It’s been just over a week now since I picked up a Nexus 6P from Rogers, and overall, it has been a fantastic experience. To those of you who knew I use an LG G4 – I just sold the device yesterday. I don’t I miss it that much, except for maybe a few aspects here and there.
One the first changes I noted when coming from the LG G4 is the size of the 6P. It’s big. No, I mean, it’s really big.
I’ve gone on and on about the sizes of smartphones and how they need to stop making them bigger. I know I have friends who are probably laughing at my hypocritical decision to get a 5.7″ screen sized phone when I was complaining about how big my G4 (5.5″ screen) was. I’d lost my own argument.
So with the size of the device comes the lack of ability to reach the corners of the screen. In the picture above, you can see my thumb just cannot reach the top of the screen, and in turn, I cannot reach the notifications easily. I need my second hand to do that.
When the notifications shade is opened, I found myself surprised that I actually missed a feature from the LG G4 that originally annoyed me.
In the photo above from Android Central, you can see what happened when you swiped down from the top – you would see both the quick toggles and the notifications. Note how the notifications are easily in reach? They appear half-way down the screen. In stock Android, one swipe from the top only shows the notifications. That’s it. If you want the toggles, swipe down again.
When I first got the LG G4, this feature used to annoy me because I used the Moto X 2013, and it ran nearly-stock Android. How ironic that I’m back to stock Android, and I actually miss this feature.
The only other thing I miss from my LG G4 is the camera’s manual control, and macro shots. The 6P falls behind in these categories.
As an example, here’s one of my geckos. The pic was taken from my old LG G4 – no cropping.
Now here’s a shot of my other gecko (they’re the same size) taken with my 6P. Again, no cropping;
It may be hard to tell, but focus in on the eyes. The LG G4 was in perfect focus at this distance and you can see the details in the eye of the gecko. In the second pic from the 6P, the focus is very soft and not all the detail is there. I will also mention it took several attempts to get this photo on the 6P as it was slow to focus and get the shot. The G4 was effortless and fast.
Now, with that said, the 6P dominates the G4 in terms of launching the camera and actually taking the photos (even with HDR+ on)! With a double-tap of the power button on the 6P, the camera is open and ready to rock. You can double-tap the volume down button of the G4 and do the same, but it’s not nearly as fast.
Taking photos with the G4 was quick enough and did a good job for the time I had it. But the 6P snaps the photos so fast it surprises me every time. I’ve already been able to catch several photo opportunities with my kids that I know I could have missed if I used the G4.
The smartphone’s speed is fast. I get updates now thanks to stock Android (I’m on March’s security patch update). Despite the large size, the phone is comfortable to hold (and the Verus case makes holding it even better). There’s no bloatware. The front-facing stereo speakers are the best I’ve heard on any smartphone. Charging takes no time when you use the supplied USB-C cable and charging brick. The brightness level can actually go dimmer than an iPhone, and has a red tint to it, making it very easy on the eyes for late night reading in bed. Oh, and the battery life itself rocks, even without going into Doze.
Yeah, I can see why so many reviewers are labeling the Nexus 6P as the best Android smartphone you can buy. I support this statement.
FROM THE LG G4 TO THE NEXUS 6P
One the first changes I noted when coming from the LG G4 is the size of the 6P. It’s big. No, I mean, it’s really big.
I’ve gone on and on about the sizes of smartphones and how they need to stop making them bigger. I know I have friends who are probably laughing at my hypocritical decision to get a 5.7″ screen sized phone when I was complaining about how big my G4 (5.5″ screen) was. I’d lost my own argument.
So with the size of the device comes the lack of ability to reach the corners of the screen. In the picture above, you can see my thumb just cannot reach the top of the screen, and in turn, I cannot reach the notifications easily. I need my second hand to do that.
When the notifications shade is opened, I found myself surprised that I actually missed a feature from the LG G4 that originally annoyed me.
In the photo above from Android Central, you can see what happened when you swiped down from the top – you would see both the quick toggles and the notifications. Note how the notifications are easily in reach? They appear half-way down the screen. In stock Android, one swipe from the top only shows the notifications. That’s it. If you want the toggles, swipe down again.
When I first got the LG G4, this feature used to annoy me because I used the Moto X 2013, and it ran nearly-stock Android. How ironic that I’m back to stock Android, and I actually miss this feature.
The only other thing I miss from my LG G4 is the camera’s manual control, and macro shots. The 6P falls behind in these categories.
As an example, here’s one of my geckos. The pic was taken from my old LG G4 – no cropping.
Now here’s a shot of my other gecko (they’re the same size) taken with my 6P. Again, no cropping;
It may be hard to tell, but focus in on the eyes. The LG G4 was in perfect focus at this distance and you can see the details in the eye of the gecko. In the second pic from the 6P, the focus is very soft and not all the detail is there. I will also mention it took several attempts to get this photo on the 6P as it was slow to focus and get the shot. The G4 was effortless and fast.
Now, with that said, the 6P dominates the G4 in terms of launching the camera and actually taking the photos (even with HDR+ on)! With a double-tap of the power button on the 6P, the camera is open and ready to rock. You can double-tap the volume down button of the G4 and do the same, but it’s not nearly as fast.
Taking photos with the G4 was quick enough and did a good job for the time I had it. But the 6P snaps the photos so fast it surprises me every time. I’ve already been able to catch several photo opportunities with my kids that I know I could have missed if I used the G4.
FOR WHAT IT IS.
Setting aside the LG G4, my Nexus 6P is one stellar device. Overall, I just love the phone!The smartphone’s speed is fast. I get updates now thanks to stock Android (I’m on March’s security patch update). Despite the large size, the phone is comfortable to hold (and the Verus case makes holding it even better). There’s no bloatware. The front-facing stereo speakers are the best I’ve heard on any smartphone. Charging takes no time when you use the supplied USB-C cable and charging brick. The brightness level can actually go dimmer than an iPhone, and has a red tint to it, making it very easy on the eyes for late night reading in bed. Oh, and the battery life itself rocks, even without going into Doze.
Yeah, I can see why so many reviewers are labeling the Nexus 6P as the best Android smartphone you can buy. I support this statement.
Comments
Post a Comment