Specifications
- Body materials: plastic, glass
- Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Network: GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSDPA, LTE Cat.6 (nanoSIM)
- Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992)
- Processor: Quad-core 1.44 GHz (Cortex-A53) and dual-core 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A57)
- Graphics: Adreno 418
- RAM: 2 GB (LPDDR3)
- Storage Memory: 16/32 GB
- Memory card slot: no
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi (ac/b/g/n) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.1 (LE), USB type-C (USB 2.0) for charge/sync, 3.5 mm for headset
- Screen: IPS LCD, diagonal 5.2", resolution 1920x1080 pixels, ppi 423, automatic backlight level adjustment, protective glass Gorilla Glass 3
- Primary camera: 12.3 megapixels, 1.55 nm pixel size, f/2.0, laser focusing, dual LED flash, 4k video recording
- Front camera: 5 megapixels without autofocus, pixel size 1.4 nm, f/2.0
- Navigation: GPS (support A-GPS), GLONASS
- Optional: Nexus Imprint fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor
- Battery: 2700 mAh
- Dimensions: 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm
- Weight: 136 grams
For those who do not follow the smartphone market closely, let me briefly remind you. The Nexus line are smartphones developed by various companies in partnership with Google and which are, in fact, a reference design of an Android device with certain characteristics. These devices are the first among all Android smartphones to receive updates to new versions of the operating system and are usually very good in terms of performance. IN different years Google chooses different manufacturers to create new models in the Nexus line, but sometimes the same manufacturer can release several models at once. Such a situation, for example, has developed with LG. The South Korean manufacturer introduced the Nexus 5 smartphone at the end of 2013, and now, two years later, the same company is creating a new device in the five-inch segment of the Nexus line - LG Nexus 5X.
Design, body materials
In terms of design, Nexus are usually very simple devices. Google's logic is clear - the company needs smartphones from the Nexus series to have a universal design that will either please or, in the worst case, not evoke any emotions. It seems to be there, but it is barely caught, sterile, so to speak. In the case of the Nexus 5X, all the rules are met - the design here is determined by the location of some controls and the screen size and is devoid of any features or chips.
On the front, there is a Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass panel with an oleophobic coating and two speakers; on the back, a large camera module with additional elements and a fingerprint scanner, as well as the “nexus” logo, stand out.
It all looks simple together. If you are a fan of non-standard design, special body shapes, atypical or expensive materials, the LG Nexus 5X will hardly captivate you. Everything here is utilitarian, without zest. It was necessary to show the ringing and conversational dynamics in front? Here they are, top and bottom, covered with a grid. Need a fingerprint scanner? Right here, just above the center of the body on the "back". Camera module? Even higher on the ledge, massive, covered with protective glass. And so are all the elements.
I have already mentioned the body materials above, but I will repeat myself. The entire front panel is covered with Gorilla Glass. Sidewalls - matte plastic. "Back" - pleasant to the touch plastic with the effect of "soft-touch" surface, moderately easily soiled, but comfortable: when you hold a smartphone, it lies securely in your hand and does not slip even from wet hands.
And about flowers. In Russia, the smartphone will be available in three colors: black, white and mint. In all cases, the front panel is completely black. In white, the 5X has a smooth plastic back.
Image from the Internet
Assembly
The design of the smartphone does not imply removing the cover, the only removable element is the tray for a nanoSIM SIM card. In general, I did not have any complaints about the build quality even of the test sample during the week of using the device. I believe that the Nexus 5X, which have gone on sale, will also have no problems. Here, of course, we can recall the recent video about the "big brother" of the smartphone - the Nexus 6P from Huawei, where it is broken in half by the effort of two hands and will. But, in my opinion, the value of such videos is not too great and they do not carry practical information. If you wish, you can break in half almost any modern smartphone, except, probably, protected models.
Dimensions
To the dimensions of the Nexus 5X, I have one gripe. The fact is that when you pick up the device for the first time, in terms of dimensions it resembles smartphones with a diagonal of 5.5 inches. Of course, I'm talking about a conditional person who often changes tubes and distinguishes between 5 and 5.5-inch form factors at the reflex level. But even if you do not constantly change devices, but use some kind of smartphone with a diagonal of 5 "", then, switching to Nexus 5X with a 5.2" screen, you will expect dimensions from it close to your previous smartphone. In practice, it turns out to be comparable to models with a 5.5" screen. I can't say it's definitely bad. It is clear that 5.2 is just a cross between 5 and 5.5, but deep down I expected that the new Nexus would be closer in size to five-inch devices. Alas.
To estimate the dimensions of the LG Nexus 5X, I suggest you take a look at the list with the dimensions of the current flagships:
- Apple iPhone 6 Plus(5.5"") - 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm, 172 grams
- LG G4(5.5"") - 148.9 x 76.1 x 9.8 mm, 155 grams
- (5.2"") - 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm, 136 grams
- samsung galaxy S6(5.1”) - 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138 grams
- HTC One M9(5"") - 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.6 mm, 157 grams
- LG Nexus 5(4.95"") - 137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm, 130 grams
Compared to HTC One M9
Compared to Sony Xperia Z3 Plus
Compared to Meizu MX2
Compared to LG G4
The device is quite comfortable in the hand, you can carry it anywhere - the weight allows and does not weigh down at all.
Controls
Unlike the company's native G-series smartphones, the Nexus 5X is a device for Google, and the controls here are laid out and implemented in a completely different way. I can’t say that it’s convenient, but to be honest, it’s completely inconvenient. But first things first.
Let's start with the power and volume keys. Both are located on the right edge, but the power button turned out to be higher than the volume rocker, and you need to get used to it, because in most devices where the same set of keys is on the right edge, their order is reversed: the volume rocker is on top, lower, closer to the center of the edge – power button. For me personally, the location of these keys in the Nexus 5X is inconvenient, but at the same time, I understand perfectly well that if you buy a smartphone for yourself, you will get used to this arrangement of elements. A matter of habit, nothing more.
Above the screen are the speaker, sensors and front camera eye. The second speaker is located under the screen, approximately in the middle a light indicator is inserted into it, notifying about missed and new events (calls, messages, and so on).
At the top there is an additional microphone (“noise reduction”), at the bottom there is a 3.5 mm mini-jack, USB Type-C format and the main microphone.
The left edge is almost empty, except for the SIM card slot (nanoSIM), there is nothing here.
On the "back" of the smartphone is a fingerprint scanner. It is large in size if you hold your smartphone in right hand, then the index finger will be most convenient to scan. In total, up to five casts of a finger (or different fingers) can be taken. The recognition accuracy is very high, in a week of using the LG Nexus 5X I had literally a couple of incorrect recognitions.
Screen
The LG Nexus 5X has a 5.2" IPS display. Display resolution - 1920x1080 pixels (424 ppi). The display is calibrated as neutral as possible.
