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Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – it is always a good match up when the high-end Nexus 6P takes on a newcomer. Even after being released almost a year ago, the Nexus 6P holds up well to some of the competition. Today we are comparing the Nexus 6P with the new Sony Xperia X Performance model. Both devices are an all-metal design, but the Nexus 6P has the edge in looks – even with its camera hump across the back of the device. The Xperia X Performance looks the part of a Sony device, despite its redesign from metal and glass to all-metal – rectangle look, large top and bottom bezels, and an FHD display. Despite their differences, they do have a few things in common that we will go over in the next paragraph before we move on to the detailed specifications.
Let us see if we can find any similarities between the Nexus 6P and the Sony Xperia X Performance. Because of the difference in display size – 5.7-inches for the Nexus 6P and 5.0-inches for the Xperia X Performance – resolution and even technology, the devices are not even close to each other in physical size. They both use a Snapdragon processor, but entirely different models – same with the GPUs. Both do use 3 GB of DDR4 RAM, and both have a 32GB variant, but only the Sony allows for memory expansion. Both devices have great cameras but go about it in a very different manner. The both have dual front-facing stereo speakers, and both have Hi-Res sound for earphones. Both devices use a non-removable battery with quick charge capabilities for power. They have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, and a USB port – Type-C in the Nexus and a microUSB v2.0 in the Sony – for charging and data transfer. The Nexus 6P has a fingerprint sensor as does the international version of the Xperia X Performance – the US model does not have a fingerprint sensor.
Please take a thoughtful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Huawei Nexus 6P
As long as the Nexus 6P has been around, it still stands up to some of the newer smartphones coming out. There is a hardcore group of Nexus buyers that want a no-nonsense sort of device – mid-spec and a reasonable price – and that would be the Nexus 5X. The Nexus 6P was designed to satisfy the many other users that want the pure Android experience, but also would like the top specs – this is the Nexus 6P. The Nexus 6P is an all metal, high-end device that comes with a higher price tag. It has a premium look and feels solid in your hand.
The Nexus 6P sports a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 pixels of resolution with 518 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) It uses the newer v2.1 of the Snapdragon 810 as the brains of the Nexus 6P. It is an octa-core processor with one quad-core clocked at 1.55GHz and one quad-core clocked at 2.0GHz. It is packing 3GB of DDR4 RAM with a choice of 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of non-expandable memory.
The Nexus 6P’s primary camera has a 12.3MP sensor, laser autofocus, an aperture of f/2.0, and a dual-tone LED flash – but still no OIS. For the front-facing camera (FFC) the Nexus 6P uses a large 8MP sensor for selfies and video chatting. The Nexus 6P has a large 3450mAh non-removable battery for its power and comes with a rapid charge feature via its Type-C plug.
The Nexus 6P does have dual front-facing stereo speakers that provide great sound. Running pure vanilla Android, it will be the first to receive the new software upgrades – Nougat will be out this fall. You can purchase the Nexus 6P through the Google Store as an unlocked device that is usable on all major US networks. Pricing is at only $550 for the 64GB model and offers an excellent value. It comes in one of the four colors – Aluminum, Graphite, Frost, or Matte Gold.
Sony Xperia X Performance
The new Sony Xperia X Performance looks like any Sony smartphone – some love it and others do not. Even their redesign from metal and glass to an all-metal body could not hide its identity. While Sony refused to upgrade to a QHD display, they did include the best processor, GPU, but shorted consumers with only 3GB of RAM.
The Xperia X sports a 5.0-inch IPS LCD FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and 441 PPI. While Sony refused to use a QHD display, they did make a good decision included the 64-bit Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz and a dual-core clocked at 2.15GHz and uses the Adreno 530 GPU to handle the graphics. The device only packs 3GB of DDR4 RAM and comes with 32GB of internal memory, which is expandable to 200GB via a microSD card.
The Xperia X Performance model uses Sony’s 23MP camera sensor for its primary shooter with an aperture of f/2.0, 24mm, Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF,) and LED flash – still no OIS. Sony included a large 13MP FFC and gave it an aperture of f/2.0 and 22mm lens for great selfies and video chats. A small 2700mAh non-removable battery with Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities supplies the power.
The Sony Xperia X Performance model keeps the IP68 certification for dust and water resistance. It also retains Sony’s excellent dual stereo front-facing speakers. There is no fingerprint sensor in the US version, but the international version should work on limited US networks – check with your carrier. The Xperia X Performance measures 143.7 x 70.4 x 8.7mm and weighs in at 164.4 grams. The colors are White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold, and Rose Gold and the Xperia X Performance will cost you about $675 – $700.
…And The Winner Is…
The Final Word
This was another tough decision – the Sony Xperia X Performance definitely has the upper advantage when it comes to the Snapdragon 820/Adreno 530 combo and memory expansion. However, the Nexus 6P has a much better display, as good or better camera, a fingerprint sensor on all models, matches up with dual stereo speakers, the newer reversible Type-C connector, runs pure Android with the fastest upgrades, and it does this for $150 less.
If it were not for the processor/GPU in the Xperia X Performance, the Nexus 6P would easily win. The Nexus 6P has last year’s top processor, and it does an excellent job in the Nexus 6P. The Xperia X Performance is a Sony lover’s device, but the FHD, plastic feeling metal, and no US fingerprint sensor do it in for me, and I pick the Nexus 6P as the winner of this comparison.
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