As expected, Google has announced the Nexus 6 smartphone with Android 5.0 Lollipop by way of a quick blog post rather than the big launch event but the device is having launch woes. It's finally on sale so here's all the Nexus 6 release date, price, pre-order and specs you need. Updated on 11/12/14. See also: Best smartphones 2014 and our full Nexus 6 review.

Just a day before Apple announced new iPads, Google unveiled a range of new devices to go with Android 5.0 Lollipop including the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player.

See also: Nexus 5 vs Nexus 6 comparison: why Google's latest smartphone isn't necessarily a natural upgrade.

Google Nexus 6: Release date and price UK

Update: Although Google initially announced that the Nexus 6 will be available to pre-order in the UK in November and go on sale the same month, this has simply not happened. The device is now on the Google Play store priced at £499 for 32 GB and £549 for 64 GB but the only model available (as of 11/12) is the 32 GB blue and it will leave the warhouse in 3-4 weeks!

O2 has contacted us to announce the Nexus 6 is now available. Although O2 was the first to put the device on sale (4 December), launch woes continue elsewhere - see below. Read: Where to buy the Nexus 6 in the UK.

We heard from various retailers that the phone would go on sale on 1 December but that day has arrived and thing appear to have only got worse.

Big high street name Carphone Warehouse now has the 32 GB blue model and although it claims to have an exclusive on the white model, it is available for pre-order and expected on 29 December.

Meanwhile, Clove has pre-sold all its stock which it is expecting on 22 December with a second batch set to arrive 'late December' and there is limited stock available to order now.

Mobilefun says the nexus 6 is due in a whopping two months on the blue model and Expansys doesn't even state when it is expecting the device. Mobiles.co.uk also gave a release date of 1 December but currently expects delivery on 15 December.

With Christmas fast approachingthe Nexus 6 launch situation isn't good and Google has been all too quiet on the subject. We've reached out for comment and will update you as soon as we can.

Google Nexus 6: Specs and features

The Nexus 6 has been built by Motorola for Google and looks very similar to the Moto X. It has a 'contoured aluminium frame' which houses a 5.96in Quad HD screen (493ppi). Google's tag line for the phone is "more room to explore".

Along with the Nexus 9, it is the launch product for a new version of Android which we now know is 5.0 Lollipop. This will also be available for the Nexus 7, Nexus 6 and Nexus 10 in the 'coming weeks'.

Back to the Nexus 6 and it features a 13Mp rear facing camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), front facing stereo speakers and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor which is clocked at 2.7 GHz. It includes the Adreno 420 GPU.

The Nexus 6 will come in 32- or 64 GB capacities but there's still no microSD card slot. Inside is a 3220mAh and Google touts over 24 hours of use. The firm also touts up to 6 hours of use from only 15 minutes of charging (if the battery is substantially depleted).

• OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop

• Display: 5.96in 1440 x 2560 display (493 ppi)

• Battery: 3220 mAh

• Camera: 13 Mp rear-facing with optical image stabilisation, 2 Mp rear-facing

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, 32-bit Quad Core 2.7 GHz, Adreno 420

• Memory: 32/64GB

See our original Nexus 6 rumour round-up on the next page