Google Nexus 5X Smartphone Review

The Nexus 5X is throughout convincing in terms of wireless communication. For example, it features a fast dual-band AC Wi-Fi module that enables gross data rates of up to 866 Mbit/s (2x 2 MIMO), and which presented above average reception qualities in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies in the test using an Asus RT-AC56U router. The integrated radio modem is also very satisfactory: It supports a multitude of frequency bands. A maximum browsing speed of 300 Mbit/s in downstream and 50 Mbit/s in upstream is possible via LTE. The latest Bluetooth version 4.2 and NFC is also integrated for wireless near field communication.

The GPS module in the Nexus 5X very reliably and quickly located our position. However, tracking was not possible in a four-story apartment building. To find out how well the handset functions in real-world use, we recorded a route for comparison using the Garmin Edge 500 GPS bike computer alongside the Nexus 5X. The smartphone is compelling here: Both the low deviation of only 1% between the devices and the accurate tracing of the driven route speak for the very good performance of Google's reference model. Although it did not record our short loop in the turning point area, the route is a bit more accurate than that of the bike computer with digital maps here. Therefore, the Nexus 5X is perfectly suitable for navigation purposes.

The phone app includes features known from Android Lollipop, such as favorites, call lists, contacts and search. A keypad can also be faded in when required. The app is overall quite basic, which results in a very clear arrangement.

The intelligibility was very good during normal calls at both ends in test calls in the German Telecom 3G network. The earpiece's high maximum volume has to be highlighted here. Its sound is already decent, but the natural-sounding voice at the other end has to be lauded and speaks for an especially good quality of the microphone installed in the Nexus 5X. Even hands-free mode does not change much about the good intelligibility at both ends although slight distortions in higher volumes let it sound a bit more unnatural. A headset is not included.

The cameras used in Nexus devices in the past were not their strength. However, the Nexus 5X does a good job here. The rear-facing model shoots photos with up to 12.3 megapixels (4032x3024 pixels) and has a relatively wide aperture of f/2.0. The lens additionally finds support in an IR laser auto-focus. Very sharp pictures that still display many details when zoomed are created in daylight. The illumination, color impression and responsiveness do not give much reason for complaint subjectively. However, the camera does not do quite as good job in low-light. A fairly heavy image noise becomes evident, which can be lessened by using the bright, warm-white dual-LED flash.

The front camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels as well as an aperture of f/2.0. The photos look quite blurred in default camera mode - not much of the 5 megapixels is seen here. That might just be intentional since that, for example, leads to a smoother-looking complexion in selfies. The photo looks considerably more high-detail when enabling the optional HDR, but the image noise increases visibly at the same time.

The modes "Photo Sphere", "Panorama" and "Focus Effect" are installed in addition to the normal camera mode. Live filters or manually setting ISO rates, shutter speed, etc. are generally not intended.

The primary camera in the Nexus 5X records videos in the UHD resolution (2840x2160 pixels) at up to 30 frames per second. The data rate of approximately 42 Mbit/s is relatively high here so that freeze-images display good quality (see sample screenshot). Unfortunately, we discovered some minor incompatibilities with popular video players in the test. For example, it was not possible to render UHD videos recorded with the Nexus 5x smoothly on a Window 8.1 test system with an Intel Core i7 processor via "VLC Player", although they were compressed via the common H.264 codec. "Media Player Classic Home Cinema" displayed the video stutter-free, but upside down. The playback essentially ran properly in "Windows Media Player", but with visible pixel flickering. Solely "PotPlayer" delivered a perfect picture. The Full HD videos recorded with the front camera look smooth and have a decent quality in good light; the details blur in darker environments.

It becomes obvious that particularly blue and orange tones in the right half of the image are quite accurate. The Nexus 5X's reproduction of the color fields on the left is too dark, which leads to an increased image contrast.

The Nexus 5X is furnished with a 5.2-inch IPS panel in Full HD resolution, which equals a pixel density of 424 PPI. Some premium-range rivals can boast with even higher rates, but the review sample is in no way inferior to them. Content looks very sharp; pixel arrangements are not at all visible at a normal viewing distance.

The brightness achieves a decent rate of 503 cd/m² in the center of a completely white screen. The illumination of 97% is unusually homogeneous. The Nexus 5X positions itself in the upper midfield in the comparison group with these rates. Solely LG's G4 and Apple's iPhone 6S Plus are even brighter. However, the measurements made with equally distributed bright and dark areas on the display are more significant (average picture level/APL 50). No differences to the maximum brightness compared with a completely white image are ascertained here. Enabling the brightness sensor does not change the rates, either.

The good black level of 0.38 cd/m² results in an above average contrast ratio of 1324:1 for an IPS panel. The image also looks very vivid subjectively; no visible grayish tint covers black surfaces.

The at first glance relatively restrained-looking Nexus 5X conceals cutting-edge technology under its hood. Besides a modern Snapdragon SoC, all state-of-the-art wireless standards such as AC Wi-Fi at up to 866 Mbit/s, Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC are on-board. A variety of mobile network standards is also supported. The integrated fingerprint reader that functions reliably and almost without delays and the very accurate GPS module are other technical treats. The screen also reaps in many plus points with its decent brightness, very good contrast rates, and accurate color reproduction.

The smartphone's primary camera shoots razor-sharp photos in bright surroundings and quickly finds the right focal point thanks to laser support. The bright dual-LED often cannot prevent the image quality from decreasing in dim light. However, image noise increases strongly without it or when the object is further away. Details are then also lost. The option of recording UHD videos is also great, but the tight storage capacity might quickly become a problem. Nexus 5X users will not have more than 32 GB; the base configuration even only offers a 16 GB flash memory.

The Nexus 5X scores in many aspects in routine use. It worthily treads in the footsteps of its indirect predecessor Nexus 5 with a decent battery life, always smoothly responding operating system, and a casing that shines with stability and high-quality build.

Nexus buyers do not have to worry too much about Android updates since they will receive them before many others directly from Google. In addition to the non-expandable storage, the price of 529 Euros (~$581) will likely be the biggest obstacle for the smartphone's success. Many competing products are presently sold at a considerably lower price or offer more for the money. For example, LG's G4 is now available for a price starting at around 450 Euros (~$494) and also lures with an expandable storage and larger 5.5-inch screen.