Would you elaborate a bit more in your likes and dislikes of your Nexus 6P? I'm looking to get the HTC Nexus phone later this year.
I was asked for my opinion on the Nexus 6P in this thread so I figured better to move the discussion here to avoid hijacking that discussion.
Overall, I liked the Nexus 6P quite a bit---still own it in fact and may return to it after the final version of Android N is released IF Android Wear improves in some key areas (I speak to that in the Android Wear thread).
Likes:
- Build quality and design--materials feels nice in hand, very similar to the iPhone 6S+, my current preferred daily driver. I'm a sucker for the black slab, monolithic style on the front of a phone and like the iPhone, the 6P delivers in this area.
- How fast the fingerprint scanner works AND that you unlock the phone just by touching it..no button push. Sadly, the fingerprint scanner is also one of my biggest points of contention (will clarify under 'Dislikes'.
- Display. It's very good, not great like the Samsung displays and while on it's own I find it perfectly fine, when put side by side with my iPhone, I actually prefer the color temp and brightness of the iPhone display. Regardless though, this one is quite good.
- Stereo front facing speakers. These are quite good. I first fell for this setup on the HTC One M7 and while it's never a deal breaker for me on phone choice, it's a real 'nice to have' that I'd love to see on all devices.
- Access to the latest version of Android. I've been using iOS since it was first released and love having immediate access to the newest OS releases and I want the same on Android so the Nexus is my only real choice. I love the fact that I can run the latest Android N beta if I so choose...and I am.
Dislikes:
Most of my dislikes pertain more to how things work on Android vs. iOS or are Android related so they would apply to almost whatever Android device I use. I'll try to limit my dislikes listed here to those specific to the Nexus 6P.
- The aforementioned fingerprint scanner. Yes, it's quick but I simply cannot stand its location on the back. After switching from the 6S+, I quickly realized I use my phone A LOT when the back of the phone is not reachable...i.e. on a counter/table or in a dock...and the location of the fingerprint scanner is just not conducive to this. Yes, many will suggest you just use the Smart Lock functionality so that the fingerprint scanner isn't needed to unlock the device when I'm home, or connected to a trusted Bluetooth device, etc., yet even then, you still have to wake the phone either using the power button or physically moving the phone (Ambient Display) and then swipe. Why do I still have to swipe if the phone has been awoken and security precautions (Smart Lock) met?
Needless to say this is endlessly irritating. Additionally, it doesn't solve the problem of using the fingerprint scanner for app authorization (i.e. my banking apps or 1Password), meaning I have to either pick the phone up or physically remove it from my dock. Simply a P.I.T.A. I won't ever get another phone with a rear finger print scanner unless they are literally the only choice I have or they have native tap to wake AND swipe is not required.
Good news it that HTC have embraced the front facing scanner so here's hoping they continue it on the upcoming Nexus phones. I'll sacrifice font facing speakers if it means I can have a front fingerprint scanner.
- On screen buttons. Traditionally I thought I preferred having on screen soft keys but I've come to realize I'd rather have capacitive versions. On screen buttons offer the benefit of potentially being customized yet they eat into usable screen real estate. Yes, I'm aware they disappear when playing games or watching video but that's a pretty small percentage of my personal use). And even then, I have to swipe down from the top of the screen or something else to have them reappear...more unnecessary effort.
- Weight/Feel. This one is me being a little finicky and nit picky but while I like how the build materials feel, the device just doesn't have the same solid heft as the iPhone--feels a bit flimsier. Again, me nitpicking and it wouldn't be a deal breaker. This is clear a personal preference regardless.
- No OIS. Yes, some reviews indicate that it's not a huge issue but EIS is still not a good, IMO and going forward it's something I expect in all of my phones.
Again, my other issues are in reference to Android Wear and Android itself so I won't belabor that is this thread.
Overall, It's a pretty damn good phone. If you don't mind a larger footprint (like the iPhone, not the most efficient use of size, like the recent Samsung phones), aren't bothered by the fingerprint scanner like I am, and have a preference for stock Android, I'd still recommend it. If you could give me stock Android with those timely updates on a device like the Samsung S7..I'd probably go that route instead.
