Google launched the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P a little over three weeks ago in San Francisco. Since then, customers in the UK, US, Canada, UK, Ireland and Japan have been able to order the phones for a while and recently saw models begin to ship. Now it’s Australia’s turn. With orders in the Google Store going live earlier today, we’ve got the word on carrier and retail availability for Google’s new superphones.
The Nexus 5X is built by LG and is the follow-up to the immensely popular Nexus 5, which was released in 2013 aiming at the more budget-oriented customer while the Nexus 6P is built by first-time Nexus partner Huawei, and hits the premium end of the market as well as offering an option for fans of larger screen phones. The phones each have slightly different build materials and internal specs, and the Huawei 6P with its more powerful Snapdragon 810 processor offers a number of camera improvements over the 5X, including burst mode and a 240 frame per second slow motion.
Where can I get them?
If you want to try your new phone before you buy, then you’ll be able to at both Australian carrier stores and retailers stores. If you don’t want to go hands-on, you might want to just buy from the Google Store and let them ship the phones to you free of charge.
Google Store
Google has announced Google Store pricing and colour options, and as expected they’re the same as we saw on launch day. As we’ve seen around the world, fans of the White Frost will unfortunately be unable to by one in a 32GB storage option – and unless you’re willing to travel to Japan, you can’t get a Gold Nexus 6P either.
Nexus 5X
The Nexus 5X is currently available in all colour options in both 16GB and 32GB storage capacities with stock leaving the warehouse on the 2nd of November.
| Ice Blue | Carbon Black | Quartz White | |
| 16GB | $659 | ||
| 32GB | $739 | ||
Visit the Nexus 5X Google Store page for more information.
Nexus 6P
The Nexus 6P has far more limited availability, with only the 64GB model available in Graphite Black and Aluminium. The 128GB White Frost Nexus 6P will not be available in Australia and the 32GB White Frost model has never existed.
| Frost | Aluminium | Graphite | |
| 32GB | N/A | $899.00 | $899.00 |
| 64GB | $999.00 | $999.00 | $999.00 |
| 128GB | N/A | $1,099 | $1,099 |
Visit the Nexus 6P Google Store page for more information.
Customers who have purchased from the Google Store are advising they are being notified of a delivery date between the 6th to 10th of November.
Google is also offering a 90-day Google Play Music subscription (for new subscribers only – Boo) for people purchasing the phones.
Accessories
In the box with your Nexus phones you’ll find some accessories, including a USB Type-C 15W (5V/3A) charger, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A cable (only for Nexus 6P), a SIM tool, a safety and warranty information booklet, quick start guide and a Google Play Music promo card.
Note that the Nexus 5X only comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, and that’s the cable you need to use with the packed-in charger. If you want to use your existing charger or plug your phone into a computer you’ll need to get a USB-A to USB-C cable – the Google Store has you covered, although the prices are pretty high.
USB-C
With USB-C now the standard for the Nexus 5X and 6P, Google has added a bunch of USB-C adapters to the Google Store:
- USB-C Chargers – $39.99
- USB-C to USB-C cables – 29.99
- USB-C to USB-A cable (male) – $19.99
- USB-C to USB-A adapter (female) – $19.99
Cases
Both the Nexus 5X and 6P have accessories listed on the Google Store, with cases starting from just $34 and ranging up to $59/$69 for a Folio Case on the 5X/6P. The cases are designed and supplied from Speck, and Adopted, and are available to purchase right now.
- Nexus 6P Adopted Folio – Coming Soon
- Nexus 6P Adopted Case – $49.95 in Carbon or Quartz
- Nexus 6P Adopted Protective Case – $39.95 in Carbon or Clear Frost
- Nexus 6P Speck Candyshell Grip Case – $60.00
- Nexus 5X Adopted Folio – $59.00 in Carbon or Quartz
- Nexus 5X Adopted Case – $49.00 in Carbon or Quartz
- Nexus 5X Adopted Protective Case – $34.00 in Carbon, Clear Frost, or Blue
- Nexus 5X Speck Candyshell Grip Case – $55.00
Carriers
It’s been a few years since a Nexus phone was available on all three carriers, but all Australian carriers are getting in on the Nexus action this year. Telstra has gone with the smaller LG-built Nexus 5X and will carry the phone exclusively, while both Optus and Vodafone will offer Huawei’s Nexus 6P. The plans identified below are the plans the carriers have chosen to highlight – you can likely get the phones on other plans with varying monthly repayment options.
Optus – Nexus 6P
As we heard last week, Optus is set to begin taking pre-orders today, although the Nexus 6P is yet to appear on their site.
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 32GB: $5/month on $60/month plan
As a pre-order bonus, Optus customers will be able to get the Nexus 6P without the handset repayments – a saving of $5 per month – if they order before November 2.
Click here for Optus’ Nexus 6P order page
Virgin Mobile – Nexus 6P
Like Optus, Virgin Mobile is offering the 32GB Nexus 6P.
