Google (GOOG) announced a trio of new products today. The Nexus 6 — a new Google phablet — headlined, along with the Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player set-top streaming box. Oh, and Android 5.0, previously referred to as Android L is now officially Android Lollipop.
Pretty much everything Google announced today has Apple (AAPL) products in its sights, with the Nexus 6 leapfrogging Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus in size, Android Lollipop coming on the heels of iOS 8, the $99 Nexus Player upping Apple TV with gaming capabilities and the Nexus 9 tablet pre-empting Apple’s iPad event by just one day.
The biggest news is probably the Nexus 6, a mammoth Google phablet manufactured by its Motorola division.
Nexus 6 Specs
- 5.96-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED display @ 493 ppi
- Corning (GLW) Gorilla Glass 3
- Quad-core Qualcomm (QCOM) Snapdragon 805 CPU @ 2.7 GHz
- 13 MP primary camera with optical image stabilization, 2 MP front camera
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO support
- Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, Micro USB 2.0
- Dual front-facing speakers
- 3220 mAh battery rated at 9.5 hours web browsing and 24 hours talk time
- Runs Android 5.0 (Android Lollipop)
- 6.26 x 3.24 x 0.39-inches, 6.49 ounces
- Midnight Blue or Cloud White
- Priced at $649 without a contract for 32 GB version, $699 for 64 GB.
Nexus 6 Size
Outside of everything else, this is an enormous device. It’s bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus and bigger than the category leading Samsung (SSNLF) Galaxy Note. It’s no wonder this thing had the code name of “Shamu.”
At the same time it makes use of that size, with an extremely high density display that offers 493 pixels per inch (ppi), topping the 401 ppi iPhone 6 Plus. The battery stuffed inside is good for 24 hours of talk time and the Nexus 6 also features an advanced charging system — plug the Google phablet into an outlet for 15 minutes and you get six hours of use.
At just 1 inch smaller than a 7-inch tablet, the Nexus 6 is pushing the boundaries of how big a phablet can get.
Nexus 6 Price
Google was mum on the price at the introduction, but The Wall Street Journal says that it will be $649 without contract for the 32 MB version, and $699 for the 64 MB version.
While much cheaper than an iPhone 6 Plus, this price erases much of the advantage the previous Nexus 5 had over its competition when it retailed for just $349.
Android Lollipop
The Nexus 6 is a Google device, so that means it gets pure Android — no annoying third-party interfaces. The Google phablet also will be the first to hit store shelves with the latest version of Google’s Android operating system.
Android 5.0 — which previously had been referred to as “Android L” — was also officially confirmed to be Android Lollipop going forward, preserving the sweet naming theme.
Google says the Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order in “late October” on Google Play, and through wireless carriers including AT&T (T).
We’ll find out on launch weekend whether Google’s strategy to go really big and boost prices with the Nexus 6 pays off.
As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
