Google has announced the Nexus 5X, one of two new Nexus smartphones revealed on stage at a special event held in San Francisco. It’s the spiritual successor to the original Nexus 5, a device many consider to be the definitive Android smartphone — so how does it stack up?
The phone is a little larger, and the screen measures 5.2 inches, but the resolution has stayed the same at 1080p. The processor is a 64-bit Snapdragon 808, which is the same chip powering the LG G4, but there’s no word on the RAM yet.
A 12-megapixel camera is on the rear — although Google made a point of emphasizing the pixel size in the sensor, which is 1.55 microns — that can also record 4K video, and take 120fps slow motion footage. It sits above the Nexus Imprint fingerprint scanner. Google promises the scanner is incredibly fast, and says it has a response time of less than 600ms. Because the Nexus 5X has Android 6 Marshmallow installed, it can be used across the system, securing the device, and authorizing payments. Cleverly, the Nexus Imprint learns more about your fingerprint over time, so it gets faster and more secure the more it’s used.
New Android 6 features enhance the Nexus 5X
Android 6 Marshmallow brings a variety of new features to the Nexus 5X, that had not been revealed before. These include voice control from the lock screen, a new charging information icon — the Nexus 5X uses USB Type-C to charge — plus the phone has fewer pre-installed apps, and more of those that are can be deleted.
Now On Tap makes Google Search and Google Now more accessible, and helpful, across the system. For example, long press on the home button in a message and you’ll get quick access to relevant content related to the message, including OpenTable and Yelp data for restaurants, and the option to quickly add calendar entries.
The Nexus 5X has a 2,700mAh battery, which will be enhanced by a new feature called Doze mode. It shuts down background app usage when the phone isn’t used, and can dramatically extend standby time. Google says tests using the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 showed a 30-percent improvement in standby time when the phones were left on overnight without charging.
Where can you buy it, and when?
We’re still waiting for the complete Nexus 5X specs, but we do know how much it will cost, and when you’ll be able to buy it. The 16GB model will be $380, and the 32GB $430, and both will be up for pre-order through Google Play from September 30. Expect the phones to ship in October, but the date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Google’s being generous, and giving 90-days Google Music subscription away for free with each phone, and in the U.S., you’ll get a $50 Google Play voucher in the pack. Finally, Google’s adding its own extended warranty program called Nexus Protect, which doubles the single year guarantee, and will provide a quick replacement for a damaged device. Prices start at $70.
We’ll update here with the final specs when they’re revealed.
LG Nexus 5X available at: Amazon