The screen has a good margin of brightness, there is also an option "adaptive brightness", if you enable it, the system will automatically adjust the brightness level depending on the lighting conditions, but also taking into account the value you set. That is, if you unscrew the slider to the maximum brightness, with the option enabled, it will not sag much.
The viewing angles of the display are close to the maximum, except that at a very strong angle the picture is slightly brightened. The color scheme is calm, I did not notice a strong attraction to warm or cold tones. Perhaps the company overdid it a bit with lowering the contrast, the image looks too calm, I personally even lacked a little juiciness in it, but this is a matter of personal preference. In general, the screen is not bad.
Like Motorola's Nexus 6, the Nexus 5X features Active Display: when you take your smartphone in your hand, the time lights up on the screen and new notifications are shown in a muted mode. The same thing happens if the smartphone just lies on the table and a new notification arrives, it is displayed in a muted mode.
Camera
The main camera in the LG Nexus 5X deserves close attention, at least because of its characteristics: a module with a resolution of 12.3 megapixels, a pixel size of 1.55 nm, f/2.0, dual LED flash, and laser focusing. All together it should give excellent results. For a complete set, only optical image stabilization is missing.
The camera interface is very simple, using the basic Android Camera app. This is the drawback, out of the box the smartphone does not have a manual shooting mode, like the LG G4, for example, and cannot take pictures in RAW.
Accordingly, the camera has very few settings: you can change the resolution for photos and videos, turn the flash on and off, and also select the HDR + mode - auto, on or off. By default, the HDR + option is set to "Auto", so I took all the photos on the smartphone in this mode.
For clarity, I will compare the photos taken on the LG Nexus 5X with the LG G4, equipped with one of the best cameras among current smartphones.
Shooting on a sunny day
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In general, the frames are comparable. Photos from the LG G4 have more detail, while those from the Nexus 5X appear deeper and more voluminous. In practice, the situation is as follows: in the Nexus 5X, the pictures are subjected to serious post-processing and due to this they look good on the smartphone screen, but you need to understand that they are not quite correct in terms of brightness, contrast and sometimes white balance. With the LG G4, everything is exactly the opposite: the photos do not look so spectacular, but they are as close to reality as possible in all color parameters. In the picture, you actually see exactly what you saw with your own eyes a second before, without embellishment.
Shooting in cloudy weather
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Everything repeats itself - the frames from the Nexus 5X look better on the smartphone screen, but the photos taken on the LG G4 are closer to reality, they do not have such strong post-processing, and, accordingly, if desired, they can be pulled up in the editor. But at the end you get just a high-quality picture.
Shooting indoors
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Indoors, the situation is about the same, photos from the LG G4 are sharper (due to stabilization) and closer to reality in terms of white balance.
The standard Android camera has a background blur mode that looks something like this:
And here is the difference between HDR+ enabled and disabled.
Front camera with a resolution of 5 MP, the pictures are good, judge for yourself:
In my opinion, the camera in the LG Nexus 5X is excellent. Yes, it falls short of the flagship LG G4, Samsung Galaxy S6/Note 5, but the difference between them is very insignificant and is not even in the overall quality, but rather in the perception of photos. If you like juicier and brighter shots, then shots from the Nexus 5X are even more preferable than from the LG G4, for example. Whereas the camera in the LG G4 is simply more versatile and allows you to get more accurate results without post-processing.
In addition to photography, the smartphone allows you to record video in maximum quality close to 4k (UltraHD, 3840x2160 pixels), as well as video with an increased frame rate of up to 120 fps. During video recording, tracking autofocus works, the video quality is good.
Camera Comparison (Roman Belykh)
Before giving short description The quality of the pictures taken on the Nexus 5X, I must say right away that the camera was a pleasant surprise.
Since Artem gave examples of frames from the LG G4, it became easier to navigate the parameters. Both gadgets functioned in HDR mode: in the case of LG, this is the usual HDR (it works extremely adequately, almost imperceptibly), in the case of 5X - HDR +. It should be clarified that HDR+ is not an easy mode, it creates several frames in a row, a special algorithm is used, one high-quality frame is obtained with almost no digital noise, but with the HDR effect.
The first thing that catches your eye when comparing photos is the slightly overestimated contrast in the images from the Nexus 5X. It's not bad or good, it's just visually perceived better, photos from the LG G4 seem faded. On the other hand, G4 shots can still be somehow brought to mind, but 5X shots are unlikely to be edited - the software has already worked there. Maybe it's even for the best.
The second is the HDR effect. It's more interesting on Nexus: more information in very bright areas of the frame.
Thirdly, the viewing angle is larger on the LG G4. You will ask why? The fact is that Artyom set the aspect ratio to 4:3 in both cameras, but the native aspect of the LG G4 is 16:9.
The fourth is the nature of the noise reduction. This is where personal preference comes into play. I like when digital noise is not suppressed by simple pixel smearing, but is handled intricately by software. In the case of the LG G4, the software works on a “C grade”, the pixels are blurry, and detail is lost a little. I say so in the affirmative because the original RAW images are clear, although quite noisy. However, the nature of the noise is pleasing to the eye. In the case of the Nexus 5X, noise processing is minimal, the software only cares about color reproduction, white balance and contrast. Sometimes, when a low-quality video is ripped, editors deliberately add noise, the picture becomes visually sharper. I can say the same about the shots from the Nexus 5X - it gives the impression of a sharper photo.
Fifth is detail. Both gadgets give excellent sharpness. In the case of LG, the pictures come out with less contrast, and in the case of Nexus, they come out with more contrast. Therefore, again, visually it seems that the photos are more interesting at 5X. But this is an erroneous opinion. Just due to the high contrast, some details in the photo disappear.
Sixth. With white balance, the G4 and Nexus 5X have parity. The devices do an excellent job of processing photos. However, frankly, I will say that the LG G4 (I used it for several months) will still lie more often: yellowish, purple and other shades will appear.
Seventh - night shots. And here begins the battle for quality. The G4 is not only equipped with laser focusing, which works better than the Nexus 5X, but also with optical stabilization. Therefore, the G4 has a head start in slow shutter speeds and the minimum ISO value. What, in fact, the camera software does: increases the shutter speed, for example, up to 1/14 (the “stub” works effectively with such parameters), and the ISO decreases to 400-500. At the same time, the Nexus 5X sets 1/25 of a second (there is no stub, but your hands can fail), and ISO 800 and above. Naturally, the noise increases. However, once again it is necessary to praise the developers for creating excellent software for the Nexus camera: even at high ISO, the photos are of excellent quality, comparable to the frames on the LG G4. One more note. The fact is that the aperture in the G4 is F1.8, and in the Nexus 5X it is F2.0. It doesn't seem like much of a difference, but the background blur is noticeably stronger in photos taken with the G4.
So, for those who didn’t understand anything: the Nexus 5X camera can please even a demanding user like me. I am very surprised by the cool quality of the optics, the module and the nicely written frame processing software.
