In 2013, LG made the Nexus 5, and I loved it. It was a simple device, a slab of a phone really with 1080p LCD display and matte plastic finish. But at $350, it was incredibly cheap and held its own with the very best. Now, LG and Google return with the Nexus 5X.
This isn’t exactly a carbon copy clone, but more of a sequel to the Nexus 5. It’s slightly bigger at 5.2-inches and it has other requisite updates from the processor to other hardware features, like Nexus Imprint (a fingerprint sensor), USB-Type C, and a better camera sensor and features. It even comes in a nice Ice Blue color.
But it’s primarily the spiritual equivalent to what Google tried to achieve with the Nexus5 in 2013—create a smartphone as an entry point for pure Android and showcase that great doesn’t need to mean cheap. The only thing is, this isn’t 2013. The Nexus 5 was actually so good at showing how great inexpensive Android can be, companies like OnePlus and Motorola have followed suit and made some great phones for not a lot of money.
But if pure Android is a must have feature rather than a nice addition for you, than the 5X or its new, bigger brother the 6P are your options. But even if it’s not quite as feature-packed as Huawei’s new creation, I can’t help but be a little happy that my favorite smartphone ever made now has a successor.
You can pre-order the Nexus 5X, starting at $380 (unlocked), in the Google Store starting today and will be available on all major U.S. carriers and even Google’s Project Fi. You can also get a new service, called Nexus Protect, which covers the 5X from mechanical and accidental damage for 2 years for $70. Android Marshmallow will be released starting next week.
Nexus 5X Specs
- OS: Marshmallow 6.0
- CPU: Snapdragon 808
- Display: 5.2-inch IPS
- PPI: 423
- Memory: 2GB
- Storage: 16GB / 32GB
- Cameras: 5MP front / 13MP rear (f2.0, 4K at 30fps)
- Battery: 27oomAh
- Weight: 4.80 oz
- Footprint: 5.79” x 2.86”
- Thickness: 0.31”
- NFC: Yes
- Fingerprint Reader: Yes
- Wireless and Fast Charging: Fast Charging
- Notable Extras: Project Fi, Fast Android Updates, USB-Type C
- Price: $380-$430
- Availability: Pre-order today at Google store, available on all major US carriers