New nexus phone. From Nexus to Pixel: the evolution of Google smartphones. Galaxy Nexus. Same Samsung

EvolutionNexus: Introduction

Google's Nexus range has, in many ways, helped revolutionize the mobile communications market, similar to what Apple did with the iPhone.

While Nexus devices failed to set world records in terms of sales, they served as important benchmarks for Android manufacturers, and some of them were quite good.

Google Nexus One wasn't the first Android phone on the market. By the time of release, Google had already convinced other manufacturers of the future with its operating system, and the company introduced the Nexus One to show exactly how the software should work.

Google never intended for the Nexus series to be an annually updated brand. The original Nexus One phone was designed to give Android a push in the right direction, and nothing more. And it's obviously worked, as Android now has over 85% of the mobile market, according to IDC.

Perhaps buckling under market pressure to make the Nexus One even more impressive, the guys from Mountain View have released a second handset. And the third. And then the fourth, fifth, sixth Nexus. The series became famous, popular and in demand.

Google also decided to show off the "Nexus" on , showing the world how it sees Android tablets while also helping to popularize the smaller form factor.

But all good things come to an end, and in 2016 that's exactly what happened to the Nexus series - which was reborn in Pixel form.

Join us on a historical journey through the Nexus phones and tablets of Google's range and beyond.

In collaboration with HTC, the Nexus One was based on the Desire, the very first phone to achieve the coveted 10 rating points from many publications. It had some competition at the time, but easily outperformed similar devices on Symbian, BlackBerry and could even put the iPhone 3GS to shame.

Costing about $529 (RUR 35,000), the Nexus One sold a single-core processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz, 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory (+ slot). All this was hidden behind a 3.7-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen, on which you could see Android 2.1 Eclair. By today's standards the screen is simply tiny, but not then.

The 5-megapixel camera was located on the back, giving the Nexus One a strong claim considering the 3GS came with a 3.2-megapixel camera. The phone was powered by a 1400 mAh battery, which offered the Nexus One up to 7 hours of talk time + 3G.

Much has changed with the second iteration of Google's smartphone, which came with the name Nexus S, launched less than a year later, costing about $500.

Google had moved on to partner with Samsung to launch its Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and Google needed Samsung's big guns to take on the iPhone 4, the Nexus S's biggest competitor at the time.

The Google Nexus S was based largely on the Samsung Galaxy S, although it was similar in many ways to the Nexus One. The 1 GHz single-core processor, 512 MB of RAM and 5-megapixel camera remained familiar, but the built-in memory grew to 16 GB, although the MicroSD memory card slot disappeared.

The screen has also been improved (although the 800 x 480 pixel resolution has been stretched to 4 inches), thanks to Samsung's Super AMOLED technology. The battery has grown slightly, up to 1500 mAh. NFC also debuted on the Nexus.

SamsungGalaxyNexus

By the time the Galaxy Nexus launched, there were already several stellar smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S2. Priced at around $540, it was designed to challenge the iPhone 4S, a phone that had a wave of popularity that greatly improved on the iPhone 4.

Teaming up with Samsung again, Google has decided to bring the magic of the original S2 to the Galaxy Nexus. Updates included a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. The camera has also grown, but is still measured at 5 megapixels, and the battery has grown to 1750 mAh.

As with other Nexus releases, the Google (Samsung) Galaxy Nexus marked a new version of Android - Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, proudly presented on a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.

Google decided to move to South Korea in search of the next iteration of the Nexus, LG took the reins over the development of the Google Nexus 4. For LG, the situation turned out to be much more difficult, as the market saw the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X.

LG was already desperate to return to the smartphone market, so the company's partnership with Google seemed like the perfect solution, giving birth to a phone with a 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 pixel panel running a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 8 or 16 GB of internal memory and 8 megapixel camera.

Google Nexus 4 came with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, as well as a 2100 mAh battery, which provided the phone with about 15 hours of talk time with active 3G. Perhaps the most important change was the drop in the price tag to $299 (19,500 rubles), which, unfortunately, did not cause a revolution in the mobile technology market, as everyone had hoped.

The new Google Nexus 5 was without a doubt the best Nexus smartphone at the time of its release in October 2013. Billed as “the best Google has to offer,” it certainly caught on.

LG is back as Google's manufacturing partner, with the Nexus 5 welcoming the launch.