Offline work
The smartphone has a non-removable Li-Pol battery with a capacity of 2700 mAh. My LG Nexus 5X sample ran a full day, on average, into the evening or late at night. The load was as follows: an hour and a half of conversations, 10-20 text messages, Gmail, 3-4 hours of listening to music and about 1-2 hours of active use of the mobile Internet (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, browser). In fact, I did not notice much difference in battery life between the LG G4 and LG Nexus 5X, with active use both smartphones sit down in the evening, with moderate use they work all day.
platform, memory
The smartphone, like the LG G4, is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM 8992) platform with a 1.44 GHz quad-core processor (Cortex-A53) and a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor (Cortex-A57), the graphics subsystem (GPU) is Adreno 418. The device has 2 GB of RAM and 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, there is no slot for a memory card.
The choice of a non-top platform seems to me appropriate here, as in the case of the LG G4. Moreover, the Nexus 5X has a lower screen resolution, and, accordingly, the performance requirements are even simpler than for the LG G4. The Qualcomm 808 platform provides a good level of performance without the drawbacks of the 810.
Performance, tests
As for the overall speed of the LG Nexus 5X, everything is fine here. The smartphone works smoothly, without delays and slowdowns. Of course, if you set out to find micro-lags in the process of flipping through screens or menu pages, this can be done by simply starting frantically scrolling the screens back and forth with maximum speed, but to real life this use case has nothing to do with it. Below are the test results of Nexus 5X in Antutu.
Interfaces
The smartphone works in GSM, HSDPA and LTE networks. For LTE, there is support for all common bands and frequencies; in Russian networks of the fourth generation, the device works without problems.
USB. For synchronization with a PC and data transfer, a bundled USB Type-C cable is used. USB 2.0 interface.
Bluetooth. Built-in Bluetooth 4.2 module with support for A2DP, LE (low energy) and Apt-X profiles.
Wi-Fi (802.11а/ac/b/g/n). The Nexus 5X uses a dual-band Wi-Fi module, this interface works flawlessly. Like any other modern Android smartphone, the 5X supports Wi-Fi mobile internet sharing (Wi-Fi router), as well as DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct standards.
NFC. The standard interface for any flagship based on Android since 2013 is also found in the LG Nexus 5X. Enabled and disabled in the settings, in the "Sharing and connection" menu.
Navigation
The smartphone supports GPS / A-GPS and Glonass, it takes a minimum amount of time to search for satellites. There is no special navigation software in Android smartphones for a long time, and manufacturers usually limit themselves to the pre-installed Google Maps, LG Nexus 5X is no exception in this sense.
Software features and software
The smartphone runs on the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system without any add-ons, shells or third-party programs. It uses a clean OS, and this is one of the main advantages of any device with the “nexus” nameplate over other Android smartphones.
We are already preparing detailed overview Android 6.0 Marshmallow, where all the features of this operating system will be described in detail. For owners of devices on Android 5.1, in fact, there are not many visible changes here. Power optimization has been improved, new app permissions have been added and other things, but in general, this is a familiar Android.
Conclusion
I had no complaints about the quality of signal reception for a week of using the LG Nexus 5X. The loudspeaker volume is slightly above average, in most situations the incoming call is heard well. The speaker volume is also at a good level, there is a small margin for conversations in noisy rooms. The vibrating alert is average in strength.
The official cost of LG Nexus 5X in Russia is 35,000 rubles (34,990) for the version with 16 GB of memory and 38,000 rubles (37,990) for the version with 32 GB. Here it should be noted that the device competes, oddly enough, with another LG smartphone - the flagship G4. Don't look at the fact that the Nexus 5X has a smaller screen size. In general, the devices are similar in terms of dimensions, as well as in most characteristics and price, so why not compare them? On the side of the LG G4 is the presence of a slot for a memory card, a more interesting (I'm not saying better) design, a removable battery, higher screen resolution and diagonal, 3 GB of RAM and a more versatile camera that allows you to take pictures with natural, natural colors and the ability to further processing them (especially if you shoot in manual mode in RAW). At the same time, the LG G4 is 2,000 or 5,000 rubles more expensive, depending on which version of the Nexus 5X to compare with.
On the side of the LG Nexus 5X is the presence of a fingerprint scanner, albeit a little, but still more compact in size, a camera that allows you to immediately get beautiful and well-processed by smartphone software and, most importantly, a clean Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with the ability to one of first update it later to newer versions. Of course, the option of buying a smartphone for $380 in the US (25,000 rubles) looks more pleasant, and with such a price, this smartphone turns out to be more attractive, but we are now talking about Russian realities. I liked the LG Nexus 5X. I can’t say that the device is incredibly cool and that it caused me a lot of emotions, this was not the case. This is just a solid smartphone, balanced in terms of characteristics, with the necessary set of features for those who want to get a pure "android". Main question Regarding the Nexus 5X, it's a matter of price, and here you need to decide how much you value the Nexus and its advantages over other smartphones.
Google clearly liked the results of cooperation with LG - Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. And for the Nexus 5X, the American company did not choose another manufacturer, as happened, for example, with the larger Nexus 6 / 6P: this year the device is made by Huawei, in the past — Motorola.
This is not an ordinary update - 5X is very different from its predecessor: the screen has become larger (5.2 inches instead of 4.95), a fingerprint scanner has appeared, the camera has been updated and, of course, the novelty has become more powerful. All this is slightly reflected in the price: the Nexus 5 at the start cost $350, the Nexus 5X is sold for $400. The comparative picture will be much sadder if the price is converted into rubles, but here it is pointless to blame Google.
