My Pixel XL Ownership Experience...

[maxsix]

Day One.

As promised my shiny new Black Pixel XL arrived at 10:25 AM this morning. In the midst of a very busy day, I quickly unpacked it, gave it 30 minutes on the charger and chucked it in my wonderful Tom Binh Synapse 25 laptop backpack with my 15" MBPr, Surface Pro 4, iPhone 6S Plus and misc stuff. My Nexus 6P in hand, it's last day to serve as my primary smartphone.

By now I'm sure those of you who care, have read everything about the Pixel of interest to you. I did too and I'm happy to report most of it was pretty accurate if written from a neutral perspective. In my case I hustled through the setup as a "new phone" which is my preferred choice as opposed to using a backup of my most recent Android. I enjoy spending the time it takes to start fresh and make each new phone I buy unique. Today was a travel day by car and airplane. As a passenger in each case I had segments of time to enjoy the fun of a new phone.

Display: no surprise as I've had them all, this one is exemplary. A suitable balance of color, contrast, brightness and warmth.

Speed: this is one fast responsive smartphone, impressive.

Ergonomics: great feel in the hand, edges, sides, top and bottom just different enough for a fresh new experience with good grip. Smaller than its fruity brethren yet maintaining the same size display at a much higher resolution, its great.

Style: same rectangular shape that's become the default shape of today's smartphones. It's better looking in person. I like the different look of the glass on the upper third of the back and prefer that location for the fingerprint sensor. Looks aren't spectacular, just functional.

Android 7.1.x... its the very reason I choose a Google smartphone. Having had every single Nexus to date, it's my absolute favorite mobile OS. YMMV.

Google Assistant... its the very reason I chose this phone. Period.

Crazy busy day, crazy busy fun phone, Google Assistant is more amazing than I thought, largely because its two way conversation based. A conversation with my smartphone? Yes!!!

Thanks Google

 

[44267547]

Google Assistant, I do envy and wish my iPhone 7 Plus would have this capability. Let us know what you think of the camera.

 

[ceva321]

When I returned my Galaxy Note 7 I contemplated getting the pixel XL phone but I really needed the stylus so I'm glad you got it

 

[vikingjunior]

It's cool if your alone but in company I don't see myself holding a conversation with my phone especially living in a crowded NYC. Enjoy!

 

[5105973]

When I returned my Galaxy Note 7 I contemplated getting the pixel XL phone but I really needed the stylus so I'm glad you got it

Sigh...I know, I miss the stylus so much. I was doing artwork with mine. But I've decided to get the new iPad mini pro (when/if it's released) at some point or a regular smaller iPad Pro.

I sometimes regret not going with the Pixel XL. But I'm trying to remember if it was even an option when I made my order. Oh well I'm so used to working on an IPhone SE anyway. And the Pixel is going to be taking the SE's place sometimes when I flip sims. So I guess I best stay with the little form factor.

@maxsix what do you think of the black color? Is it like the matte black iPhone or kind of like a space gray?
[doublepost=1477050837][/doublepost]

It's cool if your alone but in company I don't see myself holding a conversation with my phone especially living in a crowded NYC. Enjoy!

Oh you know, with all the people walking around talking into Bluetooth headsets that are hidden by their hair, it looks like there is an epidemic of some kind of mental ailment of people talking to themselves when I go into town. Not to mention all the adults still playing Pokemon Go! So talking to Siri or Google Assistant is probably the least strange looking thing I could do.

Besides, I've made calls using my Apple Watch and my Gear S2 watch, like a secret agent. Nobody even blinks. I've seen much worse out in public. People actually go shopping in their pajamas nowadays. I guess it all depends on where you live, but there are a lot of interesting things to be seen out there. Besides, you are in NYC...don't you all have topless ladies and The Naked Cowboy running around there? Asking your phone a few questions has got to seem conservative next to that!

My mom used to get dressed up in full makeup and dress and pantyhose just to sit around in the yard. The world is a different place from when I was a kid in the 70's.
[doublepost=1477051265][/doublepost]Whoa...I just checked their web site. They are not even taking orders anymore at all! Where you would normally go to order, it is grayed out and says "Out of Stock".

I don't understand why they don't just let you order and tell you an anticipated delivery time like Apple does.

 

[spinedoc77]

It's cool if your alone but in company I don't see myself holding a conversation with my phone especially living in a crowded NYC. Enjoy!

One thing about NYC is that no one cares about what you do. You could literally be on fire running down the street screaming and no one would even give you a 2nd glance. Gotta love NYC.

 

[maxsix]

Let us know what you think of the camera.

The camera is quite good. It'll take a couple weeks before I have a firm experienced viewpoint, but thus far it's clearly one of the best that current flagships have to offer.

It's cool if your alone but in company I don't see myself holding a conversation with my phone especially living in a crowded NYC. Enjoy!

I was solidly planted in my attitude, against... talking to my phone after my initial Siri experience years ago. Early in the game it didn't have enough usefulness. But times and things change. Google Assistant offers surprisingly vast benefits, So much so, one year with Google Now on my Nexus 6P has changed everything.

@maxsix, what do you think of the black color? Is it like the matte black iPhone or kind of like a space gray?

The Black finish is quite nice, solid black.


It's only Day Two...
Already Google Assistant and I have bonded. I never expected it.
Long Press beats touch ID for my usage.
Speed and smoothness of transitions continues to delight.
The super fast camera response is wonderful.
I spent a solid fourteen hours putting my Pixel XL through the full battery of tests, trials and a recharge in mere minutes. It's wonderful usefulness would suit me better if it had a 6.0" display, wireless charging.

Now officially promoted to my Primary Smartphone, it's going to be a fun adventure.

 

[laz1e]

not sure if you're a snapchat user, but if you are, how is the quality on it? (as I am aware that snapchat photo qualities do not work that well with other android phones except for the iPhone). Also how's the battery life compared to the iPhone 6s Plus?