I'm a pretty tough critic of smartphones because I only upgrade about every 3-4 years, so I'm always looking for the mack-daddy of devices whenever I do decide to upgrade. And what led me to the Nexus 6P was that it was made by Huawei, a company that has been credited recently for mastering the eight-core processor setup and having the best radio receivers in the world (a radio on smartphones is what captures your signal for talk/text/data). I was a little hesitant since it's a pure Google phone without a secondary operating system, but I can tell you now that I'm absolutely thrilled with this phone in every possible way.
Why? Let's start out with the screen quality. I have a mid-range 60' 1080p television in my bedroom and movies actually look better on my phone. Seriously...the colors are absolutely amazing and I find myself drawn to watching cartoon movie previews lately just to stare in awe. This phone also comes with a beefy battery for movie watchers like myself and the quick-charge function ensures that you can literally stream content 24/7.
For example, I downloaded the latest Suits episode when the phone was at 22% power earlier tonight, then I checked email, played a few games and visited Amazon. Then I watched the entire 43 minute episode before I got down to 10%. Thirty minutes later (after charging the phone while idle) it was back to 87%. And that's with all the settings wide open...I haven't even turned on the battery efficiency mode yet.
The camera is also spectacular and it has a lot of features I've never seen before on a smartphone. For example, it has something called bubble mode. You hold the camera steady, take a photo, and then it shows "bubbles" at all sides of the screen for you to take an additional photo at. So you can literally line up with unlimited bubbles up, down and to both sides to create a truly 3-D photo of an entire room, a beach panoramic or anything you can think of. It's literally changed the way I take pictures because the photo quality (in every mode) is awesome.
Now let me tell you why you might not want this phone. Out of the box, it's straight Android Marshmallow, which means that you have to "build" your homepage with only a few enclosed widgets available. So you'll have to hit the Google Play store to get your Facebook feed, a cool looking weather widget (the enclosed one is very basic) and several other toys that you're used to on Galaxy or HTC....and a lot of folks won't like doing that. HOWEVER, know that without a secondary operating system like most other phones, this is literally the fastest device on the market right now and it will likely stay that way in the near future. However, you probably won't be able to replace everything your last phone had so don't expect it.....for example, I'm still searching for a solid main email program.
That's why tech nerds like me love the Nexus line...we add only what we want and it keeps the phone blazing fast.
Additionally, you may remember me talking about the radio receiver in the intro- my wife's Galaxy 6 gets about 18 MB download speeds on our network at home, and I'll be getting 28-32 sitting right beside her. Or when we're in the mall or a grocery store, she'll drop down to 2G or lose signal while I'm still at 2-3 bars of LTE. So if you get poor reception at home/work or on your commute, then you definitely want to consider a Huawei model before the prices inevitably go up.
Overall, I absolutely love everything about this phone and I honestly think it's the best I've ever had by a wide margin. From the fingerprint scanner on the back (which is amazing in itself...all brands will copy this soon) to the great audio, video and photo quality, there's really nothing not to like. It's a steal at $500 as well...so don't hesitate grabbing one for yourself.
Please mark this review as helpful if it answered some/all of your questions!
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This Item  Huawei Nexus 32GB - Factory Unlocked Phone - Retail Packaging - Graphite |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | $399.99 | -20% $799.00 List: $999.00 | -21% $549.00 List: $699.00 | $1,699.99 | $299.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Fingerprint reader | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Face recognition | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| display size | 5.7 inches | 6.6 inches | 6.7 inches | 6.2 inches | 7.82 inches | 6.7 inches |
| memory capacity | 32 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 512 GB | 128 GB |
| model name | Nexus 6P | ThinkPhone by Motorola - 2023 | Pixel 8 Pro | Pixel 8 | OnePlus Open | Nord N30 |
| operating system | Android | Android 13.0 | Android 13.0 | Android 13.0 | Android 13.0 | OxygenOS |
| connectivity tech | USB | NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC | GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 WCDMA: B1/2/4/5/6/8/19 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB |
| display type | LCD | OLED | OLED | OLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| input interface | touch screen | touch screen | touch screen | touch screen | touch screen | — |
From the manufacturer
An exquisite frame for your life
Crafted from aeronautical-grade anodized aluminum, the new Nexus sports the curves and contours of a machine built for turning heads. Diamond chamfers encircle its edges, and the new visor on the back of the device accents the low-light-loving, 12.3 MP, sapphire- crystal lens camera.
