiritual successor to this device as it is relatively well priced and offers upper / mid-range hardware. As with all other Nexus devices, the Nexus 5X uses a stock Google interface and selection of applications.
The Huawei-made Nexus 6P offers a metal chassis, higher performance 2.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 System-on-Chip with 3 GB of RAM, a choice between 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB of internal storage, a 3,450 mAh internal battery, a 5.7-inch, QHD or 1440p resolution AMOLED panel and a higher price tag. The Nexus 6P uses a similar main camera module to the 5X but the front facing unit has 8MP rather than 5MP. The Nexus 6P also offers dual front stereo speakers to the Nexus 5X’s single speaker. As with the Nexus 5X, the Nexus 6P uses a stock user interface and selection of applications. Each device uses a reversable USB Type C connector, which recharges the devices quickly but is not compatible with an existing collection of MicroUSB connectors. In the case of the Nexus 5X, customers receive a USB Type C charger and USB Type C to Type C cable, whereas customers of the more expensive Nexus 6P benefit from a USB Type A to Type C cable, allowing the more expensive device to be recharged from the older generation USB ports.
Both devices use older generation Qualcomm System-on-Chips compared with current flagship models sporting Qualcomm silicon, which use the Snapdragon 820. This means that the Nexus devices benchmark lower than the newer smartphones but should be supported for a couple of years from today, perhaps longer. From today, the North American Google Store is offering $50 off both models through May 6th, which brings the 16 GB Nexus 5X to $299 and the 32 GB Nexus 6P down to $450. This discount more than pays for the new Live case design Google released earlier in the week, should you be eyeing up the case as well as the device.