The Nexus 6 Review
by Brandon Chester on November 12, 2014 1:00 PM ESTFinal Words
When I started reviewing the Nexus 6 I was very apprehensive. Not because I worried that it would be a bad device, but because I had never used such a large phone before. We have come a long way from the days where a 3.5" was considered huge for a phone. However, I had previously owned an iPad Mini and while the Nexus 6 was not that large, it helped me to think of ways I could use it that expanded beyond how I would typically use a smaller smartphone. At 5.96", the Nexus 6 provides an enormous window into all of your content, and allows you to freely do things like view desktop web pages and edit documents without the cramped feeling that arises when doing the same tasks on a smaller device like the Nexus 5 or the HTC One (M7). This also comes with downsides like the loss of single handed usability. The choice between a larger or smaller smartphone will obviously involve tradeoffs, but these do not necessarily make a certain size better than others. What I can say is that the Nexus 6 offered a very different experience from the devices in the 4.7" to 5" range that I was used to.
I think users that are interested in watching many videos on their device will be happy with the Nexus 6. Although stock Android unfortunately does not have a dedicated video application, Google Play is home to some of the best video players for mobile devices. After overcoming some compatibility issues with Android Lollipop, I was able to enjoy some of the best movie watching experiences I have had on a mobile device. Although the poor display calibration does negatively impact some media, films with a heavy use of black and dark colors like The Dark Knight look amazing on the 5.96" AMOLED display. I might even go so far as to say that for certain content the Nexus 6 provides an even better video experience than a tablet with a less extreme aspect ratio and an LCD display like the Nexus 9 or the iPad Mini.
Although the Nexus 6 is an additional device in Google's lineup, and fulfills a new role as a device, it's still going to be compared to the Nexus 5 purely due to its name and the timing of its release. I don't think that buyers will really need to decide between the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6, as they play in completely different markets and fulfill different roles. A user who wants a phablet won't be content with the Nexus 5, and conversely someone who wants a one-handed device won't like the Nexus 6. The Nexus 6 is better compared to other phablets like Samsung's recently released Galaxy Note 4 which shares many of the same specifications and is roughly the same price. I think that Samsung currently offers a better phablet experience with regards to software, with multi-window views, specialized landscape layouts, and S Pen integration. The display and battery life are also better on the Galaxy Note 4. The Nexus 6 has its own advantages as well, namely its build quality and guaranteed software updates. I don't think I can definitively say that one is better than the other, as they both have strengths and weaknesses which will make one more appealing to a user than the other based on what that user wants in a phablet. The Nexus 6 definitely leans strongly towards the phone side of the phablet equation though, which could be a bit disappointing for those that are looking for more.
Price is also a consideration with the Nexus 6. At $649 it represents a new style of premium pricing for Google's flagship device, and it means that the Nexus phone now competes with other flagship phones in every regard. After taking in everything that the Nexus 6 is, and everything it isn't, it's hard to come to a conclusion about if it meets the expectations set by its price tag. On the software side there are currently some issues with animation performance, but as a Nexus device you'll always get the latest updates and any future performance fixes will arrive as soon as possible. On the hardware side it sports great build quality, a camera which is greatly improved from the Nexus 5, a sharp display, and performance which is essentially the best that you'll find in an Android phone. But it's not without its issues, namely the poor display calibration and lower battery life than its competition. My need for a well calibrated display means that I personally think that Google may have aimed just a bit too high with their price point. However, anyone who isn't as bothered by the wider gamut and relative color inaccuracy should definitely feel comfortable paying the premium price that Google is asking.
Overall, I think that Google and Motorola have built a solid device. It isn't without its issues, but there's a lot to like, even if you're someone who has never used a phablet before. I had always been somewhat of a skeptic regarding massive phones; I didn't understand the appeal. But after using one, I can see how having a massive display to view all your content can be really beneficial by enabling forms of productivity that simply can't be done comfortably on smaller devices, and by making activities like viewing photos and watching videos significantly more engrossing. Not only did it change my mind about the appeal of phablets, it also changed my mind about Google's ability to compete in the premium device segment of the market. The Nexus 6 holds its own against all the other high end devices that we've seen released this year, although the Galaxy Note 4 with its more phablet oriented software features and hardware advantages might be a better device overall. But those who want a large device and value having software support directly from Google won't be disappointed by the Nexus 6.
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Ortanon - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
=(seanleeforever - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
Nexus lines were speed on cheap. after owning few nexus devices i made the jump to Note 4 and could not be happier.like DLeRium said, i have always been EXTREMELY disappointed in nexus line for everything other than processor power. looks like the Nexus 6 is no different. the battery life test shows how far behind the nexus line is to samsung's device given the same spec.
and those camera shots, eventhough it a improvement to the old, is not that great.
and most importantly, note 4 cost 550 dollar (750-200 if pre ordered in the U.S.), it is superior than nexus 6 in nearly every area. there is no sense in getting the nexus 6.
