Google Inc. released its much-anticipated flagship device, the Nexus 6, on Thursday after weeks of speculation. The search giant's move could have surprised many, as it was expected to be launched a day earlier along with Android 5.0 Lollipop.
There was so much hype around the Nexus 6 after the stupendous success of its predecessors, especially the Nexus 5, but its 6-inch display seems to have disappointed many who want a smaller screen size. The device got mix reviews from critics with some praising the device while some were not very impressed.
Here is what critics have to say about Google's new device, the Nexus 6:
Gordon Kelly of Forbes wrote: "It (Nexus 6) is brilliant, brave and exciting; it is also boneheaded, bulbous and ridiculous."
"The cynics will point to the Nexus 6's size and weight, particularly in relation to other famously huge phones," he wrote, adding, "The good news for potential converts, however, is the Nexus 6 is far better to use than its statistics imply and it all comes down to common sense. What Motorola has done so much better than its two main rivals is deliver on the ergonomics and it feels great in hand, huge but great."
Nathan Olivarez-Giles of Wall Street Journal: "The new Nexus 6, which Google produced with Motorola, is in nearly every way a better device than its predecessors. The build, display, battery life and camera have all improved. But its most notable feature will be a dealbreaker for some: It is one massive phablet."
"If you're in the market for a phablet, you'd be crazy not to weigh the Nexus 6 against the iPhone 6 Plus and the Note 4. None of those phones are good for one-handed operation, but if you need a big screen—for books, movies, emails and websites—then start here. You'll love the increased real estate and extra battery life," he added.
Rob Pegoraro of Venture Beat: "The latest smartphone from Google stands out for a few things, but its gigantic 5.96-inch screen leads the list. And for some users, it may also end the discussion: It makes the Nexus 6 — $649 direct, at varying prices from the four national carriers — awkward to use without delivering enough in return."
"It's not that you can't stash the Motorola-built 6 in a pants pocket (at least if we're talking dad jeans) or a shirt pocket (although the way it protrudes by over an inch makes it the pocket protector of phones). But working this thing with one hand — a common use case in grocery stores, airports, trains, buses, bars, and other locations the 6′s designers apparently don't frequent — requires awkward, uncomfortable contortions," he added.
Greg Kumparak of Tech Crunch: "I wanted to love the Nexus 6," he wrote, adding, "I've been using a Nexus 5 as my phone of choice since the very day it was announced. It's the phone that pulled me over from the iOS camp for keeps, after so many dozens of other Android handsets I'd tested failed to do so with any permanence. It's the phone I recommend, almost without fail, when asked for a recommendation on what to buy next."
"I wanted the Nexus 6 to be the next phone like that. It's not," he went on to say.
Brad Molen of Engadget: "In general, Google's first shot at a large-screened device (not to mention its first Nexus collaboration with Motorola) is a good one. The Nexus 6 comes with features that the Moto X should have had in the first place, including a powerful next-gen Snapdragon processor, improved camera, new version of Android and a premium design."
"What it lacks is a little more telling. Its mediocre battery life indicates that Google's Project Volta could use some TLC. Additionally, if you're buying the phone because it has a big screen and you want to use it as a phone/tablet hybrid, you're not only trading off a comfortable one-handed experience, but you're also doing so without features that take advantage of the extra real estate, like Multi Window or dual-pane mode for when the phone is in landscape. These may be small misses that likely won't affect your purchase decision, but they suggest Google still has room for improvement when it comes to making a large-screened smartphone," he ended.
Nexus 6 Review by CNet: "...the Nexus will prove to be too big for some users eagerly looking for Google's next flagship. And not just in a how-is-this-thing-going-to-fit-in-my-pocket-and-tiny-hands sort of way. Rather, we mean "too big" because the accompanying high price may push it out of their budget completely."
"However, if you welcome the expansive size and pure Android experience, the Nexus 6 delivers the goods with only a few minor drawbacks."
Dieter Bohn of The Verge: "Android Lollipop couldn't ask for a better showcase than the Nexus 6. I do wish that the software did a better job helping me manage a device this large, but the fundamental improvements to the already excellent notification system have made me more productive already. Assuming Google can work out these first-release bugs, Lollipop itself could be fast enough and pretty enough to spur Android developers to finally pay more attention to design in their apps."
The Nexus 6 sports a 5.96-inch QHD with 2560x1440 pixels (493 ppi pixels per inch) and AMOLED capacitive touchscreen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It is powered by 805 series Snapdragon CPU and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop. It houses a 32/64GB storage capacity and 3GB RAM, and a 13MP main camera with Dual-LED flash, f2.0 aperture, 4K video recording, and 2MP front camera with HD video conferencing feature. The device also has a 3220 mAh battery with talk time up to 24 hours, standby time close to 250 hours (with ambient display on) and 330 hours (with ambient display off).
The official price of the 32GB Nexus 6 (unlocked) is priced at $649, while the 64GB variant costs $699.
