I broke it!

[critcher]

I can't believe it, but it's true. Dropped it and smashed the screen. It still works but it looks so sad.

I can't decide what to do next - what would you do?

I could replace the screen, which means waiting for a replacement to arrive and potentially mucking up the install.

I could replace the nexus 5. It is still a great phone, after all.

Or I could replace it with something else, but I have no idea what.

 

[mogelijk]

I can't believe it, but it's true. Dropped it and smashed the screen. It still works but it looks so sad.

I can't decide what to do next - what would you do?

I could replace the screen, which means waiting for a replacement to arrive and potentially mucking up the install.

I could replace the nexus 5. It is still a great phone, after all.

Or I could replace it with something else, but I have no idea what.

At this point, I'd likely replace it with a 5X or a 6P, depending on how much you want to spend. The 5X should likely remind you a lot of the 5, with a few improvements such as Nougat and the fingerprint reader, and can be bought for as little as $199 (16GB through Project Fi, $249 for 32GB). There have also been deals recently on the 6P, though I'm not sure what is currently available, since it's "replacement'" is coming out soon.

For the 5X through Project Fi, you will need to sign up for service and activate the phone on their service, but you can cancel it after a day (or even within a day, if I understand correctly) -- and a pro rated amount will be refunded to you for the unused service.

You could also wait for the new "Pixel" phones, though they are unlikely to be available for about another two months.

 

[critcher]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

It looks like I am heading toward option 3, replace with something else, but I'm not mad keen on the 5x and the 6 inch phones are just not an option for me.

The problem is that I still love my n5!

 

[mogelijk]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

It looks like I am heading toward option 3, replace with something else, but I'm not mad keen on the 5x and the 6 inch phones are just not an option for me.

The problem is that I still love my n5!

I'm curious what your issue is with the 5X. To me, who has both a 5 and a 5X, they are very similar. If anything, that is the biggest complaint about the 5X, that while it does have a much better camera and the fingerprint sensor, it is too similar (i.e. not enough of an upgrade) over the Nexus 5.

It really is a great phone for the price point. Another possible suggestion would likely be a Moto X/Z -- though the Moto X has the same size screen (5.7") as the Nexus 6P; the Moto Z is slightly smaller at 5.5". There is also the OnePlus 3 (assuming you are on a GSM carrier), though again a 5.5" screen. Unfortunately, it seems almost all flagships have larger screens. And, as I mentioned the new Pixel (Nexus) phones from Google, which should be available to order in a month.

 

[critcher]

It's a bit strange but I'm just not feeling the 5x. It doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. I've never had a fingerprint scanner before, doesn't interest me. Reviewers seem to have issues with the processor, users seem to have issues with lag and stuttering. And its bigger.

It's probably because the nexus 5 is perfect for me.

And I think that's probably the answer right there. Get another nexus 5! The only drawback seems to be no further updates, but it will still be way ahead of most android phones for a while yet.

 

[mogelijk]

It's a bit strange but I'm just not feeling the 5x. It doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. I've never had a fingerprint scanner before, doesn't interest me. Reviewers seem to have issues with the processor, users seem to have issues with lag and stuttering. And its bigger.

It's probably because the nexus 5 is perfect for me.

And I think that's probably the answer right there. Get another nexus 5! The only drawback seems to be no further updates, but it will still be way ahead of most android phones for a while yet.

The lag and shudder issues were taken care of with an update earlier this year. The complaints about the processor are largely compared to the Nexus 6P; since you find the 5 perfect you shouldn't have an issue. Again, I think you'll be surprised how much the 5X reminds you, in daily use, of the 5 -- which is to some degree was a complaint (seemed to similar to a 2 year old phone some users were replacing). It is a bit bigger, and a bit thinner and a "whopping" 6 grams heavier (about a quarter of an ounce). Most people who switched from the 5 to the 5X don't notice the difference in size, the two phones feel very similar.

As for processor, the 5X does have a better processor than the 5. The "issue" is that the 5X encrypts all data, by default (though it can be turned off). So, for a time, there appeared to be some type of error in the decryption process that caused the phone to lag at times. They fixed it with an update, as I mentioned, and the phone works well.

One other difference I forgot to mention previously, the 5X has all current LTE bands used by US carriers -- such as Band 12 -- the 5 has about half the LTE bands.

As for the fingerprint sensor, I can't guarantee you will find it a big deal but most people do. It is nice having a "lock" on your phone, yet still be able to unlock it in little more time than it takes to pick the phone up.

Having said that, as you point out, there are some differences. What you might consider, order the phone, try it out and see how you like it compared to your old Nexus 5. My personal guess is you'll be quite happy with it -- extremely similar but with new/improved features and Android updates. If you don't like it after a week, send it back under the return policy and go buy yourself a used/refurbished Nexus 5.