Last year Google didn’t release a 5-inch phone, choosing instead to opt for the 6-inch Nexus 6, so it’s been two years since the last non-phablet Nexus handset, but Google and LG are back with a new one now dubbed the Nexus 5X.
Two years is a long time, especially for phones, so the question is how different is the new Nexus from the old one? Read on to find out.
Nexus 5X (147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm 136g plastic) vs Nexus 5 (137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6mm 130g plastic)
The Nexus 5X isn’t going to win any design awards with its plain matte plastic back, but while it doesn’t look as high end as the Nexus 6P it’s understated rather than ugly.
The Nexus 5 has a similar plastic design and it’s every bit as plain, but having the camera on the edge looks worse than the central shooter on the Nexus 5X. The Nexus 5 is also a little thicker at 8.6mm to the 5X’s 7.9mm.
The Nexus 5 has a slightly more curved look than the Nexus 5X though, which we’re fans of as it makes it seem less like a nondescript rectangle. So the 5X is an improvement in some ways, but not in others and the two are very similar looking phones overall.
Nexus 5X (5.2-inch 1080*1920 423ppi) vs Nexus 5 (4.95-inch 1080*1920 445ppi)
The Nexus 5X has a 5.2-inch screen. That’s the same size as the Sony Xperia Z5 and at 1080 x 1920 it’s the same resolution too, for a pixel density of 423 pixels per inch. So it can’t be accused of not having a flagship-worthy screen, even if some rivals are moving on to QHD displays. It’s sharp and small enough to use one handed but big enough to make the most of apps and media.
The Nexus 5 is smaller still at 4.95 inches but with the same 1080 x 1920 resolution it has a slightly higher pixel density of 445 pixels per inch. It’s ever so slightly sharper then, but not enough that you’re likely to notice the difference. For our money 5.2 inches is a better size, but it you want a more compact handset the Nexus 5 could suit you.
Nexus 5X (1.8GHz hexa-core 2GB RAM) vs Nexus 5 (2.3GHz quad-core 2GB RAM)
There’s a 1.8GHz hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor at the heart of the Nexus 5X. That’s the same chip as the LG G4 uses, so it’s fairly high-end, but it’s backed up by just 2GB of RAM.
The Nexus 5 has an older 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, so it’s a bit more dated and a bit less powerful, but it too has 2GB of RAM and with stock Android on board it’s still a surprisingly speedy performer.
Nexus 5X (12.3MP rear 5MP front-facing) vs Nexus 5 (8MP rear 1.3MP front-facing)
The Nexus 5’s 8 megapixel camera isn’t special and it’s particularly lacking in low-light situations, so it’s a good thing the Nexus 5X has a superior 12.3 megapixel snapper designed to perform well even in poor lighting, thanks to large pixels which let more light in, while laser autofocus helps you snap shots faster.
The Nexus 5X’s front-facing camera has been seriously upgraded too, as it has a 5 megapixel one while the Nexus 5 has just a 1.3 megapixel one.
Nexus 5X (2,700 mAh 16/32GB 4G) vs Nexus 5 (2,300 mAh 16/32GB 4G)
The Nexus 5X has a 2,700 mAh battery, which is a reasonable size, though it’s too early to say how long it will last. Google has promised however that with fast charging you can get up to 3.8 hours of usage from just a 10 minute charge, which sounds pretty promising.
The Nexus 5X also supports USB Type-C, which means you can plug the cable in either way around, though it also means all your old microUSB cables won’t work with it.
The Nexus 5 has a smaller 2,300 mAh juice pack and offers merely average battery life. You’ll get about a day but not much more and that’s about the minimum that’s acceptable for a smartphone, so we’re hopeful that the Nexus 5X will beat it. The Nexus 5 also doesn’t support fast charging or use USB Type-C.
There’s no difference in storage, with both phones coming in 16 or 32GB varieties and neither offering a microSD card slot. For connectivity you get Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC from the Nexus 5X and Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC from the Nexus 5.
The Nexus 5X has one other trick up its sleeve though in the form of a fingerprint scanner, so you can unlock your device and authorise purchases in a convenient new way.
The Nexus 5X is a big upgrade on the Nexus 5, which is as it should be given there’s been two years between them. It has a better camera, more power, a bigger battery, a larger screen and a fingerprint scanner.
But if anything it’s disappointing that even more hasn’t changed. The design is similar for one and the screen resolution is the same. They even have the same amount of RAM. That’s a shame, but then the Nexus 5X is an affordable handset, starting at £339, so it’s understandable that it wouldn’t quite have flagship specs.
The only real reason to still buy the Nexus 5 is that it can be had for even cheaper, with prices starting at around £260, but if money isn’t an issue the Nexus 5X is far and away the better phone.
