After months of rumors we ’re get our first feeling at Google ’s new telephone , the Pixel and Pixel XL . The headphone are a Brobdingnagian freaking deal for Google , because they are the first flagship Android phones from the company that do n’t use the “ Nexus ” brand name . More than a alteration in name , the headphone reflect Google ’s biggest ideas yet about how you interact with the gimmick you carry everywhere .
The sound still hold many of the same characteristic that you ’d rule in a authoritative Nexus twist . First , they contain little - to - no wireless carrier modifications ( such as a custom UI ) , making them the most thoroughgoing translation of Android you could buy . They ’ll also be among the first phones to receive update when those finally roll out .
significantly , the phone are the first to practice Google Assistant , the society ’s unexampled artificially level-headed companion that can facilitate Android users explore for exposure or even make plan . The assistant is similar to Siri , but the crucial difference is that it ’s power by Google ’s hunt locomotive engine , so it can respond more luxuriant questions and conduct more complicated tasks .
Google Assistant can be activate on the French telephone by say the words “ OK Google , ” or by simply pressing and holding the home button . Whether you ’re on your nursing home screenland or inside an app , you may inquire the assistant for info or help with undertaking . Things like “ show me my pic from last October ” will bring up persona put in on your phone . The help makes it easier to get hold specific file , make plans around Ithiel Town , or operate your smart place .
Owners of last year ’s Nexus 6P and 5X will probably be draw to the new Pixel earpiece and right away acknowledge the fingerprint sensors are once again on the back of the gadget . It ’s a eldritch designing choice that Google introduced on last twelvemonth ’s phones , and I ’m glad it ’s deposit around . The hindquarters - facing fingermark reviewer somehow feels even more effortless to use than placing your pollex on a home clit . It ’s exceedingly easy to get used to .
Both Pixel phone also have a earpiece gob , so wired earpiece uses can respire a sigh of relief ( at least for now ) . The phones are basically made to compete direct the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus , and most of the ironware does . Although the hardware does stack up to the iPhones , the Pixel phones are not waterproof or dustproof , something featured on most flagship Android phones . Both of the new iPhones are also waterproof and dustproof , which stool Google ’s decisiveness even more odd . Although the inclusion of a headphone shit might be enough to rock some the great unwashed toward the Pixel , but we ’d advise youlet it goand focus on some of the other attribute .
The new phones get a solid bump in ironware compared to last year ’s models . The Pixel and Pixel XL both run on a Snapdragon 821 processor , which mean they should be capable to scat 4 K television and multiple apps a bunch dependable than the Nexus 6P could with its Snapdragon 810 CPU .
The Pixel XL concealment is slightly smaller than last class ’s Nexus 6P ( 5.5 inches and 5.7 inches severally ) , but it manages to display the same resolution ( 1440 x 2560 ) and even packs in a higher pixel density , which should mean it emits a shrewd picture on a pocket-size screen .
The smaller Pixel phone only has a 5 - column inch screen that display 1920 x 1080 resolution , which is nearly identical to last yr ’s Nexus 5X. The Pixel does have a somewhat higher pixel density , but the difference is so borderline , we do n’t anticipate it to have any bearing on the looking of the screen .
It will be interesting to see how the cameras on these raw phones stack up to last year ’s models in our hands - on tests . Both Pixel phones come with a 12 - megapixel rear camera that seems to be good enough for most intermediate users .
The Pixel phone photographic camera should n’t be as good in low visible radiation as the iPhone or Galaxy S7 because they only have a f/2.0 lens ( for comparability , the iPhone 7 has a f/1.8 and the Galaxy S7 has a f/1.7 ) .
The specs have n’t forbid Google from touting the television camera ’s abilities . The Pixel phone have manifestly earned an 89 DXO Mark Mobile military rating , the high of any mobile phone ever . Google claim it ’s the good photographic camera phone ever made , but we ’ll conceive it when we see it .
One of the last affair you ’ll mark about the Pixel phones is that they both utilize USB - C ports for charger , something that ’s still quite rare . Although XII of mathematical product already rely on USB - C for charge purposes , two of the most pop smartphones — the Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7 — do not . The fact that these new phones utilize USB - C will definitely help cement the new standard and get more people to set forth using it .
In a immense bummer , the phones will be exclusive to Verizon , which means they ’ll credibly fall short of the form of mainstream appeal Google is hoping for . The paring lining is that Google will offer the Pixel unlock in theGoogle Store . The Pixel phone come with a hefty new price rag , which is also a departure for Google . The phones begin at $ 650 , and they ’re uncommitted for pre - order today .
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