After months of rumours, speculation and leaks, Google and LG finally unveiled themuch-awaited Nexus 5 on the Play Store last week. Available in 16GB and 32GB variants, the handset is the first one to come with the latest flavour of Android, Version 4.4 KitKat. While the 16GB version will set users back Rs 28,999, aspiring buyers can pick up the 32GB version for Rs 32,999.
The response that the new Nexus smartphone has generated has been considerable. The 16GB black variant of the Nexus 5 was sold out within minutes of its launch in the US. While users have uniformly given the device a big thumbs-up for the price tag and the kind of features packed in, the first reviews of the new phone are now out. Let's see what they say.
Engadget’s review starts off by saying that the Nexus 5 is the best phone that $350 can buy. While comparing the new device with its predecessor, the Nexus 4, Molen says that the former has improved upon last year’s model in nearly every possible way, including the best display (4.95-inches, 1920x1080 pixels), top-of-the-line processor (2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC), a respectable amount of storage space and LTE support. Design-wise, the reviewer said that the new handset’s simplistic design does not come with the eye-catching elements that other flagship smartphones currently sport. The device is not ugly, but there isn’t much about it that is striking either. Performance-wise, the Nexus 5 made all the right moves, especially given the price point.
Nexus 5 with the latest Android flavour
The Verge’s Joshua Topolsky believes that while the Nexus 5 could be the flagship phone that Google wants, it still has a way to go before achieving that vision. The biggest complaint was the “disappointing” performance of the 8-megapixel camera. While the shooter was said to give beautiful photos in a “perfect setting”, in real-world scenarios, the camera underperformed. Photos and videos were shot with too little contrast, too little saturation and too little colour. The camera app itself was said to be slow to focus and even slow to launch in the first place.
The issues, the review says, are being fixed by the Android team and will come in the coming weeks. Apart from this, though, the Nexus 5 is an excellent phone in many ways, according to the Verge reviewer. The build, processing power and gorgeous display were all equally praised. Topolsky goes on to say that the polished and refined KitKat update reinforces the thought that Android leads the way in mobile from a functionality and user interface standpoint. And the $350 price tag does not go unnoticed here either, with the reviewer saying that getting a device of this quality for that price point is definitely worth taking notice of, provided Google follows though and tweaks the performance of the camera.
The camera may be the biggest drawback of the new handset
BGR says that the Nexus 5 is the total package given the price you’re getting the phone for. In terms of performance, the device delivers an extremely fluid user experience where everything is fast and responsive, said the review. The reviewer, however, does say that the Nexus 5 comes with a good display, but not a great one, with the end result not falling in line with other high-end handsets. Other complaints were with the camera, the mediocre call quality and the relatively low battery life. But the biggest point in favor of the Nexus 5, according to the reviewer, was the value for money aspect of the new handset.
The price tag is a major advantage
Larry Magid of Forbes also agreed with the value for money assertion, saying that the Nexus 5 is a solid phone at a good price. Unlike the Nexus 4, the new handset supports high-speed LTE, which was something most reviews counted as a positive. The new camera on the device comes with optical image stabilisation and an HDR+ setting that takes multiple pictures in burst mode. Like the other reviewers, though, Magid said that he was not blown away by the photo quality, but said it was good by Android standards. Physically, the new handset feels good in the hand for such a large phone, though there is nothing particularly unique or stunning about the way it looks, according to the reviewer. While talking about the latest OS, Magid said that his favorite feature was the ubiquitous voice search that allows the user to say OK Google from any home screen to search the Internet, make calls, get directions or launch an app. Call quality, according to the reviewer, is excellent, but depends more on the carrier and network conditions than on the phone itself. The speaker was found to be loud and pretty clear as well.
Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg touched on the voice search feature as well as the Google Now predictive intelligence feature, which gives users weather reports, sports scores, commuting times and much more with a simple swipe right on the home screen. Overall, Mossberg said that the Nexus 5 is the best Nexus phone that he has tested yet, but the phone and its software are designed more to bolster Google features and overall Android dominance than to impress sophisticated users.
The latest hardware packed in with Android 4.4 KitKat
So there you have it. While most experts have reservations about the camera, the biggest point they have focused on is the price. Android 4.4 KitKat is also a big plus point for the new handset, given the number of tweaks that Google has made to the new OS. So what do you think? Is the Nexus 5 the best smartphone that Android users can currently look forward to? Let us know in the comments below.
