Everthing you need to know about the new Nexus X (aka Nexus 6) smartphone from Google
By Chris Martin | PC Advisor | 13 October 14
The new Nexus smartphone, the Nexus X or Nexus 6 (codenamed Motorola Shamu), is thought to be the next flagship Android smartphone from Google which launch next month with Android L. So here we take a look at the possible Nexus X release date along with rumoured price, specs, performance and features UK. Updated on 02/10/14. See also: The 28 best smartphones of 2014.
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Although tech sites have been referring to the new Nexus smartphone 2014 as the Nexus 6, it's more likely that Google will call it the Nexus X or Nexus 5 2014. It didn't change the name of the Nexus 7 with its follow-up model, plus the replicants in Blade Runner go by the name Nexus 6.
Nexus 6: Leaks and images look like huge Moto X
As you can see above via 9to5Google, we have an idea of what the Nexus 6 smartphone will look like. The mock-up is based on the Moto X as the Nexus 6 will reportedly be a bigger version of Motorola's flagship handset. It's going to look almost identical according to the site and apart from being made larger, will have the volume and power buttons moved downwards. The leak also includes detailed information on specs which we'll outline below.
Below are two more images of the Nexus 6 putting more weight on the device being firmly in a phablet category of the market and a similar size to the iPhone 6 Plus. Via Android Police andXDA Developers.
Nexus X (Nexus 6): Release date in UK
We've all heard the phrase 'history repeats itself' and, when it comes to smartphone launches, it really is true - most of the time. Many of the big tech firms have just the one flagship smartphone launch per year, and Google is no different with its Nexus range. See iPhone 6 release date, news and rumours.
Previous Nexus release dates:
Nexus model
|
Release date
|
Nexus One
|
Jan-10
|
Nexus S
|
Dec-10
|
Galaxy Nexus
|
Nov-11
|
Nexus 4
|
Nov-12
|
Nexus 5
|
Oct-13
|
As you can see, for four out of its five Nexus smartphones Google has opted for a Q4 launch.Take a look at the best Android smartphones in the UK.
As yet, the only word from Google about the Nexus X (Nexus 6)'s possible release dates is from the senior vice president, Sundar Pichai, who said that it would not launch in the first half of 2014, adding more weight to the possibility of a Q4 2014 launch.
Realistically we expect to see the device in October or November as the vehicle on which Google launches Android L (aka Lollipop). The launch event for this has been pegged for either 15- or 16 October by Android Authority.
More recently, a report from Bright Side of News states that Google will put the Nexus 9 up for pre-order on 15 October with it set to go on sale 3 November. And if we see the Nexus 9 on Wednesday, we also expect to see the Nexus X on Wednesday.
Will it launch this year?
However, earlier this year, reports suggested that the Nexus line will be discontinued, with a new Android Silver line, according to Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin and The Information.
Anonymous sources have said that Google's Android Silver program will aim to encourage manufacturers to use higher quality build materials and more stylish designs that "closely adhere to Google specifications".
Evleaks said on Twitter in May that "there is no Nexus 6", coming this year, backing up the previous reports, and adding that Android Silver is coming in February 2015 in the form of an LG device.
Following that report, however, Ausdroid claims to have learned from "a source within Google who is close to the project", that the Nexus X (Nexus 6) will be launching this year after all, with a 5.5in display reminiscent of the LG G3. A possible Motorola-made Nexus 6 is touted for November (See below).
Nexus X (Nexus 6): Price
According to the website cited by TK Tech News, the Nexus X will cost around 419 Euro.
Nexus X (Nexus 6): Specs
According to the International Business Times the Nexus 6 is expected to be built by LG. The website also suggests that the Nexus X will be largely built on the designs of the 2014 LG flagship smartphone the LG G3.
However, despite being sold to Lenovo, Motorola is thought to be a possible partner for the Nexus X (Nexus 6) - codenamed 'Shamu' - according to Android Police. The site says it will have a phablet sized 5.9in screen and will arrive in November.
This is backed up by the 9to5Google leak which we talked about a the top of the page. The site touts a 5.92in display with a Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 meaning a pixel density of 496 ppi.
Furthermore, the Nexus 6 will use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor and 3 GB of RAM. It's a 64-bit chip which matches up to the strong possibility that the smartphone will come with Android L.
Like the Moto X it will have a 13 Mp rear camer and a 2 Mp front camera. There's talk of a 32 GB with other capacities possible. A microSD card slot is an uncertainty.
It's worth noting that various different screen sizes have been touted for the Nexus 6 including 5.5in and 5.2in so it's possible Google will launch two different sized like Apple did with the iPhone 6.
Nexus X (Nexus 6): Performance
GFXBench has leaked some benchmarks for the Motorola Shamu, aka Nexus X or Nexus 6 (via Fonetime), from its Manhattan graphics test. According to GFXBench the Motorola Shamu or Nexus 6 scored 11.5fps, just slightly below the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8, but in line with the OnePlus One and faster than the Sony Xperia Z2 and LG G3.
More recently we've seen Antutu benchmarks (via TK Tech News) that refer to the new Nexus smartphone as the Nexus X. As he states, the score seems a little on the low side, but the specs match up.
Nexus X (Nexus 6) features: OS
As mentioned above, Google is expected to include a 64-bit processor and fingerprint sensor on the Nexus 6 to bring it into line with the iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S5.
We expect other new features in the Nexus 6 to be software-based. Google revealed more information about software and OS advances in its forthcoming Android L (aka Lollipop) OS at it annual I/O developer conference.
The latest leak comes from TK Tech News, which claims the Nexus X will be come running Android 5 Lemon Meringue Pie - not Lollipop, as was previously thought.
Read: Android 4.5 release date and features: When will the next version of Android (Lollipop) come out?
Whatever the OS ends up being called, the Nexus 6 will likely be the vehicle on which it arrives.
Nexus 6 features: Smartwatch
There have been some seriously convincing rumours circulating about a Google Gem Smartwatch launching this year so it could launch as a companion device to the Nexus 6. After all, Google has announced Android Wear (the mobile OS tweaked for wearable devices). Whether this will surface or it will simply sell Android Wear-based devices such as theMotorola Moto 360, LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live remains to be seen.
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