Google Nexus 5X 32GB

Verdict

At launch time, the Nexus 5X was priced at Rs 31,990 for the 16 gig model, while the 32GB variant was priced at a hefty Rs 35,990. At that price, we probably would’ve trashed it completely, since that’s premium territory and this phone’s plasticky build doesn’t justify that kind of outlay at all. However, a couple of drastic price cuts (that happened within a few days of launch), mean you can now get the 16GB variant for around Rs 25,000, and the 32 gig version for roughly Rs 30,000. The price reduction means the 5X, which seemed like a frail warrior earlier, has sharpened its sword an... Read Full Verdict

At launch time, the Nexus 5X was priced at Rs 31,990 for the 16 gig model, while the 32GB variant was priced at a hefty Rs 35,990. At that price, we probably would’ve trashed it completely, since that’s premium territory and this phone’s plasticky build doesn’t justify that kind of outlay at all. However, a couple of drastic price cuts (that happened within a few days of launch), mean you can now get the 16GB variant for around Rs 25,000, and the 32 gig version for roughly Rs 30,000. The price reduction means the 5X, which seemed like a frail warrior earlier, has sharpened its sword and is back in the reckoning… and if you’ve read our review in its entirety, you’d know that it’s quite the all-rounder. The device manages to score in most vital aspects, offering a smooth performance, versatile cameras that offer good image quality, and excellent battery life. The good call quality is the icing on the proverbial cake. And how can we forget the platform? One of the first phones to run the latest version of Android and bringing all the new features that are part of the revamp, the Nexus 5X showcases the platform in all its stock, virginal glory. Then there’s the promise of speedy updates, straight from Google’s servers.All this combined put the Nexus 5X into a special category, but we can’t ignore its faults either – the plastic body that completely sours the deal as far as we’re concerned, along with the fixed storage. At ~ Rs 25k, the 16GB model isn’t a bad deal, but the limited amount of storage available would be a problem for all except those who just use their phones for basic tasks. Others would need to consider the 32GB variant, which now costs ~ Rs 30k after the price drop, but still remains in the premium domain. At this price, the Moto X Style (review) also becomes a compelling proposition, and while it isn’t for those who hate large-screened phones, it does have a lot to offer, including premium looks and build, a high-res screen, more RAM, and expandable storage. Do note that this device also runs stock Android, and has already received the Marshmallow update. If compact phones are more your thing and you’re ready to shell out a little extra, the Samsung Galaxy S6 (first impressions) is also worth a look for around Rs 35,000. The Marshmallow-laden HTC One A9 (first impressions) also deserves consideration in this price bracket.If you need a quick verdict on the Nexus 5X, we won’t beat about the bush. It’s a good device, but we’d probably wait for further price cuts before it really starts to entice us. And if you can’t wait and are really after a Nexus, let us remind you that the more premium Nexus 6P is out there as well and while it isn’t for the small-handed or the light-pocketed, is an excellent choice.