Packed with a 2.26 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM and a 4.95-inch (1080p) screen, the Nexus 5 stands side by side with the likes of the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5S and LG's own G2 - but at a price that made the new Nexus much more attractive.

Smartphones have been getting bigger and bigger, but the Nexus 6 was Google's first foray into phablet territory. The phone, made by Motorola, boasted a 6-inch AMOLED display with an amazing resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels.

Inside you could find a 2.7 GHz quad-core processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal memory. The 13-megapixel camera and an extraordinary 3220 mAh battery with Qi wireless charging confirmed that there is not even the slightest omission in the new phone.

Unfortunately, the innovation also extended to the price of the phone, which turned out to be quite high for some fans of the Nexus series, $649 (RUR 42,000) for 32 GB.

Google Nexus 10 (2012)

At this point, Google's foray into the tablet market was limited to the smaller form factor and budget end of the market. This left room for the iPad 4, which continued to gain popularity in the larger tablet market. Finally, the company's devices still struggled to impose competition.

Despite the fact that the New York release was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy, Nexus 10 was able to launch online. Samsung has made a tablet packed with an eye-popping 10-inch 2560 x 1600 pixel display, a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and dual cameras (5MP/1.2MP).

The new Nexus 10 came in two models of 16 and 32 GB (without MicroSD), a 9000 mAh battery, while the equivalent iPad 4 was $100 more expensive.

Google Nexus 7 (2013)

The tablet market has changed dramatically since the release of the original Nexus 7, as Apple decided it was worth grabbing a piece of the pie with a less expensive tablet, the iPad Mini.

This meant Google needed to go back to the drawing board, at which point the company returned with the Nexus 7 (2013). The RAM has increased to 2 GB, and the processor has been changed to a Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5 GHz, with the same 1.2 MP camera on the front panel and a 5 MP camera on the rear panel.

The screen also came out in Full HD in 7 inches, offering 1920 x 1200 pixels. The new Nexus 7 also came with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The battery was slightly smaller, 3950 mAh, but the tablet provided up to 9 hours of battery life.

Google Nexus 9

Nobody expected the Nexus 9, but it sits comfortably between 7-inch and 10-inch tablets. Google has collaborated with HTC phones before, but not with tablets.

Google (HTC) Nexus 9 sported a stunning 8.9-inch screen with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. Inside the tablet there was a 2-core processor with a clock speed of 2.3 GHz, an 8 MP camera, 16 GB of memory, and front-facing BoomSound speakers.

The new tablet didn't offer a single feature that would really excite people, but overall the Nexus 9 was very well received. It's also likely the last Nexus tablet, given the release of the impressive Pixel C in 2015, which took the reins just like the Pixel phones did in 2016.

However, there are still rumors circulating on the Internet about, which is still frozen due to.

The Google Nexus family of smartphones appeared in early 2010. The first smartphone, the Nexus One, has long been seen as a phone made purely for developers, with no clarity on whether it would ever be marketed to consumers.

This was Google's first step in clearly defining the concept of its Nexus phone - a smartphone developed by Google itself that runs on the version of Android that the company originally intended.

For a long time, Nexus devices were not popular among ordinary users. They were mostly used by Android developers and fans. In 2016, Google closed the Nexus project and introduced a new line of devices called Pixel. This was a series of truly premium flagship phones that Google thought would appeal to everyday users.

In 2017, the company presented the most advanced and. Galagram invites you to remember where it all started and what Google's Nexus phones have become today.

Release date: January 2010
Codename: Mahi Mahi or HTC Passion

The phone that started the Google Nexus line is the legendary HTC Nexus One. Of course, today its characteristics look simply ridiculous; even smart watches now have more memory and more powerful processors. But at the time of the announcement, it was a cool flagship with a 3.7-inch display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 processor and 512 MB of RAM.

The Nexus One introduced a fancy trackball that could be used in place of an optical mouse for more precise input. The first Google phone had an incomprehensible design, a good display and a modern (at that time) processor, and was also equipped with a pure version of Android 2.1 Eclair.

Release date: December 2010
Codename: Crespo

The second Nexus was called the Samsung Nexus S. A slot for microSD memory cards was cut out of its body, and this was a sign that no next Nexus would receive this slot. What was the reason? Google engineers were concerned that slow SD cards were slowing down the Android system. And this entails a bad user experience, which the company could not allow.

