The Nexus Six Creates Controversy With Mixed Reviews For Google's Fabulous Phablet

             

Nexus 6 (image: Google.com)

Ask for the opinions of six different reviewers on a smartphone, and you’re likely to hear six different opinions. That’s true of Google’s latest smartphone, the Nexus 6.
The ‘vanilla’ Android handset, running a pure version of Google’s mobile operating system and vision, has been reviewed by a number of online publications this week, and while there are some areas where opinions match up, others are a little bit more subjective.
The Difference Is Clear
Let’s start with Forbes’ review of the Nexus 6 from Gordon Kelly, and the physical characteristics of the handset. It’s a big handset, and while you can argue if it should be labelled a phablet or not, there’s no doubt that the screen is the most attractive element of this handset.

Perhaps the main reason potential Nexus 6 owners are prepared to suffer the inconvenience of its huge form factor is its mammoth screen and here Motorola has delivered in spades. Simply put, the Nexus 6 screen is jaw dropping. The extra size is noticeable against it rivals, particularly the iPhone 6 Plus, and Motorola has done an incredible job in slimming down the bezels. With the exception of the LG G3, no other smartphone comes close and it makes you appreciate what a superb job the company has done to keep the form factor as small as it has.

Rob Pegoraro is not so sure that the screen size is the answer that the sales team are looking for. Over on Venture Beat he notes the screen size ‘madness’ and points out a number of ergonomic and UI issues because of the size:

It’s not that you can’t stash the Motorola-built 6 in a pants pocket (at least if we’re talking dad jeans) or a shirt pocket (although the way it protrudes by over an inch makes it the pocket protector of phones). But working this thing with one hand …requires awkward, uncomfortable contortions. I had to roll and pitch the phone in my hand to get my thumb to reach icons and onscreen keys along its far side, and I kept worrying that this back-and-forth would launch the thing towards the sidewalk.
And where other enormophone vendors have customized Google’s operating system to exploit that expanded screen real estate, the Nexus 6 sticks to stock Android 5.0 Lollipop. For once, that’s not a virtue in a Nexus device.

The bottom line in terms of the screen and the size of the Nexus 6 is that you really should get it in your hand before you consider a purchase. With prices starting at $649 SIM Free, the Nexus 6 is a long-term investment, and while it does rival devices like the iPhone 6 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, it does have some issues in the physical department that the rivals have tweaked away.