After months of rumours, speculation and leaks, Google and LG finally unveiled themuch-awaited Nexus 5 on the Play Store last week. Available in 16GB and 32GB variants, the handset is the first one to come with the latest flavour of Android, Version 4.4 KitKat. While the 16GB version will set users back Rs 28,999, aspiring buyers can pick up the 32GB version for Rs 32,999.
The response that the new Nexus smartphone has generated has been considerable. The 16GB black variant of the Nexus 5 was sold out within minutes of its launch in the US. While users have uniformly given the device a big thumbs-up for the price tag and the kind of features packed in, the first reviews of the new phone are now out. Let's see what they say. Engadget’s review starts off by saying that the Nexus 5 is the best phone that $350 can buy. While comparing the new device with its predecessor, the Nexus 4, Molen says that the former has improved upon last year’s model in nearly every possible way, including the best display (4.95-inches, 1920x1080 pixels), top-of-the-line processor (2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC), a respectable amount of storage space and LTE support. Design-wise, the reviewer said that the new handset’s simplistic design does not come with the eye-catching elements that other flagship smartphones currently sport. The device is not ugly, but there isn’t much about it that is striking either. Performance-wise, the Nexus 5 made all the right moves, especially given the price point.
Nexus 5 with the latest Android flavour
The Verge’s Joshua Topolsky believes that while the Nexus 5 could be the flagship phone that Google wants, it still has a way to go before achieving that vision. The biggest complaint was the “disappointing” performance of the 8-megapixel camera. While the shooter was said to give beautiful photos in a “perfect setting”, in real-world scenarios, the camera underperformed. Photos and videos were shot with too little contrast, too little saturation and too little colour. The camera app itself was said to be slow to focus and even slow to launch in the first place. The issues, the review says, are being fixed by the Android team and will come in the coming weeks. Apart from this, though, the Nexus 5 is an excellent phone in many ways, according to the Verge reviewer. The build, processing power and gorgeous display were all equally praised. Topolsky goes on to say that the polished and refined KitKat update reinforces the thought that Android leads the way in mobile from a functionality and user interface standpoint. And the $350 price tag does not go unnoticed here either, with the reviewer saying that getting a device of this quality for that price point is definitely worth taking notice of, provided Google follows though and tweaks the performance of the camera.
The camera may be the biggest drawback of the new handset
BGR says that the Nexus 5 is the total package given the price you’re getting the phone for. In terms of performance, the device delivers an extremely fluid user experience where everything is fast and responsive, said the review. The reviewer, however, does say that the Nexus 5 comes with a good display, but not a great one, with the end result not falling in line with other high-end handsets. Other complaints were with the camera, the mediocre call quality and the relatively low battery life. But the biggest point in favor of the Nexus 5, according to the reviewer, was the value for money aspect of the new handset.
The price tag is a major advantage
Larry Magid of Forbes also agreed with the value for money assertion, saying that the Nexus 5 is a solid phone at a good price. Unlike the Nexus 4, the new handset supports high-speed LTE, which was something most reviews counted as a positive. The new camera on the device comes with optical image stabilisation and an HDR+ setting that takes multiple pictures in burst mode. Like the other reviewers, though, Magid said that he was not blown away by the photo quality, but said it was good by Android standards. Physically, the new handset feels good in the hand for such a large phone, though there is nothing particularly unique or stunning about the way it looks, according to the reviewer. While talking about the latest OS, Magid said that his favorite feature was the ubiquitous voice search that allows the user to say OK Google from any home screen to search the Internet, make calls, get directions or launch an app. Call quality, according to the reviewer, is excellent, but depends more on the carrier and network conditions than on the phone itself. The speaker was found to be loud and pretty clear as well. Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg touched on the voice search feature as well as the Google Now predictive intelligence feature, which gives users weather reports, sports scores, commuting times and much more with a simple swipe right on the home screen. Overall, Mossberg said that the Nexus 5 is the best Nexus phone that he has tested yet, but the phone and its software are designed more to bolster Google features and overall Android dominance than to impress sophisticated users.