The Nexus S smartphone ran Android 2.3 Gingerbread, one of the oldest versions of Android. The Nexus S itself was a plastic phone that didn't stand out in terms of design. Among other things, it was the last Nexus phone to feature capacitive buttons under the screen: all other Nexus phones since late 2011 have shipped with on-screen navigation keys.

Release date: November 2011
Codename: Maguro

The legendary Nexus from Samsung was released in 2011. At that time, it was equipped with a “huge” 4.65-inch display with HD resolution 1280x720p. A notable feature of the Galaxy Nexus was its design with a slight curve to the body, like the original Samsung Galaxy S prototype. It also had a removable back cover for easy access to the battery. But the next Nexus was already solid without the ability to open the case.

And yes, the Galaxy Nexus was a kind of platform for the announcement of the version of Android IceCream Sandwich and the era of on-screen navigation buttons. The new face of Google's mobile operating system looked stylish, futuristic and more similar to Apple's iPhone.

Release date: November 2012
Codename: Mako

LG's Nexus 4 was one of the most important Nexus phones, and the reason for that wasn't just because it ran stock Android and promised timely system updates and top-end specs. Its calling card has become its affordable price.

The starting price of the Nexus 7 in the US was $299, which, for a moment, was half the cost of the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy at that time. Nexus 4 has become an attractive purchase not only for developers, but also for ordinary users.

This phone from the Nexus line was made in the style of LG devices. Many people remember it by its glass back and iridescent pixel pattern on the back edge.

Release date: November 2013
Codename: Hammerhead

With a 5-inch display, the Nexus 5 has become the go-to smartphone for many people and has stood the test of time, remaining fast even after multiple Android updates. Another convenience that carried over from the Nexus 4 was support for wireless charging, a particularly useful feature that manufacturers still include in their devices.

And while Google set out to be on a mission to fix the problem that Nexus phones had in terms of camera quality, the Nexus 5 fell short of those efforts. Its 8-megapixel main camera was a huge step up from the Nexus 4's mediocre rear camera, but it still fell short of the iPhone 4S/5 and Samsung Galaxy S3/S4, either in terms of speed or image quality.

The Nexus 5 also suffered from problems with processor heating and terrible throttling, and the only solution was to place it in the refrigerator to get the maximum clock speed. Despite some technical issues, the Nexus 5 was one of Google's most successful phones. It had a very affordable price and a nice design, especially in the red color of the case.

Release date: October 2014
Codename: Shamu

The largest 6-inch Nexus 6 was released by Motorola in October 2014. The manufacturer Motorola was not chosen by chance: after all, Google recently acquired part of the Moto business and several important patents of the company. Despite this, the Nexus 6 is one of the least popular phones in the Nexus line.

It’s hard to say what the reason is: maybe its price or the dimensions of the case. Various sources, including official Google reports, have indicated that sales of the phone were significantly lower than expected.

The Nexus 6 also had a poorly calibrated AMOLED display that showed very unnatural colors. This was the first phone with Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware on board. Even now this device is still sold somewhere in the USA and Europe. Google has slashed the price of the Nexus 6 to $299, making it one of the most affordable Nexus devices on the market.

Release date: September 2015
Codenames: Bullhead and Angler

After the failure in 2014, rumors surfaced that Google might kill off the Nexus line entirely. But in 2015, Google Nexus finally returned to the scene. The company introduced two Nexus smartphones at once: a 5.7-inch phablet from Huawei and a more compact 5.2-inch phone from LG. Both gadgets ran on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Among the features, both devices received front-facing stereo speakers, a fingerprint scanner on the rear panel and a modern USB Type-C connector. The Nexus 5X was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, while the Nexus 6P comes with the Snapdragon 810. Apart from the display size, the processors were the biggest difference between the two.

Release date: September 2016
Codenames: Sailfish and Marlin

In 2016, Google completely closed the Nexus program, and instead launched a premium line of devices under the Pixel brand. By comparison, the Pixel is a more ambitious project than the Nexus. Google is trying to sell phones to the masses, not just developers and enthusiasts. Pixel smartphones are now premium products with a flagship price to match (the smaller version costs $649). The OS out of the box for the Pixels is Android 7.0 Nougat.

The key features of the Pixel are its clean interface with the most advanced features and system updates, and its excellent camera. The Pixel is also the first phone to feature Google Assistant. The company's engineers have optimized Android on Pixel and Pixel XL devices so well that these devices even now work better than any other Android smartphone.

