Nexus 5X or Sony Z5 Compact

Mr Cable · 07-10-2015, 00:08

I'm stumped on which one of these two handsets I want to go for. I never buy contract handsets.

My OnePlus One went boom and my phone insurance folks have given me £220 cash. I WAS going to go for the Nexus 5X from CPW for £349. I like the idea of Stock Android but it does appear a bit underpowered.

The Z5c appears to have a bit more power but a MUCH better battery capability (very important for me) due to stuff such as the clever Stamina jiggery pokery and a 720 screen rather than a 1080. (IMHO, 720 is good enough for a handset). It is an extra £80 over the 5X, mind.

At the same time, I feel that if I could get a full day out of the Nexus 5, I'd be happy. I JUST got that from the OnePlus One and that had a bigger battery (but a bigger, more energy hungry screen)

Anyone have any suggestions between these two SIM-Free handsets?

Thank you in advance.

finbaar · 07-10-2015, 12:27

The 5X is most certainly not underpowered, what gave you that impression? If battery life is your thing then it has to be the Z5C.

The Sack · 07-10-2015, 12:34

Nexus 5X

Mr Cable · 07-10-2015, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by finbaar

The 5X is most certainly not underpowered, what gave you that impression?

Less RAM, Poorer Processor & Smaller battery than my OnePlus One which was more than a year old.

Again, I could probably be satisfied with the first two if I was to get a day of moderate to heavy use out of the N5X on a single charge. I charge every night at bedtime, don't need 2-day life.

The Sack · 07-10-2015, 13:13

With Marshmallow the N5x will last well over a day not to mention the "poorer processor" will also be more energy efficient.

I get a day out of my Nexus 5 with moderate use so the N5x will be much better with a bigger battery and slower processor

Mr Cable · 07-10-2015, 13:37

Thanks - I'll probably keep my N5X preorder then!

natbike · 08-10-2015, 07:25

It would help if you know your screen on time, if you use more than 3 hours per day, choose the Sony.

I have both the nexus 5 and z3c. The z3c consumes 10% per hour of SOT. The nexus 5 doesn't exceed 3 hours per charge (25-30pc per hour).

The new ones may improve, but the difference is massive for me.

natbike · 08-10-2015, 07:26

That is with Stamina mode permanently on, but that doesn't adversely affect any apps that I use. In fact it makes very little difference in use, other than decent battery life.

The Sack · 08-10-2015, 09:36

If i only use WiFi i get 5 hours SOT with my Nexus 5, i really must try it on Marshmallow to see if its gone up any.

finbaar · 08-10-2015, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cable

Less RAM, Poorer Processor & Smaller battery than my OnePlus One which was more than a year old.

Again, I could probably be satisfied with the first two if I was to get a day of moderate to heavy use out of the N5X on a single charge. I charge every night at bedtime, don't need 2-day life.

The SD808 isn't lower powered than the SD801. Both have certain advantages. The SD808 will give very good performance in the N5X. RAM. So what. The phone will not need the extra gig. Both phones you asked about have 2gb anyway. Also in the first post you mention battery life as your number one priority. Is it?

Zebb · 08-10-2015, 12:20

The Sony gets a really good write up on GSMArena.

clonmult · 08-10-2015, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebb

The Sony gets a really good write up on GSMArena.

It does .... but it also says that it isn't necessarily a major step up from the Z3 Compact. I was expecting more from the camera, but it doesn't appear to be much improved. And battery life is better on the Z3.

Which makes my next contract choice interesting. May just save myself a good few quid and get a Z3C. People gush about "Oh, but its a slower processor, etc etc" but what tasks do you do that really require so much performance?

Zebb · 08-10-2015, 13:39

Good luck finding a Z3C, pretty rare now. I asked in the O2 shop last week, none left. The Z5C there seemed like a small grey plastic bar.

goldenface · 08-10-2015, 17:03

Battery life for me is also is very important and nearly all my friends have flat phones before the end of the day, one even caries around a portable charger, which is ridiculous. I'd go for the Z5C. It's getting great reviews.

ney · 09-10-2015, 08:50

Although the Sony is a fine phone, I would pick the Nexus 5X over the Sony.
I have had the Nexus 4 since July 2013 and its been one of the best phones I have ever had.
I have been getting nearly a day out of my Nexus 4 before I need to charge it and that's with medium use. I never let my phone battery go fully dead always charge it after it gets near or falls below 40%.
I also carry one of them portable battery back up things just in case I need extra phone battery but 8 times out of 10 I hardly ever need it.
In the last 6 months its started to have one or two minor problems once in a while but I have been happy with the phone.
I myself are thinking of getting the Nexus 5X but I'm trying to hold of until after Christmas before getting it and staying with 02.

