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Google's gold Nexus 6P is pretty pretty (exclusive hands-on)

Got a thing for gilded phones? Feast your eyes on the mellow champagne tones of Google's excellent marquee handset.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Jessica Dolcourt
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Watch this: Gold Nexus 6P: Feast your eyes

If you thought Google's Nexus 6P couldn't get any better for the price, just wait until you see it in gold. CNET got an exclusive look at the gold version ahead of the CES trade show here in Las Vegas, and let me tell you, it's pretty. Luckily, you'll be able to get your hands on one quickly: it's already selling in Japan, it becomes available today in the US, and it will soon go on sale in the UK, Australia and Europe.

I don't want to overstate the case here -- turning the phone in my hand to catch the light, the gold color certainly shimmers off the chamfered metal edges. Its back panel softly gleams. But it's also no different from the mellow champagne shade you see on a lot of high-end metal phones these days. The color looks just as sharp as the rest and boosts the Nexus 6P's luxe factor. Other than that, it handles just like the Nexus 6P you may already know and love.

I love the look of Google's gold Nexus 6P (pictures)

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Both 32GB and 64GB versions will sell in early January in Google's store. In the US, you can also pick it up at Best Buy.

In terms of price and hardware, the gold Nexus 6P costs the same as the other versions, as it should -- $499, £449 and AU$899 for 32GB -- so you aren't getting slapped with a premium for a special-edition color.

The timing is good news for gold-lovers who need an extra reason to buy a Nexus 6P and bad news if you already own one. Still, kudos to Nexus-maker Huawei for pushing this out the door.

The smartphones that matter at CES 2016 (pictures)

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