Google and Apple both are out with their latest and greatest phablets ever. Google unveiled its 5.9-inch Nexus 6 on Wednesday, which will go on sale next month. Apple took the market by storm last month with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the most advanced devices from its stable. How does the Nexus 6, made by Motorola, compare to Apple’s beast?
Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: display
At 5.9-inch, Google’s phone is bigger than 5.5-inch display of the iPhone 6 Plus. Nexus 6 also has better resolution of 2560 x 1440 and higher pixel density (493ppi) than the iPhone 6 Plus. Apple’s phablet comes with 1920 x 1080 display resolution and 401ppi. On paper, Google’s device with Quad HD display is sharper of the two. But the law of diminishing returns means that you won’t be able to discern the difference between the two with the naked eye. Of course, you can notice the differences if you have a microscope. But people prefer bragging rights over logic.
Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: design
Design is one area where previous Nexus devices with polycarbonate casing have lagged behind the iPhones which have a more premium feel, thanks to its metal design. However, Nexus 6 boasts of an aluminum frame. By comparison, the iPhone 6 Plus is built with a single block of aluminum. After the bendgate controversy, some of you may think that Apple’s device has a design flaw. That’s not a design flaw. Consumer Reports and other experts have said that any device with a metal chassis is going to bend when applied certain pressure. Bendgate is a nonsense.
Nexus 6 is a bit bigger, thicker and bulkier than its counterpart. It measures 159x83x10mm and weighs 184g. In contrast, the iPhone 6 Plus has a dimension of 138x67x6.9mm with 129g weight.
Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: processor & power
Google is yet to give its new device to reviewers. In terms of raw numbers, Nexus 6 is one beast of a smartphone. It is powered by 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor and 3GB RAM. It will run the newest Android Lollipo. On the other hand, the iPhone 6 Plus sports A8 processor with 64-bit architecture and 1.4GHz clock speed. The phone also has an improved M8 motion co-processor.
Apple claims that the A8 processor delivers 25% faster performance than its predecessor. The iPhone 6 Plus has only 1GB RAM. However, Apple customizes all its hardware and OS to make sure that the phone offers blazing performance even with 1GB RAM. It runs the latest iOS 8.
Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: camera
In terms of camera, Nexus 6 leads the pack. It has 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and dual LED flash. The phone sports a 2-megapixel front camera. In comparison, the iPhone 6 Plus has an 8-megapixel main snapper and 1.2-megapixel Facetime front camera. However, software plays a key role here. Test results show that the iPhone 6 Plus offers the best mobile photography. Apple has added many new features to its camera such as new tone mapping, noise reduction, a slow-motion mode, and phase detection auto-focus.
Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: battery life
On paper, Apple’s device has a slightly smaller battery (2915mAh) compared to Nexus 6’s 3220mAh. However, the iPhone 6 Plus offers 2.5 hours longer life than the new Nexus. The Nexus 6 gives 8.5 hours (official figures) of Internet use compared to 11 hours for the iPhone 6 Plus. Thanks to its energy efficient components, Apple’s phone gives 14 hours of video playback versus 10 hours on the Nexus.
However, the new Nexus has some charging innovations up its sleeves, which may more than make up for slightly lower battery life. Nexus 6 has a built-in wireless charging. Further, it boasts of a new Turbo Charging technology that provides up to six hours of battery life with just 15 minutes of charge.
Nexus 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: storage and price
Both devices have a big drawback: neither of them offers an option to expand storage with a microSD card. The Nexus 6 will be available in 32GB and 64GB storage options. The iPhone 6 Plus comes in 16GB, 64GB and 128GB variants. It’s a strategy of Apple and Google to make buyers go for the high-storage options, which have a pretty high price tag.
Google has priced its new Nexus device at a premium, unlike its predecessors. The phone costs $649 off-contract for 32GB version and $699 for 64GB model. The contract-free price of Apple’s phablet is $749 for 16GB, $849 for 64GB and $949 for 128GB.
Conclusion
Summing up, Nexus 6 has all the necessary ingredients to give iPhone 6 Plus a tough competition. Both are great phones with innovative designs, top-end processors and great looks. Let’s not forget that these two are not the only phablets in the market. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note 4 is a tough contender. You can read our comparison of the Galaxy Note 4 with the iPhone 6 here.