Built on a foundation of power
With the octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor under the hood, performance on the new Nexus is faster than ever, yet gentler on battery life. The 3450mAh battery keeps you talking, texting and apping into the night. Paired with a reversible USB Type-C port for fast charging, you’ve got a daily driver that actually lasts all day.
Always the newest OS, now running Android 6.0 Marshmallow
With Nexus devices, you always get the freshest, fastest, most satisfying Android OS available. First in line for software updates and designed from the inside out with an Android-centric point of view, Nexus is the ultimate Android experience.
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A camera that captures more lightThe 12.3 MP camera is designed for photos taken with less‑than‑ideal lighting. The 1.55µm sensor captures more light than almost any other on the market, and oversized pixels absorb more in even the dimmest conditions to make your photos brighter. With a faster Google Camera app, you never miss a moment, and with the smart Google Photos app, your memories are easy to relive and impossible to lose. |
Simplified Security: One FingertipYour Nexus is quicker and more secure with a fingerprint sensor. Placed on the back of your device to complement the way you naturally hold it, one touch will turn on your phone and unlock your apps for smooth, easy access. Instead of a password, only your unique fingerprint can access your email and photos, or make purchases on Android Pay. |
The best of Google in the palm of your handNexus: When the apps you love, your OS software, and your device itself are all on the same page. Your day runs smoother when the apps that run your day, like Gmail, Chrome, and Google Maps, are powered by Android and Nexus, with the same Google DNA. |
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What is an unlocked phone?An unlocked phone is a device that is not bound to any carrier or plan. It allows you to choose your phone first and your carrier second. Upon selecting a plan, simply insert the carrier's SIM card into the phone and you're ready to go. If you decide you want to change carriers down the road or want to take an international trip, it's as simple as replacing your existing SIM card with a new SIM and activating your new plan. |
What are the benefits of an unlocked phone?Freedom: Choose the carrier with the best service or price. If you find a better deal later, you have the ability to change to a different carrier. Travel: Take your phone internationally and use the carrier of your choice. It's as easy as inserting an active SIM card. Selection: Choose the phone with the features you want, whether or not your carrier sells it, and get more service options without a contract. |
How do I set up my unlocked phone?The first thing you’ll need is a SIM card for your desired carrier. When activated, the SIM card will let your phone connect to your carrier’s network. If you decide to upgrade to a newer unlocked phone in the future, you can easily remove the SIM card from your old phone and put it in your new phone—just make sure you get the right size of SIM card (nano, micro, or standard) for your phone. If you want to use your phone while traveling internationally, you can easily buy a SIM card for a carrier that operates where you’re traveling. As long as it’s activated, you can just swap SIM cards when you arrive at your destination. |
Reviews with images
Loving the Nexus 6P like I haven't loved a phone since my first Nokia Navigator
Im loving the Google Nexus 6P Huawei like I have not loved a phone since my first Nokia Navigator back in 19… well never mind that. Here's why.One word description:Excellent! (Use Ted's voice)Pictures say a thousand words:I have uploaded many pictures to illustrate (I hope) what the Google Nexus 6P Huawei really is all about.I have also written about a thousand words so now it's doubled.The Review In BriefThe Pros:Clean "bloatware" free OS ready for personalizationHuge, bright, clear and detailed screenDecent forward facing stereo speakersSturdy metal design with clean crisp looksTop of the line cameras, both in back and front(ish)Charges super-fast (BUT see Cons #1)Holds the charge for a long time even under heavy useThe "Could Go Either Way”:Size & Weight. Its large size and weight may not be for everyone.Little to nothing in the way of apps coming out of the box.USB-C Power/Data cableThe Cons:Quick charge only works with the Google specific quick chargerNo option for wireless chargingTouchy volume and power keysFor now still very little in the way of accessories other than casesNo SD card slotThe full story:After several years of loyalty to the Samsung Galaxy lineup I simply did not feel the latest S6 was enough of an improvement over its predecessors to pay the price to upgrade. And I was going from the S4 and it still just did not seem worth it.Google to the rescue. All roads (Googling) led me to the Google Nexus 6P Huawei. Form CNET to the myriad of Android forums 6P was echoing throughout. Fine, I took the hint and bought it outright here on Amazon. Oddly it was much cheaper here than buying directly from Google.First thing