- Nexus 6P – Alumiumium, 32GB: $5/month on $65/month plan
- Nexus 6P – Alumiumium, 32GB: $0/month on $80/month plan
Vodafone – Nexus 6P
Vodafone will also offer the 64GB Aluminium Nexus 6P (Note: An earlier version of this article quoted 32GB).
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 64GB: $28/month on $40/month plan
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 64GB: $15/month on $60/month plan
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 64GB: $5/month on $80/month plan
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 64GB: FREE (no repayments) on $100/month plan
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 64GB: FREE (no repayments) on $130/month plan
Vodafone is also running a promotion with Huawei: the first 1,000 customers who order a Nexus 6P will receive a free headset, case and Huawei TalkBand B2.
Click here for Vodafone’s Nexus 6P order page
Telstra – Nexus 5X
Telstra will offer the 32GB model of the Nexus 5X in Carbon (black) and Ice (blue) only.
- Nexus 5X – Carbon/Ice, 32GB: $0/month on $70/month plan
Click here for Telstra’s Nexus 5X order page
Retailers
More good news, with the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P becoming available at retail stores. JB Hi-fi and Harvey Norman are leading the way this year. Google’s advising that the Nexus 5X will be available from Tuesday November 3.
JB Hi-fi
JB Hi-fi will stock the Nexus 5X in Carbon (black) in 16GB and 32GB and the Nexus 6P in 64GB Aluminium.
- Nexus 5X – Carbon, 16GB $659
- Nexus 5X – Carbon, 32GB $739
- Nexus 6P – Alumiunium, 64GB $999
You’ll be able to get a $50 discount on a Nexus 5X during November and December if you trade in any working phone.
Harvey Norman
Harvey Norman told us during the days of the Nexus 4 that they considered it important to range the devices in Australia, so it’s good to see them keeping true to their word. Like JB Hi-fi, they’re stocking both phones but in limited colour and size options:
Nexus 5X vs Nexus 6P: By the numbers
| Nexus 5X LG |
Nexus 6P Huawei |
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5.2” FHD with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 | 5.7” QHD with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 |
| Display | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| PPI | 423 ppi | 515 ppi |
| Processor | Snapdragon 808 | Snapdragon 810 |
| Cores | Hexacore 2 x 2.0 GHz + 4 x 1.5 GHz | Octa-core 4 x 2.0 GHz + 4 x 1.6 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Adreno 430 |
| RAM | 2GB LPDDR3 RAM | 3GB LPDDR3 RAM |
| Storage | 16/32GB | 32/64/128GB |
| Rear Camera | 12.3MP 1.55μm | |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | |
| Flash | Broad-spectrum CRI-90 dual flash | |
| Auto-focus | IR laser-assisted autofocus | |
| Front Camera | 5 MP 1.4μm | 8 MP 1.4 µm |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 |
| Wireless | LTE cat. 6 Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz) Bluetooth 4.2 NFC GPS, GLONASS Digital compass Wi-Fi use requires 802.11a/b/g/n/ac access point (router). Syncing services, such as backup, require a Google Account. |
|
| USB | USB Type-C | |
| 4G LTE FDD Bands | B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/9/17/18/19/20/26/28 | B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/9/17/19/20/28 |
| 4G LTE TDD Bands | B38/40/41 | B38/B39/40/41 |
| 3G UMTS | B1/2/4/5/6/8/9/19 | |
| 2G GSM | 850/900/1800/1900MHz | |
| Speakers | Single front-facing speaker | Dual front-facing stereo speakers |
| Sensors | Fingerprint sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Barometer Proximity sensor Ambient light sensor Hall sensor Android Sensor Hub |
|
| Android | 6.0 Marshmallow | 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Battery | 2,700 mAh | 3,450 mAh |
| Dimensions | 147.0 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm | 159.3 X 77.8 X 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 136 grams | 178 grams |
Nexus 5X Colour Options
Nexus 6P Colour Options
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P run the latest version of Android, version 6.0 dubbed “Marshmallow”. Marshmallow includes improved battery life with a feature called ‘Doze’ that shuts down non-essential sensors in order to extend the battery life when the phone is not in use.
Android 6.0 also introduces Google Now On Tap, which lets you interact with the information currently on your screen. Now On Tap lets you get all sorts of great contextual information, like automatically offering to add dates to your calendar when you get a text from your partner suggesting a date, or if you’re watching a video you’ll get information about the actors and lots, LOTS more.
Marshmallow also brings better security in the form of manual app permissions, which means you can deny an app permission to certain aspects of your phone – you have the power. Marshmallow also introduces the fingerprint API which is shown off on the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P with both phones including a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, that Google calls Nexus Imprint. Imprint will work with one-touch scan and unlock your phone with one-touch. Imprint can scan and authorise your fingerprint in under 600ms.
With the 2015 Nexus phones now officially launched in Australia, it’s time to ask – what will you buy, and where will you go to get it? Tell us in the comments!
