Nexus devices have a charm all their own. Many Android fans want in on the experience, especially for notable selections such as the Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9.
With a multitude of Android smartphones and tablets available on the market, Nexus devices stand out not only because of their good specs and features, but also the much-touted Nexus experience.
Being part of the Nexus family means an uncompromising Android experience — with unadulterated firmware and a front-row seat to any new updates. Nexus devices don't come with the load of manufacturer bloatware like other devices, and they're typically the first in line for the latest Android version.
For those wanting to enjoy this experience, it's no longer a question of which device to buy, but which Nexus device to buy. The top choices are the LG Nexus 5, the Motorola Nexus 6 and the HTC Nexus 9.
In terms of smartphones, both the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 6 are powerful options. The Nexus 5 was among the most popular Nexus devices ever, with good specs and features at an affordable price tag. The Nexus 6, meanwhile, boasts notable upgrades over its predecessor, but it also comes at a higher price. Whether to go for the Nexus 5 or the Nexus 6 depends on needs, preferences and budget.
While the Nexus 5 features a 5-inch full HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the Nexus 6 rocks a massive 6-inch AMOLED screen with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Some prefer the more compact Nexus 5, while others are drawn to the high-resolution Nexus 6.
The new iteration also sports significant upgrades under the hood, packing a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 2.7GHz, paired with Adreno 420 graphics and 3GB of RAM. The Nexus 5, meanwhile, has a 2.6GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chipset, Adreno 330 graphics and just 2GB of RAM.
The camera department also sees big improvements between the two generations, as the Nexus 6 boasts a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter, compared to the 8-megapixel/1.3-megapixel combo of the Nexus 5.
The Nexus 6 also has a larger 3,220 mAh battery compared to the Nexus 5's 2,300 mAh unit, but it also has a larger display to juice up.
The upgrades are undeniable, but pricing usually plays a big role in decisions as well. While the Nexus 5 aimed to combine power with affordability, the Nexus 6 comes at the top end and carries a premium price tag to match.
If you need something more than a smartphone, the Nexus lineup has you covered as well.
The latest Nexus 9 tablet, made in collaboration with HTC, is a powerful slate able to handle virtually any task you throw at it. Launching to replace the previous Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 in one shot, the Nexus 9 comes with an 8.9-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. Under the hood, the tablet packs a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor running at 2.3GHz, 192-core Kepler graphics and 2GB of RAM.
The Nexus 9 further features an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 1.6-megapixel front camera, optional LTE connectivity and NFC. Users can also attach an optional Keyboard Folio case via NFC and get extra battery life, as well as a laptop-like experience.
The choices are there, so ultimately, it all comes down to ones needs, preferences and possibilities. Google is no longer selling the Nexus 5, but interested customers can still find the smartphone at various retailers.
