Nexus-N/Pixel XL ( 2016 )

[epicrayban]

Design isn't as sexy as Galaxy but Pixel isn't any worse than iPhone. The back is a non-issue with one of Google's art or live cases and it might turn out to have better reception than the problematic iPhone 7.

While the design is growing on me (what choice do I have?), there's no way the Pixel "isn't any worse" in design than the iPhone. It's objectively uglier without a question. This year's iPhone, especially the matt black model, rights many wrongs of the iPHone 6/6S design. In person, the matt black is stunning.

Samsung > Apple > Google in designs at this point. Requiring a case to cover up the Pixel isn't exactly a good thing.

 

[frankgrimes]

While the design is growing on me (what choice do I have?), there's no way the Pixel "isn't any worse" in design than the iPhone. It's objectively uglier without a question. This year's iPhone, especially the matt black model, rights many wrongs of the iPHone 6/6S design. In person, the matt black is stunning.

Samsung > Apple > Google in designs at this point. Requiring a case to cover up the Pixel isn't exactly a good thing.

The Pixel to me looks like a mixture between the S6 and the HTC 10. Will be interesting to see what Marques has to say about it.

Gotta agree in terms of design, I would say it's Samsung > Apple (that matt black is just flatout gorgeaus) > LG > Google. Sure in a case nobody will notice the back panel but it looks really glossy and that's always a magnet for fingerprints and dust.

 

[epicrayban]

The Pixel to me looks like a mixture between the S6 and the HTC 10. Will be interesting to see what Marques has to say about it.

Gotta agree in terms of design, I would say it's Samsung > Apple (that matt black is just flatout gorgeaus) > LG > Google. Sure in a case nobody will notice the back panel but it looks really glossy and that's always a magnet for fingerprints and dust.

Mostly agree.

Not that I'm walking my point back, but in Google's defense (of the design), their smartphones have always been rather unique. The Nexus 4's crystal back; the weirdly curved butt of the Galaxy Nexus; the visor of the 6P, etc.

Google just being Google, I guess. I sure hope they have bolder plans for the Pixel 2 in terms of design. If they want to focus on software in the first year, fine. But next year... bring it, especially considering what Samsung/Apple might put out in 2017.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Touch latency -- a sore point for those who count micro-seconds -- seems to finally be on par with iOS according to reviews. Google doesn't have Apple beat on this one, so this isn't the perfect example, but still worth mentioning.

This is my biggest complaint about my S7 when compared to my prior iPhone 6. I feel that there is a slight delay for every press on the screen. But even pressing the home button has a delay, and that wouldn't be connected to the touch latency difference. It feels like there is a 400ms delay for everything I do on my S7 (app launches, etc), and I never perceived any such delay on my iPhone. If Pixel improves on that front then that is awesome.

 

[spinedoc77]

OK it's growing on me, just a little bit. Not the huge bezels, but I'm starting to like the idea of pure Google with the ability to do whatever the F I want with my phone. Plus I'm used to my 7+, so the bezels/size doesn't quite bother me as much as before, but it's still on my wish list for next year.

I may grab one, but just like the Nexus units I predict they will fall in price substantially in the next few months once the initial rush of early adopters subsides. This will be a "me too" phone collecting dust on Verizon's shelves soon, one which can only really be appreciated by the techie who wants a pure experience, and even then the Verizon version doesn't offer that. I'll just wait and most likely grab a used one for 1/3 or more off in 2-3 months. That's my biggest issue is I feel like Google is ripping us off a bit. In exchange for all of our information, our eyeballs, and the ridiculous amount of money Google makes off of this it's still asking the same price as an iPhone. I feel there should be some compensation for this.

 

[MRU]

While the design is growing on me (what choice do I have?), there's no way the Pixel "isn't any worse" in design than the iPhone. It's objectively uglier without a question. This year's iPhone, especially the matt black model, rights many wrongs of the iPHone 6/6S design. In person, the matt black is stunning.

Samsung > Apple > Google in designs at this point. Requiring a case to cover up the Pixel isn't exactly a good thing.

You should realise by now if the iPhone was the most beautiful designed phone on the planet the poster would find them ugly. He wasn't really discussing the pixel in his post, he was just using it as a side distraction to the main event, an attempt to once more spread his FUD and hate for all things Apple.

 

[GigabitEthernet]

I actually like the look of the Pixel and I don't think it's overpriced...

 

[AppleRobert]

I actually like the look of the Pixel and I don't think it's overpriced...

Please elaborate. There are a number of pretty darn good smartphones on the market.

The Pixel will need to be leaps and bounds better which I just do not see (considering first off what it does not have regardless if one does not use/need those features) to go toe to toe with them given its price

 

[MRU]

Reviews have all been really positive so far. Can't wait to see your hands on impressions folks when you start getting yours.

I'm not sure now watching the reviews whether the 5" or 5.5" would be the better buy. I'm still favouring the 5" but will depend on battery life.

No hands on reviews yet with the blue backed version. I wonder if like the Gold Nexus 6P it's going to be a pita to get that version.

