We asked, you told us: You overwhelmingly miss the Google Nexus series

Google’s Pixel phones have been around since 2016, but these devices were preceded by the Nexus line of smartphones. The Nexus phones were designed by other OEMs but essentially built to Google’s specifications and offered a pure take on Android.

We recently marked seven years since the last Nexus phone launched (the Nexus 6P), but also asked readers whether they missed the Nexus line. Well, we got plenty of votes, so here’s how that turned out.

Do you miss the Google Nexus series?

Results

Just over 2,000 votes were counted, and we have a runaway winner on our hands. A massive 87.04% of respondents said they indeed missed the Nexus series. Judging by the comments, there’s simply a lot of nostalgia for these phones. But there was also something really cool about Android OEMs like Samsung, LG, and Huawei releasing devices under the Google banner.

Meanwhile, a miniscule 6.82% of surveyed readers say they simply don’t miss the Nexus line. Finally, 6.15% of respondents say they missed some of the Nexus phones.

It’s worth pointing out that not every Nexus phone was a critical hit, with devices like the Nexus 6 being pricey and chunky to boot. Nexus phones like the Nexus 5X and 6P also had major defects like those dreaded boot loop issues. So we aren’t surprised that some readers aren’t 100% keen on the series.

Comments

• Mark McCoskey: I had the Nexus 6 (which T-Mobile/OnePlus gave me $300 for as a trade-in for my current 6T) with the Nexus 5x as a backup. I’d personally love to see the return of the 5.2-inch Nexus 5x, but bezelless, with the 16:9 ratio, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Back to basics.
• Geeeeeeeeeoff: I loved my 6P until the bootloader and battery issues. At least Google was nice enough to replace the phone—which I’d probably had for 18 months by that point—with a brand-new Pixel XL. That was a fun (and free) upgrade. One thing I still miss, however, are the 6P’s speakers. Phones nowadays all claim to have “stereo” speakers, but it’s usually something blasted out of the earpiece and a bottom-firing speaker. The 6P had actual, balanced stereo speakers, and they were great. I’ve still not heard their equal when I’m consuming media and wish I had balanced audio. (And I’m not saying the speakers themselves were top of the line, simply that they were true stereo.)
• Sean McNair: Fantastic phone, until I met the bootloop of death! I was able to utilize my insurance policy to get paid the full price of the phone. I also received settlement funds. I truly enjoyed that device, especially the camera for that time!
• hakkers519: I still charge up my 6P from time to time I really miss it. Only thing for me was the battery took a serious hit after a system update and never recovered.
• Carson Cheung: Nexus 6P’s and Nexus 5X’s camera were the very first smartphone camera that truly amazed me. That HDR+ was absolutely stunning, plus the sharpness and detail of the photo, just no phone could even reach that standard at that time.