So, after a long wait, the world's 'most leaked' phone a.k.a the Nexus-5 was finally launched last week. Most of the information with regards to it's specifications had already been leaked multiple time prior to it's official launch. Thanks to Android Police for tracking the final official launch of the Nexus-5. What follows below are some observations after a few hours of using the phone.
About this review
This is going to be a personal ( and subjective, i.e. non-benchmarked ), at a glance review of the (just received) Nexus 5, and Android 4.4. As of right now, Android 4.4 is only available on the Nexus 5, but since Google has reduced the memory foot print of Android 4.4, so it should be spreading to other devices pretty soon. The official exclusion of Galaxy Nexus ( at least as of now ) is surprising and disappointing to me, however.
General comments with regards to the size
My general comments with regards to the size are that coming from a Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 5 seems a tad big to me. However, it is of the a size which I feel I will get used to it in a few days just as I got used to the Galaxy Nexus when I first got it. Nexus 5 is also marginally bigger than the Nexus 4.
General comments with regards to performance
The phone has a solid overall performance in terms or launching apps for the first time, restoring currently running apps, switching between apps via the task switcher, overall fluidity and refinement of transparency and motion animations. I believe that Google hit a sweet spot in Android UI design from Android 4.0 onwards, and Android 4.4 builds up on top of all the incremental updates to improve the overall look and feel across the board. In common tasks, like browsing, listening to music, watching videos etc, I didn't find a significant change between the Nexus-5 and the Nexus-4, which is not a bad thing at all. The Nexus-4 ( with 4.3 ) screams while performing these common tasks and Nexus-5 incrementally improves that. I am sure that for highly performance intensive tasks, Nexus-5's updated processor truly shows it's power. Indeed, in some tests it has shown itself to be one of the best performing Android phones in the market today.
General comments with regards to Android KitKat 4.4
Q. Why did you choose a Nexus device ? Isn't Android Phone X better in parameter Y than a Nexus device ?
A. One word ( or two actually ) - OS updates. To me Android OS updates coming straight from Google, without having to wait for carriers, and/or OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturers ) is one of the most important aspects of owning a device. Staying on the latest platform, not only ensures that you receive the obvious visual features, but also most importantly, the latest security patches and updates.
Q. What about the cost ?
A. Unlocked - 16 GB ( $350 ) , 32 GB ( $399 ). For the above mentioned performance and features, this is an unbeatable price since it compares favorably with many of the phones which cost double unlocked.
Q. What about the battery ?
I am expecting a battery life analogous or marginally better than that of the Nexus 4, due to the slightly larger battery. I will update this section once I have more info. It is interesting to note here that the Nexus-5 features some technology to reduce Battery consumption.
Additional Reading and Extras:
1. Excellent overall summary of Nexus-5 and KitKat.
2. Google's official listing of KitKat updates.
3. KitKat's official video on Kitkat .
4. Last but not the least, Google's official promotional video for Nexus-5.
About this review
This is going to be a personal ( and subjective, i.e. non-benchmarked ), at a glance review of the (just received) Nexus 5, and Android 4.4. As of right now, Android 4.4 is only available on the Nexus 5, but since Google has reduced the memory foot print of Android 4.4, so it should be spreading to other devices pretty soon. The official exclusion of Galaxy Nexus ( at least as of now ) is surprising and disappointing to me, however.
General comments with regards to the size
My general comments with regards to the size are that coming from a Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 5 seems a tad big to me. However, it is of the a size which I feel I will get used to it in a few days just as I got used to the Galaxy Nexus when I first got it. Nexus 5 is also marginally bigger than the Nexus 4.
General comments with regards to performance
The phone has a solid overall performance in terms or launching apps for the first time, restoring currently running apps, switching between apps via the task switcher, overall fluidity and refinement of transparency and motion animations. I believe that Google hit a sweet spot in Android UI design from Android 4.0 onwards, and Android 4.4 builds up on top of all the incremental updates to improve the overall look and feel across the board. In common tasks, like browsing, listening to music, watching videos etc, I didn't find a significant change between the Nexus-5 and the Nexus-4, which is not a bad thing at all. The Nexus-4 ( with 4.3 ) screams while performing these common tasks and Nexus-5 incrementally improves that. I am sure that for highly performance intensive tasks, Nexus-5's updated processor truly shows it's power. Indeed, in some tests it has shown itself to be one of the best performing Android phones in the market today.
General comments with regards to Android KitKat 4.4
Some of the features of the software package on Nexus-5 are listed below:
1. Google Now is just a left swipe away due to a totally re-designed Launcher App.
2. Google Now is also accessible from the home-screen via the keyword 'OK Google'. This is still not as nice as the 'Always-On' mode of Moto-X, or the ability to launch Siri from any screen in iOS devices.
3. Minor improvements like transparent status bar, and bottom menu bar.
4. The Camera app contains an HDR+ mode which actually takes multiple pictures at multiple exposures, and combines them. This is different than the traditional HDR Camera apps which do not follow this process. It should also be noted that the Camera is Optically stabilized, which is useful for certain shots when your hand may not be stable.
5. A full-screen mode which is useful for Apps like Games, or Videos, or for reading eBooks.
6. Higher security with SELinux in enforcement mode.
7. Typing in Hindi is now much easier.
8. A foray into a totally new run-time known as ART, which promises to significantly boost overall performance.
9. Number of home screens is unlimited.
10. Pedometer like functionality is now a part of the Nexus-5, KitKat combination so devices like Fitbit etc have a new challenger.
11. Business Caller-ID is now integrated as part of the Dialer App. What this means is that if you receive a call from a Business that Google has catalogued, then you will be presented with the relevant information when they call you. It also means that local Business search is integrated as part of the Dialer App. So if you want to order pizza, you don't need to open the browser and search for Pizza, but instead go straight to the Dialer App, search for Pizza there and Google starts showing local options immediately. There are plans to expand this to Individual Caller-ID as well.
12. Expanded developer options.
A. One word ( or two actually ) - OS updates. To me Android OS updates coming straight from Google, without having to wait for carriers, and/or OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturers ) is one of the most important aspects of owning a device. Staying on the latest platform, not only ensures that you receive the obvious visual features, but also most importantly, the latest security patches and updates.
Q. What about the cost ?
A. Unlocked - 16 GB ( $350 ) , 32 GB ( $399 ). For the above mentioned performance and features, this is an unbeatable price since it compares favorably with many of the phones which cost double unlocked.
Q. What about the battery ?
I am expecting a battery life analogous or marginally better than that of the Nexus 4, due to the slightly larger battery. I will update this section once I have more info. It is interesting to note here that the Nexus-5 features some technology to reduce Battery consumption.
Additional Reading and Extras:
1. Excellent overall summary of Nexus-5 and KitKat.
2. Google's official listing of KitKat updates.
3. KitKat's official video on Kitkat .
4. Last but not the least, Google's official promotional video for Nexus-5.
