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Google Nexus 6 review

8.3/10 AVG.
RATING
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Google Nexus 6
Google Nexus 6
Google Nexus 6
Google Nexus 6
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8.3/10
Informr score
The Google Nexus 6 currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 39 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Sharp display with bold colors
  • Excellent battery life
  • Lightning fast performance on all tasks
  • Great photo quality in good and low lighting

What's bad

  • Impossible to use one-handed
  • Whites on display have yellow tint
  • Size makes it almost impossible to fit in pants pocket

Is there such a thing as too big? Google answers that question with their Nexus 6. It might simple be one number up from its smaller sibling – the Nexus 5 – but the Nexus 6 is more than just a simple upgrade. It is one of the first devices to run Android Lollipop and is also one of the biggest phablets on the marketing measuring in at 6.3 x 3.1 x 0.4 inches. Its large size makes it pretty much impossible for reviewers to use one-handed but the contoured sides and curved back made it comfortable for them to hold for extended amounts of time. Sitting comfortably with it in their jean pockets, however, is another story. Mashable states, "This thing isn't designed for normal-sized pockets…"

The majority of the phone's size is due to the 5.96-inch, AMOLED display. It boasts an impressive 2.560 x 1,440 resolution which translates to an impressive pixel density of 493ppi. The Nexus 6 might technically have a higher resolution than the iPhone 6 Plus, but when experts actually compared them side-by-side any differences were negligible. Both screens were incredibly crisp and well-defined, even when they inspected it under a magnifying glass. Thanks to the AMOLED screen technology, the Nexus 6 wowed critics with its bold colors and "blacks as inky as the void" as Yahoo describes it. Still, they noticed that it veered towards oversaturation in the green, blue and red range and that the whites often had a yellow tinge. In general, these small issues didn't dampen the enjoyment critics got out of watching a movie or playing a game on the device.

At the heart of the Nexus 6 is a 2.7GHz quad-core processor backed up by 3GB of RAM and either 32 or 64MB of internal storage. Reviewers describe performance as "lightning fast" with daily and necessary tasks opening without delay and graphics heavy games playing effortlessly with no lag. The 3,220mAh battery might not be replaceable, but it did provide critics with a day's worth life even during heavy usage. It also comes equipped with wireless charging capability and a Turbo charger, which gives 6 hours of life from a 15-minute charge.

Motorola has improved the Nexus 6 phone with a new CMOS sensor, wider aperture and optical image stabilization. The 13MP snapper impressed experts with its overall color accuracy and photo details. The wider aperture helped critics take better low light images with very little noise and graininess. CNET did notice that it did get fuzzy around the edges during macro shots. The camera app itself offers standard fare like Panorama and HDR Mode along with some new features like a lens blur and photo sphere. It does not, however, have filters or the ability to adjust white balance presets. While most still place the iPhone 6 as having the best camera, they admit that the one on the Nexus 6 is a close second.

While reviewers have few complaints about the Nexus 6, many are still on the fence about a wholehearted recommendation. CNET states, "...if you welcome the expansive size and pure Android experience, the Nexus 6 delivers the goods…Ultimately though, a better alternative is the Galaxy Note 4…" Forbes adds, "…treated in isolation the Nexus 6 is a great success…Ultimately, however, it is impossible to escape the question of size."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.7 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.7 GHz
5.96"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.96"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
3220 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

There are some good things about the Nexus 6 including build quality and some top-end hardware such as the screen, processor and camera. However, it's simply too big, unwieldy and expensive to warrant awarding it anything higher than four stars and really get behind it (unless we wanted to hid from...

- Chris Martin, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

There are some good things about the Nexus 6 including build quality and some top-end hardware such as the screen, processor and camera. However, it's simply too big, unwieldy and expensive to warrant awarding it anything higher than four stars and really get behind it (unless we wanted to hid from...

- Chris Martin, Tech Advisor
AndroidPIT
AndroidPIT

Google and Motorola pushed the bar way up for future Nexus phones with the Nexus 6. It has sucessfully addressed past problems with the camera and battery. If you can deal with its formidable size and want to stay on the front-line of Android updates, then the Nexus 6 is for you.

- Loie Favre, AndroidPIT
The Gadgeteer
The Gadgeteer

Should you buy the Nexus 6 Android smartphone? The answer might be no if you like your phone to have a replaceable battery, microSD card slot, a fingerprint scanner and sized small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket. But the answer is resounding yes if you want a phone with a very large displa...

- Julie Strietelmeier, The Gadgeteer
Digit
Digit

If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’re probably sulking (like me), at the fact that a Nexus phone costs over 40k. To the regular consumer though, this won’t matter. So, yes, the Nexus 6 is indeed a good phone to buy. I like the Moto Turbo more, because it’s compact and easier to...

- Prasid Banerjee, Digit


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Motorola backs up the Google Nexus 6 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Google Nexus 6 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.96"

The Google Nexus 6's screen size is 5.96 inches with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.7 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 Quad core 2.7 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 5.0 Lollipop (Update Available: 7.1.1 Nougat) operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32/64 GB

Internal memory is 32/64 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
3220mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3220 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 1503 minutes, 570 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Google Nexus 6 Specs

Overview
Release Date November 7, 2014
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 5.0 Lollipop (Update Available: 7.1.1 Nougat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 Quad core 2.7 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.86 W/kg
Body: 0.36 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (Dual LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Panorama, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel Density 493 pixels
Size 5.96 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3220 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging Yes
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 600 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 570 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1503 minutes
Standby Time Up to 13.8 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Midnight Blue, Cloud White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.9 x 8.3 x 1 cm (6.3 x 3.3 x 0.4 in)
Weight 184 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Google Nexus X, XT1103, XT1100
Related Links Google Nexus 6 Reviews
Where to buy Google Nexus 6
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