So this time around Google made sure to try and please both consumers - ones who wants smaller budget Nexus and ones who want a premium one. Enter the Nexus 5X: an actual successor to the beloved Nexus 5. Google stuck w/ LG to recreate the fan favorite and beefed up the internals while refining the design w/o changing it too much. Time to see what got better and what didn't. Enter our Nexus 5X review at your own risk.
Design/Build
Just like the Nexus 5 before it, the 5X is still similar in design and craftsmanship. It has a polycarbonate rear shell w/ plastic front that is still durable. On the front side of things, you have Gorilla Glass display to help prevent cracks for the most part.
It still retains its smaller stature as it is now only slightly bigger w/ a 5.2inch frame to it. Small enough to wield single-handedly but not skimping out on the important things. So for those of you not interested in these bigger phablets out in the market, you got one you can rock with.
Display
Although it is the standard full HD panel, it is still a good one. This time around you have a 5.2inch 1080p LCD display +423ppi. All visuals emitting from it are great in regards color reproduction and sharpness. But note that you are missing out on some of the vibrancy offers on other AMOLED displays - in case you are into that kind of thing.
Performance/Battery Life
On the rear lies a 2700 mAh battery as they made sure to not repeat the terrible mistake of weak battery life. You will easily get 12-13 hours of battery w/ heavy usage and close to 20 hours w/ moderate usage. The latest Android update has new features like Doze & App Standby to better handle battery life while on standby. Battery problem of the past has been definitely solved.
Camera
Just as the Nexus 6P, the 5X also has a f/2.0 12.3MP Sony sensor w/ laser auto-focus + dual LED flash and a f/2.0 5MP front-facing shooter. This makes for great photos in a variety of environments thanks to the larger micron pixels. You will get some occasional grain at times, but w/ HDR involved, you get awesome photos 9 times out of 10.
Nexus 5X & Nexus 6P Camera Review
The new Camera app is minimal but no manual mode on board. There is no OIS but you do have video stabilization on board. Yes, it is the best shooter in Nexus history as it performs just as well as on the 6P. Making this the perfect upgrade for those of you still clutching onto the older Nexus 5.
Nexus Imprint
With the new fingerprint scanner on the rear, Nexus Imprint is off to a stellar start. It is lightning fast as you can place your finger on the reader in your pocket and unlock it before you take it out of your pocket. It definitely sits among the paramount readers of that of the iPhones & galaxy devices. Maybe not exactly as fast but close enough for Google's 1st time out.
Software
Like always, a new Nexus means new software. It is more refinement than more new-and-improved. The Nexus 5X is running the latest w/ Android 6.0 Marshmallow and comes along w/ all of the goodies that come along w/ it.
With Android 6.0 on the 5X, the biggest feature is Google Now On Tap. It allows you to bring up the power of Google anywhere on your phone. While in an app or messaging, just long press the Home button to bring it up. It only works some of the time though, unfortunately. You get the amazing standby battery life thanks to Doze & app standby features. Doze puts a resting device in sleep mode while app standby pauses any apps while in standby mode.
As part of the minor changes, you get more control for app permissions you can toggle on/off, a new app launcher, a new look for Cut/Copy/Paste, better Do Not Disturb options, and a new layout for volume controls.
This the perfect upgrade for those of you still clutching onto the older Nexus 5 or Android purists looking for a smaller device.
TG 2 Cents
At the end of the day, Google & LG listened to the fans and gave them exactly what they wanted. It is more powerful, a better battery inside and a better camera. Ending all qualms you might have had about it. I am just not the biggest fan of the 808 CPU. I think this the phone achilles heel that prevents it from being greater than it should be. If you're still using a Nexus 5 and still love it, then the Nexus 5X was made just for you. But this also is for those in search of budget devices that has it all.
To Buy Or To Not To Buy
Whether this is a better buy than the Moto X and the OnePlus 2 in regards to being more bang for your buck despite lacking extra storage? That comes down to strictly preference. Even w/ less compromises this time around, you'll have to decide between this one and the more premium 6P.
