Introduction

This is a great match up that we have for you today – the new Google Nexus 6 up against the new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.  When you first think of these two smartphones or phablets, you may not believe they are in the same league to compare, but as I went through each device’s specifications, I began to realize just how much these two terrific devices have in common and you may be surprised as well.

For starters, both of these devices have large displays – the Nexus 6 sports a 6-inch versus the 5.6-inch on the Galaxy Note Edge – which make the devices very similar in size, in fact, the Nexus 6 is only about a quarter-inch larger in both height and width.  Both displays are Quad HD (QHD) with resolutions of 2560 x 1440…although the Note Edge does have an extra 160 pixels on its curved ‘Edge,’ and both displays use the AMOLED technology for brilliant colors and the blackest of blacks.

When we look inside devices, we can see that they both use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor clocked at 2.7GHz and they both have 3GB of RAM and they both have 32GB of storage.  Okay, the Nexus 6 also has a 64GB model with no room for expansion, while you can insert a microSD card in the 32GB Note Edge and add up to an additional 128GB of internal storage.  They both have the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC capability and microUSB 2.0 ports for charging and data transfer.  They both use a metal frame and trim for strength and looks and they both can take advantage of the Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 feature…Motorola calls theirs a Turbo Charger.  The devices are also available on all major U.S networks this time around…see what I mean…they have much in common.

Please take a close look at the detailed comparison chart below and check out their likenesses and the difference and then we will look at each individual device and point out some of their pros and cons to order to determine a winner in this comparison.

Specifications

Google Nexus 6

The new Nexus 6 was a great BIG surprise to everybody – in size and pricing – however, being made by Motorola this year, we were not surprised to see a bigger version of the Moto X, only this time around Google told them to put in the best specifications you can get your hands on.  Following the style of the Moto X, the Nexus 6 has the same small bezel front and the Moto X curve in its back, although there are no custom choices and what you see in Cloud White and Midnight Blue are what you get.  It is the usual solid Motorola built and even though it is a large device, it is comfortable to hold.

We already talked about the 6-inch AMOLED QHD display that packs 493 pixels-per-inch (PPI) and the Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB of internal memory.  We will jump down to one item that is different – the cameras.  The Google really upped their camera specs this time around by giving the Nexus 6 a 13MP main camera with auto-focus, a dual-tone LED flash ring that encircles the camera lens itself and they added Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)…and this compares quite favorably with the 16MP in the Galaxy Note Edge.  For the front-facing camera (FFC) they put in a 2MP to take your social media selfies and for video chatting…not quite up to the 3.7MP wide angle in the Note Edge, but the 2MP will certainly do the job.  The battery in the Nexus 6 is a huge 3220mAh size – the same used in the Galaxy Note 4 – because of the curved display, Samsung shaved the Note Edge to only 3000mAh.  We also need to ‘note’ that the Nexus 6 battery is not removable while the Galaxy Note Edge’s is removable.

As far as extra features go, the Nexus 6 has a pair of stereo front-facing speakers, a water resistant nano coating, they included the Turbo Charger, and it is wireless charging capable.  Certainly one of the Nexus line’s most endearing qualities is it comes with the latest and greatest Android 5.0 Lollipop and will continue to get the updates quicker than anybody else…certainly faster than any Samsung.  It also packs some great Motorola software features as well.  It is also available on all the major U.S. networks for an off-contract price of $649 or a two-year contract price of about $199.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

The new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge was a big surprise as well this year – we all expected the Galaxy Note 4, but for Samsung to announce the Note Edge at the same time, surprised many of us.  It is for all intent and purposes a Galaxy Note 4 with a curved display on the right hand side.  It is controlled separately from the main display so programmers can use it to enhance their applications.  The Galaxy Note Edge still comes with an S-Pen and all the other great features of the Note 4.  It has a metal frame and a small metal edge that outlines the outer edges of the display and has a removable faux leather backing minus the stitching this time around…it looks, and feels like a premium device.

The Galaxy Note Edge’s display is 5.6-inches – the Note 4’s is 5.7-inches – and then you can add that small additional 160-pixel width side panel.  Like the Nexus 6 the display is QHD and uses Samsung’s own Super AMOLED display with 524 PPI (due to the smaller display).  We mentioned that they both use the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, the same 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and the Note Edge adds a microSD card slot to add an additional 128GB of storage.  The cameras do differ somewhat – the Note Edge uses a 16MP, slightly up from the 13MP in the Nexus 6, with auto-focus, a single LED flash (the Nexus 6 as a dual-LED) and OIS.  The FFC is a little different from most as it uses a 3.7MP sensor with a 120-degree wide-angle mode to capture a larger group selfie or a full conference room on a video chat.  Samsung had to shave a little off the battery for the curved display, so it only has a 3000mAh battery, unlike the 3220mAh found in the Nexus 6 and Note 4.

As far as extra features go, it does have DLNA and VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling capabilities.  It also has an IR Blaster, download booster, fingerprint scanner, heart, UV and oxygen sensors, as well Quick Charge 2.0 and an Ultra Power Saving Mode (UPSM). One of its best features is the inclusion of the S-Pen and all of its functionality and software that comes on the Note series to utilize the device. It is available on all major U.S. networks and will come with Android 4.4.4 KitKat and Samsung’s TouchWiz overlay.  It is priced at $840 – $946 off contract and $399 – $430 on a two-year contract…a high amount for a smartphone.

…And The Winner Is…

Summary

Before my fellow Samsung Note lovers boil me in oil, let me explain why I picked the Nexus 6 as the winner – it comes down to ONE word, value.  The Galaxy Note Edge wins out in the “extra” department for sure and there is no arguing that point – the innovative curved edge, S-Pen functionality, the fingerprint scanner, the IR Blaster, Heart, Oxygen and UV monitors, microSD expansion, and an ever so slight advantage in the MP area…but at what price.

The new Nexus 6 has a larger QHD display, the exact same processor and 3GB of RAM, the same Quick Charge features and throws in wireless charging, a larger battery and front-facing stereo speakers…and let us not forget the pure, unadulterated Android 5.0 Lollipop.  It too, has a metal frame, beautiful AMOLED display, nicely designed curved back for a comfortable grip and available on all networks this time around all for $200 less on a two-year contract and even more of a difference off-contract. If the display, processor and RAM were lower in the Nexus 6, I would have gone with the Galaxy Note Edge, but there is just too much of a price difference for me to choose the Note Edge.

Please hit us up on our Google+ Page and let us know which one of these devices you pick as the winner and WHY…as always, we would love to hear from you.