Google Nexus: Path maker or Breaker

Google has officially announced the Nexus 6 and we've got all the details. Revealed alongside the Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player media streamer in a typically low-key blog post, rather than a major press event, the Nexus 6 is Google's first phablets handset and will be one of the first devices to get Android Lollipop – the next version of Google's mobile OS.

Nexus 6 design

As predicted by a slew of leaks and behind-the-scenes photos, the Nexus 6 was built by Motorola and borrows heavily from the company's own 2nd generation Moto X smartphone. The two phones look almost identical in terms of shape and design, albeit with less prominent Motorola branding and a large Nexus logo on the back of the Google handset. The power and volume keys have been moved further down the side of the Nexus 6 so they are comfortably in reach – a necessary move given the increased screen size: the Nexus 6 has a mammoth 5.96in display. This makes the handset measure 159.3x83x10.1mm (at the thickest point), while it weighs 184g. That makes it bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus (158.1x77.8x7.1mm) and heavier, too (172g).

Nexus 6 hardware

The 6 inch screen (which, to be precise, is actually 5.93inch) uses a QHD, 2,560x1, 440 resolution panel, resulting in a display density of 493 pixels per inch (PPI). It uses AMOLED technology, which should produce vibrant colors and rich, deep blacks, as well as use less power when showing darker images compared to LCD. Motorola has also squeezed in front-facing stereo speakers above and below the screen, so the Nexus 6 should be ideal for sharing video clips with friends or watching YouTube without headphones.

Inside, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor runs at 2.7GHz. It's the same CPU Samsung has used in the Galaxy Note 4, which is one of the fastest Android devices we've ever tested, so with the stock version of Android it's looking likely the Nexus 6 could be even faster. There's 3GB of RAM inside, which should help. A 3,220mAh battery should be good for over 24 hours of use from a single charge, but if you're running low the bundled Motorola Turbo Charger should let you add six hours' worth of battery life in 15 minutes connected to the mains.Google will be seeing 32GB and 64GB versions of the Nexus 6, but you'll have to buy the more expensive model if you need the space; there's no micro SD card slot, meaning there's no way to add extra capacity at a later date.

Finally, a 13-megapixel camera appears on the back. That might be the same number of pixels as the 2nd generation Moto X, but Motorola has added optical image stabilization to eliminate camera shake. It also carries across the twin-LED ring flash for clearer photos in low light, meaning it should be a big improvement over the 8-megapixel sensor seen in last year's Nexus 5. 

Nexus 6 Android 5.0 Lollipop

As predicted, the Nexus 6 will launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Previously known as Android L, the latest version of Google's mobile OS includes a completely overhauled Material Design user interface, performance improvements, selective notifications and a new battery saver mode which extends battery life by up to 90 minutes. Multiple user accounts and a guest user mode have been added, across tablets and smartphones for the first time, to help you keep your personal data private when sharing your device with others, and there's now an option to unlock your device based on proximity to a Bluetooth-enabled wearable like the Motorola Moto 360 Android Wear smart watch.