With the Pixel line, the company wants to compete not only with A-brands and Android phone manufacturers, but also with Apple itself. After all, the camera on the original Pixel smartphone is no worse than the iPhone.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2

Release date: October 2017
Codenames: Walleye and Muskie

The second-generation Pixel smartphones bring another significant change: the XL 2 now features a modern edge-to-edge design, while the smaller Pixel 2 still has bezels around the screen. Both phones have front-facing speakers and no 3.5mm audio output. Headphones will have to be connected via a USB Type-C port using a special adapter.

Additionally, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are expected to be powered by the flagship Snapdragon 835 chip, which is more powerful and more energy efficient than the processor in the first-generation Pixels. And of course, Android 8.0 Oreo is pre-installed out of the box on both the younger and older versions.

Hello, dear readers of the best mobile portal site! Today, in this article, I will try to tell you the evolution of Google's Nexus line of smartphones. As we know, Nexus smartphones running the Android operating system are produced by the Internet giant Google in collaboration with several OEM manufacturers. The first smartphone in the line debuted back in 2010 running Android 2.1 Eclair. For more details you can read under the cut.

NEXUS ONE

The first smartphone in the line was the Nexus One from Taiwanese OEM HTC. It was released in January 2010. It worked under the latest Android 2.1 Eclair at that time. The performance for 2010 was pretty good. The only drawback was the small amount of internal memory. But, unfortunately, it did not find great popularity among users. You can find the technical characteristics of this device below.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 2.1 Eclair
Display: touch, 3.7 inches, 800x480 pixels, AMOLED
Camera: 5 megapixels, autofocus, LED flash
RAM: 512MB
Built-in memory: 512MB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8250 clocked at 1GHz
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 200
Expansion slot: microSDHC (up to 32GB)
A-GPS
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
3.5mm headphone jack
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
microUSB 2.0
Battery: Li-Ion, 1400 mAh
Dimensions: 119x59.8x11.5 mm
Weight: 130 grams

NEXUS S

The second Nexus smartphone was the Nexus S. The world famous South Korean company Samsung took responsibility for production. This smartphone went on sale in December 2010. The smartphone ran Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. It has been improved in terms of technical characteristics, but not much. At that time, it boasted 16GB of internal memory and a Super AMOLED display. An interesting point - it could have been called Nexus Two, but Samsung insisted on its own and as a result, it received its current name - Nexus S, “S” means Samsung.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Display: touch, capacitive, 4 inches, 800x480 pixels, Super AMOLED
Camera: 5 megapixels, autofocus, flash, video recording 720p@30fps
Front camera: VGA
Processor: ARM Cortex-A8 Hummingbird clocked at 1GHz
RAM: 512MB
Built-in memory: 16GB
A-GPS
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
3.5mm headphone jack
microUSB 2.0
Battery: Li-Ion, 1500 mAh
Dimensions: 123.9x63x10.88 mm
Weight: 129 grams

GALAXY NEXUS

The third Nexus smartphone and the second from Samsung in the line is GALAXY Nexus. It was presented on October 19, 2011 at a presentation in Hong Kong. This is a little later than planned. The third generation of Nexus smartphones was supposed to be presented on October 11, 2011 at the presentation of Samsung Mobile Unpacked 2011 Google Episode at the CTIA exhibition in San Diego, but due to the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, the presentation was postponed to October 19, 2011. The smartphone came with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on board. The characteristics were excellent at that time. It had 1GB of RAM, HD Super AMOLED display and Android Beam support.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Display: touch, capacitive, 4.65 inches, 1280x720 pixels, HD Super AMOLED
Camera: 5 megapixels, autofocus, flash, video recording 1080p@30fps
Processor: dual-core TI OMAP4460 clocked at 1.2 GHz
Graphics accelerator: PowerVR SGX540
RAM: 1GB
Built-in memory: 16GB or 32GB
Memory card: not supported
A-GPS
Bluetooth 3.0
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
3.5mm headphone jack
microUSB 2.0
Battery: Li-Ion, 1750 mAh
Dimensions: 135.5x67.94x8.94 mm
Weight: 135 grams

