Update: Ars Technica’s comprehensive Lollipop review is a great companion to the Nexus 6 review.
Nexus 6 reviews are hitting the web all over the place, but as a general rule of thumb, the only one that matters comes from AnandTech. They conclude:
Overall, I think that Google and Motorola have built a solid device. It isn’t without its issues, but there’s a lot to like, even if you’re someone who has never used a phablet before. I had always been somewhat of a skeptic regarding massive phones; I didn’t understand the appeal. But after using one, I can see how having a massive display to view all your content can be really beneficial by enabling forms of productivity that simply can’t be done comfortably on smaller devices, and by making activities like viewing photos and watching videos significantly more engrossing. Not only did it change my mind about the appeal of phablets, it also changed my mind about Google’s ability to compete in the premium device segment of the market. The Nexus 6 holds its own against all the other high end devices that we’ve seen released this year, although the Galaxy Note 4 with its more phablet oriented software features and hardware advantages might be a better device overall. But those who want a large device and value having software support directly from Google won’t be disappointed by the Nexus 6.
It’s too big for my tastes – I prefer the 4.5″-5.0″ mark – but even so, it’s a little sad Google didn’t try to make better use of the large display through software tricks. I had hoped that such a large Nexus phone, paired with the new Nexus 9, would finally urge Google to add proper multiwindow to Android (just copy Windows 8’s Metro multiwindow. Microsoft got it right), but alas, they did not.
I have used a Note 2 for two years, and it is a great device. The giant screen is very useful; in my case, it totally displaced my Nexus 7.
But:
* It will easily tumble out of your shirt pocket: beware the toilets!
* If your pants are a bit tight, it will painfully dig into your groin when you sit. It’s fine with chinos, or baggy jeans, but now that tight is (finally!) back, beware. For walking around, however, it is no problem; but be prepared to pull it out of your pocket every time you sit, with all the dangers entailed.
Looks like the nexus 6 is worse than the nexus 5 by most measures. So twice the money, 1″ more display, worse display, battery, and IO.
If you want more details the verge, ars technica, and engadget have posted reviews.
I agree. Didn’t expect the battery and storage to be that bad.
Useless in fact
Yeah, I can’t imagine picking this up over the Note 4, and missing out on the pen, SD card slot, multi-windows and removable battery. Plus, if I put Nova Launcher on it (which I’d do with the N6 anyway), it takes care of most of the Touchwiz jank.
I feel like they had to be reviewing a device that had something wrong with it. All the other reviews I have read have given high marks on battery compared to the Note 4.
While I wouldn’t say they’ve all been glowing, it does seems like reviews are all over the place with this handset. I’ve read about half a dozen of them, and it felt like each site was reviewing a completely different device. Weird.
They really screwed the pooch with the Nexus 6. The 5 was very good, and the few deficiencies like the crappy camera could be excused by the very cheap price.
So what will redeem the Nexus 6 if not price? Seems like the Note 4 is a better device in all respects. What is the point of a large screen if the phone dies after only 7 hours of web browsing activity?
Never mind the embarrassing showing of all the android phones on sustained performance. Shove in a massively clocked CPU with no regard for thermal characteristics and you can see the iPhones clean up. http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph8687/69113.png
Edited 2014-11-14 04:12 UTC
while other reviews have it lasting an entire day.
I think Ars’ review is better. At least they discovered that it’s slower then the Nexus 5 and why, and provided some data. That’s IMO about the only thing you need to write about in this case. It’s objectively and subjectively slower than its predecessor.
Edited 2014-11-13 11:43 UTC
“…it’s a little sad Google didn’t try to make better use of the large display through software tricks”
Oh please, Android doesn’t even do anything special UI-wise for 10″ tablets, never mind 6″ phones :o)
So far still missing:
Nexus 4
Nexus 7 LTE
Nexus 7 3G
Owners of the Nexus 7 LTE had to wait long times for 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 as well. I guess for 5.0 they will have to wait months again
Edited 2014-11-13 15:47 UTC