Nexus-N/Pixel XL ( 2016 )

[spinedoc77]

I am not taking anything personally at all. I would love to have a discussion but that is obviously not possible with someone as jaded as you.

You fail to see a bigger picture if you are hung up on an extra mm of bezel or SMS integration. If you would like to have a discussion of how Allo and Google assistant are the future of messaging that would be great. But I won't start with it sucks ass. Use it for a month. Understand SMS has no purpose in the application. It isn't thankfully trying to be iMessage. But that is all you can see it as.

If you would like to have a discussion about how Google Pixel and Andromeda will change how we use mobile devices. That would also be great. But all I hear is the bezel is too big so it is a Chinese knockoff. That is not a discussion. That is not contributing anything at all.

By the same token you are dismissing the importance of screen to body ratio and sms integration for myself. Youre right, I don't see the future of allo, IMO it will flop just like hangouts, worse. These are important topics to some of us, if they aren't to you then no need for you to comment. Indeed you're entire commentary on my personal opinion has been non contributory and a waste of space.

[doublepost=1475499820][/doublepost]

I don't understand the obsession with bezels. The XL is barely larger than the Nexus 5X and has a .3 inch bugger screen. It's also smaller than the 7 Plus and has the same size screen. I'm sorry but I don't get where the freak out comes in. I'd prefer to have somewhere to hold the phone without constantly touching the screen. As long as it's done right, bezels can serve a bit of a purpose.

On the flip side I never understood why some want extra bezels when they serve no purpose other than to make the phone larger in my opinion. It's amazing the size of the screen they fit into the Note 7, having the phone smaller is better IMO, easier to handle, especially one handed, easier to pocket, etc. I also don't notice any more false touches than any other phone I've owned. I still have more than enough space on the top/bottom to hold the phone in landscape mode.

I'm not denigrating your opinion or thoughts, but realize that there are others who do find this important.

 

[JaySoul]

In complete fairness to this whole Bezel-gate thing...

The Note 7 has an awful speaker. Every single review says it. Now yes, it does (like iPhone) have the Home button there taking up space, whereas the Pixel has the fingerprint sensor on the back, but phone manufacturers will ALWAYS have to compromise on something for the next few years.

The SoC's are getting smaller, but batteries take up so much space that you will not get a "perfect" phone anytime soon.

Maybe in 5 years from now it will be better but for now, it is what it is. I used to love how LG did screen-to-bezel on the G3 and G4 but it was to the detriment of other aspects.

Hopefully reviews will give us a vew good indication soon. Like I said, this seems to be a direct iPhone competitor.

 

[spinedoc77]

In complete fairness to this whole Bezel-gate thing...

The Note 7 has an awful speaker. Every single review says it. Now yes, it does (like iPhone) have the Home button there taking up space, whereas the Pixel has the fingerprint sensor on the back, but phone manufacturers will ALWAYS have to compromise on something for the next few years.

The SoC's are getting smaller, but batteries take up so much space that you will not get a "perfect" phone anytime soon.

Maybe in 5 years from now it will be better but for now, it is what it is. I used to love how LG did screen-to-bezel on the G3 and G4 but it was to the detriment of other aspects.

Hopefully reviews will give us a vew good indication soon. Like I said, this seems to be a direct iPhone competitor.

The Note 7 has an awful speaker, but that has nothing to do with the bezel, it's more because of the water proofing.

 

[JaySoul]

The Note 7 has an awful speaker, but that has nothing to do with the bezel, it's more because of the water proofing.

Maybe... But there are other waterproof phones with very good speakers.

 

[spinedoc77]

Maybe... But there are other waterproof phones with very good speakers.

Maybe, but I still don't think the bezel size is why the Note 7 has a subpar speaker. It's really not that bad, definitely not as good as the ip7+, but not terrible, just mediocre IMO. I'd also be curious which IP68 phones have better speakers, not to dispute, but out of curiosity.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Actually if the leaks are accurate the screen to body ratio is actually better, ie smaller bezels, than the S7. But we will see for real soon enough.

The Pixel has a smaller screen than S7 but larger bezels and a worse screen-to-body ratio. And when you take into account the on-screen buttons the screen feels even smaller during use. It's a valid concern for someone who had looked forward to getting this year's pure Google phone.

