Unboxing the Nexus 5x

Useless Backstory: Moto X to Nexus 5x

My by far favorite Android phone since 2009 has been the Moto X 2013. Indeed, if it were not for its subpar camera, I would say it is, even now, still the best Android phone. The Moto X 2013 had innovative new features (ones that—had Apple released them in the iPhone—iPhone fans would be gushing about as evidence of Apple pushing new boundaries and being very user-centered in its design... since Motorola's marketing department isn't as good, most people just ignored these features): ambient display, double-twist to activate camera, OK Google Now, etc.

That said, I find myself using my phone's camera more and more often and being very sad about especially the low-light shots from the Moto X 2013. I've also found the fingerprint sensor on the new iOS devices to be pretty cool, and the reviews said the sensor on the Nexus 5x is even more responsive. I also find it a bit awkward to press my thumb on the home button of an iOS device to unlock it. I like the idea of the sensor being on the back of the phone where your index finger might naturally rest when picking up the phone.

More Useless Backstory: Fed Ex Annoyances

I was dumb and decided to have Google deliver to my apartment instead of my workplace. So Fed Ex attempted a delivery when I wasn't home, and then I tried to get it over the weekend and called Fed Ex, but the customer service representative, whom I could barely understand, said the facility was closed over the weekend, so I couldn't pick it up in person. Oddly, I couldn't redirect the destination either—something I'm pretty sure I've done in the past. When I did happen to be home the second time, the Fed Ex delivery person said, "This is the second time I've tried to deliver this," as if he were scolding me. Seriously? I'm supposed to be always home? What the...? I didn't say anything smarmy back to him, though, because I was excited to check out the new phone.

The Unboxing: Featuring my bad photography skills

Yes, I like having a good camera. No, I'm a terrible photographer. Most of these shots I took with a shaky hand using my old Moto X 2013. A few of the later ones I took using an iPad Mini.

2015-10-26 13.36.12 It comes in a very cute small square box.


2015-10-26 13.36.30 Once you get the cover off, the front of the box has a logo that's supposed to be an X, I suppose.

2015-10-26 13.36.43 You can open the box without scissors. It's taped down on only one side of the square.

2015-10-26 13.36.54 LG took a cue from IKEA and put in some cryptic wordless instructions. The phone itself comes in a translucent sleeve, which is really just for show (my Moto X 2013 came with a screen protector on it, which I used for two full years and never had to buy a third-party protector to replace it with).

Then, there's the USB-C cable and the charger.

2015-10-26 13.37.43 Beneath the phone is a playing card that tells you you get a 90-day trial for Google Play Music. There's also a small Safety + Warranty booklet.

The tiny, shiny circle with a pin at the end lets you pop up the SIM card holder from the phone. I was also able to use this same one to pop out the SIM card holder for my old Moto X 2013.

2015-10-26 13.38.12 Another random shot of the cable and charger.

2015-10-26 14.47.06 Here is the Nexus 5x next to my Moto X 2013. The Nexus 5x is enormous compared to my old phone, which I'm a bit sad about. I really wanted a new Nexus phone, and the Nexus 5x is smaller than the 6p, so I opted for the 5x, but it's still huge!

2015-10-26 14.47.24 I didn't do any actual measurements, but the phone thickness seems okay, It's more flat than curved but about the same thickness as the Moto X 2013.

2015-10-26 14.47.44
Another gratuitous "Why is this phone so big?!" shot.

I haven't had a ton of time to play around with the phone yet, but the camera seems good (I haven't tried it in low light yet, though), and the fingerprint sensor is indeed fast in terms of responsiveness.

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