Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Google unveils the Pixel and Pixel XL, smartphones built the way Google wants you to experience Android


Yesterday, Google announced the Pixel phones, known as Pixel and Pixel XL. The phones go up for pre-order starting today and can be had for as low as $27 per month or $649 at full retail. The Pixel phones arrive on October 20. 



Verizon has the US carrier exclusive on it, so you won’t be able to buy this at any other US wireless carriers. With that said, Google is selling the phone through its own Google Store and Project Fi, plus a bunch of retail partners like Best Buy.



Verizon’s pricing is as follows:
  • PIXEL: 32 GB Pixel is $27.08 per month for 24 months ($649.99 retail price; 0% APR)
  • PIXEL: 128 GB version is $31.24 per month for 24 months ($749.99 retail price; 0% APR)
  • PIXEL XL: 32 GB Pixel XL is $32.08 per month for 24 months ($769.99 retail price; 0% APR)
  • PIXEL XL: 128GB Pixel XL is $36.24 per month for 24 months ($869.99 retail price; 0% APR)

As a bonus, Verizon is giving away free Daydream View units with an order of the Pixel or Pixel XL between October 4 and October 19. While that seems like a great deal, Google is offering the same thing if you buy a Pixel or Pixel XL through them, and those versions of the phones are unlocked to work not only on Verizon, but AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

Verizon pre-order link

Google Store pre-order link

So what are the Pixel phones? Well, they are “made by Google,” according to Google. We know that HTC did the actual building work, but Google is pushing this as theirs and theirs alone. There is nothing wrong with that, of course.




As for features, Google focused on the 12.3 MP camera, which they say has been rated as the best smartphone camera on the planet by DxoMark (A score of 89). They are also focusing on Google Assistant being built-in, unlimited storage of full resolution photos with Google Photos (4K video too), communications (Duo pre-loaded), and VR.



The phones feature 5″ (Pixel) and 5.5″ (Pixel XL) displays, Snapdragon 821 processors, 4GB RAM, fast charging, USB Type-C ports, batteries of 2770mAh (Pixel) and 3450mAh (Pixel XL), and more. You see the full list of them below. The only difference in choice is whether you want a big phone or small phone.

Pixel and Pixel XL Specs:



PixelPixel XL
SoftwareAndroid 7.1Android 7.1
Display5" FHD AMOLED (1920x1080, 441ppi)
Gorilla Glass 4
5.5" QHD AMOLED (2560x1440, 534ppi)
Gorilla Glass 4
Processor2.15GHz Snapdragon 821 (quad-core, 64-bit)
Adreno 530 GPU
2.15GHz Snapdragon 821 (quad-core, 64-bit)
Adreno 530 GPU
RAM4GB4GB
CameraRear: 12.3MP (f/2.0, 1.55um)
Front: 8MP (1.4um)
Rear: 12.3MP (f/2.0, 1.55um)
Front: 8MP (1.4um)
Battery2770mAh
Fast charging
3450mAh
Fast charging
Storage32GB or 128GB
No microSD support
32GB or 128GB
No microSD support
OtherFingerprint scanner, NFC, 3.5mm headphone, USB Type-CFingerprint scanner, NFC, 3.5mm headphone, USB Type-C
ConnectivityBluetooth 4.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz)
Bluetooth 4.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz)
Dimensions143.8 x 69.5 x 8.6 mm
143 grams
154.7 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm
168 grams
SIMNanoNano
ColorsQuite Black, Very Silver. Really BlueQuite Black, Very Silver. Really Blue

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