Source: GSM Arena
iPhone 7 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Pixel (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Nexus 5X (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Galaxy S7 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio)

 

[JaySoul]

Maybe, but I still don't think the bezel size is why the Note 7 has a subpar speaker. It's really not that bad, definitely not as good as the ip7+, but not terrible, just mediocre IMO. I'd also be curious which IP68 phones have better speakers, not to dispute, but out of curiosity.

HTC have never managed it, hence why I expect the Pixel won't be waterproof.

And to be fair Apple have done a good job on the 7.

 

[spinedoc77]

HTC have never managed it, hence why I expect the Pixel won't be waterproof.

And to be fair Apple have done a good job on the 7.

Yeah the ip7+ speaker is awesome, I was very impressed. But the iphones are IP67, not IP68.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Source: Huawei passed on chance to produce Pixel phones, US division badly struggling

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/1...ce-pixel-phones-us-division-badly-struggling/

Huawei was pegged as the manufacturer of Google's 2016 smartphone portfolio: negotiations between Huawei and Google broke down when the latter demanded no partner logos be on its new smartphones. But the drama runs even deeper than that, if our source is to be believed, starting with the Nexus program.

Our source, however, says that Huawei and Google's partnership on the Nexus 6P was never fully realized, and that it was actually far more ambitious than what we ended up with.

Initially, Google allegedly sold Huawei on the idea that the Nexus 6P would be stocked and sold by all four major US carriers. It was Huawei's big chance to finally be on store shelves in a huge number of retailers across the United States, and no doubt was a major reason they were so invested in the project. In particular, Huawei wanted its smartphones on Verizon - it's not exactly clear why, apart from the obvious (Verizon is the largest or 2nd largest US carrier, depending on the quarter). Google and Huawei would also embark on a massive, multi-hundred-million dollar ad campaign for the Nexus 6P, with an agreement that each company would match the advertising dollars the other was willing to invest. But that never happened.

 

[JaySoul]

Yeah the ip7+ speaker is awesome, I was very impressed. But the iphones are IP67, not IP68.

Yeah I realise that but I don't go deep sea diving with phones!! If it can survive a dunk or me being thrown in a swimming pool, then it's fine by me

On a side note, I reckon the Pixel speakers will be a really good. Not front facing but loud/stereo.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I was looking forward to a Nexus 7P, oh well hopefully these HTC models are great. But for the love of God, Google needs to put these new Pixel phones in stores at all four U.S. carriers already ( not just Verizon ) it needs to be in T-Mobile stores, and ATT and Sprint too, and have them for sale at subsidized monthly payments, just like the iPhone and Galaxy phones. And advertise the crap out of them like Samsung did a few years ago.

And still be untouched stock vanilla Android, with zero carrier bloat added, no different than Apple does with their iPhone's being sold at U.S. carriers, no carrier crapware.

Google "Just, do it".

I can just see Google ***** this up, putting it in Verizon stores only, and mostly sold on the Google Play, they will advertise it casually. And again will not sell much, and still be a nerds phone only, with the general Joe Blow being unaware such a great phone even exists. And for selling at $700+ with no monthly payments, this phone will be a dud to 99% of people.

I don't see why this can't be put in all four U.S. carrier stores, and advertised nicely well too ? LG can, Motorola can, HTC used to, and of course the big players Apple and Samsung do. Don't see why Google can't also do it ?
[doublepost=1475513469][/doublepost]For me personally there are only two smartphones in the world. Apple's iPhone ( which is not my cup of tea ). And Google's Nexus or now Pixel line.

Windows Phone, and Blackberry ships have sailed and have zero interest to me.

And all the skinned versions of Android, that Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola make all suck, and just vomit all over the beautiful stock Android OS, and even worse is they copy core Google system apps for no frigging reason whatsoever, if Google makes a stock app like Browser, or Clock, or Calculator, there's no reason Samsung needs to make a their own different version.

But if Google wants to be taken seriously, and push these new Pixel phones, they absolutely need to be on store shelves in all four U.S. carriers, and sold on monthly payments just like the iPhone and Galaxy line. Otherwise this will be another low seller, and just the .05% nerds phone only.

