Help Nexus 6 will work on all major US carriers

[phandroid]

As the excitement reaches a fever pitch for this highly-anticipated smartphone, let

 

[reom_76]

Does anyone have experience on what the android updates were like on Nexus phones bought via carriers? I know the Galaxy Nexus had Android updates heavily delayed through Verizon; was it the same situation with the Nexus 5 purchased through Sprint (and T-Mobile, maybe)?

I'm due for a new phone at the end of the year and was leaning toward the Moto X, but if the rumored ATT price is true, I'm going for the Nexus 6, but I'm not sure I want to deal with significant delays (a month or two is acceptable to me) in android updates.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[kate]

Nexus 6 official specs from Google.
Specs from Motorola.

CPU: Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 805 - Quad Core 2.7 GHz
GPU: Adreno 420
Memory: 32 GB, 64 GB
82.98mm x 159.26mm x 10.06mm
5.96” 1440x2560 display (493 ppi)
Gorilla Glass 3
Battery 3220 mAh
13MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization
2MP front-facing camera
802.11ac 2x2 (MIMO)
Bluetooth 4.1
NFC
Micro USB 2.0
Nano SIM
Wireless Charging (Qi-enabled)
Water Resistant

Sensors:
GPS
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Ambient light sensor
Barometer

Network:
North America (model XT1103):
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
CDMA Band Class: 0/1/10
WCDMA Bands: 1/2/4/5/8
LTE Bands: 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/29/41
CA DL Bands: B2-B13, B2-B17, B2-29, B4-B5, B4-B13, B4-B17, B4-B29

Rest of World (model XT1100):
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
CDMA: not supported
WCDMA Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/9/19
LTE Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/9/19/20/28/41
CA DL: B3-B5, B3-B8

More about the Nexus 6 launch from Phandroid.

 

[zipred]

Does anyone have experience on what the android updates were like on Nexus phones bought via carriers? I know the Galaxy Nexus had Android updates heavily delayed through Verizon; was it the same situation with the Nexus 5 purchased through Sprint (and T-Mobile, maybe)?

I'm due for a new phone at the end of the year and was leaning toward the Moto X, but if the rumored ATT price is true, I'm going for the Nexus 6, but I'm not sure I want to deal with significant delays (a month or two is acceptable to me) in android updates.

Thanks for any and all help.

Currently there is no confirmed price. AT&T pulled their mistake of posting prior to the announcement.

Available for pre-order starting in late October.
http://www.google.com/nexus/6/

 

[Rxpert83]

Google controls the update on the nexus 5. The carriers get no say in the matter. This is because the nexus 5 sold through sprint is the exact same as the nexus 5 sold through the carriers.

This should be the case with the nexus 6, as there are still only two versions - americas and international

Verizon may throw a wrench in there though. I would be hesitant to buy through verizon.

 

[Rxpert83]

Yes, even Verizon it appears

If you look closely at the image on the very bottom of the page:

Nexus 6 ? Google

Get your new Nexus 6
Available for pre-order starting in late October.

Google Play
T-Mobile
AT&T
Verizon
US Cellular
Sprint

We know there is one version for international and another for the americas, so it appears as though google will be controlling the updates even on verizon.


Edit:
Android Police lists the following supported bands:

Here are the bands for the Americas SKU:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
CDMA: Band Class: 0/1/10
WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8
LTE: Bands: 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/29/41
CA DL: Bands: B2-B13, B2-B17, B2-29, B4-B5, B4-B13, B4-B17, B4-B29
And for the international version:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
CDMA: not supported
WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/9/19
LTE: Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/9/19/20/28/41
CA DL: B3-B5, B3-B8

Source

 

[zipred]

IMHO The Nexus 6 is the single most significant smartphone of our time, in its size class. This is a world class product created by Google and Motorola's finest.

All products are comprised of a series of compromises caused by the multitude of considerations and limitations. This Nexus is the result of these two companies working very diligently to create a truly outstanding finished product. I have no problem with that statement even before the reviews are in.

I predict the Nexus 6 will receive excellent reviews and quite possibly rival the Note 4 in sales volume.

Perhaps I'm completely wrong... Time will tell

 

[reom_76]

Google controls the update on the nexus 5. The carriers get no say in the matter. This is because the nexus 5 sold through sprint is the exact same as the nexus 5 sold through the carriers.