Technical characteristics
| | Google Nexus 5X | Sony Xperia Z5 | Samsung GALAXY S6 | LG G4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display |
5.2" IPS |
5.2" IPS 1920 × 1080 dots, 424 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
5.1 inches, AMOLED, 2560 × 1440 pixels, 575.9 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.5 inches, 2560 × 1440, IPS, 538 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
| Air gap |
No | No | No | No |
| Protective glass |
Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | No information | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on both sides | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| CPU |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (four ARM Cortex-A57 cores, frequency 2 GHz + four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, frequency 1.5 GHz) |
Samsung Exynos 7420 (four ARM Cortex-A57, 2.1GHz; four ARM Cortex-A53, 1.5GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, frequency 1.4GHz + two ARM Cortex-A57 cores, frequency 1.82 GHz) |
| Graphics controller |
Adreno 418 | Adreno 430 | Mali-T760 MP8 | Adreno 418 |
| RAM |
2 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Flash memory |
16/32 GB | 32 GB | 32/64/128 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory card support |
No | Yes | No | There is |
| Connectors |
USB-C, 3.5mm mini jack | microUSB, 3.5 mm minijack | microUSB, 3.5 mm minijack | microUSB, 3.5 mm minijack |
| SIM cards |
one nano SIM | one nano SIM | one nano SIM | one micro SIM |
| cellular 2G |
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz | |
| Cellular 3G |
UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | HSPA (42.2/5.76 Mbps) 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | HDSPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz |
| Cellular 4G |
FDD LTE (Cat.6, up to 300 Mbps) | FDD LTE (Cat.6, up to 300 Mbps) | FDD LTE (Cat.6, up to 300 Mbps) | |
| WiFi |
802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth |
4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| NFC |
There is | There is | There is | There is |
| IR port |
No | No | There is | There is |
| Navigation |
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou |
| Sensors |
Fingerprint, illumination, proximity, accelerometer, barometer, digital compass | fingerprint sensor, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer / gyroscope / pedometer, magnetometer (digital compass), barometer |
Fingerprint, Ambient Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer/Gyroscope, Magnetometer (Digital Compass), Barometer, Heart Rate Sensor | light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) |
| Main camera |
13 MP, ƒ/2.0, laser autofocus, LED flash, 4K video recording | 23 MP, ƒ/2.0, autofocus, LED flash, 4K video recording | 16 MP, ƒ/1.9, autofocus, LED flash, optical stabilization Full HD video recording | 16 MP, ƒ/1.9, laser autofocus, LED flash, optical stabilization Full HD video recording |
| Front-camera |
5 MP, ƒ/2.0, fixed focus | 5 MP, fixed focus | 5 MP, fixed focus | 8 MP, fixed focus |
| Nutrition |
Non-removable 2700 mAh battery | 2900 mAh non-removable battery | 2600 mAh non-removable battery | Removable 3000 mAh battery |
| Size |
147×72.6×7.9mm | 146×72×7.3mm | 142×70×7 mm | 149×76×9.8mm |
| Weight |
136 grams | 154 grams | 132 grams | 155 grams |
| Hull protection |
No | IP65, IP68 Up to half an hour at a depth of up to 1.5 m |
No | No |
| operating system |
Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 5.1 Lollipop, Sony Xperia skin | Android 5.0 Lollipop, samsung touchwiz shell |
Android 5.1 Lollipop |
| Current price |
35,000 rubles-37,000 rubles (depending on the amount of memory) | 49 990 rubles | 38,000-41,000 rubles (depending on the amount of memory) | 33 500 rubles |
⇡ Design and ergonomics
Nexus, quite possibly, one day should appear in industrial design museums - just as examples of reference "Googlephones". But right now, this is a common example of simplicity and practicality: the Nexus 5X does not stand out with beauty and “premium materials” loved by the people, like metal or glass.
Google Nexus 5X, front panel: two speakers above and below, the front camera and light / proximity sensors are also located above the screen
The front panel is covered with Gorilla Glass 3, the sides and the back surface are glued with plastic. Attention, of course, is attracted by two rings on the rear panel: a convex camera lens and a fingerprint sensor. But there is an option to somehow enliven the picture if it is still important for you to stand out: in addition to black and white colors, mint is available.
Google Nexus 5X, rear panel: next to the camera is an autofocus laser and a dual flash. There will be no Not for sale inscriptions in store Nexus, don't worry
Dimensions Nexus 5X - 147 × 72.6 × 7.9 mm, weight - 136 grams. There were no records - both positive and negative, but individual feelings are more important: the smartphone has a comfortable shape and not too large sizes. Although it is felt that the 5.2-inch screen is already on the verge between size and ease of operation - not all girls will be able to use the device with one hand.
There are only two keys on the case: power on and volume control, both with good travel and are easily recognized by touch. At first, their location confuses: the power button is located above the “rocker” – as in Sony smartphones. It takes five minutes to get used to it. Navigation keys - software, implemented in the Android interface.
In addition to the fingerprint sensor, the Nexus 5X also stands out among its own kind with a connector for power and connection to a computer - this is not the usual microUSB, but new USB-C. Moreover, there is no cable with USB-A output in the kit, but only USB-C↔USB-C. This is progressive, but means that you will almost certainly have to buy an adapter along with your smartphone.
Google Nexus 5X, bottom end: center - USB-C port, to the right - a mini-jack and a hole for a spoken microphone
The assembly is very good: nothing creaks, no backlash and does not threaten to fall off. Other, however, from the device, claiming to be the standard, and do not expect.
⇡ User interface
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How long does he work?
The smartphone is equipped with a 2700 mAh battery and a decent brightness display with a diagonal of 5.2 inches. In any case, the smartphone works for a day. If you heavily load his photos, calls, games, then approximately a working day. If it is moderate, it will live until the evening with a dozen or two percent of the charge. What pleasantly surprised me is that after the battery charge drops below 20%, the device does not start to discharge at a frantic rate. And he does it slowly, with sense and arrangement, so that it still turns out from the other end of Kyiv to get home with music, Viber and a map, have dinner, and only then turn on the smartphone to the network. Here's what the battery life benchmark graph looks like.
And the screenshots are from real life.
I suspect that this magic has become possible thanks to more meticulous power saving settings for applications. By default, several programs allow themselves not to save battery power. The list can be expanded or shortened as desired. And yes, Android 6.0 more than clearly demonstrates the gluttony of each program.
What does he look like? What about ergonomics?
LG Nexus 5X is presented in three colors - black, white and mint. All three options, in my opinion, look universal, there is no more masculine or feminine. I had a white Nexus in my review. As it turned out, the material from which the lid is made tends to absorb colors. environment, from wearing it in a jacket pocket, for some reason it acquired a purple hue (you will see this in the comparative photos below).
The material is soft and pleasant to the touch, the phone lies more securely in the hand than any owner of a glossy or metal back. But at the same time, this is not the same SoftTouch coating that clings to any surface, which Sony smartphones had from the time of the Xperia V and Xperia Go models.
At first glance, it seems that the new Nexus from LG does not differ much from the old one, the continuity of generations in design takes place. In fact, these are two completely different outwardly devices that only combine the contours of the front panel and the material of the back. The LG Nexus 5X has a great camera protrusion, because of this it seems that the smartphone, like a cat, arches its back. But it lies well in the hand, the camera does not get confused under the fingers.
After my Meizu Pro 5, it seemed to me that a device with a diagonal of 5.2 inches could be more compact. It is 0.4 cm thicker than the Pro 5 and not much shorter or narrower, and the screen area occupies 70% of the front panel in the Nexus, and 73% in the Pro 5.
Nexus 5X owes its rather big length to two speakers at the bottom and top of the front panel. The speakers are large, but they do not impress with sound, they are inferior to the Samsung flagships in terms of music. However, let's be honest, if you are an intelligent person, but obviously you will not listen to music from your phone just like that. And if not, then what difference does it make to you, what is there with musicality?
The thickness of the smartphone approaches 8 millimeters, which is average today, but pleasant for a 5.2-inch smartphone. The model in white on the side resembles a layer cake.
The screen lock and volume control buttons are located on the right side, in an order that you rarely see in new models - where the screen lock key is higher. The buttons themselves are small, but you can get used to the size and location.
