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Score: 9/10
Verdict: The best premium Android phone you can get in the market. Expensive but worth it.
IN CASE YOU didn’t realise, releasing two phones in different sizes is the in thing to do. Phablets (those with screens bigger than 5 inches) have become the norm now and since our smartphones are everything but in Google’s case, it’s learnt from the Nexus 6 large size and decided to go for two devices.
The smaller Nexus 5X was a great, if not exactly inspiring, device but its bigger brother, the 6P is going for the premium end of the market. With Huawei designing it, Google’s latest attempt at a high-end device not only banishes memories of the Nexus 6, but gives rivals a serious run for their money.
Going all out
It’s probably fair to say as far as the range is concerned, it’s the classiest smartphone under the Nexus brand. The 6P follows the same designs ideas Huawei uses for its current phones: aluminium build, two plastic covers for the top and bottom, and a Gorilla Glass 4 screen.
The camera and flash are built into the top part, blending in without much effort, while the fingerprint scanner is located at the top-centre, leaving room for a large Nexus logo (and a smaller Huawei logo underneath). Like the 5X, the fingerprint scanner is quick and easy to activate when you’re using it one-handed.
It’s the exact same size as the iPhone 6 Plus and which one feels better is really a matter of preference. The iPhone’s rounded corners makes it feel that bit more elegant while the 6P’s flat sides allows for a more solid grip.
As for button and port placement, it’s practical with headphones jack at the top and USB-C port at the bottom. It’s simple and to the point, something that’s apparent with this smartphone.
Working to its strengths
Since this is a Nexus device, it means you’re running the latest version of Android. While Marshmallow has a number of useful features like Doze and Now on Tap, you know what you’re getting at this point.
What was mentioned about the Nexus 5X still applies here. When Android is stripped down to its core, it’s usually a fast and clutter free experience but the 6P’s speed means navigation is lightning fast.
Just swipe through the home screens, to Google Now, or any other app and it will open and load without delay. It’s rather impressive just how fast it can navigate through tasks, even when you feel like you’re pushing it with games.
The visuals are helped with the sharper screen, one that has 1440 x 2560 resolution and a high pixel density (~518). It gives added clarity and the larger size provides apps on your home screen with a bit of breathing space.
High-end
In terms of specs, it’s exactly what you would expect from a high-end device and considering the price you’re paying for it, it’s the least you can expect.
As mentioned earlier, Huawei has a habit of bringing out cheaper mid- and high-end devices with higher end specs, and this is no exception. 3GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 810 chip, two quad-core chips (1.55 GHz and 2.0 GHz) , and a 3,450 mAh battery are great additions.
It has more than enough to get you through the day, even if you’re using it quite regularly. A day and a half is a decent estimate for normal use, two days tops if you’re relying on Doze heavily.
The camera quality is relatively the same as it is on the Nexus 5X. A larger screen is nicer to look at but as a rule, there’s little difference between the two.
The colours are more vibrant on both cameras meaning it’s great for landscape shots but the limitations of Google Camera – one designed for casual use – means you’ll likely move to a more advanced app if you want better shots.
The front-facing camera is better quality which is handy for high quality video calls or selfies.
Should you buy one?
Yes, you’re paying more for a device since it’s unlocked but what you’re getting is one of the best Android experiences out there.
There will be some who will prefer the likes of Samsung or HTC’s version but with 32GB being the minimum space requirement, you’re already getting a fantastic phone.
This is the standard Google has set itself for its devices and if it continues it, it’s really going to show the world what Android can do.
Pros
- Fantastic hardware
- Premium design and easy to hold.
- Stock Android is simple and to the point.
Cons
- No real change in camera quality compared to 5X.
- Expensive entry point.
The Nexus 6P costs €649 (32GB unlocked) and is available on Google Store.
Another reminder that the children’s hospital is being built in the wrong location. Every time there is an accident on the M50 roads into Dublin cannot manage the level of traffic.