 

[spinedoc77]

I was looking forward to a Nexus 7P, oh well hopefully these HTC models are great. But for the love of God, Google needs to put these new Pixel phones in stores at all four U.S. carriers already ( not just Verizon ) it needs to be in T-Mobile stores, and ATT and Sprint too, and have them for sale at subsidized monthly payments, just like the iPhone and Galaxy phones. And advertise the crap out of them like Samsung did a few years ago.

And still be untouched stock vanilla Android, with zero carrier bloat added, no different than Apple does with their iPhone's being sold at U.S. carriers, no carrier crapware.

Google "Just, do it".

I can just see Google ***** this up, putting it in Verizon stores only, and mostly sold on the Google Play, they will advertise it casually. And again will not sell much, and still be a nerds phone only, with the general Joe Blow being unaware such a great phone even exists. And for selling at $700+ with no monthly payments, this phone will be a dud to 99% of people.

I don't see why this can't be put in all four U.S. carrier stores, and advertised nicely well too ? LG can, Motorola can, HTC used to, and of course the big players Apple and Samsung do. Don't see why Google can't also do it ?
[doublepost=1475513469][/doublepost]For me personally there are only two smartphones in the world. Apple's iPhone ( which is not my cup of tea ). And Google's Nexus or now Pixel line.

Windows Phone, and Blackberry ships have sailed and have zero interest to me.

And all the skinned versions of Android, that Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola make all suck, and just vomit all over the beautiful stock Android OS, and even worse is they copy core Google system apps for no frigging reason whatsoever, if Google makes a stock app like Browser, or Clock, or Calculator, there's no reason Samsung needs to make a their own different version.

But if Google wants to be taken seriously, and push these new Pixel phones, they absolutely need to be on store shelves in all four U.S. carriers, and sold on monthly payments just like the iPhone and Galaxy line. Otherwise this will be another low seller, and just the .05% nerds phone only.

If Google can get these into the carrier stores AND dictate the phones are untouched like Apple does then I'll be much much more excited. It's time for Google to step up and tell the carriers not to touch their phones. Of course Google doesn't have the power to do this and carriers will just laugh. What will end up happening is that Google will allow the carriers to install whatever bloatware and remove whatever google features they want to. In addition then the Pixel will be subject to the long wait times for the carrier specific version of OS updates, negating 99% of the reason of getting a Google branded phone in the first place.

 

[dumastudetto]

On the flip side I never understood why some want extra bezels when they serve no purpose other than to make the phone larger in my opinion. It's amazing the size of the screen they fit into the Note 7, having the phone smaller is better IMO, easier to handle, especially one handed, easier to pocket, etc. I also don't notice any more false touches than any other phone I've owned. I still have more than enough space on the top/bottom to hold the phone in landscape mode.

I'm an iPhone user and would like the bezels to be shrunk to give the device a smaller footprint while retaining that brilliant big display. That said, a smaller device does also mean an even smaller battery. So the question then becomes in my mind, would I still want the bezels shrunk in my iPhone 7 Plus at the price of an hour or two of less battery? I'd probably still answer yes, but it does make me pause and think......

 

[spriter]

I'm an iPhone user and would like the bezels to be shrunk to give the device a smaller footprint while retaining that brilliant big display. That said, a smaller device does also mean an even smaller battery. So the question then becomes in my mind, would I still want the bezels shrunk in my iPhone 7 Plus at the price of an hour or two of less battery? I'd probably still answer yes, but it does make me pause and think......

I'd quite happily settle for 4mm off the chin and forehead and 1-2mm thicker to keep or increase battery size.

Side bezels are noticeable but not as excessive as top and bottom.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm an iPhone user and would like the bezels to be shrunk to give the device a smaller footprint while retaining that brilliant big display. That said, a smaller device does also mean an even smaller battery. So the question then becomes in my mind, would I still want the bezels shrunk in my iPhone 7 Plus at the price of an hour or two of less battery? I'd probably still answer yes, but it does make me pause and think......

Excellent point, that might be a trade off.

