yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nexus 6  General] O.a.T.:
Random Rant

I had a chance a few months back to buy an OPO, which I did, figuring I could sell the OPO when the ~$450 N6 was released. With a $650 N6, there is simply no way I am buying it. And of course the reason I have bought other Nexus devices and the OPO was because they were carrier-less/unlocked and easily rooted. So those branded N6s are definitely out of the question for me.

Now that Google has joined the race to the top of the flagships, along with comparable pricing, what really differentiates a Nexus device from name brand's X device? Even more broadly I see a convergence of Apple and Google philosophies somewhere in the middle of where both companies currently stand, i.e., Apple adopting some Google strategies and vice versa. Interesting IMO since Google didn't start out as a typical hardware/software company but seems to be rapidly evolving that way. It's hard for me to believe that the folks at Google aren't frantically searching for ways to monetize Android the way Apple has monetized IOS.

Who really knows what deals were struck when Google sold Motorola to Lenovo, after all Google did take a significant hit in that sale. Certainly the N6 isn't a leap in technology or design, but rather a continued progression of the state of the art. We know where the huge profits that Apple and Samsung make go, but if enough Moto's and N6's are sold, where do the huge profits of Motorola go? Was Google that benevolent to sell Moto to Lenovo for a good price and further give them the rights to the N6? Add to that a consideration for the new N9 along with another floundering mobile company, HTC. And what might Google have extracted from them for their new flagship tablet? Maybe Google really is the Good Mobile Witch of the West? Maybe not?

I'm sure there are many different business aspects to both the new N6 and N9. I perceived that Google released the early Nexus devices with nearly flagship specs at very reasonable prices to demonstrate a path for other Android device manufacturers to follow as well as to exhibit a truly native Android. Seems like Google has forsaken this whole philosophy. Instead, we see Google enforcing a native Android as in Android wear, and joining in the race to the top prices of the mobile market.
[Nexus 6  General] xboxfanj:
T-Mobile does on every phone that the manufacturers allow it on. HTCDev is a win-win. HTC knows who unlocked for warranty purposes (not up to them to cover you if you flashed a file to the wrong partition or flashed something from another device). You have access to all the necessary partitions (system, data, cache, recovery, and boot).

Hard to say who to blame for the newest Nexus being so expensive. Could be Sundar Pichai. It is possible that Andy Rubin pushed for Google to subsidize the devices (both to increase the spread of the latest OS and banking on sales using Google services). This is the first Nexus phone he hasn't been there for. The Nexus 5 was already in development when he changed roles within Google.
[Nexus 6  General] bfrrh:
I didn't read whole thread and maybe it was said before but do you think chinese oems give a **** about that ? i say wait for iuni u3 and hope it has unlocked boot and here's your new nexus. 2k, 3gb of ram snapdragon 801 and 5'' inch in beautiful and simple packing. Why do you think moto was sold to nchinese oem Lenovo and do you seriously think nexus line is solely responsible for samsung's sales being down ? One+1, iuni, meizu and rest of chinese will kill them in no time if they wont start being competitive and stop acting like they are apple ( this may be a reason why samsung try to push tizen ). Android is different market than iOS its not closed and all vendors are welcome. It's a hrdware war nothing else.
[Nexus 6  General] xboxfanj:
Even Motorola itself priced the X at 499, which is very similar. I doubt the screen and SoC upgrades cost 150.

Chinese OEMs tend to not release source and have poor support.
[Nexus 6  General] barondebxl:
Do u know how much the note 4 goes off contract on att?? $799. iPhone 6 plus 64 gig? $849. Just put that into perspective. Google has spoiled u guys too much.
[Nexus 6  General] Techngro:
I think another of Google's reasoning for creating the Nexus line was to provide and entry level device for developers that used decent specs and got them familiar with creating in the Android environment. And if that is the case, then this is a big FU to that approach.