Inside the M50 belt just does not make sense.
@Ciarán McPhillips: such a scary thought for a child to be in an ambulance and caught up on the M50. Disgraceful decision.
@Deborah Behan: We’re sleepwalking our way towards that exact situation. The mind boggles.
No doubt caused by some muppet hammering up the outside/city lanes and then nipping in to go northbound. We need to start a campaign to not let queue jumpers in.
@mcgoo:
Or perhaps allowing queue jumpers in would stop the accidents
Meanwhile here in Leitrim….
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: who cares about a dying county like Leitrim
@Michael Walsh: We are not dying. We’re generally quite happy that we don’t have to become a slave to make a living. Who cares about the septic tank that is Dublin? See…same question.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: As a Dub myself id agree. Dublin is grinding to a standstill as we repeat the mistakes of the Celtic tiger years and continue to vote for political organisations who have their and not the nation as a whole best interests at heart.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: jealous
@quality cheese: Did you post this on your 6 hour journey to work or from bed this morning? Hard to tell…. but “quality cheese”…… your at home
@Michael Walsh: like it or not your taxes keep Leitrim going.
@quality cheese: A tendency to resort to insults shows quite clearly a lack of intellect.
Tailgating is the problem. Its amazing cars doing 140kph tailgating just 1 metre behind the car in front. Amazing breaking system they must have to avoid a crash if the car in front suddenly breaks. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. 1m for every 2kph. Eg a car must leave 200 metres distance at 100 kph.
@Brendan Mason: That and the roads were wet this morning, come this way every morning before 7am.
Speed limit drops from 100 kp to 80 kp, most people dont pay any heed to that.
Many go beyond it.
Zero police enforcement and bad driving skills, welcome to Irish driving!
@Brendan Mason: 1m for every 2kph? Therfore using your formula travelling around 100kph should have a gap of 50m not 200m. Anyway if anyone left a gap of 200m on an Irish motorway they’d be flashed at (lights) and abused by other road users.
@Brendan Mason: The accident happened close to the Luas car park junction before the M50. Given the time of morning the accident occurred, and it being a Monday which is probably the busiest morning of the week anyway, it’s virtually an impossibility that cars were traveling at 140kph, or anywhere remotely close to that speed.
@Tommy Roche: the 140 kph is an example. 4okph may be enough to cause a crash if cars are close enough to each other .
@Brendan Mason: 40 kph sorry.
@Brendan Mason: I drive as part of my job and find that if you do leave a gap to the car in front then you’ll always have a gimp who will try to squeeze their car into that gap meaning you have to jam on the breaks
@Brendan Mason: 1mtr behind a car in front driving at 140kmh? Bit of an exaggeration don’t you think. Most drivers wouldn’t be able to judge 60, 80,100mtrs. Little tip – if you are overtaking in the out most lane try keep right of centre of your lane. You will be able to see the break lights of the second car in front.
@Brendan Mason: if you keep the right distance some mope jumps in in front of you that cuts your distance your bolloxed then . This happens very often rant over
For a lot of tech companies e.g. Facebook, Dell, Amazon, people can work from home quite a bit. With some planning you dont need mega-speed broadband either. Can’t help but think some of these businesses could make the leap to commuter towns and beyond. Clonakility has a multinational, the workers have houses, sea-air, little traffic and are 30 mins from Cork for a bit of life, and the airport also. Not ignoring the lack of routes currently available, but if more large towns within 60 mins of Galway, Limerick and Cork were utilised, how much better would life be for people? It will only take one big tech company to lead the way.
Vomit. How do people put up with this shit everyday of their lives.
Life is short people.
@Ciarán McPhillips: I ment 50 metres for 100 kph.
70 metres for 140 kph etc.
@Brendan Mason: but they are not leaving a fraction of that distance. Gung ho. Flash lights. The road is mine attitude. Slap on the breaks etc.
@Brendan Mason:
Spot on. Clueless behaviour.
H
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