NEXUS 4

As the name of the device implies, this was the fourth smartphone in the line - Nexus 4. This time Google signed a contract with LG. The collaboration between Google and LG is the most successful. The smartphone was presented on October 29, 2012. Another interesting fact: just like a year earlier, the presentation was postponed. It was supposed to take place at a special Google event in New York, but due to Hurricane Sandy, the building in which the presentation was to take place was evacuated. The smartphone was undeniably successful. In the very first hours it was sold out like “hot cakes”. The characteristics of this device were so excellent that they are still relevant today, but only on budget devices. It also boasted 2GB of RAM and Qi wireless charging.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Display: capacitive, 4.7 inches, 1280x768 pixels, True HD IPS+, 317 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Front camera: 1.3 megapixels
Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro with a clock frequency of 1.5 GHz
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 320
RAM: 2GB
Internal memory: 8GB or 16GB
Memory card: not supported
A-GPS and GLONASS
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
microUSB 2.0
3.5mm headphone jack
Qi wireless charging
Battery: Li-Po, 2100 mAh
Dimensions: 133.9x68.7x9.1 mm
Weight: 139 grams

NEXUS 5

The fifth smartphone was Nexus 5 from LG. The most popular and most successful smartphone in the line at the moment. He can also be called legendary. Until now, people buy it, and those who have already bought it do not want to exchange it for another smartphone, because this is the best solution in terms of price/quality standard. This smartphone was presented to the public on October 31, 2013. The device came with the latest version of Android 4.4 KitKat, an official update to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is already available, and, according to preliminary data, the smartphone will soon receive an official update to Android N, which is currently being tested in Beta version. The characteristics at the end of 2013 were flagship, and it itself was supplied by the company as a flagship, and there is no point in arguing here. It still handles the heaviest games and programs with ease. It has a 4.95 inch True HD IPS+ display and 2GB of RAM.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 4.4 KitKat
Display: capacitive, 4.95 inches, 1080x1920 pixels, True HD IPS+, 445 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Camera: 8 megapixels, flash, autofocus, video recording 1080p@30fps
Front camera: 1.3 megapixels
Processor: quad-core Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 clocked at 2.3 GHz
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 330
RAM: 2GB
Memory card: not supported
A-GPS and GLONASS
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.0
microUSB 2.0
3.5mm headphone jack
Qi wireless charging
Battery: Li-Po, 2300 mAh
Dimensions: 137.9x69.2x8.6 mm
Weight: 130 grams

NEXUS 6

The sixth in a row was the Nexus 6 from Motorola. The smartphone was presented on October 15, 2014. It became the first smartphone on “material” Android 5.0 Lollipop. This smartphone belongs to the phablet category. It has a 5.96-inch QHD AMOLED display and 3GB of RAM, and it is also splash-proof. Unfortunately, it has not regained the former popularity of the Nexus 5.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 5.0 Lollipop
Display: capacitive, 5.96 inches, 1440x2560 pixels, AMOLED, 493 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Camera: 13 megapixels, dual flash, autofocus, video recording 2160p@30fps
Front camera: 2 megapixels
Processor: quad-core Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 clocked at 2.7 GHz
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 420
RAM: 3GB
Internal memory: 32GB or 64GB
Memory card: not supported
A-GPS and GLONASS
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
microUSB 2.0
3.5mm headphone jack
Qi wireless charging
Battery: Li-Po, 3220 mAh
Dimensions: 159.3x83x10.1 mm
Weight: 184 grams

NEXUS 5X

The seventh smartphone was the Nexus 5X from the aforementioned manufacturer LG. It's a "remake" of the original Nexus 5, so to speak. The Nexus 5X was introduced on September 29, 2015, along with the Nexus 6P, which we'll talk about later. The smartphone was one of the first devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Its features include a USB Type C port, a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD display and 2GB of RAM, as well as a fingerprint scanner. We will only be able to judge its popularity by the end of the year. But I think he won’t be able to surpass the “classics”.

Specifications:

Display: capacitive, 5.2 inches, 1080×1920 pixels, IPS LCD, 423 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Front camera: 5 megapixels
Processor: six-core Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 clocked at 1.44 GHz (four cores) and 1.82 GHz (two cores)
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 418
RAM: 2GB
Internal memory: 16GB or 32GB
Memory card: not supported
A-GPS and GLONASS
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
USB Type C 1.0
3.5mm headphone jack
Battery: Li-Po, 2700 mAh
Dimensions: 147x72.6x7.9 mm
Weight: 136 grams

NEXUS 6P

The eighth, one of the latest and the last smartphone in the article from Huawei is the Nexus 6P. An updated version of the Nexus 6 phablet. The smartphone, like the Nexus 5X, was introduced on September 29, 2015. It became the first device to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow along with the Nexus 5X. Its features include the same USB Type C port, a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display and 3GB of RAM, as well as a fingerprint scanner. Just like in the case of the Nexus 5X, we will only be able to judge the popularity of the Nexus 6P by the end of the year.