But I could be wrong.
[Nexus 6  General] theoneofgod:
I personally think it's priced this way because it's Motorola. Their flagships are always expensive. Nothing to do with competition imo.
[Nexus 6  General] SilkyJohnson:
If it ain't broke, why fix it?

That's my response to the design arguments. The Moto X has great ergodynamics, feels great in hand, plus it's a beautiful looking device. And to say it's just an elongated Moto X is like saying a Note is an elongated S3/4/5 whatever. The guts of the device have significantly changed, most importantly to me is the battery jump. This alone will make me buy it over the X.

Apple is more of a threat to Google then Samsung, so it's only logical they will release a phablet this year to match the 6+. Also, look at the killing Samsung makes off phablets. It's about profits, folks. Moto was purchased to teach Samsung a lesson. The day before the sale to Lenovo was announced, Google and Sammy signed some papers that gave Google back some control. It was a game of chess.

Why partner with carriers? Well, it goes back to money. As previous posters have said, the Nexus line didn't make much money. It is a niche market. Why do people buy phones? Our grandparents, kids, friends, etc. Normal people unlike us enthusiasts? They see it in the damn store.

And if it looks like the latest "Galaxy Phone!" maybe it'll get a sale over a Note. Sales 101, my friends.

Sent from my Nexus 5
[Nexus 6  General] xboxfanj:
6+ was announced last month. I think Google's development process of the phone was greater than 30 days.
[Nexus 6  General] SilkyJohnson:
And you don't think Google and the rest of us all didn't know for the last year that Apple was coming out with a big phone??? Of course their development process is longer than 30 days, bud.

Google flat out said the other day that Amazon is their biggest rival. While that may be as a whole, Apple is without question where their bullseye sits.

Sent from my Nexus 5
[Nexus 6  General] xboxfanj:
I had heard 4.7 early but not 5.5.

Either way, I think there's probably a reason based more on functionality of Lollipop that explains the screen size, but we shall see.
[Nexus 6  General] SilkyJohnson:
Nah, man, she'll run like a purring kitten on those little guys ?

I can't wait to be done with holo.

Sent from my Nexus 5
[Nexus 6  General] Jammol:
Will never buy it. It was the wrong move on their part. Size and price will kill it. Either way they are still selling the 5 so they'll still get mulah. Think I'll stick to getting a moto x or note 4 when they show up on cracklist.
[Nexus 6  General] pitmaster:
The Nexus 6 is too big and to expensive but you'll consider the note 4 which costs more and is essentially the same same size?

This is the nexus I've been waiting for. Already saving up for it.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
[Nexus 6  General] danarama:
Although tha argument makes sense, it is clear that the hardware is much premium (and bigger) so perhaps its a mixture of the two. What's your source?
[Nexus 6  General] chancy319:
What a load of rubbish. Unless you actually reside in the Google boardroom or know someone who does, this is just a hypothetical opinion.
[Nexus 6  General] barondebxl:
Nothing but your speculation backed with zero evidence. It is your opinion but it definitely doesn't make it a fact.
[Nexus 6  General] msal:
Opinion or not, it's a very probable and potential theory. I think it makes sense. I don't think OP is trying to sell his ideas as facts either lol.
[Nexus 6  General] barondebxl:
The fact that it is probable doesn't make it true does it? Not to discredit OP but stating an opinion as a fact doesn't make sense. Facts are based on evidence. "I think the nexus is overpriced because...." sounds better than "here is why it IS overpriced" without any facts/evidence.

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatal
[Nexus 6  General] jlmcr87:
It´s easy, Moto nexus 6 can´t cost 500$ because this is the Moto X price.
[Nexus 6  General] stankyou:
I'd just like to think that this is all part of Google's plan to do that Android Silver thing down the line.
[Nexus 6  General] zathus:
I personally think it's expensive because it has to be for the U.S. carriers. Think about it, if it cost 350 off contract. Where is the incentive to buy it subsidized? If you're not going to buy it subsidized, then you're not going to get a contract. And that's how at least AT&T and Verizon make their money. I'm pretty sure Verizon had a heavy hand in the price of this phone. And most people here will say, Still going to buy it off contract. But you do not make up the majority. People need to realize the online tech community only makes up a very small percentage of those who actually buy these phones
[Nexus 6  General] diafebus:
I think the real deal here is, google let the world know they own nexus, until Nexus 4, nexus phones weren't so popular…