The latest hardware packed in with Android 4.4 KitKat
So there you have it. While most experts have reservations about the camera, the biggest point they have focused on is the price. Android 4.4 KitKat is also a big plus point for the new handset, given the number of tweaks that Google has made to the new OS. So what do you think? Is the Nexus 5 the best smartphone that Android users can currently look forward to? Let us know in the comments below. |
Google Nexus 5 to arrive in India by November end
Anxious Indian Android fans wanting to get their hands on the newly launched Nexus 5may not have to wait for too long. The handset has now appeared online for pre-order on both Flipkart and Snapdeal. While there is no release date given on the former, the latter claims that the device will be seen in the fourth week of November. The device was last seen being listed on iBhejo at Rs 31,807 for the 16GB model.
Snapdeal has also put up the 16GB variant of the device, which is available in both black and white colours. Flipkart, on the other hand, has put up the 32GB version of the Nexus 5, which is available from the retailer in white. There is no mention of the price at which either of the online retailers plans to sell the device, although there are mentions of EMI schemes being available for the smartphone on Snapdeal.
Online listing pegs Nexus 5 India release date in the fourth week of November
The Nexus 5 is currently listed on the Play Store at Rs 28,999 for the 16GB variant; while the 32GB version will set users back Rs 32,999. The official site still says that the new device is “coming soon”, though. While the new smartphone has been stealing most of the headlines since its launch, another Nexus device, the Nexus 7, has also been listed online, this time on Amazon. The device listing, however, currently says that the tablet is not available.
Since its launch, the Nexus 5 has been generating a huge amount of buzz, with many pegging the device as the best smartphone for the price. A quick look at the specs sheet reveals that the handset comes with a 4.95-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Under the hood, the device packs Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 800 SoC clocked at 2.3GHz coupled with 2GB of RAM. The best part of the phone is probably the fact that it's the first one to come with the latest iteration of Android, version 4.4 KitKat.
On the photography front, the smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera as well as a 1.3-megapixel front shooter. The handset also comes with Optical Image Stabilisation and HDR+ mode, among other features. The device measures in at 69.17x137.84x8.59mm and weighs 130g. Connectivity is taken care of with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS integrated. Rounding up the offering is a 2300mAh battery.
Snapdeal has also put up the 16GB variant of the device, which is available in both black and white colours. Flipkart, on the other hand, has put up the 32GB version of the Nexus 5, which is available from the retailer in white. There is no mention of the price at which either of the online retailers plans to sell the device, although there are mentions of EMI schemes being available for the smartphone on Snapdeal.
Online listing pegs Nexus 5 India release date in the fourth week of November
The Nexus 5 is currently listed on the Play Store at Rs 28,999 for the 16GB variant; while the 32GB version will set users back Rs 32,999. The official site still says that the new device is “coming soon”, though. While the new smartphone has been stealing most of the headlines since its launch, another Nexus device, the Nexus 7, has also been listed online, this time on Amazon. The device listing, however, currently says that the tablet is not available.
Since its launch, the Nexus 5 has been generating a huge amount of buzz, with many pegging the device as the best smartphone for the price. A quick look at the specs sheet reveals that the handset comes with a 4.95-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Under the hood, the device packs Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 800 SoC clocked at 2.3GHz coupled with 2GB of RAM. The best part of the phone is probably the fact that it's the first one to come with the latest iteration of Android, version 4.4 KitKat.
On the photography front, the smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera as well as a 1.3-megapixel front shooter. The handset also comes with Optical Image Stabilisation and HDR+ mode, among other features. The device measures in at 69.17x137.84x8.59mm and weighs 130g. Connectivity is taken care of with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS integrated. Rounding up the offering is a 2300mAh battery.
Since its launch, the Nexus 5 has been generating a huge amount of buzz, with many pegging the device as the best smartphone for the price. A quick look at the specs sheet reveals that the handset comes with a 4.95-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Under the hood, the device packs Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 800 SoC clocked at 2.3GHz coupled with 2GB of RAM. The best part of the phone is probably the fact that it's the first one to come with the latest iteration of Android, version 4.4 KitKat.
On the photography front, the smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera as well as a 1.3-megapixel front shooter. The handset also comes with Optical Image Stabilisation and HDR+ mode, among other features. The device measures in at 69.17x137.84x8.59mm and weighs 130g. Connectivity is taken care of with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS integrated. Rounding up the offering is a 2300mAh battery.
Such a nice information thank you so much for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteHi nice readinng your blog
ReplyDelete