Friday, November 14, 2014

Nexus 6: review of reviews – BBC News

In the US, sales started 6th on the account of the smartphone “standard” Android-line Nexus. 5.96-inch Nexus 6 – this is the first attempt to make Google planshetofon behind Apple, which itself has released a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus as recently as two months ago. What came of it and what opinion novelty left in foreign IT-journalists learned Vesti.Haytek.

Design and Ergonomics

 Powerful filling and large, 6-inch Nexus 6 relate to the category of the flagship models. IT-giant has developed it in collaboration with his former “daughter” Motorola Mobility (now owned by Lenovo), so there is nothing surprising in the fact that Phablet very close to Moto X 2nd generation – both externally and internally. Nexus 6 has a slightly curved “back”, which allows you to hold it firmly in your hand, and “smooth” design.

Front Nexus 6 is almost completely covered with protective glass Gorilla Glass 3, which is framed by a very thin frame . Above and below the screen are two stereo speakers. On the back cover (it is made of plastic, unlike the Moto X) caused large logo Nexus. There is also the chamber, which is surrounded by a ring with dual LED flash, and a small depression in the center, in which you can put your finger to hold the device. Power button and the “rocker” volume control located on the right side.

At the height of Nexus 6 is comparable to the iPhone 6 Plus (159,2 mm and 158), but about 5 mm wider (83 and 77.8). In comparison with the Galaxy Note 4 (153,5h78,6 mm), the new Google more in all dimensions. It weighs 184 grams, slightly more devices Apple (172 of) and Samsung (176 of). The thickness of the Nexus 6 first may seem high – 10.1 mm, but due to the smooth bending gadget does not seem very much “fat”.

PCWorld Editor Jason Cross took a few days to get used to the dimensions Phablet. In pockets shirt and jeans, he did not fit, so had to put in a gadget bag. In addition, the Cross was forced to keep Nexus 6 with one hand and push – another “even just to reach the ‘back’ button in the lower left corner.” In general, the journalist was disappointed Phablet ergonomics, since “one-handed” use it unusable, and functions similar to the iPhone Reachability 6 Plus, he has not provided.

Dieter Bona of The Verge and Brad Molen of Engadget machine also show the “bloated” version of Moto X. “Hold Phablet in one hand, you can only when scrolling web pages or e-book. In all other cases you will have to use both hands,” – wrote Beaune. Molen was left with the same opinion. The design of the Nexus 6, both identified two high-quality speakers, located on the front panel. They sound as loud as BoomSound on HTC One M8.

Columnists Gadgets Ars Technica Ron Amadeo Nexus 6 at first seemed too big and too unwieldy in the hands. Over time, however, it has changed the perception of the other side: “As the days passed, and we are more and more accustomed to it. About a week later, when I returned to the Nexus 5, he showed me a small toy replica of the smartphone.” Come to the shop and twirl device in the hands of a few minutes can not be said Amadeo – “get used to, you need to spend a week with something as big”.

Brandon Chester from AnandTech revealed in ergonomics has two drawbacks. One relates to the volume keys: they are “very slippery” and merged into a single “rocker”, which is why the habit can not push the half. The second is connected with the rear cover tapering towards the edges. This form improves “grip”, but the device lying on the table, will wiggle.

screen

 Phablet equipped with a 6-inch display with a resolution of Quad HD (1440h2560) and a density of 493 pixels per inch. “Large AMOLED-display – is the star of the show. He’s a big, pretty bright and very clear. The colors a little oversaturated, and white gives a slightly greenish tinge – but it is the common problems AMOLED”, – says Cross. He also revealed that the viewing angles Nexus 6 slightly longer than similar screens. A Bon noticed that colors may vary slightly by tilting the device sideways.

Despite minor shortcomings, the” face “Phablet should please everyone. On the 6 “conveniently browse websites (even those that do not have a mobile version), YouTube-videos and photos on Instagram, as well as typing text. Gamers, thanks to the large screen will be pleased to greater visibility around the fingers and therefore increased accuracy control in games.

Several reviewers praised function Ambient Display, which appeared in the new version of Android 5.0 (Lollipop) but is available only for AMOLED-display. When a new notification, it includes not fly display, but only a part of the screen you need to display the message.

Performance

 Nexus 6 is equipped with a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor clocked at 805 2.7GHz, Adreno 420 graphics and 3 GB of RAM. It also includes support for wireless charging Qi, Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×2 (MIMO), Bluetooth 4.1 (LE) and A-GPS. Options flash drive two – 32 or 64 GB. Like the 5th model, Nexus 6 deprived microSD-slot for memory expansion with the help of maps, and a removable battery and FM-radio.