Vepsa - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
Having owned a Galaxy Nexus and a current Note 3, I am very glad Verizon will be getting the Nexus 6. I cannot stand TouchWiz and find my self doing a lot more on my Nexus 7 that I do on my Note 3. Yes, the camera isn't as good and the Exchange client isn't as good, but I prefer the stock Android experience a lot more. Now if you'll excuse me, I must check for the Lollipop update on my N7 again (2013 LTE).seanleeforever - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
that's the beauty of andriod, everyone has his/her favorite flavor.there was a period of time where i preferred stock andriod, which was why i had few nexuses, including the original nexus one. the main issue was the UI response. when hardware were underpowered, the UI response between a stocked andriod and skinned andriod was huge. however, at least in the Note 4 (sd 805), there is no trace of slowing down running touch wiz (and note 4's touch wiz is quite different from note 3). read any review any where and you can see it.
then it comes to functionality. it is safe to say the reason it is called the note is because the pen and the mufti-tasking it brings. if you just want a big screen, there are number of alternatives. and touch wiz is just brilliant way of doing multi tasking, whether to minimize a window or doing split screen. and the pen interface is also brilliant. you cannot get those support in stock andriod. there really isn't anything that stock can do that touch wiz cannot, but the opposite isn't true at all.
wolrah - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
FYI, the pen works just fine in AOSP ROMs. My housemate has a Note 3 running Cyanogenmod and has no problems with it.Multitasking in both split-screen and popup forms has been available for some time in some AOSP ROMs and is available in most others through Xposed Framework extensions. Multitasking was one of the few things I liked on TouchWiz, so when I switched my GS4 over that was the first thing I installed.
AOSP out of the box may not have all the same apps that TouchWiz bundles, but there is nothing I'm aware of that can not be replicated with easily installed free apps.
seanleeforever - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
there are levels of "working", i don't suppose his Note 3 has the pen shortcuts that's available the moment he pull out the pen, or screen write with ocr, or s note sync between devices? of course then you could say: there is an app for that, drop box to sync files and etc.. but why change something that's not broken? let alone of the inconvenience it brings?alternatively, i would like to say, what could you not do on stock touch wiz that you could do on AOSP?
nowadays, it is really a personally preference to mod the rom not a necessity (sort like how i like build my own PC rather than buy one). in fact, stock rom will likely cause reduced performance/battery life. just check out the google play edition of S4 and One.
akdj - Friday, November 14, 2014 - link
I'm with SeanLee hereAs a Note user (1 & 3 --- on NEXT so I'm paid off next month and I'll be selling to update to the N4) as well as Nexus owner, several phones, Nexus 7 (bothe the '12 & '13 models) ...even the original Xoom hangin with iPad 1 in a box, in the closet somewhere.
I'm 43 now. We own a family business, have mortgages, car payments, coaching baseball and wrestling and 'enjoying' my technology hobby if and when given the chance
When the chance comes, I'm different today than five years ago. I don't want to flash my ROM, hang out at XDA or troubleshoot challenges post root
I want a phone or a tablet that 'works', that's supported (widely and by typically trust worthy and hard working/creative and detailed developers) by the Play Store, easy to update and find what I need with support if I 'F' something up!
I'm also a user of iOS. iPhone is my personal set. iPad my tablet of choice and the Note 3 (this afternoon the N4) specifically for business and is with me everywhere.
I don't wear 'skinny' jeans, but I've never had an issue getting the Note 3 in my pockets. I'm with the author as well. Years of iOS usage for phones and the Note (specifically the '3'---I couldn't get outta the original Note quickly enough!) changed that for me.
That said, this new Nexus does look to be a let down with the price hike without the 'calibration' and efficiency of the other flagships on the market. The hardware, camera, even design look great! But over 5/5 ½" without a stylus but smaller than an iPad seems ...maybe not useless, to me.
Maybe the better word would be overkill
Anyway, as always, YMMV
mlambert890 - Saturday, December 20, 2014 - link
Odd because I immediately noticed UI hitching on the Note 4 AT THE SAMSUNG kiosk and immediately wrote it off. Dealt with it on the Note and Note 2... Not interested.Of course as with all things if you don't WANT to notice it you probably won't
Despite having near desktop level power the Note 4 absolutely still slows down thanks to TouchWiz though.
Jdotjdot7 - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - link
Nexus lines were pretty decent. I just got the Nexus 5 like 3 months ago and I honestly can't say I'd choose any other smartphone currently. It was cheap as hell, I've had screen-on times over 6 hours and it's just a nice little phone that doesn't lose its appeal with age, something very rare in smartphones. I'd still choose a Nexus 5 even among the current crop, I was expecting to at least somewhat like the Nexus 6 but this review basically showed that Google went in the opposite direction.Spunjji - Friday, November 14, 2014 - link
This definitely reflects my own sentiments. I'm actually rather pleased; for the first time ever I've owned an Android phone for more than 12 months without wanting to replace it / throw it at a wall.