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iPhone 6s vs Nexus 5x comparison review: the ultimate Apple iPhone versus Google Android showdown
Trying to choose between an Apple iPhone 6s and Google's Nexus 5x Android phone? There's a lot to consider, here's our overview of both models.
iPhone 6s vs Nexus 5x
If you're in the market for a new phone, you may be trying to choose between an iPhone or an Android Phone.
Apple makes just the iPhone, and the latest model is the iPhone 6s, although you can also get the larger iPhone 6s Plus. There are lots of different Android phones, but the Nexus range is the closest you'll get to an actual Android phone (although LG makes it, not Google). The latest Nexus model is the Nexus 5x, so if you're in the market for a new phone, these are good phones to compare.
This review is a comparison test between the iPhone 6s and Nexus 5x. We'll look at the technical specs, price and software on both devices.
See also:
- iPhone 6s Plus vs iPhone 6 Plus comparison review
- iPhone 6s review: 3D Touch, Live Photos & more
- iPhone 6s Plus review
iPhone 6s vs. Nexus 5x: Technical Specifications
In terms of technical specifications, the two phones have more in common than you'd think. The Nexus 5x is a little bigger, but a little lighter than the iPhone. It has a larger 5.2-inch screen. Both have 2GB of RAM.
The iPhone 6s has a faster dual-core A9 compared to the Nexus' slower, but quad-core, Snapdragon 808.
iPhone 6s tech specs
- Dimensions: 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm
- Weight: 143 g
- Display: 4.7 inches
- Resolution: 750 x 1334 pixels (326 ppi)
- Chipset: Apple A9
- CPU: Dual-core 1.84 GHz
- GPU: PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics)
- RAM: 2GB
- Main Camera: 12 MP
- Front facing camera: 5 MP
Nexus 5x tech specs
- Dimensions: 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 136 g
- Display: 5.2 inches
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (424 PPI pixel density)
- Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808
- CPU: Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
- GPU: Adreno 418
- RAM: 2GB
- Main Camera: 12.3 MP
- Front facing Camera: 5 MP
We'd bet good money on Apple's faster dual-core being much faster than the Nexus 5x. A speed test by Cult Of Android showed an iPhone 6s smashing a Galaxy Note 5, even though it had an octo-core processor and 4GB RAM. A lot of this is down to better app management in iOS than Android. Both phones are plenty fast enough for regular users to do all the usual things they want without undue lag. We will be running our own tests and will update this article when we have the result.
Feature-wise, it's much of a muchness. Both phones pack fingerprint sensing technology, and a form of mobile payment (Apple Pay and Android Pay respectively). The cameras are similar in specification, and both phones can record 4K video. Although Apple's new Live Photos feature is a point of difference, it's a bit gimmicky, and there are similar apps available for Android.
The biggest difference between the two phones is Apple's new 3D Touch interface. 3D Touch is both a hardware and software implementation, but the real difference is noticeable in software (so we'll come to it in a bit).
iPhone 6s vs. Nexus 5x: models and pricing
The iPhone 6s and Nexus 5x are available in a range of different models and prices. Here are the options available:
- iPhone 6s (16GB): £539
- iPhone 6s (64GB): £619
- iPhone 6s (128GB): £699
- Nexus 5x (16GB): £339
- Nexus 5x (32GB): £379
Price is clearly a difference between the two phones. The Nexus 5x is much cheaper than the iPhone. While Apple has larger storage models available, you save £200 by choosing a Nexus 5x. We think 32GB should be the entry point for a new iPhone, and are still slightly disgruntled that Apple hasn't got a model available (in our opinion 16GB is too small, but that isn't enough to stop people buying what is essentially the cheapest option).
The real comparison should be between the Nexus 5x: 32GB and iPhone 6s: 64GB. You'll have a whopping £240 in your pocket if you go for the Android.
