Android Central editors pontificate on what we would like from the brand new Nexus hardware.
We’re shortly approaching that point of yr when Google is poised to launch new Nexus telephones, and meaning a few leaks fuel the fires for everybody to consider precisely what they need to see within the new telephone (or, on this case, telephones). We all know the brand new hardware from Google is already completed and simply ready for some final touches earlier than being launched, so we’re actually simply daydreaming right here, however that is nonetheless enjoyable to do!
In order we bide our time ready for the actual deal to be introduced, listed here are a couple of ideas we’ve on what we need to see from the brand new Nexuses — hardware, software program, gross sales techniques, you identify it. Learn on.
Alex Dobie
The Nexus 6P was as shut as we have but come to a compromise-free Nexus telephone — a tool that is not simply good for telephone nerds who care about having the newest Google bits earlier than everybody else, however a implausible all-round handset. (By comparability the 5X took means too lengthy to work out its software program kinks.)
The Nexus 6P was as shut as we have come to a compromise-free Nexus
A lot of the hardware weirdness with the 6P — the large bodily measurement, the satisfactory however not distinctive battery life, even with a big battery capability, and the tendency to place out fairly plenty of warmth — must be solved routinely with newer, extra environment friendly chips from Qualcomm. (Early 64-bit SoCs from the chipmaker simply weren’t that nice.) So from a refreshed pair of Nexus telephones, I am hoping to see comparable display sizes in additional hand-friendly type elements. One thing much less overtly slabbish, even with a display across the 5.5 to five.7-inch mark can be good.
A brand new era of Nexus telephones also needs to profit from brighter screens with higher daylight visibility. The 6P’s 2K show is not horrible, however the distinction in comparison with Samsung or Apple in daylight is, properly, night time and day.
Subsequent, that digital camera. I am truly nice with the 6P’s picture high quality general. It is gotten higher with updates over the previous few months, and truly outperforms many 2016 fashions in low mild, leaning closely on Google’s HDR+ mode. The issue is it is so painfully sluggish — sluggish to load, sluggish to seize, sluggish to pan, sluggish to the whole lot. That is one space that desperately wants consideration.
Andrew Martonik
Almost a yr on with the Nexus 6P and 5X, I am nonetheless extraordinarily proud of the experiences — although in fact the 5X took fairly a bit longer to return into its personal. I actually simply hope that Google — and presumably HTC — have continued that components slightly than altering issues dramatically. In comparison with these earlier Nexus telephones, I simply need a number of delicate modifications that may take the expertise up that additional couple of notches.
The 6P and 5X are strong; they only want a number of little tweaks to complete the expertise
When it comes to the larger Nexus, a successor to the 6P, I feel we deserve a greater display. With the fantastic hardware within the 6P, the one letdown was the show in comparison with what you’ve got been capable of get in different telephones on the $400 and better worth level. I might additionally wish to see higher battery life, because the 6P was fairly good however not unbelievable for me. This is yet one more function that’d actually full issues: how about full waterproofing, which has actually gained over shoppers as a prime function.
For the smaller and cheaper companion Nexus, I would like Google to maintain the worth down and supply nice worth just like the Nexus 5X does — not essentially attempt to kill it with bundles of specs. If we will step away from an affordable plastic construct whereas preserving that worth low — about $299, I hope — it would be a killer choice to have on the market.
And one last item that is amazingly necessary for each units: Google completely has to up its recreation when it comes to digital camera velocity — the Nexus 6P and 5X take superb photographs, however they do it at a glacial tempo and it kills the expertise.
Daniel Bader
I think that my dream Nexus is coming this quarter, because the HTC 10 is one among my favourite telephones of 2016 up to now. However extra particularly, have been I to take the Nexus 6P and lop off half an inch from the highest and backside, give it a much less temperamental chip (the Snapdragon 810 was notoriously inconsistent in efficiency and battery life) and a quicker digital camera, I might be very completely satisfied.
I think that my dream Nexus is coming this yr
Be it a Snapdragon 820 or 821, I’m assured the subsequent high-end Nexus shall be extraordinarily succesful, and will the rumors of an HTC construct be true, I am positive it’s going to have an excellent digital camera expertise, too. I solely hope that these different rumors — that of an overhauled, quicker, less-reliant-on-HDR+ digital camera app — are additionally true.
As for the Nexus 5X, the quicker we transfer on from that travesty the higher. It is fairly inexcusable that between LG and Google, who collectively construct the very succesful Nexus 5, left the Nexus 5X to languish with buggy software program for so long as it did. One thing tells me that even when LG makes this yr’s lower-cost Nexus — which is unlikely, since HTC is predicted to be constructing each — they will not make that mistake once more.
Lastly, after utilizing the Developer Preview of Android 7.zero Nougat on the Nexus 6P, I’m assured that this upcoming model shall be welcomed by the small variety of early adopters who sit up for Nexus telephones yearly. It isn’t a dramatic overhaul, however between extra environment friendly Doze, improved notifications, and true multi-window help, Nougat will probably be significantly tastier than its edible counterpart.
