The Nexus 5 (2015) is a device rumored to be in development by LG, in partnership with Google. Though it’s yet to be announced, we suspect it's going to be a low-powered handset with an average camera, acceptable display, and middling battery life. And it’s probably going to be the best Android phone of 2015. Here are five reasons you’re going to want the Nexus 5 (2015).
1. A great price
Part of the appeal of the Nexus 5 was its price-to-performance ratio. The Nexus 5 entered the market at 349 USD (299 GBP) for the base model and, the occasional sale notwithstanding, stayed there until Google stopped producing it.
It entered the market at its final price: a rarity in the world of smartphones and consumer electronics. If this alone isn’t a reason to be excited about the new handset, I don’t know what is.
Though you could be forgiven for thinking that the 349 for the last remnants of the Nexus 5 sold earlier this year was too much to ask, producing a smartphone and asking a reasonable price for it is a truly wonderful idea, and LG/Google achieved that at the launch of the original Nexus 5 (here’s hoping the OnePlus 2 once again delivers on this).
With LG back in the driving seat, there’s every possibility we’ll see the Nexus 5 (2015) enter the market offering exceptional value for money.
2. Stock Android
It might seem obvious, but one of the reasons to buy the nexus 5 2015 is the stock Android experience. It goes without saying that the Nexus 5 (2015) will have the truest Android software (which I'm still tipping will be named Marshmallow), rather than a custom UI like TouchWiz, Xperia UI, or UX 4.0.
What are the benefits of such software? Namely, fast updates. Google devices receive the latest Android versions faster than any other handsets, with the factory images available for install directly from the Google Developers website. Whether OTA or by flashing yourself, you will be able to get updates faster than others when you own a Google-branded device.
Then there’s the interface itself: if you’re disappointed by Sony or Samsung-branded apps you can’t get rid of (though Samsung has certainly improved lately), you don’t have to worry about this on Google’s own handset, providing you’re okay with the Google apps package.
Anything added to the stock experience will have some kind of impact on memory (both random access and storage), and here is an area where few devices will be able to compete with the Nexus 5 (2015).
3. The size sweet spot
You might be worried that the new Nexus is going to continue in the phablet vein, but if there are two handsets in the making, and one by LG, it's a safe bet that one of them is going to be a more "pocket-friendly" device. LG shrank the G Flex 2 to size from the 6-inches of its predecessor to a 5.5-inch screen, seemingly of the opinion that 6-inches is too large.
Why is this important? Size can be the determining factor in a smartphone purchase. I've spoken to dozens of people who have said "I was going to get phone "X" but I chose phone "Y" because it was bigger/smaller." Our own Head of Content chose against the Nexus 6 for this very reason.
I’m not going to try and argue that the Nexus 5 (2015) will have excellent battery life. Honestly, it probably won’t. What smartphone has good battery life these days? I haven’t seen good battery life since the early 2000s.
But this Nexus 5 has much more going for it in the battery department than the previous one. Firstly, Qualcomm Quick-Charge 2.0 means that devices are charging faster than ever before. Even if your Nexus 5 doesn’t have a large battery capacity, it’s likely to charge faster.
The Nexus 6 has Qualcomm Quick-Charge, the LG G4 supports, with any recent Snapdragon processor, the Nexus 5 (2015) is likely to have it.
The Nexus 5 (2015) will also be able to take advantage of "Doze", a battery optimization which will be apparent on the next Android version. You can read more about the benefits of that at our dedicated Android M features page.
Then there’s wireless charging. For me it’s currently the least important component of the whole charging affair, but since the Nexus 5 can charge wirelessly (with a separate adapter), and its prevalence having increased since then, it will at least make the charging process more seamless, even if battery power isn’t vastly improved.
5. LG: Life's Good
In the past I’ve been quite vocal about my love of LG as a brand, and it stems from the rear button design. When this first appeared on the LG G2 it felt uncomfortable, for myself andother critics alike.
Despite an evident backlash, LG stuck with the rear-buttons, and I now love them. I think they are useful, I think they are comfortable, and I think it’s great to have this option: a flagship which provides this unique experience.
Does this mean I expect rear buttons on the Nexus 5 (2015), absolutely not. What do I expect, then? Expertise.
LG has made stunning hardware. For at least the past few years it has produced standout Android handsets year-on-year. And LG knows how to iterate and improve upon its formula. Those fans who loved the rear button design received it again on the LG G3, and on the LG G4 — LG only needs to apply the same principles to the Nexus 5 (2015).
What did people like? They liked the price, they liked the performance, they liked the display and the design, and I think we can count on LG to deliver on those a second time around.
Conclusion
You need only read my last few device comparisons to understand my thoughts on specs. Numbers on paper don’t say much about the actual user-experience, modest specs can produce excellent results with the care and attention of experts (you’ll have to forgive me, but the iPhone series is just the best example of this).
I don’t think the LG Nexus 5 (2015) would produce a spec sheet that blows us away. Despite rumors, and my better judgement, I don’t even expect QHD resolution.
I expect a well-thought out device at a fantastic price which holds our attention of the next two years. LG has done it before, why can't it do it again?
Head over to our Nexus 5 (2015) device rumors and specs page for more, and sound off in the comments to let us know whether you agree or disagree with my thoughts.
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