Of course these prices depend on whether you want to buy the phone up front, rather than on a contract.
iPhone 6s vs. Nexus 5x: colours and options
Both the iPhone 6s and Nexus 5x come in a range of different colours. Here are the official colours (the honest descriptions in brackets are ours)
iPhone 6s colours
- Gold (gold)
- Rose Gold (pink)
- Space Gray (black)
- Silver (silver)
Nexus 5x colours
- Carbon (black)
- Quartz (white)
- Ice (pale blue)
Rose Gold seems to be the interesting new choice, although it's not for everybody it has apparently proved popular. The gold of the iPhone is metallic gold, rather than plastic gold. It looks stylish, but quite bling. Space Gray and Silver are less ostentatious options.
The Nexus 5x range of colours have fancy names, Carbon, Quartz and Ice, but it's really just black, white and blue.
The iPhone does look more stylish to our eyes (in terms of design and colour schemes) although the build quality on both phones is great.
iPhone 6s vs. Nexus 5x: software and apps
What it comes down to is software, to be more precise the integration of software and hardware. And here the iPhone leads the way. Apple manages to integrate software and hardware in a way that few other companies are able to match - it makes the hardware and the software itself, after all, while other companies buy a operating system to run on their hardare.
Apple consistently delivers new ideas, and implements them on both the hardware and software level. 3D Touch is a good example of this. Inside the iPhone 6s is a new type of touchscreen that senses pressure. You can use this to "peek" and "pop" inside items in iOS 9, or perform quick shortcuts. Android has a similar gesture in the form of a long-press, where you hold your finger down for a while. We think that it's just not as good an implementation.
And then, beyond that there's the whole of iOS vs. Android debate. From various speed tests, it's clear to us that iOS is more efficient than Android. It's also a safer operating system because Apple keeps such a tight rein on development so you can generally be confident about the apps you are downloading from the App Store.
As well as risks, there are advantages to Android's side-loading feature (where you can install apps without Google's permission or security). And Google has a much faster turnaround for app development, which is why it's becoming much more popular among developers and enthusiasts.
iPhone comparison reviews
If you've enjoyed this article, perhaps you'd be interested in more iPhone buying advice? We've written a series of comparison reviews, which set various combinations of iPhone against one another, head to head:
- iPhone 6s vs iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6s Plus vs iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s vs iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6
- iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6 Plus
These may be useful if you're trying to device between two specific iPhone models.
iPhone buying guide, autumn/winter 2015
And for a broader look at Apple's current iPhone range, take a look at our iPhone buying guide video for autumn/winter 2015:
Or, if you'd prefer to see our buying advice in written rather than video form, head over to our iPhone buying guide article.
But now, on to the verdict!
OUR VERDICT
We wouldn't advise getting either model in 16GB, so go for the 32GB Nexus 5x or 64GB iPhone 6s. The iPhone is the better device, in terms of both software and hardware (and blending the two together). But the Nexus 5x isn't a bad phone by any means, and it offers enough functionality to make most people happy. A lot of it comes (as it so often does) down to how much you want to stay in (or join) the Apple ecosystem of apps, entertainment and iCloud. Also, how much are you willing to pay for a slicker and easier-to-use interface? Apple fans will already have made up their mind, as will coders who find Android an easier environment to develop for. For the average newcomer, it's not such an easy choice. The iPhone is the wiser choice, in the long run; it is manifestly a better phone, and we think it'll perform for longer, and you'll enjoy owning it more.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Amazing specs & features makes it tough to decide which of these flagship phones is best
We compared the price, specs, design and features of the iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6 to help you decide which is best for you.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6 comparison
When the iPhone 6s launched in September, it found itself in direct competition with the similarly named Galaxy S6, Samsung's flagship smartphone that launched back in March. Both phones offers top spec features and individual selling points of their own, so here we put the two head-to-head to find out which is best in our iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6 comparison.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Design and build
The iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6 have some big similarities when it comes to design and build, from the visual similarities that you'll spot on the outside to the non-removable back and lack of waterproofing – an interesting move from Samsung.
In previous comparisons between the Apple and Samsung's flagships, Galaxy phones trumped the iPhone thanks to their waterproof nature and the ability to remove the back and the battery, but Samsung has sacrificed those features in favour of a slimmer and more stylish design, it seems. It has also removed the microSD card slot, another feature Samsung owners previously used against Apple fans.