Specifications:

Operating system: Google Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Display: capacitive, 5.7 inches, 1440x2560 pixels, AMOLED, 518 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Camera: 12.3 megapixels, dual flash, autofocus, video recording 2160p@30fps
Front camera: 8 megapixels
Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 clocked at 1.55 GHz (four cores) and 2.0 GHz (four cores)
Graphics accelerator: Adreno 430
RAM: 3GB
Internal memory: 32GB, 64GB or 128GB
Memory card: not supported
A-GPS and GLONASS
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
USB Type C 1.0
3.5mm headphone jack
Battery: Li-Po, 3450 mAh
Dimensions: 159.3x77.8x7.3 mm
Weight: 178 grams

That's all. Thank you all for your attention!

Today we will talk about Android. Or rather, about the best representative of this platform - Nexus. These devices are worth paying attention to if you want beautiful Android “out of the box” without garbage and lags. Last fall, my “Apple” soul wanted adventure, and I traded my iPhone for a Nexus 6P for six months. I’m talking about my impressions and why, if you buy an Android smartphone, then only Nexus.

Google Nexus is a series of mobile smartphones, tablets and media devices running the Android operating system, produced by Google in collaboration with several hardware OEMs. Devices included in the Nexus series do not contain modifications from cellular operators and use unmodified Android applications and shells. Nexus devices are the first to receive OS updates. As of May 2016, the newest devices in the series are the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones, launched simultaneously in September 2015 and created by Google in collaboration with LG Electronics and Huawei, respectively.
"Wikipedia"

Reason 1: Android in its original form

Teudi Com/flickr.com

The main reason to buy a Nexus smartphone is stock Android. It is also called pure or naked, the main thing is that it is exactly the way Google intended it. I won’t say that everyone should like it without exception, but this is definitely an ideal that is worth striving for. Starting with Android 5.0, Google has been pursuing the Material Design philosophy. On the one hand, this is a now fashionable flat interface, on the other hand, beautiful animation, attention to detail and the absence of garbage. That rare case when Android can be used straight out of the box, without resorting to launchers, themes and other trash.

On Nexus devices, the system is handled exclusively by Google, so there is no room for unnecessary pre-installed applications and clumsy shells that manufacturers carefully shove into their devices. This is solely Google's vision of what the system should be, both visually and functionally. Using a Nexus smartphone, you get the right experience from working with an operating system that has not been distorted by third-party developers.

Reason 2: Always have the latest version of Android

Mobil Yaşam/flickr.com

Owners of Nexus devices always have the latest version of Android. There are no intermediaries between users and Google, which means that all new features immediately arrive on their devices without censorship from third-party manufacturers. The main thing is that these updates make sense: the company is constantly adding new features, improving the autonomy and speed of the devices.

At the same time, I didn’t notice much of a difference between Android 5.0 and 6.0 in the Samsung Galaxy S6, only the numbers in the settings changed. Most functions are cut out and replaced with something of their own, often useless. Material Design is hidden under a thick layer of shell, which you immediately want to cover up with some theme or launcher. You have to wait months for a new version of the system, because developers need time to change stock Android.

Reason 3: Nexus exclusive features

androidos.in

Besides the stock operating system, which is a feature in itself, Nexus devices have some advantages over other Android devices. For example, recently Google phone owners were able to upload an unlimited number of photos and videos to Google Photos without compression.

Nexus smartphones also have a proprietary Google dialer, which many Android users would not mind getting. In addition to a convenient and well-thought-out interface, it has such a useful function as “Google Caller ID”. With its help, the phone will tell you who is calling you, even if you do not have this contact. For example, if the number belongs to an organization, you will see its name and address on the screen. In addition, you can write the name of a company (for example, a cinema) directly in the “Phone” application and immediately call, without even knowing its number. A convenient feature available only to owners of Nexus smartphones. Recently, Google's proprietary dialer was mistakenly made publicly available, but this oversight was quickly corrected.

