Is the Nexus 5 Still Worth Buying?

The Nexus 6 is now readily available in the United States from multiple outlets and almost all carriers, but many potential buyers don’t need the latest and greatest smartphone. As a result some buyers are looking for older devices and better deals, deals like the Nexus 5 from last year.

Google still sells the Nexus 5, as do many other outlets, but they won’t for long as we’ve recently heard right from Google that they’ll stop production on the smartphone in early 2015. With that in mind, here we’ll go over what the Nexus 5 has to offer, and if the smartphone is still worth buying.

Read: Nexus 6 vs Nexus 5: Size Comparison

Google’s flagship Nexus 5 is just over a year old, being announced and released in October and November of 2013. However, it’s still an excellent smartphone that will be a great product for years to come. The Nexus 6 is a huge upgrade, literally, over the Nexus 5, but many owners don’t want a big 5.96-inch device. Which leaves the Nexus 5 as a perfect middle ground for prospective buyers.

With devices like the bigger Nexus 6, Moto X, Galaxy Note 4 and many others readily available, the Nexus 5 from last year has somewhat been forgotten as a top smartphone option. It may not have all the specs as some recently released phones, but it still has plenty to offer, and below we’ll detail a few of those.

Nexus 5 vs Nexus 6

When you compare the Nexus 5 to the new Nexus 6 there are a lot of differences that obviously make the Nexus 6 a better choice. That being said, the Nexus 6 is one of the best phones released this year, and trumps most. The Nexus 5 however, still holds its own rather well against most other phones, and does so at a lower price point.

Read: Nexus 6 vs Nexus 5: What Buyers Need to Know

A few phones this year have impressive quad-core processors and massive Quad-HD displays, like the Nexus 6, LG G3, and Galaxy Note 4. However, most others are still under 5.2-inches in size, has decent quad-core processors with 2GB of RAM, and 1080p HD displays. A display that still looks wonderful, and won’t make battery life suffer. The Nexus 5 sits right in the middle, and here’s how it compares on paper with the Nexus 6.

Nexus 6 Specs

• 5.96-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD Display
• 2.7 GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 805 processor with 3GB of RAM
• 32GB/64GB internal storage
• Android 5.0 Lollipop
• 13 Megapixel camera with OIS, 2 MP front camera (4k video capture)
• Dual Ring Flash similar to Moto X
• Dual Front-facing speakers
• Aluminum frame around device like the new Moto X 2014
• 3,220 mAh battery

Nexus 5 Specs

• 5.0-inch 1920 x 1080p Full HD Display
• 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 Quad-core with 2GB of RAM
• 16/32GB internal storage
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat (updated to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop)
• 8 Megapixel camera with OIS, 1.3 front shooter (single LED flash)
• Bottom facing speaker
• Plastic design
• 2,300 mAh battery

Of course there are a few major differences here. The Nexus 6 has a much bigger 5.96-inch display that many consider a phablet. The resolution is higher, the camera is better, and it has front facing speakers. The build quality is also much better too, but all of that comes at a price.

Yes, you won’t get the latest quad-core processor or 3GB of RAM, but you’ll still have a fast and fluid smartphone that’s already been updated to the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop software release. The Nexus 5 is still a great all around device, especially considering the price.

Read: Android 5.0 vs Android 4.4 KitKat: What’s New in Lollipop

With all that in mind, lets talk about the price because it’s one of the most important aspects of this phone.

Price

This is a big aspect of the Nexus 6, as it isn’t nearly as cheap as many wanted, or hoped for. Google didn’t hold back at all. We have one of the biggest and best displays around, the fastest quad-core processor on the market, dual front facing speakers, and a massive battery. Previous Nexus devices had paired down parts to keep the price low, but Google didn’t take that route with the Nexus 6.

The Nexus 5 debuted for $349 for the 16GB model, and $399 for the 32GB version. This single handily (along with the smaller display) instantly makes it still a smartphone worth buying. Simply for those on a budget, or those who don’t want a huge smartphone next to their face.

The Nexus 6 is $649 for the 32GB model, and $699 for the 64GB option. Yes, this is expensive.

As a comparison, the iPhone 6 Plus 64GB is $849 off contract, and even Samsung’s new 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 4 is between $750-$829 depending on region or carrier.

What we’re saying here is that even though the Nexus 5 is slightly showing its age and about to stop being produced by Google and LG, it’s still one of the best phones around for the price, and a great value for those looking for a smartphone this holiday season without breaking the bank.

Is the Nexus 5 Still Worthy?

In short, yes! The Nexus 5 still offers an excellent overall package with plenty of power to run the latest Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and future updates, a decent 8 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, a perfectly sized 5-inch 1080p full HD display, and just about everything else owners like in a smartphone.

Read: Nexus 5 Review

Google’s flagship device last year may of had poor speakers, and the battery life wasn’t as good as many hoped for, but it’s still a great device. Almost this entire argument comes down to the price. Getting this phone for $349 (or less with Nexus 5 deals or sales) makes it a great buy. In a time where you’ll have to sacrifice specs to get a Moto G, or spend over $599 for a flagship device from most other manufacturers, a $349 Nexus 5 is a great buy, and will continue to be a good option until Google stops making it early next year.

All said and done, this is still a worthy phone of your dollar, but time is running out. It’s still available from a few sources online, but Google’s confirmed it will no longer be available in late January of 2015. It’s on the Google Play Store now, and who knows how long it will be available before it officially gets removed from the storefront. Get one now while you can, if it’s something you’re interested in.