You can't get around it, these are both big phones.
But Samsung and Motorola tackled these phone designs in different ways, and there actually isn't much shared in terms of looks between the phones. Both incorporate a metal frame that wraps around the phone, slimming on the sides and getting a bit wider on the top and bottom, and while the exact location of ports and buttons differs a bit both phones are pretty traditional in their layouts.
But Samsung and Motorola tackled these phone designs in different ways, and there actually isn't much shared in terms of looks between the phones. Both incorporate a metal frame that wraps around the phone, slimming on the sides and getting a bit wider on the top and bottom, and while the exact location of ports and buttons differs a bit both phones are pretty traditional in their layouts.
These are both big phones, and they each approach design differently.
And that's where the visual similarities end. The Note 5 has gone with a full glass back that curves sharply on the sides but is flat in the middle, while the Nexus 6 instead has a gently-curved plastic back. Looking at the front of the phones the first thing that stands out is just how small the bezels are on the Note 5, as well as how much crisper and brighter its display is (though it's the same resolution as the Nexus) — reinforcing in your mind how dominant Samsung is in phone displays.
You get a fingerprint sensor in the home button under the Note 5's display, but the Nexus 6 instead has more versatile on-screen buttons as well as front-facing speakers that are much louder than the Note. Both phones are pretty easy to hold onto, for their size, but with the Note 5's slightly smaller screen and tiny bezels it comes out on top in terms of one-handed usability. Anyone who has held a Nexus 6 knows it basically can't be used with one hand, and while both phones are pretty nice looking (of course there's some personal preference involved here) you can't argue the Note 5 is easier to handle overall.
Of course there's also a straight-up spec comparison to be made, for those who like to see all of the numbers together. Considering the Nexus 6's age it actually stacks up pretty well against the Note 5, with the exceptions being it has a last-generation processor, a lower megapixel camera, 1GB less RAM, and lacks the fingerprint and heart rate sensors of Samsung's latest.
| Category | Galaxy Note 5 | Nexus 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, TouchWiz | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Display | 5.7-inch QHD (2560x1440, 518 ppi) Super AMOLED Gorilla Glass 4 | 5.96-inch QHD (2560x1440, 493 ppi)) AMOLED Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | Exynos 7420 octa-core (2.1GHz quad + 1.5GHz quad) 64bit, 14nm | Snapdragon 805 quad-core 2.7GHz |
| Storage | 32 or 64GB, UFS 2.0 Non-expandable | 32 or 64GB Non-expandable |
| RAM | 4GB (LPDDR4) | 3GB |
| Rear Camera | 16MP, f/1.9, OIS, phase detection auto focus 4K video, slow motion video | 13MP, f/2.0, OIS, Dual LED ring flash 4K video capture at 30fps |
| Front Camera | 5MP, f/1.9 | 2MP |
| Network | LTE cat.9 (network bands vary by market) | LTE |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wifi, 2.4/5GHz, MIMO (2x2), 620Mbps Bluetooth v4.2 LE, ANT+ NFC, Location (GPS, Glonass, Beidou) | 802.11ac Wifi, 2.4/5GHz Bluetooth 4.1 NFC, Location (GPS, Glonass) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM | GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer |
| Charging | Micro USB 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging Qi wireless, Powermat wireless, fast wireless charging | Micro USB 2.0, Quick Charge Qi wireless |
| Battery | 3000 mAh Non-removable | 3220 mAh Non-removable |
| Dimensions | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm | 159.26 x 82.98 x 10.06mm |
| Weight | 171g | 184g |
| Colors | black sapphire, white pearl, gold platinum (colors will vary by market) | Midnight blue, Cloud white |
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