Jerry Hildenbrand
- Extra gold.
- Free pizza on Tuesdays.
Critically, Google, you simply have to maintain doing what you probably did in 2015. You understand the place the 6P and the budget-minded 5X weren’t good since you use them. Make these elements higher with out assing up what you bought proper.
Do no matter’s essential to hurry up the digital camera expertise
Do no matter you could do to the digital camera so the individuals who will not set up one other app do not have to attend whereas it opens or processes. Perhaps even add OIS (although I might love an choice to show it off) as a result of apparently, it wants it, and use the identical digital camera elements you used final time. When you’re sticking with AMOLED for the screens, be sure you stick to Samsung, too. Although I would not complain about LG’s Quantum Dots. Two variations imply you do not even need to fiddle with the dimensions(s) very a lot.
One factor you do want to vary — be certain that the “lesser” mannequin is true at launch. The 5X will all the time have a nasty identify as a result of it was fairly poor at launch and also you took virtually eight months to repair it. Solely the individuals who caught with it know that on the Android N Developer Preview it is like a Corvette.
My listing is small. Meaning it must be doable. Make the 2016 launch even higher than 2015 was.
Russell Holly
I am principally right here for a HTC 10 that is not simply “Powered by Android” with the Nexus 6P digital camera that helps Google Daydream.
That is the primary yr because the Nexus line has been round, even approach again within the Developer Telephone days, the place I have never felt a want to leap to a brand new telephone after a yr. The Nexus 6P continues to be an ideal telephone at an amazing worth. It is nonetheless the telephone I seize once I’m taking footage in low mild, and it is nonetheless the telephone I’m going to once I’m uninterested in the Android-based choices from Samsung and HTC and LG.
If what we have seen from all of the Marlin leaks are true, this subsequent Nexus goes to deal with my solely actual complaints concerning the Nexus 6P. It may have a barely smaller general physique, and it isn’t going to be fairly as slippery. I like the texture of HTC’s metallic over Huawei’s, and I like smaller telephones. Every little thing else for me is small stuff. The Snapdragon 821 is not going to really feel appreciably quicker than the Snapdragon 810 within the 6P for 95% of the issues we do on telephones.
I need to see Google repeat the Nexus 5X formulation, with a couple of tweaks
The one actual cause I care concerning the Snapdragon 821 is Google Daydream. We will see Google kick smartphone-based VR into excessive gear with Daydream on Marlin, and that is going to be thrilling even for people who do not care about VR. An enormous a part of the Daydream spec is best sensors and higher shows than something we have seen in a Nexus earlier than, which goes to be superior.
For the smaller, “price range” Nexus I might wish to see Google repeat what they did with the Nexus 5X. Smaller, considerably much less succesful, however nonetheless superb. The 5X digital camera is unparalleled for its worth, and a full yr later there nonetheless is not a fantastic competitor to that telephone for anybody trying to purchase unlocked. If Google can ship that have with one thing aside from a cheap-ish plastic physique, even higher. I am not satisfied that is a requirement although.
The one factor I might wish to see Google do in a different way this yr is get the software program proper the primary time. Out of the field, the Nexus 5X was a catastrophe. It is superb now, nevertheless it took method too lengthy for these updates to return out. I might wish to see Google nail the “price range” Nexus software program out of the gate and actually drive residence what an unimaginable expertise you will get at such an inexpensive worth.
Ara Wagoner
I used to be by no means actually blown away by the Nexus 5X, and whereas it did get higher because the yr went on — type of — having a decently-sized (a minimum of to my lithe palms) Nexus that works nicely from the get-go once more can be fantastic. The 5X’s display left so much to be desired, particularly outdoor, and the telephone felt too mild within the hand and extra importantly within the pocket, main me to take a seat down on it greater than as soon as as a result of I merely forgot it was again there.
I do not want a lot to vary, however how about an SD card slot?
I might like for each telephones to get the identical digital camera sensor once more this yr, ideally a sensor with OIS. I used to be joyful each telephones acquired the identical Sony sensor final yr, however the 5X digital camera was sluggish, and once I’m taking footage on trip, sluggish means lacking that good shot of Mickey Mouse in entrance of Cinderella Fort throughout Pageant of Fantasy.
General, the one actual function I need to come to the subsequent Nexus telephones is one we already know is not: microSD card help. Barring that, the one options I miss whereas I am on Nexus telephones are the IR sensors on the Moto X (which stays probably the most underrated function I’ve ever encountered) and a front-facing fingerprint sensor. Sure, I favor the front-facing sensor as a result of I exploit my telephone quite a bit whereas it is propped up on my desk/in a mug/in a dock/mendacity on my pillow in mattress and I favor to easily place my finger on the entrance of the telephone somewhat than decide it up and use the rear sensor. Or, y’know, use my backup sample.
What do you assume?
These are our concepts for what we need to see from future Nexus telephones, however we worth your opinions as nicely — pontificate within the feedback and tell us what you are anticipating!