Will the Nexus brand remain the cream of the crop for Android heading into 2016?
For many an Android user, the launch of a new Nexus device is the pinnacle of the yearly cycle of smartphones. Notorious for being high-end devices at a competitive price point, this year has seen two very distinct devices enter the fray. While Huawei’s 6P is tailored to a more premium audience, the 5X developed by LG has a look and feel of a more mid-range affair.
We can’t recall any previous Nexus device being a real looker and the trend continues with the 5X. The black shell is fairly dull, but while some may scoff at the plastic build, it’s robust and lacks any sort of noticeable fl ex in the shell. Around the back is a protruding camera lens (which may cause some issues when finding a decent case), along with the new fingerprint scanner just below it. The normal selection of ports are included, as well as a reversible USB-C offering for a quicker charge. However, you’ll need to buy a separate cable as you won’t find one included in the box. There’s no microSD slot, but there are 16 and 32GB variations available. As ever, you’ll be heavily relying on cloud storage more often than not anyway.
Apart from an increase in size from 2013’s 4.95-inch display on the Nexus 5 to 5.2 inches, it’s by and large the same. The IPS LCD panel shows off colours really well and viewing angles are some of the best we’ve experienced in a while. There’s also something that we really enjoy about the 5.2-inch sizing, as it’s just the right size for one-handed use.
It has to be said that Android Marshmallow is a joy to use on the Nexus 5X. Moving between menus is fast and the revamped animations look great, rather than being a real nuisance. Android Pay also comes as standard, making use of the fingerprint scanner on the rear. Contactless payments are fast becoming the norm, so expect to make use of that scanner much more as time goes by.
What we were surprised by is the inclusion of 2GB RAM in the 5X. While the jury is still out on whether 4GB is really needed in a mobile device, 2GB is a little on the weak side for those wanting to undertake some more processor intensive tasks. However, those seeking a good everyday experience will find the 2GB RAM sufficient, plus the Snapdragon 808 processor isn’t a massive burden on the 2,700mAh battery. Expect to get close to a day of use between charges, but as ever, watching movies, listening to music and other such tasks will have you clambering for your charger quickly.
We’ve already commented on the very awkward design of the protruding rear camera lens, but otherwise, when in use, this is a solid camera offering from LG and Google. While on paper the 12.3MP sensor is smaller than many other mid-range competitors, image clarity is up there with the best of them. Low-light photography is a particular highlight here and the large sensor is able to bring in extra light to help keep images looking good in the dark. What’s more, with Android’s core Camera app, there’s a magnitude of shooting and recording options ready to be explored.
You’d be hard pressed not to agree that the 5X is a solid, if unspectacular entry to the Nexus lineup. It pretty much nails all of the key elements that have made the previous devices a success and refines some of the key areas that needed improving. But 2015 has seen one of the best lineups of Android devices ever and the Nexus 5X doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. With prices starting at £339 ($379), this is a real contender for your next device, but don’t expect to be blown away this time around.
Verdict
It doesn’t have the sparkle of previous devices, but this is another solid entry into the Nexus lineup.
Technical specs
Operating system - Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 1.82GHz hexa-core
Memory - 16/32GB storage / 2GB RAM
Dimensions - 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm
Weight - 136g
Display size - 5.2-inches
Display resolution - 1080 x 1920 pixels (423 ppi)
Front camera - 5MP
Rear camera - 12.3MP
Connectivity - LTE Cat 6, dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2
Expansion slot - N/A