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Google Nexus 6 VS Nexus 5 Comparison Overview, Is Nexus 6 As Exciting as Nexus 5

Google Nexus Line doesn’t need an introduction. This year Google has launched its new Nexus 6 as a launch vehicle for Android 5.0 Lollipop and has also decided to continue selling Nexus 5 for those who don’t prefer an extra large smartphone. Is Nexus 6 more than a large Nexus 5? The answer is yes. Let’s take a look at how far the Nexus line has evolved this year.

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Display and Processor

The Nexus 5 has a universally favored 5 inch display with 1080 x 1920 pixel full HD resolution amounting to 445 pixels per inches. The Nexus 6 on the other hand has a much bigger 5.9 inch screen with trendy Quad HD 1440 X 2560 pixels amounting to slightly higher 493 ppi.

Display size and resolution isn’t the only difference. The Nexus 5 features True HD IPS LCD display from LG – One of the best classes of IPS LCD panels, while Google has chosen to go back to AMOLED Panel on Nexus 6 (great blacks, not so great whites) after 3 years. Both display have Gorilla Glass 3 protection layered on top.

More pixels mean more work and to handle extra pressure Nexus 6 features Snapdragon 805 SoC, the flagship 32 bit SoC from Qualcomm with 4 Krait 450 cores clocked at 2.7 GHz and assisted with more powerful Adreno 420 GPU and 3 GB RAM.

The Nexus 5 on the other hand did perfectly fine with Snapdragon 800 Krait 400 quad core ticking at 2.3 GHz and assisted by 2GB RAM and Adreno 330 GPU. Both phones pack enough power to carry you through basic and high end tasks smoothly.

Camera and Internal Storage

The 8 MP OIS camera in Nexus 5 wasn’t outright impressive and needed a few software fixes to give a decent performance. Nexus 6 promises improvement with its 13 MP OIS camera with dual LED flash. Nexus 6 can also record 4K videos if you want it to. The front camera has been bumped up from 1.3 MP to 2 MP.

Nexus 5 comes in 16 GB and 32 GB option while Nexus 6 will have 32 GB and 64 GB options. As expected, there is no SD card this time either. For the increased price we do expect at least 32 GB native storage.

Battery and Other Features

Nexus 5 has a 2300 mAh battery which offers 300 hours of standby time and up to 17 hours of talk time. In spite of increased number of pixels, Nexus 6 offers more back up from its bigger 3220 mAh battery. Google promises 24 hour usage with up to 330 hours of standby and 24 hours of talk time. Nexus 6 also supports turbo charging, which gives you 6 hours worth of charge in just 15 minutes of charging. Both smartphones support wireless charging.

On the software front, there is no difference. The new Android 5.0 Lollipop will soon arrive on Nexus 5 as well with complete set of improvements and Material Design. Besides Material design, Android 5.0 Lollipop will bring more responsive UI, more efficient ART Runtime, 64 bit support, battery saver mode, and much more to the table.

Key Specs

Model Google Nexus 6 Google Nexus 5
Display 6 inch, QHD, 469 PPI 5 Inch, Full HD
Processor 2.7 GHz Quad Core 2.5 GHz Quad Core
RAM 3 GB 2 GB
Internal Storage 32 GB/ 64 GB 16 GB/ 32 GB
OS Android 5.0 Lollipop Android 5.0 Lollipop Coming Soon
Camera 13 MP/ 2 MP 8 MP/ 1.6 MP
Battery 3220 mAh 2300 mAh
Price $569/ $649 $329/ $399

Conclusion

Nexus 6 brings several improvements and enhancements over Nexus 5, but it isn’t as exciting as its predecessor. It will eliminate users who shy away from extra large display and also those who prefer IPS LCD Displaces over AMOLED technology. Besides the expensive price and redundant design (it does look like a blown up Moto X) isn’t helping much either. However, for those who don’t mind a large display, Nexus 6 will be an absolute treat.

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Deepak Singh

The Author spent a significant chunk of his formative years resisting technology. He now keeps an eye on where the world is heading to, and drives a passive pleasure from this indulgence. His passion to write, learn and improve drives him each day. When his day ends, he enjoys the pleasant languor and detoxifies with family. You can connect with him on and Twitter