Google introduces Nexus 5X: Images, prices, specs and all you need to know

Google, for the first time since it introduced the Nexus nameplate, has unveiled two smartphones at the same time under the label – the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. We have talked in detail about the Nexus 6P in detail elsewhere on these pages, so we will focus only on the 5X here in this post.

Unveiled at an event in San Francisco, the Nexus 5X has been built by Google in collaboration with Korean electronics major LG. Boasting a 5.2 inch screen size, the 5X has been priced internationally at $379 for the 16 GB variant and $429 for the 32 GB version. The pre-orders for the phone have already started in the US, with a rollout planned for other markets in a week’s time.

The biggest headline with the Nexus 5X is that it features Google’s shiny new Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS. We have discussed all the features of the new OS in another post, and we invite you to have a read of all the features in a separate story listed below.

The new Google Now will also be installed as default on the phone which will deliver useful information based on what the users are engaged in on the screen. The number of pre-loaded apps on the software has been reduced further and removal of unwanted apps has been made even simpler.

Read: Android 6.0 Marshmallow explained in 10 simple points

The Nexus 5X gets a full HD 1080×1920 pixel display resolution and is powered by the 64 bit Snapdragon 808 processor with 2GB of RAM. Now, those specs may appear to be those of a phone which represents grade 2 devices, but the relatively lower price sort of justifies the modest hardware. What we also hear is that the prices of the Nexus 6 have been slashed post the introduction of the new set of devices, so please a have a check on that device as well if you are about to make a buy.

Google devices in the past have always been known for their super light, stripped down OS leading to fantastic performance even on lower spec hardware, so the user experience should ideally not be an issue. Google is making the phone available with 16GB and 32GB storage capacities with no option for expanding the memory. Now, that is a bit of a downer, as anything less than 64 GB with a good camera gets the user scurrying for storage space rather quickly these days.

On the camera front, the 5X gets a 12.3MP front shooter with laser autofocus.  The highlight here is the 1.55 micron sensor which is claimed to perform well in low light conditions. On the video front, the back camera is capable of shooting high-res 4K videos with 120 fps slow-mo option. The phone will also get a burst mode feature capable of capturing 30 frames in a second to allow the users make interesting gifs. Battery is rated at 2700 mAh, which should be good for a day-long use, knowing Google generally has been good with power management on its devices.

The Nexus 5X also gets the new generation Type C reversible USB cable with quick charging, claimed to be twice as fast as the charging time taken by the newly introduced iPhone 6S Plus.

There is a fingerprint sensor on offer as well, christened Nexus Imprint, and claimed to recognize the fingerprints in a lightening quick 600 milliseconds. The fingerprint sensor is integrated right into the Android OS, allowing it to not just lock the screen, but also specific apps. You can also use the fingerprint sensor to restrict app downloads and payments on the Google Play store.

Innovative features on the Nexus 5X will comprise a collection of sensors which will monitor gestures, movements, low power periods and activity times. Google claims that the sensors will work in cohesion to generate useful data such as when the user picks up the phone, turning the display on automatically and saving the user time and enhancing convenience.

In an ever crowding space where some really good smartphones with top end specs are available at a bargain, the Nexus 5X may appear a tad expensive as compared to other brands in the first view. However, knowing that it’s a Google product, the quality and a superior user experience is almost a given, and justifies the mildly steep price.

In case you want to judge the phone solely on the hardware on offer, though, here is the detailed spec sheet for you. But before you scan the numbers, here’s an official Google video detailing the phone