Iphone 6 Vs Nexus 5 Was Upgrading Really Worth It 2

In 2014, two smartphones dominated the tech conversation: Apple’s iPhone 6 and Google’s Nexus 5. One represented a seismic shift in Apple’s design philosophy with its larger screen and sleek aluminum body; the other stood as the purest expression of stock Android, built by LG under Google’s direction. For millions of users debating an upgrade—especially those coming from older iPhones or mid-tier Android devices—the question wasn’t just about specs. It was personal: Was switching to either device truly worth it? This article revisits that decision with historical context, technical analysis, and real-world insights to help understand what each phone offered and whether the upgrade delivered on its promise.

Design and Build: Form Meets Function

The iPhone 6 introduced a radically new design language for Apple. Departing from the sharper edges of previous models, it embraced smooth curves, rounded corners, and a unibody aluminum chassis. At 6.9 mm thick and weighing just 129 grams, it felt light and comfortable in hand—though some criticized its susceptibility to bending under pressure (“Bendgate” became a viral concern). The 4.7-inch display marked Apple’s first major move into larger screens, responding to consumer demand driven by Android competitors.

In contrast, the Nexus 5 featured a more utilitarian design. Its polycarbonate plastic body, while less premium-feeling than the iPhone’s metal finish, provided better grip and reduced weight (130 grams). The 4.95-inch IPS LCD screen offered slightly higher resolution (1080p vs. iPhone 6’s 750x1334), translating to sharper text and improved outdoor visibility. While the iPhone 6 looked polished and minimalist, the Nexus 5 prioritized practicality and function over luxury aesthetics.

Tip: If you value long-term durability and resale value, the iPhone 6’s build held up better over time despite early bending fears.

Software Experience: iOS 8 vs. Pure Android 4.4 KitKat

Where these phones diverged most dramatically was in their operating systems. The iPhone 6 launched with iOS 8, introducing features like HealthKit, third-party keyboard support, and enhanced notifications. Apple’s ecosystem integration—iCloud, iMessage, AirDrop—remained seamless, especially for users already invested in Macs, iPads, or Apple Watches.

The Nexus 5, meanwhile, ran pure Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. This meant no manufacturer skins, bloatware, or delayed updates. As a flagship Google device, it received OS upgrades faster than any other Android phone—eventually getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow officially. For developers and tech-savvy users, this made the Nexus 5 a favorite platform for customization and early access to new Android features.

However, iOS offered greater app quality control and consistency. While Android had broader hardware flexibility, many third-party apps were still optimized primarily for iPhones at the time. Gamers and media consumers often found better performance and polish on iOS titles.

“Choosing between them came down to philosophy: Do you want a curated, consistent experience, or openness and control?” — David Kim, Mobile UX Analyst, 2014

Performance and Hardware Comparison

Under the hood, both phones used 64-bit processors—a significant leap forward. The iPhone 6 featured Apple’s custom-designed A8 chip with an M8 motion coprocessor, delivering excellent power efficiency and strong single-core performance. Apps launched quickly, multitasking was fluid, and games ran smoothly even months after launch.

The Nexus 5 relied on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 paired with 2GB of RAM. While powerful for its time, it occasionally showed lag during heavy multitasking or when running resource-intensive apps. However, Android’s memory management allowed background processes to persist longer without reloading, which some users preferred.

Feature	iPhone 6	Nexus 5
Processor	Apple A8 (64-bit)	Snapdragon 800
RAM	1GB	2GB
Storage Options	16/64/128GB (no expandable)	16/32GB (no expandable)
Battery Capacity	1810 mAh	2300 mAh
OS Update Path	Up to iOS 12 (6 years)	Up to Android 6.0 (2 years official)

Despite lower RAM, the iPhone 6 generally felt snappier due to iOS optimization. Apple tightly controlled both hardware and software, enabling deeper system-level tuning. The Nexus 5, while capable, began showing age sooner—particularly as newer versions of Android demanded more resources.

