How Google's New Nexus 6 Smartphone Compares to Apple, Samsung's Products
— -- If size matters, it's fair to say that Google has one-upped Apple and Samsung when it comes to smartphones.
The company unveiled its new Nexus 6 smartphone today, built in partnership with Motorola. The Android device is equipped with the latest version of the operating system, which Google code named "Lollipop."
It's now a game of big, bigger and biggest in the smartphone market.
Which gigantic one is right for you? Here's a quick breakdown of what to expect before you decide.
Nexus 6
The biggest of the three devices, the Nexus 6 has a display that is 6 inches diagonally.
The phablet is packed with features, including dual front-facing stereo speakers and a 13 megapixel camera. A "Turbo Charger" is also included, allowing users to get as much as six hours of use with just 15 minutes of charge, according to Google.
The Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order later this month and will arrive in stores in November, with the option for a monthly contract or installment plan through carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and U.S. Cellular.
iPhone 6 Plus
Apple has sold millions of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus -- and it appears the frenzy has yet to subside.
The iPhone 6 Plus screen is 5.5 inches diagonally. It's also thin, measuring just 7.1 mm. The phone comes in three colors: gold, silver and space gray.
Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduced a "brand new gesture" for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, called “reachability.” Schiller said a double-touch, “not even a press,” slides the whole display down so you can reach “anything” at the top of the phone, making it a dream for multi-taskers.
The phone also comes with Apple Pay -- Apple's new payment service that could very well be a credit card killer.
The iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 (16 GB), $399 (64 GB) and $499 (128 GB) with a two-year contract.
Galaxy Note 4
The Galaxy Note 4 keeps with Samsung's tradition of building gigantic phones with a 5.7-inch display that is able to reproduce clearer images and better viewing angles. It also boasts a response time of as fast as a millionth of a second.
The device comes with an "S Pen" that has what Samsung calls a "natural brush effect" allowing the user to take notes on the screen as though they were writing on a piece of paper.
One distinguishing factor between the Galaxy Note 4 and its predecessors is the Snap Note feature, which allows users to take a photo of their notes and easily convert them into an S Note.
Audio note taking is also top notch. The Note 4 includes several microphones for taking audio notes and the ability to tag voices -- allowing specific voices in a group conversation to be isolated and played back seamlessly.
The Galaxy Note 4 is currently available for pre-order through AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and U.S. Cellular.