In early June, Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared his vision for the future of the Nexus line. Apparently, the company plans to make Google phones a more mainstream product, and not just a geek gadget. They promise more exclusive features and “more confident in design” devices. Well, let’s wait until autumn and find out what the “good corporation” has in store for us.

Reason 4: no junk or advertising

portal gda/flickr.com

When buying a smartphone, for example, Huawei or LG, be prepared to receive a lot of pre-installed applications, both proprietary and third-party ones like Facebook, Microsoft's office suite or OneDrive cloud storage. You cannot delete them, even if they are not needed and you will never use them. All these services are literally imposed on the owner of a smartphone, and often you can’t get rid of them with the “Trash” folder. You have to kill several hours to remove everything unnecessary, install a normal launcher, and install the necessary applications. All this instead of taking a new device out of the box and just starting to use it.

Nexus devices have the bare minimum installed, and these are exclusively Google services. No trash, the system is clean, and you are free to configure it as you please.

Why is this happening? It's very simple: the program does not need to make money, especially in the short term. It doesn't even have to remain profitable. Google's main income is the sale of advertising in search, which has no overlap with the Nexus line. The devices are selling well - great, perhaps even advertising profits will increase. Selling poorly? This will not affect advertising in any way. Google does not stuff its gadgets with third-party services and applications in order to make money from it. The result is a self-sufficient device for people who prefer Google services, and nothing more.

Reason 5: optimization is everything

The Trendz Journal/flickr.com

As you already understand, the main feature of the Nexus line is software. This applies not only to new functions, but also to competent optimization. Just remember the legendary Nexus 5. At the start, it had a very weak camera, which took pictures a little better than a sneaker. But with the next update, Google worked a miracle: the smartphone received almost the best camera on the market. Nexus devices don’t even need to have top-of-the-line hardware and gigabytes of RAM for everything to work perfectly. The system is not overloaded with crooked shells and garbage, everything works smoothly, without a hint of lag. In this regard, the Nexus 6P reminded me of the iPhone: I could use the smartphone right out of the box, and it did not give me any problems - only the pleasure of working with the device.

Underwater rocks

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Nexus was originally intended to be a tool for developers and the choice of geeks. Inexpensive devices with average hardware, but the latest version of Android. Just 2-3 years ago there would have been a sixth reason - price. But at some point, Google decided to make the Nexus line more popular and widespread, with top-end hardware and an attractive design. Naturally, the price increased, which not everyone liked. On the other hand, Nexus began to be bought not only by geeks, but also by ordinary people who want to buy a stylish device with the right Android. The strategy is correct, and Google continues to move in this direction, but for now people prefer to buy an iPhone or something popular like the Galaxy S7 or some Chinese Meizu.

This leads to the following difficulties, which are especially relevant in our country:

Manufacturers of Nexus devices change periodically, which is why it is not always possible to buy a smartphone or tablet officially in Russia. This happened with the Nexus 6 from Motorola, and this happened with the proprietary Pixel C tablet from Google. As a result, you either have to order a device from America or overpay at a local online store. This option will not suit everyone.
Selling such smartphones is quite difficult, and if possible, it is unlikely to be profitable. In Russia, the Nexus line is not very widespread; many have not even heard of it. As a result, such devices remain for those who are in the know, for geeks.

What's the result?

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And yet, if you are not satisfied with iOS and want to try Android, I advise you to take Nexus. These devices will give you the right experience on this platform, a positive experience and not a headache. I hope that in the future we will see a Pixel Phone - a smartphone made entirely by Google, without any middlemen. Then we will get a balanced device with software optimized for specific hardware. This will be a real competitor to the iPhone and a benchmark for other manufacturers.

The new LG Nexus 5 has moved to the next quality level compared to its predecessors. This is not only a well-made and assembled case, but also an improved display and camera. In the very first days of its appearance, the device was crude, which is typical for every new product. However, the manufacturer has already taken into account many errors and released patches that have improved the system, so that now the buyer has access to a high-quality device that can without a doubt be compared with many flagship models.

Appearance and Design

The new Nexus phone has the classic shape of a familiar candy bar equipped with a touch screen. Two types of models appeared on sale - with a black and white body. While the overall dimensions of the phone have not changed compared to the previous version of the line, the screen diagonal has increased slightly, which means that the frames around it have become thinner. If you take a closer look at new products from other smartphone manufacturers, you will notice a general trend in such “narrowing”.