Camera and Multimedia Capabilities

The iPhone 6 featured an 8MP rear camera with Focus Pixels, improved dynamic range, and 1080p video at 60fps. Apple emphasized natural color reproduction and reliable low-light performance. Its camera interface was simple but effective, appealing to casual photographers who wanted consistent results.

The Nexus 5 also had an 8MP sensor but struggled in dim lighting and lacked optical image stabilization. Google compensated with computational photography experiments—HDR+ mode significantly improved detail and exposure—but it required manual activation and processing time. Video capped at 1080p/30fps, falling short of the iPhone’s smoother recording.

For music and media, both phones supported high-quality audio playback, though the iPhone’s ecosystem (iTunes, iCloud Music Library) gave it an edge in content availability. The Nexus 5 benefited from direct integration with Google Play Music and YouTube, making streaming straightforward.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a college student in 2014, owned an aging iPhone 4. Her daily routine involved social media, note-taking, and occasional photography for her journalism class. She considered both phones carefully. The iPhone 6 appealed because of its ease of use, compatibility with her MacBook, and superior camera for assignments. But she liked the idea of having more storage flexibility and lower cost with the Nexus 5.

She ultimately chose the iPhone 6. Over the next two years, she appreciated the longevity of iOS updates, the reliability of iMessage, and the ability to hand off tasks between devices using Handoff. When she upgraded again in 2016, she sold her iPhone 6 for nearly half its original price—something not possible with the depreciating Nexus 5.

Her experience mirrored that of many mainstream users: convenience, ecosystem cohesion, and long-term support outweighed raw specs or initial savings.

Checklist: Was Upgrading Worth It? Ask Yourself These Questions

• Am I upgrading from a phone older than three years?
• Do I value long-term software updates and security patches?
• Is seamless integration with other devices important to me?
• Do I prefer a curated app store with higher-quality apps?
• Am I willing to pay more upfront for better resale value?
• Do I want the fastest access to new OS features, even if they’re less polished?

If you answered “yes” to the first four, the iPhone 6 likely offered a more satisfying upgrade. If you leaned toward openness, customization, and immediate access to Android innovations, the Nexus 5 was compelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Nexus 5 get Android Lollipop and Marshmallow?

Yes, the Nexus 5 officially received Android 5.0 Lollipop and later Android 6.0 Marshmallow, maintaining its reputation for timely updates. However, performance degraded noticeably on Marshmallow due to hardware limitations.

Which phone lasted longer on battery?

The Nexus 5 had a larger battery (2300 mAh vs. 1810 mAh), but iOS optimization helped the iPhone 6 achieve comparable real-world usage—around 8–10 hours of mixed use. Heavy LTE or gaming drained both quickly.

Could the iPhone 6 run modern apps today?

No. Although it originally supported up to iOS 12, most current apps require iOS 13 or later. By 2020, the iPhone 6 was effectively obsolete for new software, whereas some custom ROMs extended the Nexus 5’s life beyond official support.

Conclusion: Weighing Value Beyond Specs

Looking back, the question “Was upgrading really worth it?” depends entirely on what you valued in a smartphone. The iPhone 6 delivered a refined, future-proof experience with unmatched ecosystem benefits and long-term support. It wasn’t the most powerful or customizable device, but for everyday users, it worked exceptionally well—and kept working for years.

The Nexus 5 offered something different: a window into the heart of Android. It was beloved by developers, rooted frequently, and served as a testbed for innovation. But for average users, its shorter update cycle and inconsistent app optimization limited its long-term appeal.

Ultimately, both phones succeeded in their missions. The iPhone 6 redefined Apple’s mobile strategy and set the template for future designs. The Nexus 5 reminded the industry that pure Android could be fast, clean, and accessible. Whether the upgrade was “worth it” wasn’t about benchmarks—it was about fit.

💬 Still remember your 2014 upgrade choice? Share your experience—did you go iPhone or Nexus? What would you do differently today?