 

[kasakka]

I'm an iPhone user and would like the bezels to be shrunk to give the device a smaller footprint while retaining that brilliant big display. That said, a smaller device does also mean an even smaller battery. So the question then becomes in my mind, would I still want the bezels shrunk in my iPhone 7 Plus at the price of an hour or two of less battery? I'd probably still answer yes, but it does make me pause and think......

I don't think it would necessarily have to be like that. There are phones that are smaller than an iPhone 7 Plus yet sport a bigger battery. There are also phones that are only a mm or two larger than the iPhone 7 but have a bigger 5" display as well as a bigger battery. It all comes to the design of the internals. Apple has been sitting on their laurels by not redesigning the iPhone and with their current strategy have simply fallen behind of other manufacturers when it comes to cramming lots of hardware in a compact package.

I have no doubt that they will try to make a big deal of how they managed to put in a bigger screen or made the phone smaller for the iPhone 8.

 

[epicrayban]

I can't wait to see the size comparisons between the s7 edge and the Pixel XL. Samsung has really cornered the market on manageable phablet sizes and it's certainly an advantage that makes it hard to leave them.
[doublepost=1475552430][/doublepost]Nexus advantage seems to diminish rather quickly.

Nexus 6 is finally getting the Android 7.0 Nougat update
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Nexus-6-is-finally-getting-the-Android-7.0-Nougat-update_id86110

Of course this is still earlier than OEM updates.

What's the deal with pixel phones? Will they have the same update advantage as Nexus phones? Has Google said anything of the sort yet?

 

[JaySoul]

We'll find out in 8 hours or whatever, but in Britain the Brexit thing has totally messed up prices for new phones. So if Google does go high with the price, I can see there being an extra charge on top like Apple with the iPhone.

Tbh I think I'm just going to get an S7 Edge. Can get them in almost new condition for around £400 which is just so much cheaper (considering the quality) than anything else, really.

But I do hope Google do a great job and will watch with intrigue!

 

[Hanzu Lao]

We'll find out in 8 hours or whatever, but in Britain the Brexit thing has totally messed up prices for new phones. So if Google does go high with the price, I can see there being an extra charge on top like Apple with the iPhone.

Tbh I think I'm just going to get an S7 Edge. Can get them in almost new condition for around £400 which is just so much cheaper (considering the quality) than anything else, really.

But I do hope Google do a great job and will watch with intrigue!

Pound is in the drain. You can't expect anything else.

 

[Tig Bitties]

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/1...pixel-xl-showing-off-blue-color-google-magic/

Holy Christ, this phone is over $800 !!!!! WTF Google ?

And then to help out and subsidize it, they put it in Verizon stores only ( The Nazi carrier and New World Order carrier THE WORST ) Where's the T-Mobile, Sprint, and ATT option ?

If you're gonna put it on carriers, put it on all four msjor carriers, not a Verizon exclusive only.

If this all turns out to be true F OFF Google, I am done with Nexus device, and I have owned and loved every single of one of them ( except the Nexus 5, didn't buy it due to the small crap battery ) dating back to the Nexus-One.

R.I.P. Nexus phones, I will miss you

 

[lowendlinux]

It better have the best of everything..

 

[AustinIllini]

Google has totally blown this. Too expensive, all-too-familiar design, only at Verizon. The Pixel C was bad and I'm really pulling for the Pixel to be a good phone, but I'm not holding my breath.

Did I accidentally wake up in 2012?

 

[Tig Bitties]

This is like the Galaxy Nexus launch in 2011. It released at current flagship pricing for back then @ $650. And Google also released it on Verizon only, subsidized.

Thankfully six months later in Spring 2012 they put that Galaxy Nexus up for sale on the Google Play Store for $399 ( the first phone sold on the Play Store )

 

[nviz22]

Hold off until the unveiling to see if it's just a Verizon exclusive. Until then, I am happy with going with the iPhone 7+ because it's better value for me with paying IUP until the 2017 model comes out, having the best processor, dual speakers, amazing stand by battery life, the Apple Ecosystem, 3D Touch, Water Reistance, great camera, tons of awesome apps, etc.

 

[JaySoul]

Only have to wait 4 hours now until we know everything, but it seems like Google may have blown this.