For the past five years, Google has released one Nexus phone per year, but there are two Nexus phones for 2015. The Nexus 6P is a larger device with an aluminum shell and the Nexus 5X is smaller with a plastic frame. Both are priced competitively, but not at the jaw-dropping low prices of some past Nexus devices. However, they will ship with the latest and greatest software Google has to offer, Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
The Nexus 6P is being positioned as the more premium Nexus this year with an octa-core Snapdragon 810, 3GB of RAM, a 3450mAh battery, and a 5.7-inch 1440p AMOLED display. It will come in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities. The decision to go with the Snapdragon 810 is understandable, but possibly troublesome. This chip has shown a tendency to overheat and throttle aggressively in other phones. The aluminum frame might help with heat dissipation, though. As with past Nexus devices, there's no microSD card slot. Still, with a 128GB storage option, most people should be content.
Things will be a little more tight with the Nexus 5X. This phone comes only in 16GB and 32GB versions, again with no microSD card slot. Google says improvements in cloud services should make local storage less important, but clearly Googlers don't spend a lot of time in cellular dead zones. The Nexus 5X's other specs include a hexa-core Snapdragon 808, 2GB of RAM, a 2700mAh battery, and a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD. It's strange to see Google ship this phone with just 2GB of RAM. That's the same amount that was in the original Nexus 5 in 2013.
The new Nexus phones have a lot in common as well. Both have 12.3MP cameras with laser-assisted autofocus and 1.55µm pixels that should make for better low-light photos. They also have a reversible USB Type-C port with quick charge technology. Interestingly, Google has decided to ditch wireless charging in both Nexus phones this year. This has been a hallmark feature of Google's phones since the Nexus 4 in 2012. On the rear of the 5X and 6P is a fingerprint sensor for a feature Google is calling Nexus Imprint. You can tap this sensor to wake and unlock your device, and log into apps that support the new security APIs in Android 6.0.
Following in the footsteps of the Nexus 6, the 5X and 6P support an insane 12 distinct LTE bands in North America. They've also got full 3G support for GSM and CDMA. So yes, they'll work on all major US carriers, including Sprint and Verizon. If you like to live on the cutting edge, both phones will support Google's Project Fi hybrid cell network, which runs on T-Mobile and Sprint. It switches between the two based on whichever one has a better signal.
Both phones are available for pre-order(Opens in a new window) in the Google Store in the US, UK, Ireland, and Japan. The Nexus 5X is priced at $379.99 (16GB) and $429.99 (32GB). The Nexus 6p will be $499.99 for the 32GB, $549 for 64GB, and $649 for the 128GB. There's no word on carriers selling these phones like they did the Nexus 6, but Google will give you $50 in Google Play credit and three free months of Google Play All Access music streaming when you buy.