The USB Type C connector and audio output are on the bottom. It's also a question of habit. Those who have previously used smartphones with this audio output location will be pleased. Those who had a different solution will take a couple of days to get used to.
The SIM card slot is lonely sad on the left side. The top is given only for the microphone.
It feels like there are more details on the back of the smartphone than on the front. And a double flash, and laser autofocus, and a camera in person, and a logo, and a fingerprint scanner.
At the end of the story about the appearance of the smartphone, I’ll add that the overall impression of the case fits well into the concept of “comfortable”. Comfortable for the eyes. Comfortable for hands. Comfortable for a cover if it is needed.
How does the fingerprint sensor work?
This arrangement of the fingerprint scanner combines the traditions of LG and Huawei. Touching the scanner unlocks the smartphone (that's right, just a touch, you don't need to wake up the screen beforehand), as in LG devices. But the very location of the sensor has migrated from the flagships of Huawei. The sensor works instantly and perfectly (yes, this is another “fastest and best” fingerprint scanner in my hands), there are no questions about its placement. As a habit acquired during the use of LG smartphones, I constantly wanted to lock the smartphone screen in the same way.
On the accuracy of the scanner, its location, in my opinion, affects the most in the best way. Putting your finger somehow crooked and wrong in the place where the sensor is located is more difficult than on the "Home" key, in which manufacturers usually install it. Hence - a much smaller number of unrecognized touches.
When a person tries to unlock a smartphone with a fingerprint several times, the device stops working for a while. In this case, you can enter a password or wait a while until access to the scanner is resumed. And here's what Google asks to remember when working with a scanner.
Is the screen quality?
The screen of the Nexus 5X is covered with Gorilla 3rd generation protective glass. A solid oleophobic coating saves it from fingerprints. The matrix here is IPS, resolution 1920x1080 pixels. It is more than enough for a diagonal of 5.2 inches. The light sensor works perfectly, it is comfortable to look at the screen in any light. I was somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that the display does not recognize touch when wearing gloves. Other than that, he's just great. Incredibly sensitive, responds instantly to touch. The brightness reserve (417 cd / m 2) is enough for a long time in the summer for comfortable work in the sun. The calibration is close to perfect, but the color gamut is a little short of the sRGB space that is comfortable for our eyes.
How is it with the performance and smoothness of the interface?
LG Nexus 5 sample of 2015 is not equipped with a top, but close to that platform. The smartphone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor - the younger brother of the "hot" Snapdragon 810. The most obvious advantage of this solution is the absence of overheating. It also seemed to me that the 808th is more forgiving of the battery (although, perhaps, the slow charge consumption in standby mode is entirely the merit of the new version of the OS). The amount of RAM is 2 GB. On the one hand, purely in numbers - not enough, so much can already be found in devices that are 3-4 times cheaper. On the other hand, I did not notice any problems in my life. Moreover, in Chinese inexpensive smartphones, where 2 GB of RAM is found, there is often a FullHD display too. The interface works smoothly, instantly responds to touch. According to my observations - faster than in more powerful software Meizu specifications Pro 5. The Nexus 5X doesn't top the list in our tests, but it's right behind this year's very strong devices. In my life, I have not been able to find tasks that would put a smartphone into a stupor. All modern flagships are like that, their performance is enough with a head and a margin for a couple of years.
What's new in the interface?
Version 6.0 brought a lot of new and useful things to Android, but not all of this useful stuff catches the eye. Compared to Android 5.0, there are a lot of small and pleasant changes, everything seems to work more correctly and conveniently, but to understand what exactly has changed, you need to peer for a long time (but the transition to the bare "five" at one time was accompanied by a long addiction). So, level. The interface in Android Marshmallow has undergone the following changes:
In general, most of the changes in Android 6.0 remind me very much of the stories that the work of the state should be more transparent and controlled by citizens through modern facilities connections. Even if it becomes such, only a few conscious citizens will monitor the processes, but this does not mean that transparency is not needed. So, for sure, only geeks will find and appreciate most of the innovations in the OS, but after all, they love Android for this - for transparency, customizability and the ability to delve into the "guts" of the operating system. For the mainstream user, there will be improvements in autonomy, constant, mind-boggling questions about app permissions, and some new handy Google tricks with search and translation.
Is the camera good?
While individual smartphone manufacturers are chasing the number of megapixels, Google and partners are putting luxurious 12-megapixel modules in their Nexus, and users only benefit from this. In my opinion, the Nexus 5X has no competitors in its price category in terms of camera quality. Not a single “Chinese” (and for that kind of money you can grab a decent Chinese flagship) can not be compared with the Nexus camera either in speed or in image quality, although they will certainly have impressive numbers in their specifications. The smartphone is equipped with laser autofocus and multi-colored flash. Sony's 12.3MP module has an f/2.0 aperture and 1.55µm pixels. A camera with such characteristics takes luxurious pictures at night, in bad weather it does not “soap”. The weather during the presence of my Nexus 5X on the review was not very - often cloudy and without the sun, most of the pictures were taken indoors with not the best light. But in fact, each of them, if done as a keepsake, and not for test purposes, would not disappoint and would not cause a nervous tic in the guests when trying to show them. With macro photography - the same story, the smartphone does an excellent job. In HDR mode, it shoots a little slower than the iPhone (I don’t remember how things are with competitors).
separate folder on Torba.
Some photos in pitch darkness with flash. Look, even all the scratches are visible on the smartphone.
The same pictures in original resolution in a separate folder on Torba.
Several shots - with and without flash.
The same pictures in original resolution in a separate folder on Torba.
With video - an unpleasant surprise. If you hold the smartphone in your hands in the usual position in a horizontal orientation (right side up), then the recording will be upside down. It's good that Youtube and some players are able to flip the image. The quality of the video is quite decent, especially considering that it was filmed at night, the sound is recorded normally. But optical stabilization is not enough.
The camera interface in Android 6.0 has become even more concise. All settings, except for the timer, HDR and flash, went to the "sandwich", there are also several additional shooting modes (360° panorama, panorama, blur). For some reason, the default video recording quality is set to FullHD, although a 4K device is too tough. Panorama is the same story. Switching between photo and video mode occurs with a left-right swipe, while you cannot take a photo during video recording. The application is now launched either from the desktop, or by double-clicking on the screen lock key (that is, in your pocket, the smartphone can behave independently).
And who are the competitors?