Just looking at the iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6 side-by-side, you'll notice that both have rounded corners and similar metal chassis with ports, speakers, buttons and even antenna strips in locations that appear to mimic one another. They both have protruding cameras on the back, but Samsung has positioned its camera in the middle while the iPhone 6s's camera is on the left.
But we still love the look of the iPhone 6s more than the Galaxy S6. It oozes style and sophistication thanks to its matt aluminium finish available in a delightful Rose Gold, Gold, Silver and Space Grey.
Meanwhile the Galaxy S6 has a tackier, mirrored back that picks up fingerprints in an instant. You can choose between Gold Platinium, Blue Topez, White Pearl and Black Sapphire, and we'd strongly recommend the choosing on of the latter two options if you're concerned about that shiny, smudgy finish.
Both the iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6 measure 7.1mm thick, and are very similar when it comes to weight at 138g and 143g respectively.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Screen
The design of these smartphones is important, of course, but the thing you'll be spending the majority of your time looking at is the screen. The Samsung Galaxy S6 has a stunning display, at 2560 x 1440 pixels making it Quad-HD, something we had hoped to see with the iPhone 6s but expect will arrive with the iPhone 7. Across its 5.1in screen, that means the Galaxy S6 has an incredible 577ppi pixel density, which is much higher than the iPhone 6's 326ppi (1334 x 750 resolution).
But the 5.1in display might be too big for some, who'll prefer the slightly smaller 4.7in screen on the iPhone 6s. It's still crisp and clear, and you'll find it more than satisfactory for watching videos and playing games, but there's no doubt that the Galaxy S6's screen blows it out of the water.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Hardware and performance
Beneath its stunning exterior, the iPhone 6s houses a 64-bit A9 processor with an M9 motion co-processor that improves efficiency by taking on responsibility for the sensors. That chip is paired with 2GB RAM, which combined with iOS makes it a smooth, speedy piece of tech.
The Galaxy S6 is no slouch though. It has a super-fast octa-core Exynos 7420 processor, which like the iPhone's is 64-bit. It has 3GB RAM, but it's difficult to compare that directly with the 2GB in the iPhone because the S6 runs Android which handles app management differently.
We've run our benchmarking tests on both phones, and the chart below shows the results.
Storage options for the Galaxy S6 are 32GB, 64GB and 128GB, which as mentioned previously is a more important decision than ever for Samsung users because there's no microSD card slot for adding more storage later.
We wish that Apple had adopted the same storage options as Samsung with the iPhone 6s, but instead it has started with 16GB then skipped to 64GB, with the largest option coming in at 128GB. We don't think 16GB is enough space, and most users will find that they'll quickly use it up, so if you decide to buy the iPhone 6s we'd advice opting for the 64GB model if your budget can stretch (you can find out more about pricing below).
The Galaxy S6's battery may be non-removable, but it does feature wireless charging as standard, and also supports quick charging that'll give you enough power to last four hours within 10 minutes of being plugged in.
The iPhone 6s battery is also non-removable but it's not such a surprise, as previous iPhones have had a fixed battery too. It doesn't feature wireless charging or quick charging, but there is now a power saving mode in iOS 9.
Other connectivity features are similar, with both phones sporting 802.11ac WiFi and NFC, but the Galaxy S6 gets an IR Blaster and Download Booster that the iPhone lacks. Bluetooth 4.2 can be found in the iPhone 6s while the S6 has Bluetooth 4.0.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Cameras
Apple's iPhone 6s has a big camera boost compared with the previous model, now boasting a 12Mp snapper with 1.22 micron pixels. There's a True Tone Flash and autofocus that's made better thanks to dedicated focus pixels.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 has a 16Mp camera on the rear with an LED flash, and there's automatic real-time HDR and IR Dectect White Balance, but most importantly there's optical image stabilisation, which the iPhone 6s Plus has but the smaller 6s that we're talking about here doesn't.
Both rear cameras are capable of capturing 4K video, slow-motion and time-lapse.
On the front of both phones is a 5Mp camera.
We're working on a huge camera comparison article that'll put the iPhone 6s head-to-head with its biggest camera phone rivals, because there are so many varying factors that it's hard to judge the cameras in any smartphone comparison based on specs alone. We've found the iPhone 6s camera to be great so far, but the Galaxy S6 camera continues to wow us every time we use it, so watch this space for detailed photo comparisons that'll help us issue our final verdict on which is better.