to know when you get this phone is there is very little in the way of apps on it. Really just the basic Google apps and nothing else. This is a great thing. No un-uninstallable bloatware to be found. (Yes I made up a word.) No nagging apps determined to sell you some service providers "custom-voicemail-avatar-voice-to-text” upgrade or some other junk you don't want and are tired of telling them over and over you don't want. This phone is a clean slate. Look in wonder and glory at the empty canvas before you.Yes you could leave it that way and just use the very basic Google app functions. Like the basic Gmail app that can be set up with your POP mail account and works well enough to send and receive but little more. Or the clock app that really is just a clock, timer and alarm with little in the way of customization. And you would be all good with this. But why buy this beautiful blank slate only to leave it that way? Pull out your brush tool and search the web to find all the apps that fit your style perfectly and make this "YOUR” phone. Just know it has no option for expanding the memory with a SD card so keep the apps under control enough that they don't use up whatever memory size you bought. I went for the 64GB and think that should be enough for me. Sure saving to the "Cloud” is a space saver but clouds are so immaterial and I just don't trust anything that weighs 1 million pounds and hangs in the air exactly the same way bricks don't. Wait what I was talking about again. Oh yea. Memory is an issue and you are only going to get one shot at this so choose wisely. 32, 64 or 128 GB? Only you can decide what is right for you.CPU Power. The Nexus 6P is powerful enough to take on any app you can find at the moment. High graphics apps like Family Guy Quest for Stuff and The Sims Freeplay have no negative effect on it at all. Bouncing from one app to the next and back again is seamless. The Marshmallow OS is clean, quick, solid and so far very stable. Google promises that the Nexus 6P will be one of the first to get each yummy updated OS. I gotta say it's a bit hard to talk about the Marshmallow OS because there is not much to it and that's how I like it. Its fast and basically invisible. Its really hard to describe something that is invisible and does what its supposed to without issues. So lets say its just like a real marshmallow. Light and perfect just as it is. MMMmmmm....Next lets look at size and weight of the phone itself. Its big. Really big. Like HHGG big. My pictures show it against my average sized hand and a $1 bill for scale. Because of the size I really did not want to add any further bulk by putting a case on it. Even the slim cases added more bulk than I would like. Added to this is that I bought the car mount for it (seen in another of my pictures, sorry it's not so good) and this would only fit a "Naked” Nexus. That leads me to the belt holder. You can see the phone in the "Nexus 6P Spring Clip Belt Holster - Case Free Design”. This also gives you an idea what to expect when its hanging from your belt. Yep its big.(Case Free Belt Holster found on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AITKNLI?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_25)Is it too big? Maybe for some it will be and I would suggest if you have doubts you really need to get your hands on one before dropping a chunk of change on this. Just stop anyone you see walking around with one. If they are like me they will probably give you a full demo whether you want it or not. While you're at it check out the weight. Its heavier than you are probably used to. Again for some this will be a problem issue. For me it feels sturdy and substantial. In fact other than to install the "Tempered Glass Screen Protector” I did not feel that the phone really needed a bulky case to protect it from normal bumps and moderate drops. Others have advocated the cases but Im just not thinking they are worth the size cost. Protect the screen from scratches and such but the rest of this phone feels like it can take the normal use from a desk jockey like myself. Maybe the outdoorsy folks will want the case. Me, Im staying naked.(Screen Protector found on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014SL8BWU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00)This leads us to the screen. That size has a big payoff. The huge bright screen really makes it all wort it. Especially after you load the Netflix and Amazon Prime apps, then really settle in for a binge watch of your favorite series. Yes, for the first time the screen on one of my phones is good enough that I actually wanted to watch several episodes in a row. The bright clear screen is then complimented by the set of forward facing speakers on either side (or top and bottom depending on orientation). They produce crisp clear sound that is more than loud enough for any normal use. As is to be expected they do lack in and substantial base so for those of you looking for the true movie or nightclub experience headphones will be required. Add to that your favorite document editor or even the basic stock Google ones and you now have a formidable work phone. The voice to text is close to perfect, at least for