In the past five years, Android has experienced incredible growth in the mobile market. What began as an experiment with a single phone on T-Mobile in 2008 has grown into a massive international success, estimated to now have captured more than 80% of the smartphone market.
During this time, manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC and LG have changed the Android interface on their phones, modifying the software heavily in order to differentiate their devices from their competitors. While this approach offers benefits to manufacturers, it has major disadvantages for consumers.
Android devices with custom versions of the operating system do not receive timely updates from Google. New features and security patches are delayed for months, as manufacturers apply their custom interfaces and test the updates on carriers around the world. Unlike Apple’s iOS updates, which are available to all users and downloaded by the majority within a week of release, Android updates can take nearly a year to reach the majority of the user base. In order to address this problem, Google introduced the Nexus program in 2010.
The Nexus program is a fairly unique venture by Google and its various hardware partners. This initiative follows a predictable pattern. Google develops the next version of the Android operating system, and partners with a hardware manufacturer to create a device to run the new OS. The device typically has class-leading specs and comes with the promise of timely updates because it is running the official “stock” version of Android.
Google sells the Nexus phones and tablets directly to consumers; there are no carrier subsidies. However, these devices are extremely competitively priced, often coming in at roughly half the price of comparable Apple products. LG’s Nexus 5 is the most recent addition to the Nexus family. Starting at $350, is it a worthy addition to the lineup?
Design
For better or worse, the LG-designed Nexus 5 is an unassuming black slab. The body is comprised of a soft touch plastic, which is comfortable in the hand and resists finger print smudges. This plastic’s texture has a large amount of grip, and I found it to be fairly easy to keep hold of.
While LG did a commendable job in shrinking bezels around the screen and sloping the edges of the phone, the Nexus 5 is still a large device. It’s nearly 30% larger than an iPhone 5S, and will take some adjustments in usage if you are transitioning to the device.
The worst criticism I can throw at it though, is the placement of its buttons. The volume rocker and power button are simply too “high” on the sides of the phone. As a lefty, to unlock the phone I must balance the device on my pinky, hyper-extend my index finger to reach the top right corner where the power button is, then shuffle my hand down to thumb the unlock icon at the bottom of the screen.
It may sound like a petty complaint, but unlocking a phone is something people do dozens of times a day, and if the experience is frustrating, it detracts from the experience of using the phone.
Display
Incredible. I could simply leave my impression at that, but I’ll continue. The Nexus 5 features a full 1080p (1920×1080) 5-inch screen. A good way of describing what this means would be taking an HDTV and shrinking it into the palm of your hand. While this is simultaneously a commendation of the incredible ingenuity of the mobile industry and a damnation of the stagnant television business, know this, the Nexus 5 has one of the best screens I’ve ever seen.
The clarity that results from cramming more than 2 million pixels into a 5-inch space is phenomenal. This screen is 40% sharper than the iPhone 5S and it is immediately obvious; text and photos just look so sharp that I struggle to level any meaningful criticism towards the display.
The display is covered in Gorilla Glass 3, a material that is designed to resist the scratch-causing objects most phones encounter such as keys and coins. In my two months with the phone, there are still no visible scratches, even when examining the device under harsh light at extreme angles.
Viewing angles are large and the screen is reasonably easy to see outdoors. In this reviewer’s opinion, this is one the most compelling reasons to pick up a Nexus 5.
Android 4.4 KitKat
The latest and greatest version of Android easily could warrant its own full review, but I’ll keep this reasonably brief. KitKat is an evolutionary update to Jellybean, the previous version of Android. Google has taken the rougher edges of the operating system and cleaned them up significantly, making things more intuitive and beautiful in the process.
KitKat has adopted a fresh white aesthetic throughout the interface, dropping the blue accents of previous Android versions. Combined with improved typography (Condensed Roboto) and larger icons, KitKat just looks great. I have used Android devices intermittently since 2010, and this is the first time I can honestly say that Google has nailed the interface. Android finally feels obvious and this is perhaps the highest praise I can give a consumer product.
If you’re coming from iOS, there are some notable things about Android that should definitely intrigue you. Android is very flexible and modular in comparison to iOS, and if you’re willing to put in a modest amount of time acclimating to the new interface, you can reap the rewards of a faster and more intuitive experience.
Notifications on Android are one the highlight features of note. As they appear in the notification tray, you can swipe down and get specific intractable buttons, such as reply/call to a text message or audio controls if you’re playing music. Widgets are another standout difference, as you can put interactive and intelligent information on your home screen, perfect for the glance-and-go user.
Google Now
Taking all of Google’s services and data and combining it into a useful app is the essence of Google Now. It’s a bit like Siri; only significantly smarter. Google Now takes data from your various Google Searches and products, along with real world news, and updates itself in the background seamlessly. For example, my Google Now currently displays the most recent Devils Game box score, news regarding the Ukrainian uprising for which I had previously searched, the weather tomorrow and the time of my expected commute to North. Google Now will recognize when you change locations and display “things to do” nearby such as shopping, sports, museums and concerts.
Google Now can be launched from the home screen of the Nexus 5 simply by saying “Okay Google”. The phone will immediately bring you into the Google Now interface where you can voice search for information or ask the phone to call or message someone. If searching for things with definitive answers (for example capitals, conversions or weather) , Google Now will read you the answers out loud.
Google Now is pretty seamless, it often knows the information you were looking to find before you even search. The voice-to-text features are the easily the best I’ve ever used, it is usually perfect in transcribing my input.
Cameras
No product is perfect, and the Nexus 5 is no exception. The cameras on board are not bad by any means, but they certainly are behind the competition. Shots taken with the rear camera are occasionally beautiful and crisp. But often the camera disappoints, failing to acquire a focus on a subject when time is of the essence. The problems are exacerbated in low-light conditions, producing grainy unusable shots. The flash is harsh unlike the iPhone 5S, and often completely washes out a photo.
The front facing camera is terrible, but so are most front facing cameras. For its intended uses of video chatting and self portraits, it’s passable. Shots are grainy and poorly exposed; you won’t be producing much art with this camera.
Battery and Call Quality
Battery life on the Nexus 5 will definitely vary with your usage. I primarily use my phone for messaging and news services, and the Nexus 5 lasts a full waking day (6:30AM to Midnight). However, if you enjoy gaming or photography, you may want to look elsewhere. Running the phone’s processor for games uses a lot of power, as do the cameras. Your millage here will definitely vary.
I tested the Nexus 5 on AT&T’s network. Call quality on the Nexus 5 was adequate, on my end callers sounded crisp and clear, as it did for my call recipients.
Wrap Up
Starting at $350, the Nexus 5 is easily the best deal among high-end smartphones. The Nexus 5 comes in 16GB and 32GB configurations, for $350 and $399, respectively. Compared to an iPhone 5S that costs $649 for 16GB and a whopping $750 for 32GB, the Nexus is certainly a steal.
The LG and Google partnership that created the Nexus 5 has clearly been a major success, as the phone has repeatedly sold out on the Google Play Store.
The Nexus 5 offers users a lot of value. The phone is screamingly fast and responsive, and will be supported for years to come with new Android updates. I strongly recommend that you take a look at this device; it is easily the best smartphone I’ve ever used.