SO now EVERYBODY knows what a Nexus is… but if the sales go down like a LOT I don't get the sense of doing this, btw there are some other companies that are taking the setoff like One Plus One, Xiaomi, etc so I don't care haha do whatever u want google a lot of us are not going to buy those machines for that prices!
[Nexus 6  General] cobyman7035:
hopefully us cdns. will have the nexus 6 on ROGERS for nice subsidy, now im gettig whey they priced it so high on the google playstore..so peeps will GO ON CONTRACTS instead of buying it outright
[Nexus 6  General] mattwheat:
My thoughts ...... Google is releasing Android One , a cheaper more economical line of smartphone, with the intentions of putting an Android/ Google device in everyone's hands that is old enough to work one. Information is power and with that larger community of people being able to exchange information and learn, come faster innovation. But I digress , with the cheaper line of Android One coming out I guess they figure why not pull a Phillip Morris ( Marlboro/ Basic) tactic and curb the market on both ends. Those that can't afford a flagship like the Nexus 6 by selling the Android One and those who can.

WALT DISNEY once said "If you build it, they will come". And so far our society has proven that to be true.
[Nexus 6  General] torquadon:
Regardless reason behind it, Apple must think that Christmas came early this year.
[Nexus 6  General] Poke_N_PDA:
Personally, I'm convinced the reason for the major increase in price is the carriers. The Manufactures haven't had a ton of say over the last several years. If you break down the major components of a smartphone's price they are hardware, development, marketing, and profit. Nexus has traditionally reduced it's price by sacrificing mostly on marketing and profit. Hardware compromises actually can't have accounted for more than $50 or so. Consequently the new nexus can't be all about hardware/development improvement. At the most optimistic it's a $100 difference. Also, profit on the sale isn't really Google's priority.

Therefore, I conclude that Google is doing what it has to to get the nexus into as many hands as possible (on all carriers and in stores) and as a result drive the industry. They want to show people how good it can be and force the manufactures to get with the program. To do this, they have to throw some bones to the carriers and that means some compromises. The biggest is price.

That said, it looks like we are still mostly dealing with the same nexus!!!! Google Controlled updates, Unlockable Bootloader, Mostly bloat free (some auto-installing apps that can be removed).

Also, I still believe that we will see something similar to the Moto X and Galaxy Nexus. Early next year I think we'll see (at least on the play store) a price drop. Maybe more incremental this time then what the Galaxy Nexus had. I would honestly be shocked if it wasn't down to $499 or less by April 2015.
[Nexus 6  General] Gspin96:
"Cool" people don't buy things which are not either a Galaxy or an iPhone, and nothing that costs less than them can be comparable to them. That's how many, MANY people think: the more it costs, the better it is, and some will buy expensive things even tough they can't afford them, and they'll just buy what they want at any moment without keeping a single penny in the bank.

Obviously i can't say thet this represents everyone or every country, but the description seems to fit a lot of the people living in the western world.

So, the absurd thing of this nexus 6 is that, by pricing it higher, it'll probably be easier to sell it to the masses and get more money. Because you know, google is actually "Google Inc.", and it's not about teaching other companies how to do things (which would be more easily done by TELLING them), or ensuring their survival: it's about making money, and altough they mainly make money with advertisements and now google play, adding more sources of money doesn't hurt them.
[Nexus 6  General] NardVa:
Higher off contract price makes the $200 contract price look more attractive and push more people to carriers. In the US this has been the base model for years and it works. Apple and Samsung sale a lot of phones via the carrier. Google decided to get on board with the old ways because trying to sell a phone off contract to the masses doesn't work.
[Nexus 6  General] Daps:
Yeah but I think US Carriers want to really get away from selling phones and rather sell the service.