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question in such detail a few days ago. It's enlightening to hear that you don't have any make it or break it issues with your Nexus. The last time I owned an Android phone was when Android was on 2.2. That phone experience was so poor that, after purchasing the iPhone 5, I made a video of chainsawing the Android handset in half and posted it on Facebook. I was a kid then, no judgement. Ha!I was asked for my opinion on the Nexus 6P in this thread so I figured better to move the discussion here to avoid hijacking that discussion.
Overall, I liked the Nexus 6P quite a bit---still own it in fact and may return to it after the final version of Android N is released IF Android Wear improves in some key areas (I speak to that in the Android Wear thread).
Likes:
- Build quality and design--materials feels nice in hand, very similar to the iPhone 6S+, my current preferred daily driver. I'm a sucker for the black slab, monolithic style on the front of a phone and like the iPhone, the 6P delivers in this area.
- How fast the fingerprint scanner works AND that you unlock the phone just by touching it..no button push. Sadly, the fingerprint scanner is also one of my biggest points of contention (will clarify under 'Dislikes'.
- Display. It's very good, not great like the Samsung displays and while on it's own I find it perfectly fine, when put side by side with my iPhone, I actually prefer the color temp and brightness of the iPhone display. Regardless though, this one is quite good.
- Stereo front facing speakers. These are quite good. I first fell for this setup on the HTC One M7 and while it's never a deal breaker for me on phone choice, it's a real 'nice to have' that I'd love to see on all devices.
- Access to the latest version of Android. I've been using iOS since it was first released and love having immediate access to the newest OS releases and I want the same on Android so the Nexus is my only real choice. I love the fact that I can run the latest Android N beta if I so choose...and I am.
Dislikes:
Most of my dislikes pertain more to how things work on Android vs. iOS or are Android related so they would apply to almost whatever Android device I use. I'll try to limit my dislikes listed here to those specific to the Nexus 6P.
- The aforementioned fingerprint scanner. Yes, it's quick but I simply cannot stand its location on the back. After switching from the 6S+, I quickly realized I use my phone A LOT when the back of the phone is not reachable...i.e. on a counter/table or in a dock...and the location of the fingerprint scanner is just not conducive to this. Yes, many will suggest you just use the Smart Lock functionality so that the fingerprint scanner isn't needed to unlock the device when I'm home, or connected to a trusted Bluetooth device, etc., yet even then, you still have to wake the phone either using the power button or physically moving the phone (Ambient Display) and then swipe. Why do I still have to swipe if the phone has been awoken and security precautions (Smart Lock) met?
Needless to say this is endlessly irritating. Additionally, it doesn't solve the problem of using the fingerprint scanner for app authorization (i.e. my banking apps or 1Password), meaning I have to either pick the phone up or physically remove it from my dock. Simply a P.I.T.A. I won't ever get another phone with a rear finger print scanner unless they are literally the only choice I have or they have native tap to wake AND swipe is not required.
Good news it that HTC have embraced the front facing scanner so here's hoping they continue it on the upcoming Nexus phones. I'll sacrifice font facing speakers if it means I can have a front fingerprint scanner.
- On screen buttons. Traditionally I thought I preferred having on screen soft keys but I've come to realize I'd rather have capacitive versions. On screen buttons offer the benefit of potentially being customized yet they eat into usable screen real estate. Yes, I'm aware they disappear when playing games or watching video but that's a pretty small percentage of my personal use). And even then, I have to swipe down from the top of the screen or something else to have them reappear...more unnecessary effort.
- Weight/Feel. This one is me being a little finicky and nit picky but while I like how the build materials feel, the device just doesn't have the same solid heft as the iPhone--feels a bit flimsier. Again, me nitpicking and it wouldn't be a deal breaker. This is clear a personal preference regardless.
- No OIS. Yes, some reviews indicate that it's not a huge issue but EIS is still not a good, IMO and going forward it's something I expect in all of my phones.
Again, my other issues are in reference to Android Wear and Android itself so I won't belabor that in this thread.
Overall, It's a pretty damn good phone. If you don't mind a larger footprint (like the iPhone, not the most efficient use of size, like the recent Samsung phones), aren't bothered by the fingerprint scanner like I am, and have a preference for stock Android, I'd still recommend it. If you could give me stock Android with those timely updates on a device like the Samsung S7..I'd probably go that route instead.
