Motorola

Motorola Nexus 6: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084
Adreno 420
3 GB / 32 GB
5.96 inch (1440 x 2560 px)
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus

Motorola announced the launch of the Nexus 6 smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.96 inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Nexus 6 series was launched with Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5.96 inch AMOLED displays has fast response times. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Nexus 6 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Motorola Nexus 6 / 1

Motorola Nexus 6 specifications

BrandMotorola
NameNexus 6
ModelNEXUS6
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.49 oz
Dimensions6.27 x 3.27 x 0.4 inch
Colorscloud white, midnight blue
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Motorola Nexus 6 is about 6.49 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.0 (Lollipop)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084
CPUQuad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450
GPUAdreno 420

The Motorola Nexus 6 comes with Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Motorola Nexus 6 / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeAMOLED
Screen size5.96 inch
Resolution1440 x 2560 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.96 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotno

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Nexus 6 has 32 GB. The internal storage of the Motorola Nexus 6 (3 GB) cannot be expanded.

Motorola Nexus 6 / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Nexus 6 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.1, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Motorola Nexus 6 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Nexus 6 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3220 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3220 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Nexus 6 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Water resistant

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Motorola phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • non-expandable storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Motorola Nexus 6 to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
Phone42.com / Smartphones / Motorola / Motorola Nexus 6