Electronics should get cheaper as time goes on but it seems like smartphones keep the same high price.

I wasn't expecting to spend $700 for a phone. Now I have to decide if it's worth it or should I just get a 2nd gen MotoX
[Nexus 6  General] polke45:
When you compare Nexus 6 to other flagship phablet, Nexus 6 is actually cheaper. Note 4 and iPhone 6+ cost $800+ off-contract.

Now, some may say why make a phablet? Why not stick with the 5" screen to keep the cost down? As noted by other, the Nexus family has always been a product that is not meant to overtake the smartphone market, but a guideline of where it should be heading to. Galaxy Note has been the go to product for screen larger than 5 inches. Now that Apple has jumped into the phablet device with their iPhone 6+, it is certain other manufacturers will jump on the bandwagon soon. So, it is a perfect time for Google to opt for the phablet device. I don't know how much it would cost to manufacture a Nexus 6, but I believe it would not be far off from the MSRP price based on the Moto X 2014 MSRP.
[Nexus 6  General] shadowcore:
I will mention 3 things:

1. Do you have any evidence to suggest what you are claiming is true? How many is "many people"? I would be interested to read about this. Your first claim is nothing but personal opinion. iPhone buyers, Samsung buyers are by the millions. Everybody has different reasons for their purchases or lack there off. Its ridiculously hard to make any statement without statistical data and even that is not reliable.

2.. The Nexus series has never been a phone for ordinary people. If it was, it would have been marketed as such. I wasnt an android fan when the GNexus came out and before, but when the N4 and N5 came out, there wasnt any sort of ads, marketing at all, involved with it. I assume it wasnt marketed as a "Mainstream" device, as it wasnt marketed at all. At least, thats my personal experience with that, which is also based on the fact that google left the marketing to the endless leaks which led to the increase of hype, but even then, nothing compared to what I have seen with other OEMs, such as LG, Sony etc.

Again, this is personal experience.

As for pricing, It depends on what sort of customer they are aiming for. Somebody who gets a carrier phone, may not care about performance, but only price and data plans.

Somebody who is able to pay $600 or more, may or may not care about price, but brand and specs.

Somebody who is not able to pay $600 or less, will care about price/performance. or just price. Considering the price increase, I assume that it isnt aimed at the former customers who bought the N5,n4 for its price/performance.

Lastly, the size of the device makes it by definition not a mainstream device for your everyday user. Its for folks who can pay more cash for phablet or what I would call a niche product and it is a direct competitor to the iPhone6+, so my assumption is that its aimed at them aswell.

By all this I mean your assumptions at price increase are completely wrong.

3. This is a public forum, dissatisfacton with the price increase is a legitimate concern among nexus fans. But you are right, follow the profit and you get an answer why things are the way there are.

As a sidenote, I read an article title that said that the iPhone 6 costs 100$ to make. What makes anyone think here that the increase in price is nothing more than pure profit. After all, the main revenue for google is their services. I assume they arent interested in getting anymore people onto android.

---------- Post added at 03:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:30 AM ----------

Laptops, IBM keyboards, SSDs, peripheral devices, Sound Cards.

---------- Post added at 03:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 AM ----------

Really, a guideline? Nex6 is supposed to be a competitor to the Note 4 and iphone 6+ and other phablets. There is nothing more to it. They arent selling phones to please their old customers, they are selling them to make a profit and compete. Its common sense. Howver, I am not saying that complaining wont have an effect. It might just aswell prompt google to lower the price.
[Nexus 6  General] NardVa:
I'm pretty sure electronics are cheaper to make over time, but cell phone prices stay at the same price. Makes you wonder. For the price you pay for a high end cell phone (Note 4, Iphone 6 Plus) you can get a PS4 and a Xbox One.
[Nexus 6  General] Gspin96:
It's true, i don't have some worldwide statistics at hand, i just observed what happens in a school here in italy as a student of that school. If you speak with people about something, all you need to do to know what they think about it is to listen to what they say. There are the ones who can afford an iPhone/Galaxy (believe it or not, the ones who don't own a Samsung or Apple device aren't as many and proud as the ones who own an iPhone 4 or an S3). There are the ones who can't afford it right now and get it with their carrier, which more often than not here in italy means adding about €24/month for the next 30 months to your data plan, and that accounts to about €700 in the end. There are the ones who can't afford the new iPhone or Galaxy and get the older ones for little less, which to me seems the most rational behaviour of the ones i described, depending on what "older" and "little less" really mean.

