Hands-on with the Nexus 5X [VIDEO]

The Nexus 5X has been officially announced, and we were at the event to get our hands on the device. Two years ago LG made the original Nexus 5. Android fans loved the manageable size, great display, excellent performance, and affordable price. Now, LG is finally back with a sequel, and they’ve tried to replicate everything we loved about the old one, while improving upon its weaknesses.

Nexus 5X Specs

For the full detailed list of specs, check out our Nexus 5X phone guide page.

Nexus 5X Hands-on

The Nexus 5X borrows the same design language from the original. It’s not flashy or elegant, but it’s not ugly. This is a utilitarian design. We happen to like the look of the 5X, even if it’s not going to be turning any heads. The 5X comes in three matte colors to choose from: black, white, and ice blue.

To really appreciate this phone you have to tone back your expectations a little bit. We’ve been spoiled by phones with gargantuan specs and dimensions. There’s nothing wrong with a 1080p display at this size. The Snapdragon 808 is still one of the best processors. 2GB of RAM is still more than enough for most people. Just six months ago these specs would qualify as a top-of-the-line phone.

One thing LG did not skimp on is the camera. The 5X has the same 12.3MP camera as the Nexus 6P. it takes great photos in outdoor conditions (as most phones do), but it really excels in poorly lit situations. The original Nexus 5 had a pretty bad camera, so this should be a great improvement. We’ll have to put it through some more testing before we’re ready to crown it.

LG also included a few features that you won’t find on some phones that costs much more. On the back of the device is a fingerprint sensor. It works with a feature called “Nexus Imprint,” which allows you to turn on your screen with one touch, unlock your apps quickly and easily, and use Android Pay to purchase items.

Another benefit of the Nexus 5X is getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow before anyone else. Marshmallow adds a bunch of new features and improvements upon Android Lollipop. Google Now on Tap is a brand new way to search, Doze vastly improves idle battery life, and granular app permissions give you more control over apps. The Nexus 5X will ship with all of these features, and get updates before everyone else.

Final Thoughts

For $370 the Nexus 5X is a great device for people looking for something a little more pocketable. It has a nice display, good camera, the latest software, and future-proof features like a fingerprint sensor. However, if you don’t mind the size, you can get the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition for just $30 more. What do you think about the Nexus 5X? Are you getting one, or have you opted for the Moto X and Nexus 6P?

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