Google Pixel and Pixel XL
If you've formed an emotional attachment to the
Nexus brand, it's time to say goodbye. But this is good news - the legacy
continues with the Pixel, a collaboration between Google and HTC, the same team
that brought us both the original Android phone and the first Nexus.
Two phones - the Pixel and Pixel XL - cover the
bases of size preference, 5" and 5.5" respectively. Both have AMOLED
screens, with 1080p resolution for the small one (441ppi) and QHD for the big
one (534ppi). Battery capacity is also different, 2,770 mAh and 3,450 mAh.
Both Pixels are more similar than they
are different. Qualcomm supplied a revamped chipset, the Snapdragon 821,
Android 7.1 Nougat brings
"sustained performance mode."
The camera boasts the same excellent qualities we
loved on the last pair of Nexus devices - 12MP sensor, 1.55µm pixels,
f/2.0 aperture. But it adds Electronic Image Stabilization, which Google demoed
on stage and looked pretty impressive.
The Google Pixel and Pixel XL have the same storage
options - 32 GB (for those that use Google Photos and Play Music) and 128 GB. By the way both Pixel phones get
unlimited Google Photos storage for photos at full resolution.
Both come with 4 GB of RAM - one better than the
Nexus 6P, nothing extraordinary though a clean Android OS runs leaner.
While HTC built the phones, the Pixels branded only
with the Google logo. And they are loaded to the teeth with Google services
that cover everything from messaging, through cloud services to AI assistants.
The search giant has a growing stable of self-branded devices - the Google
phone can connect to a Google router and cast to a Google media player, you get
the idea.
The Pixel brand debuted with the best Chromebook
money can buy, then ventured into Android with the Pixel C tablet, clearly,
it's a premium brand by Google. And the two phones are priced accordingly -
they start US$ 649 and will be available through a bunch of carriers and
retailers. Check them out below. UK prices are £ 599/£ 699 for the 32 GB/128 GB
Pixel and £ 719/£ 819 for the 32 GB/128GB Pixel XL.
Pre-orders in the UK, US, Australia, Canada and
Germany have already launched and in India will start on October 13, with
actual sales beginning a week later, October 20. The phones will be available
in Quite Black, Very Silver and Really Blue colors with the latter being a US
exclusive.