I have a friend who works for Google in Dublin so I've sent him a message to see if he can find out if he would be able to get his hands on one (and hopefully google staff discount).

 

[spinedoc77]

Please elaborate. There are a number of pretty darn good smartphones on the market.

The Pixel will need to be leaps and bounds better which I just do not see (considering first off what it does not have( to go toe to toe with them given its price

I don't blame some for thinking this. What makes the iPhone worthy of its price? Nothing much more than the pixel IMO. Although personally I feel the Pixel is overpriced because you are selling your soul to Google, and that should have some value.

 

[MRU]

I don't blame some for thinking this. What makes the iPhone worthy of its price? Nothing much more than the pixel IMO. Although personally I feel the Pixel is overpriced because you are selling your soul to Google, and that should have some value.

Depends how dirty your soul is

 

[AppleRobert]

I don't blame some for thinking this. What makes the iPhone worthy of its price? Nothing much more than the pixel IMO. Although personally I feel the Pixel is overpriced because you are selling your soul to Google, and that should have some value.

It is not about an iPhone being worth the price, it is more the frenzy of the amount of people looking to get one at the get go (especially the more unique colored ones not offered often) and customers continually willing to pay Apple's price.
[doublepost=1476816879][/doublepost]I would not know the difference in quality the Google Pixel camera app would make but now thanks to XDA some can get it for their smartphone where applicable.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Get-the-Google-Pixel-camera-on-your-Nexus-6PNexus-5X_id86563

 

[epicrayban]

Android Authority's 48 Hour Initial Pixel XL review: http://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-xl-review-720243/

We have definitely drawn a lot of conclusions about the Google Pixel XL so far, and we are going to see if that positivity continues in our testing. A full review of the phone will be done in the coming days, perhaps just after the release of all the pre-order devices on October 20. All versions of the phone are still sold out in the Google Store, which undercuts what many users thought would be the Pixel’s Achilles’ heel – the price. For $649 on the base 32GB Pixel, the Google phones certainly hold a premium price point even if, at first glance, it doesn’t seem to offer nearly as much as the rest of the Android army. This is a very valid argument considering the Google Pixel XL at 32GB is a whole $120 extra.

So, before scoring the phone on its own merits, we will leave this initial review at this thought: if the rest of Android did not exist and the Google Pixel stood on its own, it would be one of the best phones we’ve ever seen or used. Unfortunately for the Pixel, the rest of Android undoubtedly offers more and for far better prices across the board. But the Pixel damn near perfects the basics where plenty of Android phones inexplicably falter. And for the first outing of the Pixel, Google has so far done a damn good job.




[doublepost=1476817967][/doublepost]DroidLife camera review: http://www.droid-life.com/2016/10/18/google-pixel-xl-camera-review/

 

[spinedoc77]

It is not about an iPhone being worth the price, it is more the frenzy of the amount of people looking to get one at the get go (especially the more unique colored ones not offered often) and customers continually willing to pay Apple's price.
[doublepost=1476816879][/doublepost]I would not know the difference in quality the Google Pixel camera app would make but now thanks to XDA some can get it for their smartphone where applicable.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Get-the-Google-Pixel-camera-on-your-Nexus-6PNexus-5X_id86563

Yeah that's my point, on paper the iPhone shouldn't be worth more than the pixel. Hell, arguably it shouldn't be worth more than a mid range Chinese phone IMO. But it is, much more, and that's due in large part to the customer loyalty. Whatever the secret sauce/mojo is that Apple has, Google doesn't have it and they are going to learn that the hard way.

 

[mi7chy]

I would not know the difference in quality the Google Pixel camera app would make but now thanks to XDA some can get it for their smartphone where applicable.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Get-the-Google-Pixel-camera-on-your-Nexus-6PNexus-5X_id86563

Don't set your expectations too high because features like EIS, 60fps recording, etc. are built into the SoC so software alone isn't going to magically give those capabilities.

 

[spinedoc77]

Not all reviews are glowing, these guys see google assistant as a gimmick. I don't disagree with them completely, although Google is much better than Siri. But Assistant and Now are virtually the same thing.

http://gizmodo.com/the-google-pixel-is-too-dumb-and-ugly-to-replace-your-i-1787877249

 

[MRU]

Not all reviews are glowing, these guys see google assistant as a gimmick. I don't disagree with them completely, although Google is much better than Siri. But Assistant and Now are virtually the same thing.

http://gizmodo.com/the-google-pixel-is-too-dumb-and-ugly-to-replace-your-i-1787877249

I hope Assistant on the device is better at actually doing things than it is in ALLO on my android devices as I find it considerably limited and unable to do many of the things I do as standard in Google Now on those devices.

Of all the features in the Pixel, google assistant is the least interesting one from my perspective.

