Google Nexus 6P Review: A Magnificent Marshallow Powered Flagship

It's a good thing both the Nexus 5X and 6P are part of Google's product stack, otherwise, you might find LG and Huawei at odds -- both phones look strikingly similar. At first blush, the 6P looks identical to the 5X, albeit larger. The front face of the 6P almost exactly mirrors that of the 5X, offering up a stealthy, gloss black bezel with speakers above and below the screen.


Moving around the edges, a hint of differentiation begins to emerge. You'll find two accent bands around the bottom on either side of the Micro USB Type-C connector, though the all-black power and volume rocker on the right edge are sitting in familiar territory. The left edge is home to a nano-SIM slot, while the 3.5mm audio jack is placed on the 6P's top (as opposed to the bottom of the 5X).


The rear of the device is delightfully understated. There's a circular Nexus Imprint fingerprint scanner right where your index finger would naturally strike when holding the device one-handed. Above that is a glossy protrusion, which holds the 12.3MP rear camera and broad-spectrum CRI-90 dual flash.


Particulars aside, the Nexus 6P is a rigid, handsome device. It's the first-ever Nexus phone to boast an all metal body. The frame is CNC machined from "aeronautical-grade aluminum," and embedded within is "the most accurate QHD display" to ever ship on a Nexus product. The screen is also covered with Gorilla Glass 4, which should be please those who tend to have a hard time hanging onto their device. To our eyes, those claims are apt. It's a gorgeous display, with sharp colors, instant touch response, and top-shelf clarity, brightness and saturation.


The Micro USB Type-C port is a new standard, but will become far more common in the months ahead. There's a cable included, which you'll want to make sure you hang onto. Unlike those micro USB 2.0 cables that seem to be everywhere, these new Type-C cables haven't yet reached the same level of ubiquity.