Google’s new Nexus 5X smartphone hit U.S. shelves today.
The 5X is one of the smartphones Google unveiled at the end of September in a bid to compete with Apple’s latest iPhone launch. At $379, the 16 GB device is priced just under the cost of a new 128 GB iPhone 6s on a two year contract. The 32 GB version of the 5X will run U.S. consumers just a fraction more at $429.
Unlike its predecessors, the 5X will come equipped with Android’s new Marshmallow operating system running on a Snapdragon 808 processor. The device also comes with a 5.2-inch screen, 1080p display, new Nexus Imprint fingerprint reader on the back, a 5Mp front camera and a 12.2 Mp rear camera.
The device is available from Google’s online store in three colors – black, silver and sea foam green (dubbed carbon, quartz and ice in the Google store) – with shipping availability to U.S. residents as early as Thursday. The device is slated to become available in additional markets soon.
Though pre-orders on the Nexus 6P – Google’s higher-end new release – are still being accepted, a solid release date for that device has yet to be announced. Also available in three colors, the 6P will come with 32, 64, or 128 GB of memory, a 5.7-inch screen, Android’s Marshmallow operating system running on a Snapdragon 810 processor, 8Mp front and 12.3 Mp rear cameras and a variety of sensors. The device will range in price from $499 to $649, depending on memory level.
The new Nexus devices are up against stiff competition in a similar price range from the highly successful iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, which were released at the end of September. In their first weekend of availability, Apple reportedly sold more than 13 million units.