me in a quiet office and the large screen size allows for much more accurate editing of long text, spreadsheets even presentations. My office keyboard is collecting dust.So I have to mention the camera. Im a DSLR guy and old fashioned enough to want the depth of field that only a long focal length can truly provide. That said the Nexus 6P does take a great picture from the rear facing camera. Some warping on the edges of shots can be noticed at times and as always the paltry flash is all but useless at even small room distances. (It does make an adequate flashlight so not completely useless.) The Nexus 6P does compensate for the flash issues by making the most of the light but still all hype aside don't expect this to supplant a "real” camera. No phone camera will at the moment and maybe none ever will. The front facing camera is adequate at best and let's face it other than the, hopefully soon to be out of fashion, "duck-lipped selfies” it's only needed for video calls which compress the image so much anyhow that the image quality of the lens is the least of your worries. If you are trying to photograph the family picnic the rear facing camera will do very nicely and makes it easy to share with friends and family. If you are trying to create art… please just get a halfway decent DSLR. This goes double for the video functions on all accounts.Charging. I admit it. Im the guy who is always on his phone. Whether its playing games, texting, surfing watching Amazon Prime or just trying to avoid any form of social contact with the outside world, my eyes are glued to my phone almost all the time. And that's why I carried not one but two spare batteries with me for my Galaxy S4 and had chargers stashed everywhere. Because of this I was a little worried about the fact that you can't swap out the battery on the Nexus 6P. Not as worried anymore but…First week battery testing. Going all day from 5:00am to 4:30pm using the phone frequently to surf, tap in on all of my many games, texting and even a real phone call for about 15 minutes I was still in the mid 40% range while going home. I would say this satisfies me mostly but I am still going to buy a portable battery pack just to appease the power hunger. Most normal people, who don't live on their phones, will never have to worry about the battery life on the Nexus 6P. So look in your mirror app and ask yourself "do you need that much power? "Charging with Googles provided quick charger rocks. Just a few minutes from dead to full but the caveat there is that it only works with Googles charger. No other quick charger will charge it quickly. I get it Google. You want to sell your product but please do us a favor and license it out to others. I want a quick charging desk docking stand, car charger, solar charger and so on. Please don't give me the freedom of the cleanest OS out there and then shackle me to your quick charger. This is not to say you can't charge it up from any old charger or USB with power, just that it won't be that lightning fast charging you get with Googles charger. If they were a little cheaper ($40 as of 01-29-16) I would buy several and mod them to suit my desires but at $40 bucks a pop Im not risking the inevitable mod failures. Which brings us to USB-C.I really do like USB-C but I really hate having to replace all my cables. Again. From Firewire to USB, to USB Mini, to USB Micro and now on to USB-C I have cables coming out of my…. never mind. I have a lot of cables. OK so times change. Technology marches on. I even finally threw out all my old 5¼ floppies a few years ago but please, let's stick with this USB-C for a while now. OK? Anyhow the Nexus 6P does use USB-C so if you don't already own a few cables and/or converters you may want to buy some at the same time you buy the phone. At the very least a longer USB to USB-C cable so you can plug the phone into your PC and old USB chargers. The one in the package is about 3ish inches and totally useless.Which leads us seamlessly into wireless charging. I really don't understand why Google dropped it from the phone. I don't see it as a deal breaker in any way but it would have been nice. C'est la vie.Speaking of power. The power button, and volume as well are very nicely made of solid metal. The have a nice tactile feel and a little texture on the power button that helps identify it. Unfortunately it's as sensitive as Sally Struthers and twice as likely to make you cry. Just grazing it with your thumb will trigger it. Often at annoyingly inopportune moments when you can lose some points because of a locked screen. Same goes for the volume buttons that I have all too often inadvertently turned the volume off causing me to miss an important game notification. (Priorities) It would have been nice if these buttons had a little higher pressure threshold. Their positioning also lends itself to accidental pressing of a button so this is one of those things that will require some getting used to. Another small complaint related to the power button that maybe Google can fix in future OS updates. When you long press the power button it only gives the option to shut down the phone. It would be nice to have the option to reboot and maybe go to airplane