Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Price and UK availability
The original LG Nexus 5 is now two years old, and is no longer available to buy directly from Google, but you can still pick up the 32GB version for around £215 if you shop around online. Note, though, that it will become increasingly difficult to find. Also see: Nexus 5X vs Nexus 6P. The new Nexus 5X is available to pre-order now, priced at £339 for the 16GB version and £379 for the 32GB version. That means the 16GB version is £40 more expensive than the original when it launched in 2013, and we’ll see exactly why as we consider the specifications in the following comparison. Indeed, as we’ll see, the Nexus 5X is a significantly stronger offering in every single category other than price. The only reason you would choose the Nexus 5 over the 5X is if you were looking for a cheap SIM-only deal, and even then you could now get more for your money elsewhere.
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Design and build
The new Nexus 5X looks similar to the old Nexus 5, and both are clearly LG-made handsets. The new Nexus 5 has straighter edges, though, and a slightly larger 5.2in screen. The rear camera has moved from its top-left location on the old Nexus 5 into a centred position on the 5X, and no longer sits flush to the rear cover. It’s also now joined by a fingerprint scanner and an additional LED flash. Given the larger screen the new Nexus phone is a full centimetre taller and a little wider, but slimmer at 7.9mm against the Nexus 5’s 8.59mm. Just 6g has been added to its weight, now tipping the scales at 136g. Google has also slimmed down the number of colours available, and the new Nexus 5X is available in simply Carbon (Black), Quarts (White) and Ice (Blue), whereas the Nexus 5 came in five colours. Also see: Best smartphones 2015.
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Screen
Both these LG phones are fitted with full-HD IPS screens. In increasing the screen size to 5.2in, though, LG has also decreased the pixel density. Whereas the new Nexus 5X offers 424ppi, the old Nexus 5 displays 445ppi on its 4.95in screen. The chances of you noticing the difference is minimal, however, and we’d rather have the extra screen space.
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Hardware & performance
Although we’ve not yet had the Nexus 5X in our lab for benchmarking, we know from the specs alone it is going to be more capable. In place of the Nexus 5’s quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, Adreno 330 graphics and 2GB of RAM, LG now specifies a hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor and Adreno 418 graphics, but the same 2GB of RAM. Storage options are the same, with both models available with 16- or 32GB of storage. Neither support expandable memory. Also see: What’s the fastest phone 2015?
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Battery
LG has bumped up the Nexus 5’s battery from 2,300mAh to 2,700mAh in the 5X. It supports fast charging now, too, and Google says you’ll get 3.8 hours of use from a 10-minute charge.
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Connectivity
In terms of connectivity there’s little difference between these smartphones. Both support 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 (v4.2 in the 5X), GPS and GLONASS, and NFC.
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Cameras
Photography receives a boost with the new Nexus 5X too, from 8Mp to 12.3Mp at the rear, and from 1.3-to 5Mp at the front. The ‘Nexus Camera’ as it’s now called adds a second LED flash, and uses 1.55um pixels so it performs much better in low light. There’s an f/2.0 aperture and an IR laser-assisted autofocus, too. Also see: Nexus 6 vs Nexus 6P.
Nexus 5 vs Nexus 5X: Software
Both these phones offer pure Android experiences. The Android Marshmallow operating system preinstalled on the Nexus 5X is much improved over the KitKat OS preinstalled on the Nexus 5, but the original Nexus 5 will be updated to Marshmallow starting next week. Read next: Best new phones coming in 2015/2016. Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter. Marie is Editor in Chief of Tech Advisor and Macworld. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our English language, French and Spanish consumer editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
