For the first time since their launch in
2010, Google has unveiled two Nexus Smartphones at the same time, one featuring
a 5.2-inch display and the other sporting a 5.7-inch screen.
At an
event in San Francisco, Google announced that it has partnered with Huawei and
LG to make the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Smartphones, respectively. The former
will cost $379, whereas the latter will be available for $499; both will be up
for pre-order starting next today in the US and next week in other markets.
There was no word on the India launch of the two Smartphones.
The all-new Nexus 6P has a 5.7-inch
AMOLED display with QHD (1440x2560p) resolution and comes with the integrated
Nexus Imprint fingerprint sensor on the back. The Smartphone is reportedly
powered by Snapdragon 810 processor with 3GB RAM and comes in three storage
variants: 32, 64 and 128GB; there is no support for storage expansion.
The Smartphone
has a 12.3MP rear camera (1.55micron sensor which captures more light, thus
delivering better lowlight photos) that supports 4K recording and can capture
videos at 240 frames per second; it is backed by a dual-LED flash. On the front
is an 8MP camera, the highest resolution for selfie camera for a Nexus
Smartphone yet. The Smartphone features an all-metal, 7.33mm thick body in
white, grey and aluminium finishes, packs a 3,450mAh battery, and comes with
front-facing stereo speakers.
Nexus 5X
has a 5.2-inch screen with relatively lower Full HD (1080x1920p) resolution and
runs on the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 processor with 2GB RAM. The storage
capacities of the Smartphone are 16GB and 32GB, with no microSD card support.
The 12.3MP camera of Nexus 5X also has a
1.55micron sensor and is backed by a laser autofocus for faster capturing; it
can shoot videos in high-resolution 4K videos as well 120fps videos. Google
said the Smartphone will come with a Smart Burst feature that captures shots at
30fps, and can be used to create GIF images. Available in black, white and blue
colours, the Smartphone has a 2,700mAh battery.
Both Smartphones
sport the reversible Type C USB and supports fast-charging; the Nexus 6P
charges twice as fast as iPhone 6S Plus, Google said. Android Marshmallow will
be preloaded on both Nexus models.
Talking
about the fingerprint sensor, Google says it will be built right into Android;
named Nexus Imprint, it can recognize fingerprints in less than 600
milliseconds. This means that it can not only unlock the handset, but also
works with other apps; it also authenticates app downloads in Play Store and
payments in Android Pay.
The new
Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P Smartphones will have an integrated Android Sensor Hub
that Google said will track "sensor fusion, activity recognition, gesture recognition,
movements and low power times." A use-case Google spoke was that Android
Sensor Hub will track when you pick up the handset and turn on the ambient
display automatically.
On the
software side, Google said it has reduced the number of pre-loaded apps, and has
made uninstalling apps easier as well.
Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are the first Smartphones
to get Android's new Google Now on Tap feature, which delivers information to
users based on what they are using on screen.
About Android 6.0 (Marshmallow),
Google said it will support voice interactions even when the screen is turned
off and improves the battery life. On Nexus 5 and Nexus 6, the battery life
increases by as much as 30% with Android Marshmallow.
Google said it will release
the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) over-the-air update for older Smartphones like
Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 next week. Other manufacturers will announce their plans
for Marshmallow update separately.