mode as well. Just saying.Accessories. I like them. Lots of them. The more gadgety the better. Sadly there just is not that much out there for the Nexus 6P. (yet?) Sure there are a crud load of fancy cases and hybrid holsters but I only found the one case free "clip in” holster and had to wait 2 weeks for the car charging docking station to be released. I don't want to directly advertise outside of Amazon but Googling "Google Nexus 6P (Huawei) Car Charging Holder with Tilt Swivel” will lead you to the charging station. It's a must have. In the overall scheme of things there just is not that much out there. Hopefully there will be but so far it's a plethora of "rugged” cases and a dearth of cool accessories.Wrapping up.This is a truly awesome phone made for the Nerd in all of us. (If you have no inner Nerd don't buy this phone, go.. go get some fruit or something.) Is it perfect? No but then nothing is. That's why we invented modding. Is it close to perfect? Well… maybe but that all depends on your take on the size and weight, how you feel about battery power, your storage requirements and maybe if total control is your thing or not. The Google Nexus 6P gives you total control over what your phone has on it and how it works. With no bloat to get in the way and nothing locked down from your reach it is able to utilize its massive processing prowess to make the user experience unique to each owner. Its looks are clean and sharp with a sturdy metal feel we haven't seen in a while. For me it has been a great purchase and a new love for my phone that I had been missing for a long time.But I do wonder what ever happened to that old Navigator.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016
Style: PhoneColor: GraphiteSize: 32GBVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2016
Style: PhoneColor: GraphiteSize: 32GBVerified Purchase
I wrote this review when I first got the phone and it is still performing very well, but I can say that the wifi capability may not be as good as I hoped, not sure if this is normal on phones because I don't remember (I used to use the computer instead of a phone) but I definitely feel that over time the wifi capability has decreased (it lags sometimes and it is not the internet service as I have other devices that work without any problems). It is good to reboot the phone from time to time because it also tends to get a bit slow, I do it maybe once every 2 weeks.
Also the battery does last a day but now I have to charge it the following morning or at night, it is draining a bit faster than before. It still takes great pics but sometimes I have to wait a few seconds before I can take the next shot and it wasn't like that at the beginning, and also tends to lose focus when taking a video (not all the time, but it didn't happen before)
I won't take stars away because it is a great phone and I still recommend it but I may change it once the new nokia with android comes out.
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The phone is amazing, takes great pictures, resolution is great, the audio and speakers are amazing as well, it's really fast and the battery lasts over a day! unless I use it a lot for gaming or YouTube it lasts a day but if I don't, I can wait until mid day the following day and then I charge it, it has a do not disturb feature so I don't have to leave it without audio for the night, I just turn on the feature and choose which time I want it to turn off so I can get my notifications again...
I just love it! I'm extremely happy with this phone, would definitely recommend it!
Also the battery does last a day but now I have to charge it the following morning or at night, it is draining a bit faster than before. It still takes great pics but sometimes I have to wait a few seconds before I can take the next shot and it wasn't like that at the beginning, and also tends to lose focus when taking a video (not all the time, but it didn't happen before)
I won't take stars away because it is a great phone and I still recommend it but I may change it once the new nokia with android comes out.
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The phone is amazing, takes great pictures, resolution is great, the audio and speakers are amazing as well, it's really fast and the battery lasts over a day! unless I use it a lot for gaming or YouTube it lasts a day but if I don't, I can wait until mid day the following day and then I charge it, it has a do not disturb feature so I don't have to leave it without audio for the night, I just turn on the feature and choose which time I want it to turn off so I can get my notifications again...
I just love it! I'm extremely happy with this phone, would definitely recommend it!
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Top reviews from other countries
Adrian g.
Exactly what I ordered
Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2019Style: PhoneColor: GraphiteSize: 32GBVerified Purchase
Dr Andrew Carney
this is my favourite mobile ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2017Amazon Customer
The best phone I had in 20 years
Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2017Style: PhoneColor: GoldSize: 32GBVerified Purchase
