Google unveils 2 Nexus smartphone models from LG, Huawei

Google unveils 2 Nexus smartphone models from LG, Huawei. October. 01, 2015 22:05. drake007@donga.com.

Google unveiled two Nexus series models that adopt "Android 6.0 Marshmallow," the latest smartphone operating system, on Tuesday. The two models are the "Nexus 5X" and the "Nexus 6P," for which each LG Electronics of Korea and Huawei of China developed hardware and design.

The Marshmallow application features a number of upgraded functions, such as "Now On Tap" automatically searching related information, and "App Standby," which cuts power consumption by limiting automatic synchronizing of apps that are not frequently used. The new operating system features mobile payment system "Android Pay" as well.

The Nexus 5X is the third product jointly developed by Google and LG Electronics after the "Nexus 4" in 2012 and the "Nexus 5" in 2013. The new smartphone comes with 5.2-inch, full-HD screen, and is equipped with 12.3 megapixel camera on the back and 5 megapixel camera on the front. It adopts built-in 2700mAh battery, and measures 7.9 mm in thickness. Google started receiving reservations for purchase of the device through its online website "Google Store" in six countries including, Korea, the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland, and Japan from Wednesday.

Google will start selling online and offline the new smartphone in about 40 countries worldwide from October 19. The retail price for the device in Korea is set at 509,000 won (430 U.S. dollars) for the 16 Gigabyte version and 569,000 won (482 dollars) for the 32 gigabyte version including shipping and value added tax.

The Nexus 6P from Huawei comes with more advanced specifications than the LG device. For one, the Nexus 6P is drawing attention due to the metal body that has been adopted for the first time in a Nexus series model. Huawei said the material used in the smartphone is "Anodized aluminum" that is mostly used in aircraft. The device comes with 12.3 megapixel camera on the back, the same as the one installed on the Nexus 5X, and 8 megapixel camera on the front, which is more advanced than LG’s (5 megapixel). The Nexus 6P is a "fablet" device that is adopting 5.7-inch QHD display. This device has been put on reservation-based sale along with the Nexus 5X in five countries, such as the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland and Japan.