ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
I'm looking to possibly purchase a Nexus 6, but was wondering if it's too old, and how it's holding up still?
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Is it a good idea to purchase a Nexus 6?
- Thread starter ItnStln511
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ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
I was looking for an unlocked phone that I can use on AT&T, and also international. The updates are what has me worried, as I usually keep phones for a couple of years. The ones I was looking at on Swappa were in the $200-$250 range, which I didn't think was terrible. I was debating between this and a Nexus 5x. How's your battery life after two years?
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
The Nexus 6P is still going for around $450. Thanks for the tips, I figured being two years old it wouldn't be a good idea.
shalemail
Android Expert
Look, I couldn't (in good conscience) tell you to get a 2 year old phone. That said, my N6 is cruising. I have a buddy that got the 6p on release day and he's returned it once and has had issues with his second one. The N5X has had numerous issues well documented. Going on 26 months and the N6 has been 98% perfect. In my humble opinion Motorola makes superb hardware. Do you require Nexus? The Moto X Pure 64GB is $250 at best buy right now I believe. The Moto Z is coming down in price.
Anyway, good luck, I too want (want) a new phone but nothing out there has excited me enough to make a move. That's how much I love my Nexus 6.
Anyway, good luck, I too want (want) a new phone but nothing out there has excited me enough to make a move. That's how much I love my Nexus 6.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
The fact that the phone is two years old is what has me worried. But it has everything I want, like a larger screen and fast charge, and wireless charging which I really like on my work phone. I wasn't too interested in the Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X, and the only reason I was looking at them was because they are newer. I don't require a Nexus, I just like stock Android. I did look at the Moto X Pure, and I do like it. However what has me hesitant is the lack of cases from brands that I trust. It's almost a year newer than the Nexus 6, and only $20 cheaper on Swappa, so not too terrible! The Moto Z Play is nice too!
You said that your Nexus 6 is 98% perfect, what's the 2% that's not? Also how's your battery life after 26 months?
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
^^^ What he said.
I've been testing several phones and nothing out there right now is making me want anything new. You should be able to pick up an N6 for under $200 in good condition, but it won't be mine. I'm keeping it.
I've had several friends who had the Nexus 6, and they all said the same thing until the Galaxy S7 edge came out! But it's good to hear that two years later the Nexus 6 is still going strong.
shalemail
Android Expert
My battery life is phenomenal, only phone I have ever owned that I don't worry about charge during the course of a normal day. I average 26ish hours on a single charge. (+ or - your results may vary)
My 2% is actually documented on here. At one point I had a mystery battery drain, random shut off issue, once I did my detective work I figured out it was a couple watch faces I'd downloaded. Once I cleared that up the only other thing I had to deal with was random oddness. I started doing a re-start after any app downloads/updates and that too has passed. For 26 months it's easily far and away the best phone I have ever had or had anything to do with personally. My wife has the note edge and it's been a cluster .... ****, sorry it has. My buddies 6p has been a pill and people I work with have argued with their Samsung Galaxy S's (5,6 and 7), the note 7 has been well documented, etc etc.
I can't say enough about old Motorola, my Moto X 2013 is still going strong, a friends daughter has been using it for 18 months. I still have my Atrix and Atrix HD both still power on and work fine on WiFi.
Any way, stepping off soap box, again good luck.
My 2% is actually documented on here. At one point I had a mystery battery drain, random shut off issue, once I did my detective work I figured out it was a couple watch faces I'd downloaded. Once I cleared that up the only other thing I had to deal with was random oddness. I started doing a re-start after any app downloads/updates and that too has passed. For 26 months it's easily far and away the best phone I have ever had or had anything to do with personally. My wife has the note edge and it's been a cluster .... ****, sorry it has. My buddies 6p has been a pill and people I work with have argued with their Samsung Galaxy S's (5,6 and 7), the note 7 has been well documented, etc etc.
I can't say enough about old Motorola, my Moto X 2013 is still going strong, a friends daughter has been using it for 18 months. I still have my Atrix and Atrix HD both still power on and work fine on WiFi.
Any way, stepping off soap box, again good luck.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
Thanks for your insight, it's much appreciated! I'm leaning towards the Nexus 6, but then again I've always wanted one. I agree that Motorola makes great hardware, and I remember the Atrix!
My wife has the S7 edge. She loves the thing. It's a nice phone. Of course it's a Samsung, loaded with all the Samsungosity they can cram into it, which is just not my thing.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
I have one from work, but prefer stock Android.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
Thanks! I always forget about Google+!
Digital Controller
The Real Bass Creator
I might not be the best person to go to when looking to purchase a Nexus 6, but I will give my 2 cents.