This should be the case with the nexus 6, as there are still only two versions - americas and international

Verizon may throw a wrench in there though. I would be hesitant to buy through verizon.

That's great to hear, thanks! I'm on AT&T (don't want to leave due to my 35% monthly discount via my employer) so hopefully they don't mess with things either.

And I know the ATT price isn't confirmed and that it's been pulled, but I'm still crossing my fingers.

 

[Githyanki]

That's great to hear, thanks! I'm on AT&T (don't want to leave due to my 35% monthly discount via my employer) so hopefully they don't mess with things either.

And I know the ATT price isn't confirmed and that it's been pulled, but I'm still crossing my fingers.

I don't see any of the Nexus phones on AT&T's site. Wouldn't you have to purchase from Google and just start using it? AT&T would have nothing to do with updates that way.

 

[zipred]

I don't see any of the Nexus phones on AT&T's site. Wouldn't you have to purchase from Google and just start using it? AT&T would have nothing to do with updates that way.

Nexus phones were previously sold through the Google Play Store. None of the carriers had access to them. This year is the first time Google will be selling to the carriers.

 

[jj14x]

Nexus phones were previously sold through the Google Play Store. None of the carriers had access to them. This year is the first time Google will be selling to the carriers.

That's not entirely true... The Galaxy Nexus was sold by Sprint and Verizon. The Nexus 5 was sold by Sprint (and T-mo I think)

The CDMA version of the Galaxy Nexus was a "fake" Nexus - didn't get timely updates - always delayed by Sprint/Verizon. But the Nexus 5 got updates directly from Google (even when purchased from Sprint or T-mo).
Based on that, I'd expect (no guarantees of course) that the Nexus 6 will get updates from Google directly - it is only model for US carriers, so same factory images for all.

I don't see any of the Nexus phones on AT&T's site. Wouldn't you have to purchase from Google and just start using it? AT&T would have nothing to do with updates that way.

The advantage with buying it from a carrier would be lower cost. If the person is sticking with the carrier for 2 years, and don't mind the associated contract, why bother paying full price if the carrier is willing to subsidize it for you?

 

[zipred]

Thanks for the correction, I was focused on the release date, they later opened it up to those two carriers

 

[Geaux24]

IMHO The Nexus 6 is the single most significant smartphone of our time, in its size class. This is a world class product created by Google and Motorola's finest.

All products are comprised of a series of compromises caused by the multitude of considerations and limitations. This Nexus is the result of these two companies working very diligently to create a truly outstanding finished product. I have no problem with that statement even before the reviews are in.

I predict the Nexus 6 will receive excellent reviews and quite possibly rival the Note 4 in sales volume.

Perhaps I'm completely wrong... Time will tell

I would almost say you are right. Except for the fact that it is still 32-bit. If this phone was 64-bit, it would be a game changer and very worthy of that price.

 

[reom_76]

That's not entirely true... The Galaxy Nexus was sold by Sprint and Verizon. The Nexus 5 was sold by Sprint (and T-mo I think)

The CDMA version of the Galaxy Nexus was a "fake" Nexus - didn't get timely updates - always delayed by Sprint/Verizon. But the Nexus 5 got updates directly from Google (even when purchased from Sprint or T-mo).
Based on that, I'd expect (no guarantees of course) that the Nexus 6 will get updates from Google directly - it is only model for US carriers, so same factory images for all.


The advantage with buying it from a carrier would be lower cost. If the person is sticking with the carrier for 2 years, and don't mind the associated contract, why bother paying full price if the carrier is willing to subsidize it for you?

Thank you! Answered my question perfectly. Much appreciated. Now I'm just hoping the $50 "leaked" price at AT&T on contract is true (i'm sure it's not, but I can still hope)...

 

[jaj324]

Would an att Nexus 6 have att bloatware??

 

[Rxpert83]

Would an att Nexus 6 have att bloatware??

Nope, phones sold in stores should be the exact same as those sold on the play store.

 

[iowabowtech]

I would almost say you are right. Except for the fact that it is still 32-bit. If this phone was 64-bit, it would be a game changer and very worthy of that price.

A point to be considered for sure. I skipped an upgrade to the G3 thinking the G4 would fall right in the supposed landing zone of the Snapdragon 810.

