Google Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player Features

The Google Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player were three 2014 devices built around Google’s Android ecosystem: a large smartphone, a tablet and a small streaming-media box. Their main features included near-stock Android, high-resolution displays and Google services, but each served a different purpose and has important limits today.

What the three Nexus devices were

Google introduced the Nexus 6 phone and Nexus 9 tablet in October 2014, alongside the Nexus Player, its first Android TV streaming device. Nexus products were made with hardware partners—Motorola for the Nexus 6 and ASUS for the Nexus 9 and Player—and ran Android software closely aligned with Google’s releases. “Nexus” did not mean that all three devices shared the same hardware or capabilities.

Nexus 6: a premium, unusually large Android phone made by Motorola.
Nexus 9: an 8.9-inch Android tablet made by HTC, with a 4:3 display suited to reading and general tablet use.
Nexus Player: a television streaming box made by ASUS, operated with a remote and intended for Android TV apps and games.

Nexus 6 features

The Nexus 6 had a 5.96-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels. Its large screen made web pages, video and maps easier to view than on smaller phones, although its size could make one-handed use difficult. The phone used a 2.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, 3 GB of RAM and a 3220 mAh battery.

Its camera hardware included a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and a dual-LED flash, plus a 2-megapixel front camera. It recorded 4K video. Storage options were 32 GB and 64 GB; there was no microSD card slot, so storage could not be expanded with a memory card. The phone also supported wireless charging and, depending on the model and carrier, LTE mobile data. Network-band compatibility varied, so a used handset may not work fully with every carrier.

The Nexus 6 launched with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Its software experience was close to Google’s standard Android interface, with Google apps and services available, rather than a heavily customized manufacturer interface. It also had front-facing stereo speakers and a water-resistant design, but it was not a modern waterproof phone and should not be treated as suitable for immersion.

Nexus 9 features

The Nexus 9’s 8.9-inch LCD screen had a 2048 by 1536 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. That shape is convenient for reading, browsing and documents, while widescreen movies can show larger black bars than on a 16:9 display. HTC’s tablet used a 64-bit, dual-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and 2 GB of RAM.

It came in 16 GB or 32 GB storage configurations, with Wi-Fi-only and cellular versions available in some markets. Like the Nexus 6, it lacked a microSD slot. The tablet had an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 1.6-megapixel front camera, front-facing BoomSound speakers and an 6700 mAh battery. Its launch software was Android 5.0 Lollipop, and it later received official Android updates through Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

The Nexus 9 is sometimes described as a small laptop replacement because Google sold a keyboard cover for it. That accessory could make typing more practical, but the tablet still ran Android, not desktop ChromeOS or Windows. App support, multitasking and keyboard behavior depended on Android software and the apps available at the time.

Nexus Player features and connections

The Nexus Player connected to a television over HDMI and ran Android TV, a television-focused version of Android. Its interface presented compatible video and music apps, recommendations and games on a large screen. A voice-search remote let users search for content using speech; this was search, not a guarantee that every service or title would be available.

The box used a 1.8 GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. It had Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but no Ethernet port or USB port for ordinary user storage expansion. The included remote and optional game controller connected wirelessly. A controller made compatible games easier to play, but the Nexus Player was not a console with access to every console game.

Its 8 GB capacity was modest, and apps and system software used some of that space. Streaming quality and app availability depended on the service, network connection, region and software support. The device does not have a built-in television tuner: it could stream supported internet content, not receive broadcast channels by itself.

How they compare and how to choose

These devices are best understood by their role, rather than as three versions of the same product. The Nexus 6 was for calls, mobile data and pocketable computing; the Nexus 9 was for a larger touch-screen experience; and the Nexus Player brought supported streaming apps to a TV. Their shared Nexus name reflected Google’s Android program, not interchangeable features.

Choose the Nexus 6 only if you specifically need an older Android phone and have checked its carrier compatibility, battery condition and app support.
Consider the Nexus 9 for offline reading or simple tablet tasks only after confirming the apps you need still install and work on its older Android version.
For television streaming, compare the Nexus Player with a current streaming device. Newer products are more likely to receive app updates and support current services and formats.

All three are discontinued products. Their original software-update periods have ended, and current apps may require newer Android versions or may no longer be offered for these devices. A factory reset does not make old hardware current or restore discontinued service support.

Common limitations and buying considerations

The biggest practical issue is age. A used Nexus device may have a worn battery, damaged charging port, screen defects or missing accessories. Before buying, check whether it powers on, charges reliably, connects to the required network and can access the apps or services you actually intend to use. On the Nexus 6, confirm the exact model and carrier bands; on the Nexus Player, make sure the television has an available HDMI input.

Do not assume that a high-resolution screen guarantees modern video playback. Streaming services set device, app and content requirements that can change, and support for an old Android TV version can disappear. Nor should “stock Android” be confused with a promise of ongoing updates: Nexus devices once received Google software updates, but these models are long past their supported update windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player?
The Nexus 6 is a smartphone, the Nexus 9 is a tablet, and the Nexus Player is a television streaming box. They have different hardware, software interfaces and uses.

Did the Nexus Player come with a game controller?
It came with a remote control. A game controller was an optional accessory, so a secondhand purchase may not include one.

Can the Nexus Player receive regular TV channels?
No. It has no built-in TV tuner. It plays supported internet-streaming apps and other compatible content rather than receiving antenna or cable channels directly.

Can storage be expanded on these devices?
None of the three has a microSD slot. The Nexus Player also lacks a standard USB port for adding ordinary external storage, so check its limited internal capacity before relying on it.

Are the Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player still supported?
They are discontinued, and their official Android update periods have ended. App and service compatibility can vary, so verify support for a specific use before purchasing or setting one up.

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