In its price category (35 thousand rubles for the version with 16 GB, 38 thousand rubles for the version with 32 GB of flash memory in Russia and 12 or 14 thousand hryvnias in Ukraine, respectively), Nexus 5X competes for buyers' wallets with flagships A- brands of the first half of 2015 and Chinese flagships (Meizu and Xiaomi) of the second crop of 2015. There are two things in which it confidently turns all Chinese competitors into the collar, and a number of points that can be argued about. The Nexus 5X has the best camera and the most advanced operating system with the guarantee of constant and fast updates. Can Meizu Pro 5 (its review), which we are about to see on sale, or Xiaomi Mi Note Pro, which is just being selected on our shelves, boast of this? No. In terms of photo quality, the device is comparable to the Galaxy S6 (review) and LG G4, but it costs a little less than them. Compared to its relative, the LG G4 (his review), the Nexus 5X wins big in terms of battery life. With the Galaxy S6, the difference is not so significant, but with it the difference in price is more noticeable (we are not talking about gray models now). And none of the device's competitors can boast the latest Android and confidence in the future and updates.
In the dry matter
Frankly, until the last moment I could not decide whether this model was worthy of an editorial award. On one side of the scale - only 2 GB of RAM, speakers of strange quality, inexpressive design, lack of aptX. On the other - excellent work, the delights of fresh Android (and its other subsequent versions), a luxurious camera, a perfect fingerprint scanner, high performance, an almost perfectly calibrated and bright screen with the correct operation of the light sensor. There are many disadvantages, and even more advantages. But everything is relative. I am currently comparing with the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, which I got the day before the publication of the review for the test, and Meizu Pro 5, which I love for performance and fast charging and curse for the camera day by day for two months now. Each of these three devices belongs to approximately the same price category, so the comparison has every right to exist. And in the overall standings, the Nexus 5X still wins, it offers a more pleasant user experience compared to other smartphones in my hands. Therefore, we recommend.
5 reasons to buy LG Nexus 5X:
- luxurious main camera;
- high performance;
- high-quality screen;
- Android 6.0 and updates to new versions in the forefront in the future;
- perfect working fingerprint scanner.
3 reasons not to buy LG Nexus 5X:
- 2 GB RAM;
- no optical stabilization for the camera;
- there is no possibility for memory expansion, while the top version contains a 32-gigabyte drive.
About 2 weeks ago I bought myself as the main smartphone LG Nexus 5X, presented by Google at the end of September. However, unfortunately, Russian-speaking techno bloggers did not pay due attention to this device. Let's see if everything is really so bad and the Nexus line will die soon?
Video review
Equipment
And let's start, as it should be with unpacking. The box is made of strong, white cardboard. In it we find brief instructions, explaining what's what, the device itself, USB Type C to USB Type C charging cord, microfiber cloth and paper clip. Everything, unlike the older brother 6P, Type C charging to a standard USB was not delivered, so if we want to connect a smartphone to a regular computer (does not apply to Macbook 12 users), we will have to buy a wire separately. The device comes in two versions - 16 or 32 GB.
Design
Let's move on to why we actually gathered here with you - to the gadget itself. The design of the 5X can be praised, you can scold, but those who praise and those who scold agree that it is, like last year, insanely practical. The device is almost completely made of soft-touch plastic, the only exceptions are the speaker mesh and the bezel around the fingerprint scanner (we'll talk about it later). 
The volume and unlock keys are now located on the right side, and not on different ones, as was the case with its predecessor. I agree, the decision is very controversial, but you can get used to everything. On the left side, there is a slot for one Nano SIM card.
The speaker is on the front side. You might get the impression that the Nexus can play sound in stereo, but unfortunately it doesn't. Below is the main speaker, and above is the speaker. To the left of it is the front camera, and below it is the light sensor, which, I must say, works quite well. By the way, unlike the usual "five", the frames of the 5X have noticeably increased, but it seems to me that this does not greatly affect how the device lies in the hand - the new Nexus is still convenient for me.
On the back panel we find a fingerprint scanner, the main camera with dual flash and laser autofocus, as you can see, it protrudes significantly from the body, but this does not bother me at all, the Nexus inscription and the LG logo. The thickness of the gadget is 7.9 mm, and the weight is 136 grams.
I really liked the design of the device, it has that zest, that Nexus feature, thanks to which the fans will be delighted. Well, the fact that the body is made of plastic, so in my opinion, it’s even good - practical, but for those who need “richer”, Google, together with Huawei, released 6P, but now it’s not about him. By the way, the device comes in three colors: classic black and white, or stylish, trendy, youthful “mint”.
Display
What you pay attention to immediately after the design is the display. It is here with a diagonal of 5.2 inches and Full HD resolution - 1920 × 1080. The pixel density is 424ppi, and all this miracle is covered with protective glass Gorilla Glass 3. I was very pleased with the brightness of the display, both minimum and maximum. As I said, the automatic brightness sensor works very well. But in fact, all these numbers are not important. The important thing is that the Nexus screen is really high quality, not that I would praise it much, but I literally want to lick it. Phew, that's the end of the screen. Oh no, we're not done. I forgot to say that the viewing angles here are also bombing. That's about it for sure.
Camera
Here the Nexus, oddly enough, is in full order. In my memory, there are only two Googlephones that have everything in order with the camera - Nexus 5, and then, only after the update, and 5X. But right out of the box, everything is fine. Let's run through technical specifications, and then I'll show you examples of taking photos and videos (spoiler: they turn out a little better than amazing).
The front camera is equipped with a 5-megapixel sensor and an f / 2.0 lens without autofocus and its own flash. The pictures on it are standard: for selfies on Instagram, it’s enough.
The main camera is equipped with a Sony IMX377 sensor, with a resolution of 12.3 megapixels, a pixel size of 1.55 microns and a lens with an aperture of f/2.0. The camera is equipped with laser autofocus, which does its job well, and dual flash, but there is no image stabilization function here. By the way, the transfer of control third party applications using the Camera2 API, it is fully supported here, up to the ability to save images in RAW.
The video camera can shoot Full HD and 4K 30 frames per second, it is possible to record slo-mo video at 120 frames per second and 720p resolution. Unfortunately, in the standard Google camera, I didn’t set the Full HD setting at 60 frames per second, from which I can conclude that the Nexus 5X can’t do that, which is a pity.
However, I must say that I am very, very pleased with the camera. According to a personal feeling, she shoots at the level of flagships, and in some parameters even leaves them behind. Well, to confirm my words, here are examples of photos (I don’t think it’s worth uploading photos in full resolution, and if someone really needs it, then there are a lot of them on the Internet):
autonomy
Here, the Nexus 5X is doing fine: with moderate loads (camera, social networks and browsing via 4G Internet and a little YouTube), the gadget lives exactly from morning to evening - no more, no less. The average is about 5 hours of screen time. However, the notification function on the off screen “eats up” the charge very much, we will talk about it later, however, I immediately recommend turning it off :) 0 to 20% in 10 minutes, 0 to 80% in 1 hour and 0 to 100% in just 1.5 hours. I will not even comment on the convenience of such technology - it is obvious.
Sound
The sound of the main speaker of the Nexus 5X is normal, you can't describe it in any other way. The volume is enough, you won’t be able to miss a call, however, if you decide to listen to music through it, then be prepared for the lack of bass. It should be noted that nothing “creaks” and “squishes”, and this is already pleasing.
