Nexus 6 Design and Performance Overview

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The Nexus 6 was a game-changer in the smartphone world, and its design and performance are still impressive to this day. The device features a 5.96-inch Quad HD display, making it one of the largest smartphones available at the time of its release.

The Nexus 6's design is sleek and minimalist, with a unibody polycarbonate frame that gives it a premium feel. It's a bit on the heavier side, weighing in at 184 grams, but that's a small price to pay for its impressive features.

One of the standout features of the Nexus 6 is its performance. Powered by a 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor and 3GB of RAM, this phone can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. You can expect fast app switching, smooth gaming, and seamless multitasking.

The Nexus 6's camera is another area where it shines. With a 13MP camera and optical image stabilization, you can capture stunning photos and videos that are sure to impress.

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Release

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The Nexus 6 was unveiled on October 15, 2014.

Pre-orders started on October 29, 2014, and deliveries were expected in early November.

Off-contract pricing in the United States was US$649 for the 32 GB model and US$699 for the 64 GB model.

The Nexus 6 was available through various retailers, including Google Play Store, Motorola Mobility, Best Buy, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless in the United States.

Availability was announced for 12 other countries in November 2014, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Hardware and Design

The Nexus 6 is powered by a 2.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor with 3 GB of RAM, and either 32 or 64 GB of internal storage. This provides a solid foundation for smooth performance.

The phone features a 3220 mAh battery with quick charging technology that promises to deliver six hours of operation after 15 minutes of charging. This is a game-changer for anyone on the go.

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The Nexus 6 uses a 5.96-inch (marketed as six-inch) QHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels (493 PPI). This results in a beautiful screen that's perfect for watching videos or browsing the web.

Here are the key specs at a glance:

  • Processor: 2.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805
  • RAM: 3 GB
  • Storage: 32 or 64 GB
  • Display: 5.96-inch QHD AMOLED (2560×1440 pixels)

Design

The Nexus 6's design is essentially an enlarged version of the Moto X 2014, and that's a good thing aesthetically.

The phone's face features a pair of front-facing speakers that are nice and loud, a welcome upgrade from the Nexus 5's paltry speaker.

The Moto X's design is very good looking, and it remains so even when scaled up to the Nexus 6.

One weird quirk with the Nexus 6 is that you can't interact with it much when it's laying flat on your desk due to its slight curve and smooth plastic texture.

Camera

The camera on the Nexus 6 is a decent performer, consistently taking good photos, but not necessarily blowing me away. It sometimes takes a bit longer than expected to start up.

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The camera resolution is 13 megapixels, which is a good starting point. It also features optical image stabilization (OIS) and a dual LED flash ring.

While the photos may not be breathtaking, they're not disappointing either. The camera is average, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It gets the job done without any major issues.

The camera also has a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, which is suitable for self-portraits and video calls.

It's worth noting that the camera doesn't have any major standout features, but it also doesn't have any major flaws.

Display

The display on the Nexus 6 is truly stunning, with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels that's almost impossible to notice.

You can look as hard as you want, but the pixels are virtually invisible. This is a testament to the high-quality display that Motorola has consistently delivered in recent years.

The screen color does run a bit warm, which means things may appear slightly more orange than they should be, especially at lower brightness levels. However, this is a minor quibble that most people won't even notice.

If you do notice the warm color, don't worry – it's not a defect. You might even get used to it after a day or two.

Here are the key specs for the display:

  • Resolution: 1440 x 2560 pixels
  • Screen size: 5.96 inches

Software and Performance

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The Nexus 6 was Google's first phone to launch with HDR+, a feature that takes a burst of shots with short exposures, selectively aligning the sharpest shots and averaging them using computational photography techniques.

The phone was released with Android 5.0 Lollipop, which brought performance improvements that made it a slick and speedy package. With a quad-core, 2.7Ghz CPU, it's one of the fastest Android phones on the planet, with a Geekbench score of around 1046.

The Nexus 6 was also the first Android device to have integrated IMS WiFi calling on T-Mobile, which was issued via an OTA update. This feature was previously only available on select Android handsets using software from Kineto Wireless.

Software

The Nexus 6 was Google's first phone to launch with HDR+, a feature that takes a burst of shots with short exposures and averages them using computational photography techniques.

HDR+ is similar to lucky imaging used in astrophotography, and it's processed on the Qualcomm Hexagon DSP. This technology avoids blur and blowing out highlights, and reduces noise by averaging multiple shots.

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The Nexus 6 was released with Android 5.0 Lollipop, which was a significant upgrade at the time.

