GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

1.5m
109k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENTS
GSMArena team, 07 November 2016

Advanced simplicity


Google Pixel review: Advanced simplicity

  • Comments (67)
  • User reviews
  • Pixel

1. Introduction
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Hardware overview
  3. 3. Display, battery life, connectivity
  4. 4. User interface
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Telephony, SMS, loudspeaker and preinstalled apps
  7. 7. Multimedia, loudspeaker, and audio quality
  8. 8. Camera
  9. 9. Conclusion
  10.  
  11. Google Pixel specification
  12. User opinions and reviews
  13. Review comments (67)

Google Android

Introduction

HTC and Google have come full circle twice since the original HTC Dream, a smartphone released on T-Mobile as the 'T-Mobile G1'. Then a few years later with the release of the Google Nexus One, yet another phone is made by HTC for Google. And now, with the Nexus lineup seemingly discontinued, the (HTC-made, as well) Google Pixel takes its rightful place as Google's own flagship offering.

Google is committed to delivering the best smartphone experience and giving the iPhone 7 a run for its money. Quite literally as the two lineups are priced identically: starting at $650 (US) and stepping up +$120 if you opt for the XL model. Tack on $100 more if you want to up the memory from 32GB to 128GB. Either way, Google will throw in unlimited photo and video cloud-storage via Google Photos.

The Google Pixel is designed to deliver a Google-centric experience, complete with perfect integration of all the services Google has to offer, as well as the introduction to Android's new Google Assistant, now more talkative, helpful, and exclusive to Pixel.

The Pixel and Pixel XL are both successors to last year's Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Except this year, the Pixels are identically spec'd with the exception of the screen sizes/resolutions and battery sizes, whereas the Nexus 5X and 6P had more significant differences like the hexa-core CPU in the 5X compared to the 6P's octa-core chip.

Key Features

  • Sturdy metal uni-body design with wedge
  • 5.0" 16M-color AMOLED screen of 1080p resolution, 441ppi
  • Snapdragon 821 chipset: quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) / Adreno 530 GPU / 4GB of RAM
  • 12.3 MP main camera with f/2.0 phase detection and laser assisted autofocus, dual-LED flash, 1/2.3" sensor, 1.55 micron pixel size, 2160p (4K) @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60/120 fps, 720p @ 240 fps
  • 8MP front-facing camera, f/2.4 1/2.3" sensor size, 1.4 micron pixels, 1080p @ 30fps
  • Comes in 32 or 128GB of built-in storage
  • First device to ship with Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box
  • Up to LTE Cat12 depending on market (600/75 Mbps) / GPS with A-GPS; GLONASS / Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC support for Android Pay and Android Beam
  • VoLTE / Wi-Fi Calling / Project Fi-compatible
  • Pixel Imprint fingerprint authentication
  • 2,770 mAh non-removable battery

Main shortcomings

  • Nexus cons - no microSD slot, non-removable battery
  • Pricey for a Nexus successor
  • No wireless charging, IR blaster, or FM Radio
  • (Arguably) bland design
  • No full water resistance

Many Nexus fans were disappointed to learn that the Pixel won't be as affordable as the Nexus devices. The Pixel phones are meant to be more mainstream and to carry Google's vision of Android to everyone. It carries a heftier price tag so customers are more likely to purchase the units through carriers (though Verizon is the only one that will carry it in the US). Besides, if the Google Pixel was not priced like the iPhone, many might be quick to dismiss it for being "cheaper than the iPhone".

Google Pixel review

Battery life is definitely something we are really looking forward to testing as the 2,770mAh battery sounds a bit iffy as Nexus devices in the past were hardly known for battery performance. So that is. We really hope Google's efforts with software will yield better battery life.

In any case, the Google Pixel marks a new chapter in Google's smartphone portfolio. Many of you with a Nexus 5X (or even Nexus 5) might be wondering if you should upgrade to the Google Pixel, let's find out together if the Google Pixel is worthy of replacing your Nexus daily driver.

Next Page » 2. Hardware overview
1. Introduction
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Hardware overview
  3. 3. Display, battery life, connectivity
  4. 4. User interface
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Telephony, SMS, loudspeaker and preinstalled apps
  7. 7. Multimedia, loudspeaker, and audio quality
  8. 8. Camera
  9. 9. Conclusion
  10.  
  11. Google Pixel specification
  12. User opinions and reviews
  13. Review comments (67)

Reviews Google Pixel review
  • Comments (67)
  • User reviews
  • Pixel

Google Pixel review: Advanced simplicity - Reader comments

P
  • Pixel User
  • IrW
  • 18 Nov 2019

Very satisfied at how many parts are available for the pixel. Amazing custom ROM support for the relatively low price. Great product even if google has cut mainline support.

  • Reply
?
  • Anonymous
  • 99K
  • 31 Dec 2018

I am pixel user nearly 1.5 years. Please do not buy pixel. Its worst phone and lost cost. I bought with in one year and it has a more issues. The google service center said dont update software ,because this problem due to software update. Why we go ...

  • Reply
g
  • googler
  • Kx9
  • 25 Nov 2018

Takes amazing photos, better than the new iphone xs max phone and the pixel is old now. Have had no issues except my text messages sometimes takes forever to send to one particular person. I dont think thats the phones fault though.

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 67

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • BlackBerry
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Vodafone
  • Energizer
  • Cat
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • TCL
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • BLU
  • Blackview
  • Acer
  • Panasonic
  • Plum

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENTS

Related articles

  • Google settles lawsuit with US app developers for $90 million
  • iFixit now carries replacement OEM parts for repairing Google Pixels
  • Google's Switch to Android iOS app now supports all Android 12 devices
  • Google Pixel 7 to support 4K selfie video, Pixel Tablet to feature a single main camera
ADVERTISEMENTS

Popular reviews

Apple iOS 14 review

Apple iOS 14 review
Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

All electric Chrysler 300 is coming in 2026 All electric Chrysler 300 is coming in 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N spotted testing at NurburgringToyota has run out of tax credits in the US
ADVERTISEMENTS

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS feed Youtube Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2000-2022 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data