Darren

The Sack · 09-10-2015, 09:29

My Nexus 5 running Marshmallow is now losing battery at about 1% every 4 or 5 hours which means you have more juice for when you need it. I would imagine the N5x is going to have some pretty impressive figures when the tests and reviews are out.

clonmult · 09-10-2015, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebb

Good luck finding a Z3C, pretty rare now. I asked in the O2 shop last week, none left. The Z5C there seemed like a small grey plastic bar.

A few weeks back our local Vodafone store had them in gold. But contract renewal is end of the month. It'll save me a tenner or so per month ....

Guess I'd probably be happy with the Z5C. Not like its a bad phone - heck, there are barely any phones these days that are "bad".

kev · 09-10-2015, 12:41

Will the 5X have enough storage on it for you - I'm trying to decide between the two of them when my contract expires and the 5X is looking good (faster software upgrades - come on EE I'm still waiting for my 5.1.1 update - the rest of the world (more or less) has it) - but the two big downers on the 5X are

1) Lack of capacity - and no SD expansion. I have around 20GB of music offline (13GB on just my Thumbs Up playlist) and the biggest 5X looks to be a 32GB one which is just too small (I struggle with my 16GB + 32GB SD Z1 Compact).

2) The camera - more 50:50 here, lower megapixels than even my Z1 Compact, but supposedly a much better camera and made by Sony too.

Aside from that they are pretty much neck and neck, on paper the Z5 Compact trumps the Nexus, but when you look into it the specs are minor differences and the proper Google support is a huge plus. A 64GB 5X would be a no brainer.

Also, USB Type C will be great in a few years time, but could be a pain for a while.

07-10-2015, 00:08	#1
Mr Cable Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 2,868	Nexus 5X or Sony Z5 Compact I'm stumped on which one of these two handsets I want to go for. I never buy contract handsets. My OnePlus One went boom and my phone insurance folks have given me £220 cash. I WAS going to go for the Nexus 5X from CPW for £349. I like the idea of Stock Android but it does appear a bit underpowered. The Z5c appears to have a bit more power but a MUCH better battery capability (very important for me) due to stuff such as the clever Stamina jiggery pokery and a 720 screen rather than a 1080. (IMHO, 720 is good enough for a handset). It is an extra £80 over the 5X, mind. At the same time, I feel that if I could get a full day out of the Nexus 5, I'd be happy. I JUST got that from the OnePlus One and that had a bigger battery (but a bigger, more energy hungry screen) Anyone have any suggestions between these two SIM-Free handsets? Thank you in advance.

07-10-2015, 12:27	#2
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	The 5X is most certainly not underpowered, what gave you that impression? If battery life is your thing then it has to be the Z5C.

07-10-2015, 12:34	#3
The Sack Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S6 1SW WTID UTO FTB Posts: 6,327	Nexus 5X

07-10-2015, 12:38	#4
Mr Cable Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 2,868	Quote: Originally Posted by finbaar The 5X is most certainly not underpowered, what gave you that impression? Less RAM, Poorer Processor & Smaller battery than my OnePlus One which was more than a year old. Again, I could probably be satisfied with the first two if I was to get a day of moderate to heavy use out of the N5X on a single charge. I charge every night at bedtime, don't need 2-day life.

07-10-2015, 13:13	#5
The Sack Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S6 1SW WTID UTO FTB Posts: 6,327	With Marshmallow the N5x will last well over a day not to mention the "poorer processor" will also be more energy efficient. I get a day out of my Nexus 5 with moderate use so the N5x will be much better with a bigger battery and slower processor

07-10-2015, 13:37	#6
Mr Cable Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 2,868	Thanks - I'll probably keep my N5X preorder then!

08-10-2015, 07:25	#7
natbike Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 475	It would help if you know your screen on time, if you use more than 3 hours per day, choose the Sony. I have both the nexus 5 and z3c. The z3c consumes 10% per hour of SOT. The nexus 5 doesn't exceed 3 hours per charge (25-30pc per hour). The new ones may improve, but the difference is massive for me.

08-10-2015, 07:26	#8
natbike Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 475	That is with Stamina mode permanently on, but that doesn't adversely affect any apps that I use. In fact it makes very little difference in use, other than decent battery life.

