Nexus 5, as its name makes obvious, is the latest generation of Google’s line of Nexus smartphones, and also is topped by a 5-inch display. While the Nexus program originally started only for smartphones, we’ve seen Google since extend the program to include a 7-inch and 10-inch tablet form factor, as well as a line of accessories. In recent years, we’ve seen Nexus go from being part enthusiast curiosity and development device, to a brand tailored for consumers looking for the latest and greatest the Android platform has to offer at a killer price.
REVIEW
PROS:
On paper, there are few phones that come close to the entire package that the Nexus 5 is offering, especially for the price. You are looking at a 5-inch mostly edge-to-edge 1080p display, best-of-the-best 2.26GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 8MP camera with OIS (optical image stabilization), 2GB RAM, wireless charging, NFC, and a 2300mAh battery all wrapped in a soft touch plastic body that is only 8.6mm thick and priced at $349. Oh, and let’s not forget that it supports AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint LTE out of the box, along with all sorts of global HSPA+ networks.
Find me an unlocked phone at that price and with those specs. Actually, don’t find me one because you’ll be searching forever. Google is doing something with its Nexus line that no other phone maker on the planet can do – deliver rock bottom prices accompanied by some of the best specs in the business. The overall package here really can’t be beat, assuming you can deal with the couple of faults we’ll get to below.
The Nexus 5 comes in two different color schemes – one is an all black version with a matte finish; the other has a soft-touch white back, along with polished sides. Both are subtle in design when compared to gold iPhones and bright Moto X custom orders, but that’s part of the beauty here. It’s understated, all about the big 5-inch 1080p display, and without a design-sales-schtick. The “nexus” logo on the back lets you at least know what phone you are always using, plus the massive camera housing gives off the impression that you have an intense camera phone in hand
While not packed out with new features, it’s not light either. Google Now is right at the forefront of these changes. It’s now accessed by swiping to the right on the home screen, making it a part of the OS instead of an after thought. It also responds to your voice
CONS:
Upside down charging port: This might be nitpicking, but why on Earth did Google and LG put the microUSB port upside down in the Nexus 5? It’s also upside down in the Nexus 7 (2013), so I’m wondering if this is a choice made by Google. Either way, over the last few weeks with the N5, I’ve been annoyed more than a couple of times at having to flip over the cable after failing on first attempts when trying to charge this phone.No microSD slot: MicroSD card slots are no longer the norm in the smartphone industry. In fact, Samsung (and some international LG phones) is about the only one sticking to them, however, we know that many of you won’t even look at a phone if it doesn’t have a slot for additional storage. It’s not a deal breaker for us, but I’m not going to lie, it would be nice to be able to carry all of my pictures and other goodies from one phone to the next without dealing with the cloud.
SPECIFICATIONS
· GENERAL
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· BODY
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· DISPLAY
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· SOUND
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· MEMORY
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· DATA
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· CAMERA
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· FEATURES
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SUMMARY:
Highs
- Gorgeous screen
- Android 4.4 is the best version yet
- Nexus phones get updates straight from Google
- Tightly integrated voice control
- Solid build quality
- Ultra-competitive $350 price
- Boring design
- Lacks the wow factor
- The camera, though improved, isn’t fantastic
- SMS integration into Hangouts needs work
- Battery life is inconsistent
