We’re smack-dab in the middle of a heated smartphone release cycle which means consumers have some really great new devices to choose from. If you are in the market for a new device, the next few weeks will provide you with a number of excellent models to consider. Two such handsets are the LG Nexus 5XÂ and the Samsung Galaxy S6.
The Nexus 5X is the newer of the pair, as the Samsung phone has been on the market since April of earlier this year. We still consider them to be worthy opponents due to their similar size and form factor. Let’s take a look at these two and see how they stack up against each other, starting with a head-to-head chart.
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Software
As you likely know, hardware isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to picking out a smartphone. Software plays an important role in helping decide which model might be best for you. To that end, the Nexus 5X is easily the winner here because it runs the absolute latest in Android. Moreover, it’s a stock build of Android which means it doesn’t have carrier-branded apps or services pre-installed.
Dubbed 6.0 Marshmallow, the newest release brings about a number of new features and native support for others. Google Now On Tap, for example, provides contextual answers and information to users without any effort. Other goodies found in Android 6.0 include support for USB Type C charging and fingerprint verification.
Perhaps one of the best features is the new way in which Android will hibernate apps and services to prolong battery life. As we all know, whether it’s fast charging or wireless, batteries could always use some help.
App permissions get smarter and more intuitive with Android 6.0, too. Customers will find that they have more control over which permissions are granted on an app; developers win with a better user experience that doesn’t ask for all of these requirements ahead of launching the app.
If history is an indicator, the Nexus will win in the long run, too. Google will be quick to deploy software updates in a timely manner with Samsung’s phones often some months behind the curve. Does this matter to everyone? No, but purists and those wanting the best for their money will care deeply about this. Also, it doesn’t help that Samsung devices can sometimes feel slower and more wonky after major software updates.
Customization
The Nexus 5X comes in three color options for 2015 (Carbon, Quartz, Ice) while the Galaxy S6 gets White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Gold Platinum colors. Depending on where you buy the phone you may have less colors to choose from, particularly if you’re purchasing the latter through a carrier.
Storage capacity
The Samsung Galaxy S6 comes with three storage options: 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB (dependent upon the carrier). As for the Nexus 5X, it comes with 16GB and 32GB capacities. Depending on your needs, and how much you rely on cloud backups and storage, this could be a moot point. But, if you’re looking for the most storage available, Samsung takes the crown here. It’s also worth noting that neither of these devices have support for a MicroSD card, so you may need to choose wisely when deciding how much storage to get.
Camera
If you are the kind of person who looks strictly at specifications, then you have to concede this feature to Samsung and its 16-megapixel rear camera. Not simply for megapixels but also for the fact that it has optical image stabilization, too. Then again, until you see real photos and factor in your own needs, this could be a toss-up for average users. Around front, the LG packs a 5-megapixel camera which is the same as what can be found in the Galaxy S6. Again, unless you use the front-facing camera much or have more serious needs, this may not matter much.
Battery
LG would win here if it were strictly up to capacity; the 2700mAh battery is just a bit higher than Samsung’s 2550mAh unit.  But, Samsung’s comes with wireless charging out of the box. And, as if that weren’t enough, it’s designed for quick wireless charging. Then again, if your battery lasts all day long then it might not matter how quickly it charges if you’re only doing it at bedtime.
Availability
You can pick up the Nexus 5X directly from Google and pair the unlocked phone with any major service provider. Samsung’s phone is also available direct to consumer, but US customers will fork over more money if they want an unlocked version.
Price
Perhaps one of the most important aspects in purchasing a smartphone, the overall cost often determines if a phone is “too rich for our blood”. Moreover, it’s price that helps us determine whether a certain feature is worth spending the cash or if we’re actually content with a little less.
The Nexus 5X starts at $379 for the 16GB version; with the 32GB variant pricing out at $429. For the sake of comparison, the Galaxy S6 will set you back about $580 for the T-Mobile 32GB version. Bump that up to 64GB and you’re looking at $660 (for a limited time) and the phone’s still tied to the carrier. In other words, the Nexus 5X sticker is considerably cheaper and there’s carrier flexibility, too.
Other important aspects
The Nexus 5Xcomes with a fingerprint reader on the rear, which is used for security and authentication. Depending on what you plan to do with your smartphone, this could be a make-or-break factor. Samsung’s fingerprint sensor is on the home button on the front.
Worth noting, the Nexus 5XÂ comes with a USB Type-C charger. Why is that important? Well, we venture to guess you’ll need to get some new cords and chargers for the house and car if you plan to juice up throughout the day. This means some added cost to the bottom line. The Samsung Galaxy S6Â still uses the micro USB port for charging and works with every single one of those cables we’ve collected over the years.
Samsung has included its own added security features, KNOX, to its phones, but Google has started integrating that into Android at a platform level. While this was a bigger Samsung selling point in the past, it’s one of those things that simply comes with Android today.
Another key area to consider is the recently launched Samsung Pay service. If you get used to using it for your quick and painless credit/debit card purchases then you’ll want to stay within the Samsung ecosystem. But, given we are in the very early days of its competitor, Android Pay, there’s no reason to try either one out.
Summary
We love that the Nexus line is stock Android and is supported with updates for at least a few years. Samsung has gotten better at rolling out major updates but it’s sometimes a pain in the butt when they do arrive. We’ve had plenty of reports of people complaining of slowness after getting a new version of Android.
The Nexus line is one of our favorites in all of smartphones and we’re super pleased to LG partnering with Google again for 2015. LG seems to have stepped up their game for the Nexus 5X, hoping to repeat the cult-like following that the 2013 Nexus 5 received.
Samsung is still one of the first names in smartphones and you can’t really go wrong with a flagship device. We appreciate that it has been producing better looking (and feeling) models over the last few generations and think they’re sexy as hell.
Which phone is right for you? You’ll have to weigh what’s important to you and decide if it’s worth the extra money to go with the Samsung over the LG. If you’re paying for your handset outright, we have to give the nod to the Nexus 5X. But, financing makes it easier to stomach, especially with upgrade options offered by carriers.