Snapdragon 805 – the most powerful “system on a chip” for smartphones, available today. A similar chip can be found in the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the experimental Phablet Note Edge 4 from the same company and the Motorola Droid Turbo (Moto Maxx). Bon called Nexus 6 “super-quick”, except in rare slowdown. They can happen when you run some applications and a new screen multitasking Overview in Android 5.0. Note that at the time of the release of the Google already has released a small update for Lollipop, where they hang possibly eliminated. For the rest, says Bon, “everything – from scrolling to start games – runs smoothly and quickly”.

Amadeo also complained about the delay in loading and switching between programs. It links the cause of low sequential read speed drive, which does not reach the level of competition. As a result, some applications may run longer than 5 on the Nexus.

At the same time Molen no lag and saw no claims to the performance of Nexus 6 had not arisen. “Everything from routine tasks to demanding graphics games such as NOVA 3, Modern Combat Asphalt 5 and 8, working as clearly as possible on the smartphone – and this can never be sure when the phone is so big display resolution Quad HD “, – wrote the journalist.

Battery

 The capacity of the internal battery is 3220 mAh, as in Note 4. In general, Nexus 6 answers promises Google, which will last at least Phablet days at “moderate use”. According to Cross, “within a week I never had to charge it twice a day. It is easily worked more than 24 hours from the time at the Activity screen is about 3.5 hours.” In addition, thanks to the technology-speed charging Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 stock battery can make from 27 to 52% in just 15 minutes.

Bon, who normally Nexus 6 lasted one and a half days, also praised the battery. Based on his experience, with very heavy usage charge will last for 14 hours, with a light – two days. But Molen battery life seemed a little “actively using the device on Engadget Expand past weekend, I was lucky if I could ‘squeeze’ of it more 13-14 hours.” In his opinion, “this volume of the battery and the estimated energy efficiency should be enough for a whole day ‘heavy’ use”.

Camera

 During filming in the new Google Phablet meets 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, 4x digital zoom, dual LED flash, mode support HDR + and video capture up to 4K (2160r). Resolution frontal “eye” – 2 MP. Main camera Nexus 6, according to Cross, “is worthy.” It produces good quality pictures even in low light conditions, there was clearly a big step forward compared to its predecessors in the series Nexus. However preloaded software for the camera – “just awful”.

The journalist writes that the regular application interface is very uncomfortable: “It lacks many basic shooting options and features that you will find on any modern smartphone.” Nexus 6, in particular, can not boast of any burst shooting or recording of slow rollers, and the delay after pressing the shutter button too long. Bon also stressed the lack taymlapsov and embedded graphics effects.

The Mole also criticized the poor set of options: “You can change the resolution and exposure, but not the white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and anything else.” Nevertheless, the quality of the photos (especially made in daylight) editor was “pleasantly surprised”.

Price, conclusions

 At a price of $ 649 (for the 32-gigabyte model) Nexus 6 is the most expensive in the line of “standard” smartphone. Last year’s Nexus 5 treated in the same configuration at $ 300 cheaper. Released in 2013, the Nexus 4 c 16 GB of memory on start also cost $ 349 (in August of the same year, the cost was reduced to $ 249). Despite this, the flagship Phablet Google remains one of the most affordable. In comparison, for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus in the US will have to pay $ 749, and the buyer gets half the memory (microSD-slot in the device Apple is also available). Nexus 6 with the drive to 64 GB will cost $ 699, the same 6 Plus – already $ 849.

for a lower price to a potential buyer Nexus 6 have to put up with its shortcomings. In contrast to the same 6 Plus, which is a function of Reachability, holder Phablet Google can not reach the top buttons and will be forced to shift it to the other arm. Spartan “chamber” soft Nexus 6 is poor, while the Apple device in terms of photo and video capabilities, and has continuous shooting and video recording slo-mo, and the photoelectric effect, and taymlapsami.

To the main advantages Nexus 6, almost all reviewers have carried a huge and clear display, high performance, reasonable price and “the drain” Android 5.0. About the stock battery views differed – some expected more from him.

The market Phablet where getting closer, Nexus 6 stands somewhere in the middle. Cheaper options include, for example, the $ 300 Huawei Ascend Mate 2 which is equipped with a 6.1-inch display (720), 400 Snapdragon chip and much more capacious battery (4050 mAh). More serious contender: 5.5-inch LG G3, which has a Quad HD screen and Snapdragon processor 801, but slightly less capacious battery. This model will cost $ 150 cheaper.

Prospects for Nexus 6 in Russia vague. Recall that Motorola devices not officially imported to our country since 2011, when the company closed its office. The share of the US producer in the Russian market then was very low – less than 1%. In January this year it was announced that the new owner will be a Motorola Chinese Lenovo, which bought “daughter” Google for $ 2.9 billion. And two weeks ago, shortly after the closing of the transaction, the head of the press service of Lenovo in Russia Marat cancer reported that Motorola products very soon be back on the shelves of local stores. According to him, it will happen “soon right after NG”. However, the final decision on the matter has yet been made.

Source: PCWorld, The Verge, Engadget, Ars Technica, AnandTech

LikeTweet

No comments:

Post a Comment