What's cool about the iPhone, though, is that it offers Live Photos, which means it can capture a second before and a second after you press the shutter button. You'll then end up with a three-second long Live Photo, which is a bit like an animated GIF. You can view that clip on your iPhone by using the 3D Touch feature (which we discuss more below), pressing on the photo to make it move. It's a bit on the gimmicky side but we've enjoyed using it so far and we imagine it'll become more popular as more apps begin to support it.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Extra features
We've already briefly mentioned the iPhone 6s's 3D Touch display, but it deserves much more than just a mention as it's one of the phone's big selling points that sets it apart from rivals.
The new tech means that the iPhone's display can detect pressure, opening up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to navigation and interacting with the device. You can find out more about 3D Touch here.
It does require a bit of a learning curve, but once you're familiar with it, 3D Touch can make everything that bit quicker to achieve and help you be more efficient overall, even if that just means you spend a bit less time checking your emails. Time is money, after all.
Both the iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6 offer quick and accurate fingerprint scanners beneath their home buttons for speed and security for Apple Pay and Samsung Pay respectively, but the S6 offers a heart rate scanner that the iPhone doesn't have.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Software
We could talk about specs all day, but it's actually the software that'll make the biggest impact on your experience of using a smartphone. The iPhone 6s runs Apple's iOS while the Galaxy S6 runs Android, and chances are you've already made up your mind about which you prefer. There are pros and cons to both, and the decision to switch can be a tough one because it'll mean relearning how to use your phone and starting again with apps and lots of the data they store.
The iPhone 6s runs Apple's new iOS 9, which features a new Proactive Siri that's similar to Google Now on Android, as well as all of those handy 3D Touch features and the ability to capture Live Photos. Find out more about iOS 9 and all of its new features here.
The Galaxy S6 runs Android 5.0 Lollipop, but it'll soon be updated to the new 6.0 Marshmallow operating system. That's customised with Samsungs TouchWiz user interface. You can find out lots more about the Galaxy S6 software in our full Galaxy S6 review.
iPhone 6s vs Samsung Galaxy S6: Price
The final thing to talk about when comparing any two phones is price. Now that the Samsung Galaxy S6 has been around for a while (it launched in March at MWC in Barcelona), it's been reduced from £599 to £499 if you want the 32GB model. For 64GB, you'll pay £639, and for the 128GB model you'll pay £719.
The iPhone 6s is newer and tends not to go down in price, so it'll likely stay at £539 for the 16GB model until a new iPhone 7 arrives next year. The 64GB model is £619, so slightly less than the Samsung equivalent. Then there's the 128GB model that'll cost you £699.
So these smartphones are fairly evenly matched when it comes to price, which means it's unlikely to be the deciding factor when choosing between them.
iPhone comparison reviews
If you've enjoyed this article, perhaps you'd be interested in more iPhone buying advice? We've written a series of comparison reviews, which set various combinations of iPhone against one another, head to head:
- iPhone 6s vs iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6s Plus vs iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s vs iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6
- iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6 Plus
These may be useful if you're trying to device between two specific iPhone models.
iPhone buying guide, autumn/winter 2015
And for a broader look at Apple's current iPhone range, take a look at our iPhone buying guide video for autumn/winter 2015:
Or, if you'd prefer to see our buying advice in written rather than video form, head over to our iPhone buying guide article.
But now, on to the verdict!
OUR VERDICT
Overall, the iPhone 6s and Galaxy S6 are both really, really great smartphones, and choosing between them is tough. Ultimately, it'll come down to your software preference – you're likely to already know whether you're an Android or iOS fan. They're both around the same price but they both offer individual features that help them stand out from the crowd and could well convince you to switch operating system.
The iPhone 6s is no doubt more powerful when it comes to graphics so is perfect for gamers, but in terms of processor speed there's not much between them. Where the Galaxy S6 really shines is through its stunning Quad HD screen, but it doesn't offer the innovative new 3D Touch display as boasted by the iPhone 6s. We told you it's tough!
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