In order for the screen to be protected from grease and fingerprints, it is coated with a special nanometer thickness. It consists of silicone and is considered an innovative development used in smartphones from some other manufacturers. The glass is tempered to prevent it from breaking if dropped. But the border frame does not protrude forward in any way and remains flush with the glass, so it cannot provide additional protection. Nevertheless, if used carefully, there is, of course, nothing to fear for the Nexus phone. Above the glass in the upper left corner there is a camera peephole. A little to the right, exactly in the middle, there is a grid from the speaker through which sound is transmitted.

Edges and back panel

There is a key on each side. One is responsible for volume, the other for power. The designers made sure that the only buttons on the device did not wear out due to long-term use. Of the many solutions, the most obvious was chosen - they were made ceramic. It is difficult to leave scratches on them, even if you try with your nails.

The ends are equipped with the usual ports for this place - holes for headphones and a microphone, and at the bottom there is also USB, with which you can connect your Nexus phone to a computer.

There is a slight rounding on the sides of the back of the device. But the front of the body is deliberately angular and pointed. Some people may not like this, as such edges may chafe over time. To get rid of this annoying feeling, just buy a good case. It will not only protect the device, but will also help the owner feel more comfortable when interacting with the gadget.

The back cover is made of a soft plastic covering. It is pleasant to the touch and is an innovation for LG, which has not yet been seen on devices. The shape is made rounded so that the phone is easy and comfortable to hold in your hands. And this is true, especially since its size is quite compact.

On the back side there is an embossed inscription with the model designation. There you can also find the main camera lens, protected by glass. Underneath there is a high-quality flash that allows you to take pictures in the dark. Below is technical information, as well as the LG logo.

operating system

The peculiarity of the Nexus series is that each new smartphone in this line receives the next sophisticated version of the Android operating system. This time it is version 4.4 of KitKat.

The interface remains simple and adheres to minimalism; there is nothing superfluous here that could distract the user from the task he is solving using the device. At the same time, as mentioned above, the most modern and wide functionality is preserved. This combination of simplicity and versatility cannot fail to captivate the potential owner. So the LG Nexus phone continues the tradition of the flagship product line.

Performance

Google is expected to support its new smartphone for a couple of years. That is, all this time updates and firmware will be released. But even after this period, the Google Nexus phone will remain relevant and will be able to work with new software. The model's hardware platform is based on the experience of the entire line and includes features of the LG G2.

But in terms of autonomy, the device has all the typical costs of its analogues. You will have to save on charging, especially when using applications and games. When the processor is heavily overloaded, the case begins to overheat, which, however, does not affect the smoothness of the screen and image quality. But you still have to take a charger with you, just in case.

Sound

The sound quality on the call speaker is of an average satisfactory level, but the manufacturer has already promised that an update will soon be released that will improve this parameter. With headphones the situation is better, although, of course, the headset factor is added here. If it is good, then there should be no problems.

Video and display

The LG Nexus 5 phone received support for large files (that is, more than 4 gigabytes). This means that movie fans can breathe a sigh of relief and feel free to go to the store for a new product. High-quality films are now not only available for viewing, but also played without any slowdowns or crashes.

Unlike previous models, the next Nexus boasts less color distortion, increased brightness, and improved anti-glare characteristics. The image is transmitted qualitatively even in bright sunshine. The Nexus mobile phone received many of these advantages due to the fact that there was no longer any free space left between the sensor and the matrix - a small layer of air inherent in previous smartphones, both in this line and in general. True, the black color noticeably fades at an angle, but this is an inevitable drawback characteristic of many analogues.

Camera

Regular buyers of previous versions of Nexus constantly made complaints about the camera in the device. It’s not that it was hack work, but the developers never paid attention to it and added it as a mandatory additive that was not technically interesting. So it turned out that the quality of the images did not reach the level of analogues from other manufacturers.

But now the situation has changed 180 degrees. The camera has received its 8 megapixels, and now this is another advantage that the Nexus phone has. The purchase price fully justifies all the technical tricks, including those stored somewhere under the lens.

Photos are of good quality. This is especially noticeable when shooting at night or when capturing small details in the shadows. The camera has become noticeably more sensitive. When shooting video, all these advantages are even more noticeable.