The price is killer, I picked mine up off amazon for 180$ which was awesome. I really was attracted to this phone because of the size. I will be honest I am 6'2" and have some larger hands, but this phone still takes some time to get used to. I still, after 6 months, haven't gotten used to how big it is in my pockets. Makes carrying 2 phones at work a bit annoying.
The battery life is pretty good, lasts for me 6AM - 10PM with still about 40% left moderate use. Sound quality is pretty good on calls, pretty reliable there. The photo quality is pretty trash imo. It just is miserable in low light or any light for that matter. If you don't get a case the back is kind of slippery so I would suggest on that.
Lastly, this issue has just kind of arisen, but it could be from the previous owner...None of the chargers I use will stay in my device, they all seem to be popping out. I looked this up and it appears other people are having this issue specifically on the Nexus 6. Plus I think my charging port is starting to short out and not work - I am an advocate of treating my phones with care, I have never had issues like this before.
I am currently lightly looking for a replacement device because I am assuming sooner than later the charging port will go out completely, and if I am completely honest this phone is like a 6/10 for me maybe 6.5.
Otherwise check out the refurbed Droid Turbo 2 for Verizon - appears to be mid 200's for price range - my fiance has it and she loves it, plus shatterproof screen. I might have to pick one up myself as well.
The price is killer, I picked mine up off amazon for 180$ which was awesome. I really was attracted to this phone because of the size. I will be honest I am 6'2" and have some larger hands, but this phone still takes some time to get used to. I still, after 6 months, haven't gotten used to how big it is in my pockets. Makes carrying 2 phones at work a bit annoying.
The battery life is pretty good, lasts for me 6AM - 10PM with still about 40% left moderate use. Sound quality is pretty good on calls, pretty reliable there. The photo quality is pretty trash imo. It just is miserable in low light or any light for that matter. If you don't get a case the back is kind of slippery so I would suggest on that.
Lastly, this issue has just kind of arisen, but it could be from the previous owner...None of the chargers I use will stay in my device, they all seem to be popping out. I looked this up and it appears other people are having this issue specifically on the Nexus 6. Plus I think my charging port is starting to short out and not work - I am an advocate of treating my phones with care, I have never had issues like this before.
I am currently lightly looking for a replacement device because I am assuming sooner than later the charging port will go out completely, and if I am completely honest this phone is like a 6/10 for me maybe 6.5.
Otherwise check out the refurbed Droid Turbo 2 for Verizon - appears to be mid 200's for price range - my fiance has it and she loves it, plus shatterproof screen. I might have to pick one up myself as well.
While I generally use a wireless charger, I do use a cord in the car and I thought I was having a similar problem ... it wouldn't stay connected. What I found was that the bottom of the port was packed with lint from my pocket and putting the plug in packed it even harder until it was like a felt plug. I cleaned it out with the point of an X-acto knife VERY carefully and the plug fit fine again.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
Thanks for the insight! I'll check out the Droid Turbo 2 as well. I had the original Droid Turbo and liked it.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
I'll keep that in mind if I get a Nexus 6, thanks!
I agree 100% with this. I have had my Nexus6 since the day it was released in Canada, and it has been the most stable phone I have ever used. No problems at all, and the battery seems to last just as long as new.
It has been a fantastic phone, and wish I could just keep getting updates on it.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
It still is.
As for updates, officially I am on 7.1.1 which is the latest version and I expect to continue to get security patches for a while. This is over two years after it's release which is outstanding, so it will be current until I would say late summer.
Unofficially, being a Nexus, and one of the better built ones IMHO, I would expect the developer community to provide custom ROMs through Android "O" at least (Oreo? O'Henry? Oatmeal Cookie?
). It should be a very serviceable phone through 2018. 
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ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
It still is.
As for updates, officially I am on 7.1.1 which is the latest version and I expect to continue to get security patches for a while. This is over two years after it's release which is outstanding, so it will be current until I would say late summer.
Unofficially, being a Nexus, and one of the better built ones IMHO, I would expect the developer community to provide custom ROMs through Android "O" at least (Oreo? O'Henry? Oatmeal Cookie?
It looks like the Nexus 6 has aged well. I've not really read anything bad about it in any of the forums, but the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are a different story! Plus it looks like there's plenty of cases for the Nexus 6 from brands I trust, and I couldn't find any for the Moto X Pure Edition, or the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.
ItnStln511
Android Enthusiast
I was looking at that Spigen and the UAG actually.
It sounds like it's aged well though, which is a good thing.
I like Spigen, and I know they made a case for the Nexus 6. Hopefully there are tempered glass screen protectors still available, that is something that I almost always get for my phones.
Never did the glass thing. I've fielded too many questions about them interfering with proximity sensors or the screen itself to trust them. I'm not that careful with my phone and have traveled extensively with it and it looks as pristine as the day I unboxed it ... almost.