Google’s first smartphone is finally here - welcome the Pixel.
After months of leaks, it was no surprise the Pixel replaced the search giant’s Nexus range of smartphones, now with a more premium design, the latest guts, and a higher price tag.
Note: Google has released the Pixel in two sizes, the 5.0-inch Pixel, and the 5.5-inch Pixel XL. Unlike the iPhone 7, these phones share identical hardware and features (apart from the obvious screen and battery size), so we’ve reviewed them both here.
Design and Screen
The Google Pixel is a good looking smartphone, but it's a little uninspired - it certainly doesn't evoke a deep desire to fondle and stroke it. But we do like the way it looks.
The stand out 'design' element on the Pixel is a glass panel on the rear of the device. This isn't some touch sensitive trackpad, it's just there to make it look a little different to other smartphones, and improve wireless antenna performance, probably.
In the middle of the rear glass panel is a fingerprint sensor. That’s our favourite position, as your index finger naturally rests there. This fingerprint sensor also doubles as a mini trackpad - which is quite useful for the larger XL model.
In a way, the design mimics Google's brand identity, it's quirky, slightly robotic, and soulless, but ultimately, quite endearing.
The smaller Pixel has a 5.0-inch display, and the Pixel XL features a 5.5-inch display. We’ve tested both and much preferred the size of the smaller phone, although the Pixel XL didn't feel comically oversized.
Taking a different tact to Apple, both the Pixel and Pixel XL have the same features, so it’s only the screen and battery size that differentiates them.
The standard Pixel has an HD resolution with a PPI of 441, while the Pixel XL has a 2K display and a PPI of 534. Both are pleasingly sharp (although, not as standout as the Samsung S7) and the AMOLED panels are vibrant and dynamic.
Neither phone is water resistant, which is a bit of a shame. It’s also quite thick at 8.5mm, but the tapered edges do a good job of masking that.
There are three colour options, 'Quite Black', Very Silver', and 'Really Blue'. T3’s advice is to always bet on black, it looks great.
Software
Since this is now Google’s flagship handset, it makes sense that it uses the company’s latest software and services.
Google Assistant plays a big role in the operating system. This replaces Google Now, making it more intelligent, and giving the virtual assistant more of a personality in line with Siri and Cortana.
Google Assistant is a little more friendly, more personal, chatbot-powered AI that can answer your questions, book dinner reservations, play games and suggest smart replies to send your friends when you don't have the time or the energy to actually compose a proper message.
Assistant can be accessed by holding the home button, the home screen widget, or saying the hot words “Okay Google”.
There are also some nifty software features, such as automatic operating system updates, 24/7 customer assistance, and both Pixels will come with Allo, Google’s new instant messaging app, and Duo, the video calling app, pre-installed.
Specs and Battery Life
The Pixel is a very fast smartphone, just like all flagships in 2016. It runs on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB of RAM.
Both devices have either 32GB or 128GB of storage, with no option to expand via MicroSD.
If you're worried about storage, the Pixel comes with free, unlimited Google Photo storage, which is a nice little bonus.
The 5.0-inch Pixel has a 2770 mAh battery, whereas the larger Pixel XL features a 3450 mAh battery.
Camera
Google is really proud of the Pixel's camera, both smartphones feature a 12-megapixel sensor and f/2.0 aperture lens.
The company had the lens and sensor rated by DxO (expert camera testers), and the Pixel came out top in their ranking of smartphone cameras with a score of 89. It's worth noting that DxO test cameras in a lab, and this doesn't always translate to real world testing.
How did we find the Pixel camera in real world testing? We loved it, although we’d have to do more side-by-side testing to see it it’s better than our previous favorite, the Samsung Galaxy S7.
Verdict
I like this smartphone a lot, the software is great, and the hardware has a certain odd charm to it. The camera is also very good, which we’re really pleased about.
The biggest downside is that it lacks any sort of water resistance, something that even the iPhone now has. That’s the only thing stopping us giving this a 5-star rating.
Google’s first smartphone has been a big hit with us, and we think it’s a credible alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S7, HTC 10, and the like.
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FOR
- Great specs
- Fast charging
- Excellent camera
AGAINST
- More expensive than Nexus
- Not water resistant
- Design a little uninspired
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