Here’s Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones’ specs, price, features, and release date info. In short, here’s everything you need to know about the Google phones.
Google has today officially introduced the world to its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, which are the first devices to be marketed as self-branded phones under just the Google brand, unlike Nexus phones before it. In what seems like taking a small leaf out of Apple’s book by maintaining control over the whole end-to-end experience, Google is working with HTC as a manufacturing partner to pump out the devices.
So yes, while the two new Pixel phones have been entirely designed by Google, they have been manufactured by HTC.
With its Pixel lineup, Google is focusing on elements such as photography, communications, and even virtual reality to pose the pixel as a smart device that is not just your run-of-the-mill high-end Android smartphone with juiced up hardware specs. As expected, Google has launched the two phones with exactly the same features and specs barring a crucial display and screen real-estate difference.
Specs / Features
As mentioned above, the size is the main differentiator between the Pixel and the Pixel XL, with the former coming with a 5.0-inch FHD AMOLED display, and the latter falling into the phablet bracket with a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED option. Once you abstract the display and the size of the hardware, you find a quad-core 64-bit processor of the Snapdragon 821 variety. That SoC is accompanied by 4GB of RAM,
The rear-facing 12.3-megapixel camera is all the rage from Google right now “featuring an f/2.0 aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots and lots of light.” There’s a Smartburst feature which allows you to take sequential shots so that you can choose the best shot later, and there’s also a feature called Lens Blur. With Lens Blur you can “achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects, making your subject pop.” While there’s no actual OIS hardware in the new phones, Google is using gyroscope and some some tricks to apparently achieve same results for stability. As for the front-facing camera, both phones sport an 8-megapixel sensor.
From a connectivity perspective there is Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE, and both the Pixel and Pixel XL also feature NFC and an embedded fingerprint scanner on the back for biometric authentication. There’s USB-C as you must’ve expected by now, and oh yes, a 3.5mm headphone jack is also present.
The smaller Pixel hardware comes equipped with an integrated and non-removable 2,770 mAh battery pack, whereas the larger option understandably packs a bigger punch with a non-removable 3,450 mAh cell to power that beastly display. There’s also fast charging with Google boasting that 15 minutes charge can provide 7 hours of up time. Though there’s no wireless charging on either of the two phones.
As for water-resistance, nope, both Pixel are Pixel XL aren’t water resistant either.
Storage options are 32GB and 128GB with no option for expanding it via microSD. Google is offering free full unlimited backup of photos and videos in original quality to Google Photos exclusively for Pixel owners.
As for the OS, Pixel is running Android 7.1 with Google Assistant right-out-of-the-box. Google says that the Pixel phones will be supported with latest Android software updates for up to two years.
Colors
Color wise, prospective Pixel and Pixel XL owners will be able to choose from one of three exterior finishes. If Apple offers Gold, Rose Gold, Jet Black, Silver and Black, then Google is taking a different route by offering the Pixel range in Quite Black, Really Blue, and Very Silver. And yes, those really are the names that Google has assigned to the device finishes.
Accessories
The Pixel and Pixel XL benefit from silicone cases in different colors for $35. There’s also a clear case option coming in $30 for both the phones, and if you’re a fan of the Live cases by Google, you have that option as well for $40.
Price
The Pixel entry-level model in the United States starts from $649 for 32GB model, $749 for 128GB model. Pixel XL starts from $769 for 32GB and $869 for 128GB.
Release Date
Both the Pixel and Pixel XL are available to pre-order today, with Google choosing Verizon as its exclusive partner in the United States. Unlocked models are available directly from Google Store at store.google.com as well. Project Fi subscribers will also be able to get their hands on the hardware.
Consumers in the US, UK, Australia and Canada are able to pre-order the devices today with those in India able to do it on October 13th.
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