Google Nexus 5 – Review
The Google Nexus 5 is, in some ways, the Android smartphone for excellence, a collaboration between Google and LG. Follows, almost a year later, the lucky Nexus 4, which has impressed for quality and performance and, in some ways, it can also be considered a derivative of the LG G2.
The Google Nexus 5 comes with the new version 4.4 of the Android operating system, better known as KitKat, which introduces some interesting functionality and some modifications, not just aesthetics. From a technical point of view, we are faced with a smartphone with quad-core 2.26 GHz, 4.95-inch Full HD screen with Gorilla Glass, and 3 LTE technology.
Table of Contents
Google Nexus 5: Design
Compared to its predecessor, the first contact can displace a bit for the materials used. While the Nexus 4 made extensive use of glass in the front and in the rear, with the Google Nexus 5 philosophy has changed dramatically: the plastics used are decidedly less noble, and while assembling cared for, the feeling Overall it is a terminal slightly less prestigious. The gumming rear, in each case, allows a more secure grip in the hand and, in many cases, even more enjoyable. Even the size is not excessive (137.84 × 69.17 × 8.59 mm) and light weight (130 grams) contributes to the Nexus 5 a smartphone balanced.
The front is, of course, dominated by the Full HD screen 4.95 inches diagonally, a panel IPS capacitive touchscreen 445 ppi. The screen is very good, even if you have an angle of view is not just outstanding, with a decent brightness and color rendering balanced.
The visibility remains, in any case, good even in very bright environments, even with sunlight. The adoption of the technology of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 gives the screen a particular resistance against scratches, always there when you bring your smartphone in your pocket or purse, maybe along with a bunch of keys.
The screen is surrounded by a 1.3 megapixel front camera, light and proximity sensors and multi-color notification LED at the bottom. On the left side, we find the volume rocker, while the right side is the slot for the insertion of the microSIM and the power button on / standby.
Top and bottom are respectively 3.5 mm audio jack and microUSB connector. Below, in particular, the dual lattice might suggest a dual speaker, but in reality, it only provides for the Google Nexus 5 with the second grating that conceals the microphone. A second microphone, dedicated to the suppression of ambient noise, is located near the audio jacks.
The rear is characterized by pleasant written Nexus tablet that is very reminiscent of the same name, there is the 8 megapixel camera accompanied by the inevitable flash from affecting the optical image stabilizer. Nexus is the first in the family to adopt this solution, and the results are definitely noticeable. The resolution is not the best available on the market, but the effect of the stabilizer is noticeable during the making of movies in 1080p.
Also the photos are of good quality. The management software is still too minimal and not comparable to what is offered by the competition. There remains the Google Experience: on the one hand, a simple and responsive, the other approach a bit too superficial to some functionality.
The body of the Google Nexus 5 does not provide user-removable parts, and also the battery is to be integrated, following in this the one adopted by LG in the previous model. It may be a questionable choice, but no doubt helps engineers to control the overall size of the terminal.
The package that accompanies the Google Nexus 5 is decidedly Spartan, without too many concessions to the superfluous. We find, in addition to the terminal, a USB power adapter, the USB-microUSB cable, the paper clip to insert the microSIM and a quick-start guide to using. That’s it. It disappoints the absence of at least a pair of earphones. Cases and bumpers are sold separately on Play Store.
Google Nexus 5: Hardware
Under the shell beats the heart of an athlete: 800 MSM8974 Qualcomm Snapdragon processor quad core Krait 400 2.26 GHz with an Adreno 330 GPU at 450 MHz, accompanied by 2GB of RAM. The overall performance is very high, and it is really difficult to put a strain on the system. Even the most demanding games do not show particular uncertainties. Only while browsing the Internet with Google Chrome you may encounter occasional hesitation, but related more to the browser itself that deficiencies in the system.
All normal operations are performed with the utmost responsiveness, and also the interface is always handled in the best possible way, giving the user a great pleasure to use. The Google Nexus 5 is available in two versions: 16 and 32 GB.
The price difference is, at present $50, but it is good to consider with some care the most appropriate model, especially in light of the inability to expand the available space for data and applications due to the lack of a card slot memory. This is nothing new since it is a common feature of all model’s Nexus (to some extent, some extent also be criticized), but an informed choice when purchasing and judicious use of the available space, and the various clouds may override these limits.
From the point of view of the connections, the Google Nexus 5 is a terminal quad band GSM / GPRS / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), UMTS / HSPA (42/5, 76 Mbps) with full support for LTE technology. This translates, manager and traffic permitting, in an exchange data at very high speeds.
If that were not enough, the Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac dual band (2.4 / 5 GHz) allows you to take full advantage of the presence of local hotspots and amenities such as Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi hotspot. There are even technologies in the short and very short range (Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC), all accompanied by the classic kit of sensors (GPS, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope and pressure) that complete the package.
Android 4.4 – Kitkat
The Nexus Terminal 5 is the first showing to the public the new operating system Android 4.4 KitKat. All tests have been concluded with the latest version of the operating system (after the 4.4.1 OTA update) which has improved some critical issues with the initial release. In particular, we have improved the overall performance of the system, and some applications have been updated.
Many of these have been made available for previous versions of Android, such as Hangout, which now integrates the management of SMS / MMS, the Launcher, which has been revised with some substantial changes such as the number of screens available now varies function of the selected widget.
The integration with Google Now moving forward, and while it is still possible to take full advantage of the services offered, there is a slow but steady growth even in our territory of its functionality. The Google+ updates, finally, also marked the entrance to the Photos application, a kind of duplication of the gallery, although more oriented to the social network of Google. On the sidelines, we report the disappearance of the arrows on the signal bars indicating the data output and input, which is a shame. It is still a personal consideration rather than a limitation real.
Conclusion
The performance of the Nexus phone 5 has proven interesting, with a good-quality sound through the integrated capsule (a little less through the handsfree speaker) and an equally good performance of the signal. How autonomy, the Google Nexus 5 remains in line with expectations, thanks to the built-in battery 2,300 mAh, ensuring a working day, although much depends on the type of use.
The smartphone supports, moreover, also the wireless charging with a compatible base. The LG Google Nexus 5 has convinced us. Performance aside, we cannot judge the top of the class in a particular field, but in the light of the selling price, is currently one of the terminals with the best quality / price ratio and, not least, the system provides continuous updates at least for the next 18 months.
Where to Buy Google Nexus 5
- Built-In Storage: 32GB; Display: 4.95-inches
- Camera: 8-MP
- Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
- OS: Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Features
Design
Performance
Value of Money
PROS : Latest version of Android KitKat, Full HD screen, good performance, quality / price ratio enviable.
CONS : Absence of earphones, a few bugs though largely been resolved with the update to version 4.4.1 of the OS, Fewer noble materials compared to the Nexus 4.Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.
