Google Nexus 5 D821 16GB

Plus

• Excellent value
• Great performance
• Decent low-light camera performance
• Excellent screen

Minus

• Non-expandable memory
• Camera tends to overexpose
• Mediocre battery life

The Google Nexus 5 does almost everything right for a very reasonable price

For

• Great screen
• Low price
• Blazing performance

Against

• Lackluster camera
• Inconsistent battery life

Design: 8/10
Features: 8/10
Ease-of-use: 7/10
Image quality: 9/10
Value for money: 10/10

Conclusion
The Google Nexus 5 may be one of the cheapest flagship Android smartphones on the market, but it's also a very capable one given the price. With the recent 4.4.2 update installed, it efficiently takes good photos too, thanks largely to good noise performance at higher ISO speeds, an effective optical image stabilisation system, and the very useful HDR+ option. The main drawback for keen photographers is the lack of manual controls - this really is very much a point and shoot device - but the Google Nexus 5 usually delivers good enough results for daily shooting.

Plus

• Killer price for an unlocked smartphone
• Fast next-generation CPU and GPU
• Beautiful full HD display
• Android is better than ever with 4
• 4
• 1 "KitKat," and the camera is much improved
• Solid battery life

Minus

• Hardware still isn't quite class-leading on all fronts
• Middling voice quality through the microphone

Conclusion
Google has delivered an impressive smartphone with the Nexus 5 from LG, an unlocked powerhouse with a palatable price and solid performance, and the new Android 4.4.1 KitKat update largely fixes the phone's initial camera problems.

Plus

• Excellent screen
• Powerful internals and performance
• Android 4.4 is a nice update

Minus

• Mediocre battery life
• Some camera quirks
• No expandable memory

ConclusionThe Nexus 5 boasts an excellent screen, powerful internals and runs the latest version of Android, but is slightly let down by poor battery life, and a camera that can't quite match its flagship competitors. Despite a few flaws, it offers impressive value for money and comes highly recommended.

Plus

Affordable, great design, good screen, top-end performance

Minus

Camera autofocus can be flaky

ConclusionThe Nexus 5 offers the top-end performance traditionally only seen on phones nearly twice its price. This and latest KitKat version of Google's OS make it one of the best Android smartphone currently available.

Conclusion Google has spent countless hours on building the best smartphone on the market, in my opinion of course. At $349, you're getting one of the most powerful smartphones on the market, with some of the best out-of-the-box features, such as wireless charging, and the stock Android 4.4 KitKat OS. There's not much that the Nexus 5 does wrong, apart from the rear-facing camera, which needs to be amped up in the next Nexus offering.  The display is gorgeous, the price is perfect, and it seems like Google has now created the perfect storm of a smartphone. It lacks in the camera department, but it more than makes up for it in every other aspect: hardware and software wise. Right now, it's Google versus the world, and more specifically: the Nexus 5 versus the world. Unless you're a diehard Apple fan, or Galaxy/One fan, you should grab the Nexus 5. You will not be disappointed. 

Conclusion Google and LG have done a fantastic job with the Nexus 5, producing a very desirable phone at an outrageously low price. It's the best value-for-money smartphone out there right now. Note: Google is set to launch the Nexus 5X on 29 September.

Conclusion
There's a new flagship smartphone in town. The LG-made Nexus 5 offers a fast Snapdragon platform, LTE for all markets, a 5' 1080p display, and Android 4.4 'KitKat' Best of all, the 16 GB model sells for just $350 off-contract. Is it too good to be true?

Plus

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• Penta-band 3G with HSPA; LTE cat3
• 4.95" 16M-color 1080p True HD IPS Plus FullHD capacitive touchscreen
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display protection
• Android OS v4.4 KitKat
• Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU, 2 GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset
• 8MP autofocus camera with LED flash, geotagging, optical image stabilization, photo sphere, 1080p video recording @ 30fps with continuous autofocus and stereo sound; HDR mode, Dual recording, optical image stabilization
• 1.3 MP front-facing camera
• 16GB/32GB of built-in storage
• microUSB port, USB host support, USB on-the-go, SlimPort TV-out
• Bluetooth v4.0
• NFC
• Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• Voice commands
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
• 2300mAh Li-Po battery, wireless charging

Minus

• Non-expandable storage
• Poor video and audio codec support out of the box
• Comparatively poor battery life (except for calls)
• Loudspeaker is on the quiet side
• Limited availability at launch

Plus

• Value for money
• Display
• Lots of power
• Android KitKat brings some exciting new elements

Minus

• Camera performance leaves a little to be desired
• Battery performance could be better
• The design and build might divide opinion

Conclusion There's a lot packed into the Nexus 5, particularly given the £299 and £339 pricepoints for 16GB and 32GB respectively. For that money, you get a display that rivals devices that cost some £200 more, and a chipset that is, in many cases, more powerful. In addition to that, you have a Nexus device, meaning it's uncluttered by bloat and first in line for Android updates.Android's new features in v4.4 KitKat feel like the start of a movement towards something that's more exciting and the Nexus 5 showcases that with panache.On the flip side of the equation, the Nexus 5 isn't the best looking phone choice. It's bettered by others offering slimmer lines, high build quality or more sumptuous materials. Rivals also offer better battery performance, more storage options and almost universally a better camera experience. But that's where the price point difference comes into play.The Nexus 5 is a great choice for those looking for a clean Android experience and who want a great display and plenty of power for the money. There is, however, still plenty of merit in other flagship devices; the choice now, is just that little bit harder.