However, the days when people listened to music through the smartphone speaker are long gone, we are increasingly using high-quality headphones, right? And with this, the Nexus 5X is in perfect order. The sound quality remains clear at any volume level, the stock of which is sufficient. Bass is present in full, you can add low frequencies in the settings.
The earpiece speaker also does not have outstanding characteristics, although how can a earpiece speaker differ in general? It is, the sound does not distort, the only thing is that I would like to have a larger volume margin, however, this is my personal nitpick.
The microphone in the Nexus is quite decent, it does its job of adding an “epic” commentary to the video and talking to someone on the phone. 
Specifications
What's under the hood this device? And under the hood we have 2 gigabytes of RAM, 16 or 32 built-in, 6-core Snapdragon 808, 5.2-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 and a density of 424 dpi, supports Multitouch up to 10 clicks. Adreno 418 graphics core, 12.3 megapixel main camera with autofocus and the ability to record video up to 4K (3840 × 2160), front camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels, 2700 mAh non-removable battery, dimensions 147 × 72.6 × 7.9 mm , a mass of 136 grams.
The owners of some Galaxy will say that 2 gigabytes of RAM in 2016 no longer rolls at all, but I remind you: there are no unnecessary “tachvises” and other incomprehensible things, therefore, two gigabytes will definitely be enough for you, do not hesitate. About the Snapdragon 808, I will say that this is an excellent processor, especially for the money that is asked for the Nexus 5X. Yes, and it's good that they didn't put the Snapdragon 810, well, you already know why.
Thanks to such a filling and excellent optimization, the 5X does not heat up and does not slow down. Of course there are bugs, however, the updates that come out every month make everything better and better. The device runs on Android 6.0.1, however, I could not resist and already installed Android N, an overview of which you can look at. That's the beauty of using Nexus devices. In Antutu, the device is gaining 46k parrots. You can already start saying that new flagships are gaining 120 thousand, but I assure you, they will never work and get new chips like Nexus. And what is going on at 6P is even scary for me to imagine.
Sfot
If you don't mind, I suggest just a quick run through of the Android N innovations, and then talk about another, quite interesting topic.
So, in Android N, a new, redesigned notification shade has appeared, the notifications themselves have also changed, now you can interact with them without going to the application. The settings have also been redesigned, a “hamburger” menu has appeared and the System UI Tuner item has appeared, which is responsible for android customization to your taste. Features of saving traffic and support for several languages were also added, however, the main innovation was the multi-window mode. It seems to me that Google implemented it in the most convenient way. We open the application, click on the multitasking button, hold the application we need and a white area appears on top where it should be transferred. That's all, it remains only to select the second application from the list of running ones.
Well, now let's talk about what I think is a more interesting topic for discussion. These are Google services. They are just everywhere: notes - Google Keep, messages - Messenger, cloud storage - Google Drive, photo gallery - Google Photos, music - Google Play music. And it's incredibly convenient! First, everything is always at hand. A huge plus Google services is its cross-platform: both on the iPad or Mac, and on Windows. Well, thanks to the fact that everything is in the clouds, 32, and even 16 gigabytes will definitely be enough for you.
Also, I would like to note that thanks to the software, the device lives for a very long time. I’ll tell you in more detail what kind of “Doze” mode is and what it is eaten with. When an Android Marshmallow or N device is lying motionless and without charging, after an hour it goes into Doze Mode. Shutdown mode, when almost all applications stop eating battery. But, you should not worry about missing an important notification, the developer can choose the level of importance of the notification and still skip it.
Features and Usability
So we got to one of the most interesting sections of our review. Here I will talk about the chips that won me over in the Nexus 5X. Let's start with the banal - USB Type C. This is both a plus and a minus. Of course, it is convenient to insert the cable in any direction, however, if you forget this very cable, or want to connect your smartphone to a computer with a regular USB, then difficulties will arise.
I will not go far and say about fast charging. She is present here and I must say, it is very convenient. While you don’t have it, it seems that you don’t need it, but as soon as it appears, you immediately understand that charging a smartphone from 0 to 100 in a little more than an hour is very cool and often helps out.
Next is the OK, Google function. Nexus 5X constantly listens to you and is ready to respond at any moment. It would be very convenient, if not for one thing: in order for Google to answer you, you need to unlock your smartphone. That is, the device is turned off, you ask him something, he understands everything, but to answer - enter the password or put your finger on the scanner.
Here we also passed to the most interesting. Fingerprint's scanner. It is located at the back here and after 2 days of use you understand why. It is really convenient, the finger literally falls into the dimple. About the speed of work - I will not even talk. She's great here. Perhaps the fingerprint scanner is something without which I can no longer imagine any other smartphone. This feature really came to me and I don’t understand people who, for some reason, don’t use it, because it’s really convenient.
Next are active notifications. You pick up the device and a black-and-white screen lights up, which shows notifications. However, this feature didn’t suit me at all: firstly, the screen here is not Amoled, which means that the gadget spends decently charging. And secondly, their display does not always work correctly - for example, when walking, the phone often turns on in your pocket, and this consumes the charge percentages even more, therefore, I turned off this function almost immediately.
In terms of ease of use, I would say that the device is not very large, although many people criticize it for the large frames around the display, it seems to me that it fits perfectly in the hand.
Well, one more thing that I will note in the usability section is that the device does not get very hot, and trust me, this is really important. Everyone, move on.
Accessories
With this in the CIS countries, the Nexus 5X has trouble. 2 lousy third-party cases and an expensive official one are all you can buy. However, let's not forget about Aliexpress. There I ordered a decent case, which I like and it really decorates the device. If you're interested, here link, (here is the second case) on it (don't be afraid, not a referral).
pros
Taxi, well, let's highlight the advantages of the device. Of course, firstly, it's bare Android, smart work, a cool camera, an excellent fingerprint scanner, branded chips and a stable release of updates. Also, I like the design, but it can be attributed to both pluses and minuses, now I will explain.
Minuses
The disadvantages include the lack of a USB Type C adapter, 2 gigabytes of RAM, the lack of a Micro SD slot and a 64 or 128 gigabyte version. It is also worth noting the bugs that go away with the update - on Android 6.0.1, almost all owners of the Nexus 5X blunted the sensor while charging. However, Android N has already fixed this. The design of the device is also considered by many to be flawed, they say there is no metal and glass. But for me, practicality decides, therefore, I still attributed the design to the pluses.
Well, another problem that has bypassed me so far is the inverted camera. The fact is that LG had to rotate the camera module in order to fit it into the case, but not all software manufacturers took note of this and sometimes the photos turn out upside down. But if you use Orthodox Google Photos and Snapseed, then everything is fine.
Outcome
What do we have as a result? And we have an excellent device on bare Android and branded chips. Should you upgrade from Nexus 5? Definitely. At least because of the autonomy and the fingerprint scanner. Of course there are a couple of minuses, but for me personally they are all insignificant.