I also have to add that thinking that a nexus is for the ones who compile ROMs is nearly nonsense. Sure, we geeks like ROMs, ROM developers can find nice challenges in making them, and having a nexus removes the problem of finding a way to install your compiled ROM.

But Google doesn't need ROM developers. They need APP developers. A nexus is a reference screen with a reference OS for which to build apps that will need to work on as many devices as possible: that's what Google wants, because Android devices sell more if there are more apps available and Google Play sells more apps if there are more people who own Android devices. This is logic, it doesn't take statistics or an economist to say this, even tough it could be said in a more comprehensible way with a better knowledge of English :p

Then, to add to the fact that the Nexus is not to be considered a developers-only device, i say that even MY SISTER can use it, and if SHE can, then EVERYONE can :laugh:
[Nexus 6  General] Wbroshea:
How about we meet back here in 6 months to see how it does compared to established brands. I have my guess, as I don't believe device sales are google's priority.

Unfortunately for you, you don't have the "right" to decide who has the "right" to be peeved. You should rephrase that statement to sound a little less authoritarian.

The change in business philosophy to get to the current price point when compared to the last few devices. Also the abandonment of what it appears to me as what those last few devices were trying to accomplish.

Blah. I can but that doesn't make my opinion any more valuable than those that can't or choose not to.

Guess they better drop google glass and project ara as those haven't made profit either. Just because a Nexus line doesn't make profit doesn't mean it isn't a tool to increase profit elsewhere. You don't think companies donate money to charities out of the goodness of their collective hearts do you? As far as us being spoiled I'm not sure what you mean as the first three were expensive.
[Nexus 6  General] jjhiza:
1) I'd be willing to bet that the Nexus 6 sells far better than previous Nexus phones. You're right, Google doesn't care about device sales...but Motorola does. Google's concern is brand recognition and market saturation, and I think the Nexus 6 could just be the vehicle to push Android into more hands.

2) Nope, I don't have the right to tell people how to feel, but I stand by my comment.

3) You'd be right if Google hadn't done this before. The Galaxy Nexus was $699 off-contract with Verizon, so there is precedent for high priced Nexus devices. If you remember, the Galaxy Nexus launch was the last time Google really made a marketing push with its device, and at the time, it was a premium reference point device. This is hardly a paradigm shift, but rather an assertion that Google feels that THIS device and THIS version of Android will create a reference point for the future.

4) I never claimed that being able to compile from source gives anyone more of a voice than anyone else. In reality though, the opinions of the top developers are more important than that of the average user, and here's why - the Nexus 6 and 9 have tap-to-wake, active display, user profiles, do not disturb profiles, power-saving profiles, and more. All of those things were created and initially implemented by the developers here on XDA or over at Rootz. Those features were hugely popular, and Google likes being popular, so naturally they've chosen to include these features. The devs who created these things are directly responsible for where we are today, so I'm inclined to give their opinions more weight than that of Joe User, who doesn't even know what NFC is.

5) Google Glass and Project Ara aren't about profit at this point. They're about concept, and (likely) patent procurement. Being first to market with things can be highly beneficial sometimes. But yes, the Nexus line has been a tool - a method of providing a reference point for app developers and device manufacturers, but as I said previously, that hasn't stopped Google from occasionally rolling out a top-of-the-line Nexus with a high price point.

*Nexus pricing - http://www.droid-life.com/2014/10/16/nexus-6-price/