The launch of Google's new Pixel smartphones brings the Nexus era to an end. Actually, the official line is that Google is keeping its options open, but unless the Pixel fails, it seems unlikely the company will resurrect its enthusiast brand. Early rave reviews would suggest that failure is not on the cards.
But the Pixel is not for everyone. And many people who would have snapped up a new Nexus on day one might now find themselves looking for an alternative. So what are your options?
What Makes a Nexus?
Nexus phones were popular because of their unique combination of characteristics.
They ran stock Android. More accurately, this was stock with a layer of Google apps and services on top. But these apps and services were on every other device as well, so they felt like an integral part of Android rather than bloatware. Contrast this to the Pixel phones, which run Google's version of Android in the same way that the Galaxy S7 runs Samsung's, or the Honor 8 runs Huawei's.
They received updates as soon as a new version of the operating system was released. This will be true of the Pixel, too. Sadly, Google phones are still the only ones that can be relied upon to receive updates in a timely manner, if at all.
That had an unlockable bootloader. They were ideal for rooting and modding, which further cemented their reputation among enthusiasts. Nexuses became the go-to devices for flashing custom ROMs or installing mods through the Xposed Framework. The Pixel phones will also have an unlockable bootloader, but only if you buy it from Google, not from a carrier like Verizon.
They were very affordable. This is actually only true of half the Nexus phones -- the other half were released at iPhone prices, just as the Pixel is. But the most beloved Nexuses -- the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 especially -- were incredible value.
The Most Nexus-Like Phones
So, to summarize, here's what to look for in a Nexus replacement:
- Stock Android.
- Timely updates.
- Easy to root.
- Cheap.
It isn't easy, especially if you value updates more than anything else. But you do have a few options to consider.
OnePlus 3 (UK)
For a Nexus-like phone, the OnePlus 3 ticks most of the boxes. It's very affordable and has great specs. It runs a version of Android which, while not actually stock, is only lightly customized, and in useful ways. It's easy to root and has a vibrant development scene producing ROMs, kernels, and other mods.
Even for updates, it isn't a million miles behind. OnePlus has said that the phone will get Android 7.0 by the end of the year. It's a great device in other respects though. A fast processor, more RAM than any other smartphone, a large HD display, and decent battery life.
- Screen: 5.5", 1080p, 401ppi
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
- RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- Cameras: 16 MP rear, 8 MP front
- Price: $399
- Operating System: OxygenOS, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Rootable: Yes
Moto G4 Plus (CA/UK)
The Moto G range has always impressed with its combination of great design, price, and performance. The mid-range Moto G4 Plus continues that. It runs a very lightly skinned version of Android -- there's no bloat, just a few clever enhancements -- and is expected to be upgraded to Android Nougat before the end of the year.
The unlocked G4 Plus is easy to root and has a healthy selection of ROMs and mods, including the ever-popular CyanogenMod ROM. Given the low price, the specs inevitably don't compare to devices like the OnePlus 3. But if you're looking to save some money, it's a very well-regarded phone.
- Screen: 5.5", 1080p, 401ppi
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 617
- RAM: 2 GB to 4 GB
- Storage: 16 GB to 64 GB
- Camera: 16 MP rear, 5 MP front
- Price: $249--$299
- Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Rootable: Yes
All of Motorola's other Android phones have similar Nexus-like qualities and are worthy of consideration. The Moto Z range in particular offers a number of models with bigger batteries or more powerful processors. Some of them are great value, too, although they're priced somewhat higher than the G4 Plus.
ZTE Axon 7 (CA/UK)
ZTE is one of the world's largest phone makers, but the company isn't well known in the West. The Axon 7 could change that. It's a phone that squeezes flagship specs and design into a $399 price point. As such, it seems like an obvious Nexus replacement.
The software is ZTE's own, but the US variant comes with a stock Android theme running by default. ZTE has also said that it will be updated to Android 7.0 Nougat this year. The downside is the rooting situation. It is possible to unlock the bootloader on the US model, but ZTE states that this will invalidate your warranty. Other regional variants may not be unlockable at all.
- Screen: 5.5", QHD, 538ppi
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- Camera: 20 MP rear, 8 MP front
- Price: $399
- Operating System: Customized Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Rootable: Yes (some variants)
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Axon 7 is that it's the first third-party phone to be compatible with Google's Daydream View VR system. A companion headset can be bought separately.
Other Phones to Consider
There are a few others you might want to consider, but none of them quite fit the Nexus mold for one reason or another.
Huawei's Honor 8 has the great-spec-for-affordable-price thing going on, but it has very heavily customized software including the loss of the app drawer. The phone can be rooted, but there aren't many ROMs available to replace the stock software.
The HTC 10 (CA/UK) (our review) is easy to root and has loads of ROMs and kernels, so it's a good choice if modding is your thing. It isn't exactly cheap, though.
And then there are smaller names, like the newcomer to the U.S. market, LeEco. The Chinese company's new Le Pro 3 (UK) phone has high-end specs, good build quality, and a big battery -- all for $399. It also has very heavily customized software built around LeEco's software ecosystem. This could be replaced with a custom ROM, as long as enough developers adopt the handset to work on.
The DIY Solution
You don't have to buy a new device to get the Nexus experience. You can use software to recreate it on your current phone. A few select apps from the Play Store will get you part way there, or if your phone is rooted, you can go all the way with a stock-based ROM.
Recreate the Nexus Experience With Apps
Check out our full guide to getting the stock Android experience on any phone. In summary, the steps are:
- Install a launcher. The Google Now Launcher is good; the Nexus Launcher (now known as the Pixel Launcher) is better. You can customize it to look like any recent version of Android, or your favorite parts of all of them.
- Download the Google apps. Get any Google apps you don't already have -- this includes the Dialer app. The Play Store version only works on Nexus devices, but you can also find an unofficial modded version that works on anything from XDA Developers.
- Disable bloatware. Once you have all the Google apps, you should disable all the bloatware that manufacturers install on their devices. Go to Settings > Apps, then find the apps you don't want and select Disable.
You can't do anything about the other changes manufacturers make in their software, like redesigning the notifications pane. Unfortunately, the phone also won't be any faster. If the stock software is bloated and slow, that won't change.
Make Your Own Nexus With Custom ROMs
Alternatively, you can flash a custom ROM to completely replace your phone's software with something more like that which you would find on a Nexus. You don't need to be rooted to do this, but you do need to have an unlocked bootloader, and for ROMs to be readily available for your device.
CyanogenMod is the best place to start. There are official or unofficial builds for all but the most obscure handsets. It has a few extra features including theme support, call blocking, and a permissions manager, but this never gets in the way of the stock Android look and feel.
Which Will You Choose?
Those of us who are long-time Nexus fans will miss Google's enthusiast phones. But while there isn't a direct replacement, the range's spirit lives on in the growing number of affordable-yet-high-end devices from the likes of Motorola and OnePlus. Or if you don't want a new phone just yet, the right combination of ROMs and apps will get you a taste of the Nexus experience on your current handset.
Are you a Nexus fan? Will your next phone be a Pixel, or something else? Let us know in the comments.
