After months of speculation, Google’s Nexus 5 is finally available. The unlocked, $349-and-up Android phone comes with a 5-inch, 1080p display, 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, Adreno 330 graphics, and 2GB of RAM, and your choice of 16 or 32GB of storage.
The LG-made Nexus 5 is the first Android phone with Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat, and is the first Nexus device to ship with OIS (optical image stabilization) in its 8MP rear-facing camera, which aims to compensate for hand motion in photos. It’s powered by a 2300mAh 3.8V battery, and has wireless charging capabilities. Two Nexus 5 models are offered: a North American version with CDMA support, 7-band WCDMA and 9-band LTE, and an international version with 6-band WCDMA and 6-band LTE. The USA variant is missing support for Verizon, and no Band 7 for Canada. For a full list of specs and some explanation, see Android Central.
The Nexus 5 is available unlocked and without a contract from major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Carphone Warehouse, and RadioShack to name a few), and on Google Play in several countries: the US, Canada, UK, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, Korea, and soon in India. On Google Play, it retails for $349 (£295) for 16GB and $399 for 32GB.
Before you buy the Nexus , read over the review highlights below to understand its strengths and weaknesses. Overall, reviewers praised the Nexus 5’s speed, display, and Android KitKat, but they were disappointed by the average battery life, camera, and mono speaker.
You may also want to see how the Nexus 5 compares to Motorola’s new competitive Moto X and Moto G Android phones, so we’ve included some comparison reviews at the bottom of this article. Read on:
Nexus 5 reviews
Pocket-Lint:
“For that money, you get a display that rivals devices that cost some £200 more, and a chipset that is, in many cases, more powerful. …On the flip side of the equation, the Nexus 5 isn’t the best looking phone choice. It’s bettered by others offering slimmer lines, high build quality or more sumptuous materials. Rivals also offer better battery performance, more storage options and almost universally a better camera experience. …Score: 4.5/5.”
Android Authority:
“Unfortunately, the sound quality still leaves a lot of be desired. Not only does it lack dimension, it doesn’t get loud enough to compensate for even moderate background noise. I listen to pretty much everything from my Bluetooth headphones, thankfully. …While I have no doubts that general users will get exactly what they need out of the Nexus 5 – that is, one full day of work and play before nightly charging – I know that power users will end up pretty disappointed.”
Computerworld:
“The Nexus 5 features a new HDR+ mode that snaps multiple images at different exposures and then instantly stitches them together. Without HDR+ mode on, the phone’s photos have been hit and miss: Most shots…have been decent and some have actually been quite good. Others, however, have looked a little lackluster and washed out. Switching on HDR+ mode makes…photos look crisp and brilliant. …The Nexus 5 may not have the best camera or the longest battery life on the market, but it provides an admirable overall user experience.”
Wired:
“It can be hard to hold onto. I dropped one of our test units pulling it out of my pocket, and it fell onto the sidewalk, cracking the glass. One of our other testers reported he had dropped it in similar fashion several times as well. …The camera is maybe the biggest disappointment. We found our action photos were often blurry, the shutter seemed slow to fire, and night-time shots were usually just a mess. Google tells us that a software fix meant to improve the camera is imminent. We hope so, because it’s a bringdown.”
CNET:
“The Google Nexus 5 has LTE for multiple carriers, a sleek and solid build, and an excellent price. It makes crystal-clear calls, battery life is long, and integration of Google Now is deep and wide. …The bad: The Nexus 5’s screen is dimmer than its competitors’ and its camera struggles under auto settings. …The bottom line: Not just the best unlocked phone on the market, but the best Nexus phone by far. …Score: 4/5.”
Engadget:
“In the new OS version, KitKat, the stock UI has seen its biggest visual overhaul since Android 4.0, with brighter colors replacing the old “Holo” blue. Many of the staple Android apps have been overhauled too — text messages are now handled by Hangouts, the dialer has turned into a sort of digital yellow pages, and Google Now is now built into the stock launcher. …Rating: 9.4/10; The best phone $350 can buy.”
The Verge:
“The touchscreen, buttons and casing are all a significant improvement, but at 130g, it’s the weight loss that makes the Nexus 5 a real revelation. …Overall, this is arguably the best Android handset on the market. …While it’s unlikely to persuade iPhone owners to switch, the Nexus 5 is a much needed handset, showing that Google really does understand that quality hardware and attention to detail is as important as having good software. …Score: 8/10.”
Trusted Reviews:
That the Nexus 5 is actually more powerful than the rival HTC One and Galaxy S4 speaks volumes about both its value, and how quickly things move on in the mobile game. …Battery life could be better and the camera isn’t quite as reliable as the best out there – despite being great in some respects. However, these issues seem quite minor given the phone is cheaper than the competition. …Score: 9/10.”
Nexus 5 vs. Moto G and Moto X
Want to know how the Nexus 5 compares to Motorola’s new $169 (€162 or £135) Moto G, which has gotten great reviews? Then check out some Nexus 5 vs. Moto G comparison reviews from PC Advisor and Digital Trends. And for a good comparison of the Nexus 5 vs. the higher-end Moto X, see Android Central , Computerworld, and Phone Arena.