I find most of these voice assistants also very regionally dependent / limited

 

[mi7chy]

Not all reviews are glowing, these guys see google assistant as a gimmick. I don't disagree with them completely, although Google is much better than Siri. But Assistant and Now are virtually the same thing.

http://gizmodo.com/the-google-pixel-is-too-dumb-and-ugly-to-replace-your-i-1787877249

Don't know if this guy is trying to be funy or just clueless but AI needs to learn more about the person before making suggestions but even then suggesting something like the perfect date spot or date is probably beyond what it's intended for. Sounds like another Rene Ritchie apologist.

 

[Wildo6882]

Not all reviews are glowing, these guys see google assistant as a gimmick. I don't disagree with them completely, although Google is much better than Siri. But Assistant and Now are virtually the same thing.

http://gizmodo.com/the-google-pixel-is-too-dumb-and-ugly-to-replace-your-i-1787877249

Yeah, this article was a joke. He never said why anything was better, just that it was. Google Assistant needs to learn something about you before it gives out some of what he was looking for. You can tell it what your favorite food is, what your favorite team is, who your wife is, where you like to shop, etc... I can't tell Siri most of what I can tell Google Assistant. He went into it not looking forward to it and wanted a reason to swap to a "prettier" iPhone. And I'm typing this from my iPhone, waiting for my pre-ordered Pixel.

 

[bmac4]

Yeah that's my point, on paper the iPhone shouldn't be worth more than the pixel. Hell, arguably it shouldn't be worth more than a mid range Chinese phone IMO. But it is, much more, and that's due in large part to the customer loyalty. Whatever the secret sauce/mojo is that Apple has, Google doesn't have it and they are going to learn that the hard way.

So not to take this thread completely off, but I have to disagree with this. How can you say on paper the iPhone shouldn't be worth more then the Pixel? What does the Pixel have that the iPhone doesn't that makes the Pixel worth more? The build on the iPhone I feel is much better, not to say the Pixel is bad in any way, but the design of the iPhone is much better. I know you guys like to scream specs, but those don't play into worth of the phone. The iPhone keeps up with every flagship android in the market, and in some classes beats them. That 4G of ram and snapdragon 821 mean crap when the iPhones A10 custom chip does just as well. The software plays just as much part as the hardware, and iOS and android are both great. I mean we could argue which is more popular, but trying to trash the value of the iPhone is kind of crazy.

The iPhone works really well, and looks great while doing it. They don't cheap out a parts, and Apple makes sure the phone works well with the software (which is always does).

 

[epicrayban]

Mossberg via the Verge:
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/18/13310942/walt-mossberg-pixel-phone-by-google


Mossberg: Google's first phone is first rate


After testing the historic phone since last week, I can say that the Pixel is very, very good. In its first try, Google has landed itself in the same class as Apple’s iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy S7 (that company’s non-exploding model). Like those formidable competitors, it’s comfortable and practical; fast and fluid; takes very good pictures; and is connected to a strong ecosystem.


Regarding Google Assistant:

Having said that, the Assistant blew away every competitor I’ve tried. It shredded Siri, which has a five-year lead. It not only did on-phone tasks reliably — like launching an app, or creating reminders or notes or playing music — but it understood most of the wider-world questions I asked it. Even more impressively, it remembered the general subject I was asking about, so I didn’t have to repeat the topic with every question.


He concludes with:

But my main message, dear readers, is this: Google has come out of the gate with a top-flight phone and suddenly, there’s no longer an Apple-Samsung duopoly in premium handsets.



Mossberg also mentions there are no earphones provided in the box. Shame on Google.

 

[spinedoc77]

So not to take this thread completely off, but I have to disagree with this. How can you say on paper the iPhone shouldn't be worth more then the Pixel? What does the Pixel have that the iPhone doesn't that makes the Pixel worth more? The build on the iPhone I feel is much better, not to say the Pixel is bad in any way, but the design of the iPhone is much better. I know you guys like to scream specs, but those don't play into worth of the phone. The iPhone keeps up with every flagship android in the market, and in some classes beats them. That 4G of ram and snapdragon 821 mean crap when the iPhones A10 custom chip does just as well. The software plays just as much part as the hardware, and iOS and android are both great. I mean we could argue which is more popular, but trying to trash the value of the iPhone is kind of crazy.

The iPhone works really well, and looks great while doing it. They don't cheap out a parts, and Apple makes sure the phone works well with the software (which is always does).

Well I think you missed my entire point, imo the pixel isn't worth as much as its price.

 

[MRU]

Mossberg also mentions there are no earphones provided in the box. Shame on Google.

Really ? That is stingy tbh given the retail price. Hopefully it's not the same in Europe.

 

[macrem]

The iPhone keeps up is an understatement, the iPhone 7 blows the Android flagships out of the water.

 

[epicrayban]

Really ? That is stingy tbh given the retail price. Hopefully it's not the same in Europe.

It's downright cheap of them. I'm a little peeved about it.

Google's store says the same:


What's in the box
Pixel or Pixel XL
USB-C 18W adapter with USB-PD
USB-C to USB-C cable
USB-C to USB Standard-A plug cable
SIM tool
OTG Dongle
Safety and Warranty information
Quick start guide
Google Play Music promo card
Google Assistant card
Google Social promo card