This one's going to take some consideration. Looking like a stellar phone but I'm not sold yet on the $650 price tag since I'm off contract.

 

[zipred]

I would almost say you are right. Except for the fact that it is still 32-bit. If this phone was 64-bit, it would be a game changer and very worthy of that price.

I do benefit from my 64-bit computer, however I think it's a bit too early to maximize that architecture in smartphones.

Yet that said Apple is supremely influential in the tech space which affects all of us. An example is the relatively high price of the Nexus 6. While hundreds of dollars less than the very pricey iPhone 6 models, if not for Apple's high list prices, other manufacturers would not be so quick to drive up MSRP.

The same holds true where the chip makers and Apple are concerned.

 

[Geese1]

I'm with Verizon now, and the past issues the carrier had when they had the Galaxy Nexus makes me hesitant to stay with them if I decide to get this phone.

Getting it through the Google Play store assures me that I'd have a bloatware free experience, and since I'd have to buy it at full price anyway (to keep my unlimited data), I may just get it unlocked and move over to Straight Talk. Since I don't use much data anyway, I'm not sold on keeping the unlimited plan, and with Straight Talk I could save myself $30 a month over what I pay now.

 

[tsanuri]

I'm with Verizon now, and the past issues the carrier had when they had the Galaxy Nexus makes me hesitant to stay with them if I decide to get this phone.

Getting it through the Google Play store assures me that I'd have a bloatware free experience, and since I'd have to buy it at full price anyway (to keep my unlimited data), I may just get it unlocked and move over to Straight Talk. Since I don't use much data anyway, I'm not sold on keeping the unlimited plan, and with Straight Talk I could save myself $30 a month over what I pay now.

The problem with the GN is that the Verizon version was specific to them. When with the N6 we are looking at just 2 versions North America and rest of the world. So that should solve all the issues with software updates.

 

[Geaux24]

The problem with the GN is that the Verizon version was specific to them. When with the N6 we are looking at just 2 versions North America and rest of the world. So that should solve all the issues with software updates.

While that is true. I am curious as to how they will handle things like WiFi calling on TMoblie when doing updates. Each carrier has little things different from each....

 

[jhawkkw]

I do worry about the Nexus 6 having slower updates or causing updates to all devices to be slower due to the carriers. Everyone is making the argument that since it's unlocked the carrier don't have a say. To this, I offer the LTE Nexus 7 tablet. When the 4.4.3 updates came out for other devices, this tablet stayed on 4.4.2. When the 4.4.4 update came out for other devices, it was still on 4.4.2. A month after 4.4.4 came out, the 4.4.3 update for the LTE Nexus 7. Only a couple weeks ago did the 4.4.4 update come out for it. Also notice than an Android L preview didn't come out for the LTE Nexus 7, but did for the WiFi version. Because of this, I have a strong suspicion that the 5.0 update will be slow rolling out to the LTE Nexus 7. And what is the common denominator for all of this.... the LTE Nexus 7 can run on Verizon......

 

[zipred]

I do worry about the Nexus 6 having slower updates or causing updates to all devices to be slower due to the carriers. Everyone is making the argument that since it's unlocked the carrier don't have a say. To this, I offer the LTE Nexus 7 tablet. When the 4.4.3 updates came out for other devices, this tablet stayed on 4.4.2. When the 4.4.4 update came out for other devices, it was still on 4.4.2. A month after 4.4.4 came out, the 4.4.3 update for the LTE Nexus 7. Only a couple weeks ago did the 4.4.4 update come out for it. Also notice than an Android L preview didn't come out for the LTE Nexus 7, but did for the WiFi version. Because of this, I have a strong suspicion that the 5.0 update will be slow rolling out to the LTE Nexus 7. And what is the common denominator for all of this.... the LTE Nexus 7 can run on Verizon......

Excellent points!

After reading your post it does cause me to rethink the ramifications that may or may not exist due to the carriers.

I'm going to be sure to follow all the news regarding the N6 very closely. I've enjoyed the pure unadulterated Android Experience via my Nexus 5 tremendously, I'd hate to have a carrier muck it up!

 

[jaj324]

An att phone without att bloat!! I need to see it to believe it!!!

 

[zipred]

An att phone without att bloat!! I need to see it to believe it!!!

If I hadn't read about it here, upon picking up the phone at AT&T I'd be so shocked I might have dropped it...