Well, that's all for me, comment, and of course be smarter - use gadgets.
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An objective look at the reference Android smartphone in the version from LG.
Specifications
- Screen: 5.2”, IPS, 423ppi, 1920 x 1080, Gorilla Glass 3;
- Operating system: Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow;
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (MSM8992), 2 x Cortex-A57 2.0 GHz, 4 x Cortex-A53 1.5 GHz;
- GPU: Adreno 418
- RAM: 2 GB (LPDDR3);
- Built-in memory: 16 GB;
- Cameras: Main camera: 12.3 MP, (F2.0, 1.55 micron sensor, laser autofocus, dual LED flash), 5 MP;
- Battery: 2700 mAh built-in;
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm;
- Weight: 136 grams;
- SIM slots: 1, Nano-SIM;
- Communication: GSM 1800/1900/900, UMTS 1900/2100/850/900, LTE 1700/2100/1900/2300/2500/2600/800.
Equipment
The contents of the box are simple and do not stand out except for the cable: an adapter for charging from the mains, a paper clip to remove the SIM card and documentation.Appearance
To say that the Nexus line has never stood out with a catchy appearance would not be correct. Still, from Motorola it looked original, and it looks like a periscope visually interesting. But in the case of the LG Nexus 5X, the resemblance to earlier models, which had a nicely simple design, is obvious. Before us is a laconic plastic monoblock.
The front panel is covered with tempered glass Gorilla Glass 3, surrounded, barely visible to the touch, piping. In the upper part, you can easily see the camera and the block of proximity / lighting sensors, but it is impossible to notice the LED indicator until it lights up - it is hidden in the center of the slot of the main speaker and winks beautifully from under its grille. Separately, we note that the Nexus 5X is not equipped with stereo speakers, as it may seem, they play separately.
We did not notice any problems with the build quality, but we did not like the mechanical keys. Despite a clear move, their very form is tactilely not very pleasant. If we turn to the opposite side of the smartphone, we should note the presence of a fingerprint sensor, and of course the camera, accompanied by a dual LED flash and laser autofocus.
Its protruding mound somewhat negatively affects ergonomics, since a smartphone lying on the table can sway from pressing the screen. Judging by the no longer new test sample, the materials used are durable and resistant to damage.
Display
A 5.2-inch IPS matrix occupies about 70% of the front panel of the Nexus 5X, and if the side frames do not exceed three millimeters, then the top and bottom margins are large. The upper one is slightly smaller, and the lower one is all one and a half centimeters. This is where the cons of the screen end. Recognition of 10 simultaneous clicks, a good grease-repellent coating, correct brightness control, but most importantly, an excellent image.
Almost perfect color gamut, natural picture, sufficient brightness, uniform backlighting, no color inversion and a slightly pronounced Glow effect. The only thing that the naked eye can catch on is the black highlighting with a strong deviation from the perpendicular, but the language does not turn to call it a serious drawback. Like in the Huawei Nexus 6P, technology works here. On an IPS screen, it does not look as impressive as on AMOLED, but still useful.
Iron
For the Nexus 5X, the manufacturer chose a six-core Snapdragon 808 processor with an Adreno 418 graphics accelerator. 16 or 32 gigabytes are available for installing applications, depending on the version of the smartphone. This is a powerful configuration, which is not going to become obsolete very soon, even despite 2 GB of RAM and not a good architecture.
The stability of the chip has to be ensured by throttling - underestimation of performance as the chip heats up. It is clearly visible in a continuous series of several runs of the benchmark, where the difference between the first, cold start and the fifth run is about 17%. At the same time, the heating of the case remains within the limits of comfort.
The Nexus 5X's fingerprint scanner works quickly, but its functionality is limited to turning on the smartphone and confirming payments. There is no way to block individual applications or use it as a touchpad.
Software
The Nexus line retains its main feature - perfectly optimized, receiving priority updates operating system from Google Developers. At the time of writing this review, this is Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, however, a version is already available for download and installation.
Android on Nexus 5X is economical RAM, works quickly and stably, but at the same time it is very minimalistic and inferior in functionality to many other Android-based firmware. However, for an experienced user, if desired, it will not be a problem to install third-party firmware, choosing from the huge variety available at the moment.
Connection
LG Nexus 5X is equipped with a set of wireless interfaces that meet all the latest trends. Here and Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, low energy, Apt-X), and dual-band (2.4 - 5 GHz) Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, GPS / A-GPS, Glonass and NFC. One SIM card slot.
There are no problems with either calls or data transfer. Noise canceling works correctly. The speaker sounds good, but the main speaker is disappointing at maximum volume - especially intense music tracks make it wheeze. It is quite another thing in high-quality headphones - clean high frequencies, pronounced low frequencies, a balanced sound stage.
Connection to a computer is carried out using a symmetrical USB 2.0 Type C that supports OTG technology.
Battery
Battery LG Nexus 5X - non-removable capacity of 2700 mAh, which in principle is enough for a long working day. The Trashbox test for autonomy in the Chrome browser, the smartphone passes in 11 hours and 47 minutes. Makes life easier for the user fast charging Qualcomm Quick Charge. Half the battery is filled in 40 minutes. It takes 2 hours to fully charge.
Camera
The Google phone in question has a front-facing 5-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12.3-megapixel main sensor.
First, about the selfie camera. It is, frankly, average in terms of image quality and does not stand out from the competition with anything special. As for the main photomodule, the protruding shape can be forgiven for the quality of the pictures.
We are talking about the Sony IMX377, the sensor is identical in all respects to the one installed in the Nexus 6P. As we have already said, this solution is significantly better than the vast majority of 13 MP cameras that we have had to deal with.
Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are almost as good as it. Some of the differences are due to the use of a weaker CPU. So, there is no EiS electronic image stabilization, and in HDR mode you can take a series of only three shots, and their processing will not happen instantly, but will take some time. At the same time, frames in HDR change dramatically compared to shooting by default, the mode copes with low light very effectively.
The pre-installed camera app is minimalist and won't let the user inexperienced in photography get confused in the settings. If you wish, you can use alternative solutions with support for the new API, which, among other things, allows you to shoot in RAW.
Summing up
The Nexus 5X is a low-profile device with great potential, in which we especially note the main camera and excellent screen. Its most significant drawback is the Snapdragon 808, which does not even noticeably lose performance when heated, or a simple design, but a high cost at the start of sales. As the price drops, the Nexus 5X looks more attractive, especially since the life of this line is notoriously longer than most smartphones due to direct updates from Google.Pros:
- Excellent camera;
- High-quality FHD display;
- Fingerprint sensor;
- Constantly updated and perfectly optimized OS.
- Throttling;
- Main mono speaker.
- Minor problems with the ergonomics of the case;
- discreet appearance;
- The still uncommon USB Type-C connector.
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