08-10-2015, 09:36	#9
The Sack Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S6 1SW WTID UTO FTB Posts: 6,327	If i only use WiFi i get 5 hours SOT with my Nexus 5, i really must try it on Marshmallow to see if its gone up any.

08-10-2015, 12:08	#10
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Cable Less RAM, Poorer Processor & Smaller battery than my OnePlus One which was more than a year old. Again, I could probably be satisfied with the first two if I was to get a day of moderate to heavy use out of the N5X on a single charge. I charge every night at bedtime, don't need 2-day life. The SD808 isn't lower powered than the SD801. Both have certain advantages. The SD808 will give very good performance in the N5X. RAM. So what. The phone will not need the extra gig. Both phones you asked about have 2gb anyway. Also in the first post you mention battery life as your number one priority. Is it?

08-10-2015, 12:20	#11
Zebb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 652	The Sony gets a really good write up on GSMArena.

08-10-2015, 13:00	#12
clonmult Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,291	Quote: Originally Posted by Zebb The Sony gets a really good write up on GSMArena. It does .... but it also says that it isn't necessarily a major step up from the Z3 Compact. I was expecting more from the camera, but it doesn't appear to be much improved. And battery life is better on the Z3. Which makes my next contract choice interesting. May just save myself a good few quid and get a Z3C. People gush about "Oh, but its a slower processor, etc etc" but what tasks do you do that really require so much performance?

08-10-2015, 13:39	#13
Zebb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 652	Good luck finding a Z3C, pretty rare now. I asked in the O2 shop last week, none left. The Z5C there seemed like a small grey plastic bar.

08-10-2015, 17:03	#14
goldenface Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,044	Battery life for me is also is very important and nearly all my friends have flat phones before the end of the day, one even caries around a portable charger, which is ridiculous. I'd go for the Z5C. It's getting great reviews.

09-10-2015, 08:50	#15
ney Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Scotland, Dunfermline Area Posts: 10,704	Although the Sony is a fine phone, I would pick the Nexus 5X over the Sony. I have had the Nexus 4 since July 2013 and its been one of the best phones I have ever had. I have been getting nearly a day out of my Nexus 4 before I need to charge it and that's with medium use. I never let my phone battery go fully dead always charge it after it gets near or falls below 40%. I also carry one of them portable battery back up things just in case I need extra phone battery but 8 times out of 10 I hardly ever need it. In the last 6 months its started to have one or two minor problems once in a while but I have been happy with the phone. I myself are thinking of getting the Nexus 5X but I'm trying to hold of until after Christmas before getting it and staying with 02. Darren

09-10-2015, 09:29	#16
The Sack Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S6 1SW WTID UTO FTB Posts: 6,327	My Nexus 5 running Marshmallow is now losing battery at about 1% every 4 or 5 hours which means you have more juice for when you need it. I would imagine the N5x is going to have some pretty impressive figures when the tests and reviews are out.

09-10-2015, 10:34	#17
clonmult Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,291	Quote: Originally Posted by Zebb Good luck finding a Z3C, pretty rare now. I asked in the O2 shop last week, none left. The Z5C there seemed like a small grey plastic bar. A few weeks back our local Vodafone store had them in gold. But contract renewal is end of the month. It'll save me a tenner or so per month .... Guess I'd probably be happy with the Z5C. Not like its a bad phone - heck, there are barely any phones these days that are "bad".

09-10-2015, 12:41	#18
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	Will the 5X have enough storage on it for you - I'm trying to decide between the two of them when my contract expires and the 5X is looking good (faster software upgrades - come on EE I'm still waiting for my 5.1.1 update - the rest of the world (more or less) has it) - but the two big downers on the 5X are 1) Lack of capacity - and no SD expansion. I have around 20GB of music offline (13GB on just my Thumbs Up playlist) and the biggest 5X looks to be a 32GB one which is just too small (I struggle with my 16GB + 32GB SD Z1 Compact). 2) The camera - more 50:50 here, lower megapixels than even my Z1 Compact, but supposedly a much better camera and made by Sony too. Aside from that they are pretty much neck and neck, on paper the Z5 Compact trumps the Nexus, but when you look into it the specs are minor differences and the proper Google support is a huge plus. A 64GB 5X would be a no brainer. Also, USB Type C will be great in a few years time, but could be a pain for a while.

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Nexus 5X or Sony Z5 Compact