Google Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P: the critical numbers and specs

The launch itself was ruined somewhat by the rumours that preceded it, but nevertheless, LG and Huawei‘s hard work has culminated in the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P: Google‘s two latest plays in the smartphone market.

Traditionally, Nexus devices were outed to display the prowess of the company’s Android operating system, but this has generally fallen by the wayside, as non developers get their hands on the devices like eager Apple fans.

So, the two devices pretty much had to be winners from the get go. But are they?

Nexus 5X

For starters, the LG Nexus 5X definitely seems like an adequate little beast, and for just US$379 at that for the base model. The 64GB version will retail for US$429.

Device specifications

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core
RAM: 3GB
Display: 5.2-inch, 1920×1080
Imaging: 12.3MP rear camera with 5MP camera up front
Storage: 16GB or 32GB
Kickass features: Nexus Imprint fingerprint reader, USB Type-C charging and data port, 4K video capture
Battery: 2700mAh removable
Android: 6.0 Marshmallow

The Nexus 5X is perhaps a little more understated than its bigger, Chinese-built brother, but it is attractive nonetheless, especially with the Nexus Imprint fingerprint reader halo at its back.

The chipset itself is also rather stellar, powering the likes of the LG G4. It’s swift, multitasks extremely well and should allow fairly decent gaming performance on the Nexus 5X. That 2700mAh battery is on the smaller side though, but luckily will be boosted by Marshmallow’s new intelligent battery management wizardry.

Nexus 6P

Very much Google’s flagship, the Huawei-made Mate S-inspired Nexus 6P will fill most people’s skinny jeans pockets and then some. It’s decidedly larger than its new brother, but it’s slightly smaller than the outgoing Nexus 6.

Device specifications

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core
RAM: 3GB
Display: 5.7-inch, 2560×1440
Imaging: 12.3MP rear camera with 8MP camera up front
Storage: 32GB, 64GB or 128GB
Kickass features: Nexus Imprint fingerprint reader, USB Type-C charging and data port, 4K video capture
Battery: 3450mAh removable
Android: 6.0 Marshmallow

Impressive reading. We should note that the Snapdragon 810 chip used in the Nexus 6P is version 2.1, which has reportedly put those overheating issues of its early life behind it.

More interestingly, Google’s offering the device with a 128GB storage option, one of the few manufacturers doing this at the moment. It should bode well for future Huawei devices as well. And as for the battery? That’s about as large as we like, and is indicative of Huawei’s magic with shoving extremely large batteries into tiny places.

The Nexus 6P on the whole is quite the metallic marvel as well, and isn’t as ugly as initial rumoured suggested that it would be.

Price wise, it’s competing with some highly revered competition. The base 32GB model will start at US$499, with the 64GB priced at US$549 and the 128GB version at US$649.

Both devices will launch to consumers next month.