Motorola Nexus 6 Ultimate Guide to Specs Pricing and Performance

Overview of Motorola Nexus 6

The Motorola Nexus 6, announced in October 2014 and released in November of the same year, was part of the Nexus series, known for offering a pure Android experience. This device was manufactured by Motorola and succeeded by the Nexus 5, but it was distinguished by several enhancements, including its larger screen and a higher resolution display. It ran on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box and could be upgraded to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Design and Build

The Nexus 6 featured a robust design with dimensions of 159.3 x 83 x 10.1 mm and a weight of 184 grams. Its construction included a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, providing a balance between durability and aesthetics. The device supported a Nano-SIM card and was available in two colors: Midnight Blue and Cloud White.

Display

One of the standout features of the Nexus 6 was its 5.96-inch AMOLED display. The screen could deliver resolutions of 1440 x 2560 pixels, offering a high pixel density of approximately 493 ppi. This made the display sharp and detailed, ideal for consuming media and playing games. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection further enhanced the durability of the display against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nexus 6 was powered by the Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 chipset with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Krait 450 CPU and an Adreno 420 GPU. This hardware configuration enabled smooth multitasking and gaming performance. The device came with two storage options: 32GB or 64GB internal storage, partnered with 3GB of RAM. However, it lacked a microSD card slot for expandable storage, which was a notable limitation for some users.

Camera Capabilities

The Nexus 6 was equipped with a 13 MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, 28mm wide lens, autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS). It also featured a dual-LED ring flash, HDR, and panorama modes. The camera was capable of recording 4K videos at 30fps, offering high-quality imaging and video recording. For selfies, the device sported a 2 MP front-facing camera, which was standard for devices of its time.

Battery Life

The phone was fitted with a non-removable 3220 mAh Li-Po battery, providing decent battery life. Officially, it offered up to 24 hours of talk time and standby time of up to 330 hours. This endurance was further complemented by Qi wireless charging support, which was a convenient feature for wireless charging enthusiasts.

Connectivity and Communication

In terms of network capabilities, the Nexus 6 supported GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE technologies. This offered a broad range of compatibility with different network bands, which was beneficial for users in various regions. For local connectivity, the phone came with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band capability, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and hotspot function. Bluetooth 4.1, GPS with GLONASS, and NFC were also included.

Audio and Media

The Nexus 6 featured stereo speakers, which provided a notable upgrade in audio quality for media consumption and hands-free calls. It also retained the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect standard headphones without the need for an adapter.

Sensors and Additional Features

This smartphone was equipped with a variety of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, enhancing the device’s functionality and enabling various applications to perform more efficiently.

Conclusion

Despite some limitations, such as the lack of expandable storage and the non-removable battery, the Motorola Nexus 6 was well-received for its excellent build quality, stock Android experience, large and vibrant display, and strong performance. Its appeal was further enhanced by Google’s timely software updates, making it a popular choice among Android enthusiasts at the time of its release.