When Google announces the new nexus sometime in Sept, will lower the price for 5x then go
I was asked for my opinion on the Nexus 6P in this thread so I figured better to move the discussion here to avoid hijacking that discussion.
Overall, I liked the Nexus 6P quite a bit---still own it in fact and may return to it after the final version of Android N is released IF Android Wear improves in some key areas (I speak to that in the Android Wear thread).
Likes:
- Build quality and design--materials feels nice in hand, very similar to the iPhone 6S+, my current preferred daily driver. I'm a sucker for the black slab, monolithic style on the front of a phone and like the iPhone, the 6P delivers in this area.
- How fast the fingerprint scanner works AND that you unlock the phone just by touching it..no button push. Sadly, the fingerprint scanner is also one of my biggest points of contention (will clarify under 'Dislikes'.
- Display. It's very good, not great like the Samsung displays and while on it's own I find it perfectly fine, when put side by side with my iPhone, I actually prefer the color temp and brightness of the iPhone display. Regardless though, this one is quite good.
- Stereo front facing speakers. These are quite good. I first fell for this setup on the HTC One M7 and while it's never a deal breaker for me on phone choice, it's a real 'nice to have' that I'd love to see on all devices.
- Access to the latest version of Android. I've been using iOS since it was first released and love having immediate access to the newest OS releases and I want the same on Android so the Nexus is my only real choice. I love the fact that I can run the latest Android N beta if I so choose...and I am.
Dislikes:
Most of my dislikes pertain more to how things work on Android vs. iOS or are Android related so they would apply to almost whatever Android device I use. I'll try to limit my dislikes listed here to those specific to the Nexus 6P.
- The aforementioned fingerprint scanner. Yes, it's quick but I simply cannot stand its location on the back. After switching from the 6S+, I quickly realized I use my phone A LOT when the back of the phone is not reachable...i.e. on a counter/table or in a dock...and the location of the fingerprint scanner is just not conducive to this. Yes, many will suggest you just use the Smart Lock functionality so that the fingerprint scanner isn't needed to unlock the device when I'm home, or connected to a trusted Bluetooth device, etc., yet even then, you still have to wake the phone either using the power button or physically moving the phone (Ambient Display) and then swipe. Why do I still have to swipe if the phone has been awoken and security precautions (Smart Lock) met?
Needless to say this is endlessly irritating. Additionally, it doesn't solve the problem of using the fingerprint scanner for app authorization (i.e. my banking apps or 1Password), meaning I have to either pick the phone up or physically remove it from my dock. Simply a P.I.T.A. I won't ever get another phone with a rear finger print scanner unless they are literally the only choice I have or they have native tap to wake AND swipe is not required.
Good news it that HTC have embraced the front facing scanner so here's hoping they continue it on the upcoming Nexus phones. I'll sacrifice font facing speakers if it means I can have a front fingerprint scanner.
- On screen buttons. Traditionally I thought I preferred having on screen soft keys but I've come to realize I'd rather have capacitive versions. On screen buttons offer the benefit of potentially being customized yet they eat into usable screen real estate. Yes, I'm aware they disappear when playing games or watching video but that's a pretty small percentage of my personal use). And even then, I have to swipe down from the top of the screen or something else to have them reappear...more unnecessary effort.
- Weight/Feel. This one is me being a little finicky and nit picky but while I like how the build materials feel, the device just doesn't have the same solid heft as the iPhone--feels a bit flimsier. Again, me nitpicking and it wouldn't be a deal breaker. This is clear a personal preference regardless.
- No OIS. Yes, some reviews indicate that it's not a huge issue but EIS is still not a good, IMO and going forward it's something I expect in all of my phones.
Again, my other issues are in reference to Android Wear and Android itself so I won't belabor that in this thread.
Overall, It's a pretty damn good phone. If you don't mind a larger footprint (like the iPhone, not the most efficient use of size, like the recent Samsung phones), aren't bothered by the fingerprint scanner like I am, and have a preference for stock Android, I'd still recommend it. If you could give me stock Android with those timely updates on a device like the Samsung S7..I'd probably go that route instead.
Is this new you are talking about ? Come to think of it 5X will even be cheaper than the current price of $200 with project fi sign up. Good news.