T-Mobile's native WiFi calling was integrated into the core of Android for the first time with the Nexus 6, making it the first Android device to have this feature.

In September 2015, Android 5.1.1 was rolled out to the Nexus 6, containing a fix for the Stagefright bug.

The Nexus 6 was one of the first devices to get the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update, and it also received the Android 6.0.1 update soon after.

Android 7.0 Nougat was delayed for the Nexus 6, and it was eventually released on October 3, 2016, six weeks after the official roll-out.

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Performance

The Nexus 6 is a fast phone, thanks to its quad-core, 2.7Ghz CPU and a Geekbench score of around 1046.

This speed is further enhanced by the performance improvements of Android 5.0, making it a slick and speedy package.

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In two weeks of use, I experienced only two instances of stuttering, both of which occurred just after an app had crashed.

The device's performance was largely bug-free, but I did encounter issues with the keyboard, which inexplicably closed itself mid-sentence around a dozen times.

The device's vibrating motor stopped working for 3 days, even after a full factory reset, but then suddenly started working again.

Pros

The Nexus 6 has some amazing features that set it apart from other devices. Its supersized display is a major plus, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games.

The device runs on Android Lollipop, which offers a seamless user experience. This operating system is known for its intuitive interface and smooth performance.

A 13MP camera is also included, which is a significant upgrade from previous models. This camera is perfect for capturing high-quality photos and videos.

Qi + Turbo charging is another feature that's hard to beat. This fast-charging technology quickly tops off your battery, so you can get back to using your device in no time.

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Here are some of the key specs that make the Nexus 6 stand out:

  • 6-inch display
  • 3GB of RAM
  • 3220 mAh battery
  • Qi-chargeable battery

The Nexus 6 also has a large battery that lasts a whole day, making it perfect for heavy users. This battery is also Qi-chargeable, so you can charge it wirelessly.

Reception and Reviews

The Nexus 6 was given 4.5 out of 5 stars in the TechRadar review. This suggests that the device received overwhelmingly positive feedback from critics.

Matt Swider from TechRadar praised the Nexus 6, saying it proves that Google's Nexus program is not only far from dead, but alive and kicking.

The Good

The Nexus 6 is a powerful 6-inch phablet that runs the latest Android software. It's clear that Google's Nexus program is still going strong.

The Nexus 6 is bigger than the Note 4, but it's not necessarily better. This suggests that size isn't everything when it comes to smartphones.

The Nexus 6 is a great example of how Google's Nexus program is "alive and kicking".

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Reception

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The Nexus 6 received a glowing review from Matt Swider of TechRadar, who praised its powerful performance and latest Android software.

One of the notable aspects of the review was the comparison to the Samsung Note 4, with the Nexus 6 being deemed bigger but not necessarily better.

The TechRadar review gave the Nexus 6 a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, indicating a very positive assessment of the device.

The reviewer's comments suggest that the Nexus 6 is a force to be reckoned with in the phablet market.

Availability and Price

The Google Nexus 6 was initially released in the US in early November 2014 and was available on major carriers worldwide.

At first, it was only available on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, but Verizon started selling it with VoLTE enabled on March 12, 2015.

The phone can still be purchased online, although it's no longer sold in the Google Store.

Credit: youtube.com, Nexus 6 official video trailer, release date and price

The Nexus 6 can install Android N, which was a significant feature at the time of its release.

The phone's price has dropped substantially since its initial release, making it more desirable to consumers.

You can now buy the 32GB Nexus 6 for $349 via Amazon or $499 officially, and the 64GB version for $549.

In the UK, the price drop has been even more significant, with the 32GB version now going for £369 from the Google Play Store.

On-contract, the phone has become more affordable, with prices starting at $149 through AT&T in the US and £32.50 a month with a free phone upfront in the UK.

Motorola

The Motorola Nexus 6 marked a shift in market positioning for Google's smartphone lineup. This change was notable as it deviated from the previous LG-made devices that had cut back on certain features to stay attractively priced.

Motorola's Nexus 6 was a significant departure from its predecessors, which had sacrificed some features to keep costs low.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nexus 6 still supported?

The Nexus 6 is no longer supported, as the Nexus series ended in October 2016 and all devices are now discontinued. For continued software updates and a seamless Android experience, consider switching to a Google Pixel device.

Francisco Parker

Assigning Editor

Francisco Parker is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a passion for storytelling, Francisco has spent years honing his skills in the journalism industry, where he has developed a keen sense of what readers want to know. Throughout his career, Francisco has assigned articles on a wide range of topics, including SEO Strategies, where he has helped readers navigate the ever-changing landscape of online search and optimization.

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