Google Pixel/Pixel XL Review Discussions

[tcatnat]

The jumps between newer Snapdragon chipsets just isn't the huge deal it used to be from a performance or efficiency standpoint, nor is that extra GB of RAM. I'd fully expect them to put out at least what's standard for newer flagships and that's what they did (The 821 being a perk of it being released later in the year more than anything else). You said you wish it was cheaper, but if it's just as good as it's competitors, why should you complain. Is it just as good? I really don't see that. I see a phone that checks off a lot of boxes, but I don't think I could put it in the same class as an iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7 which offer certain things to justify their prices. HTC had the same problem this year where it was a solid phone, but went too far on the price and tanked as a result.

I agree on the Snapdragon upgrade but think the extra 1GB RAM makes a big difference in performance. On paper that's a 33% increase. This is actually the first phone I have had to purchase in more than 10 years. My former job used the iOS platform to collect research data in the field so every year I got the latest and greatest iPhone as part of my job fully paid for by my company, along with the service (sweet perk). I have always wanted to move to Android as I am personally heavily invested in the Google ecosystem and that experience is not as robust on iOS.

Since I left that job a year and a half ago it is now time to upgrade my iPhone (gifted to me on departure) and have been waiting on the next "Nexus" phone as I want a pure Android experience with no bloatware or manufacturer additives. When the Pixel was announced the price surprised me a bit but in the end it's in-line with the iPhone and Galaxy. Of those three I think the Galaxy has a slight advantage due to it's SD card capability but again I don't want any Samsung software. For me the fast software updates are a big value also.

I did ponder the price for a while before I finally ordered. I am hoping it is worth the money and based on the reviews I think it will be. I find it funny how some reviewers are comparing it to the iPhone 7, commenting that it is a very good or great phone compared to that but then saying it is over priced. I guess only Apple is allowed to over price their products. Let's face it, Smartphones are so expensive because we pay for them. If we the consumer did not buy them the market would dictate a lower price, Pixel included.

 

[bnice]

I guess I'm just confused on the excitement over this phone. If you told me last year that you could improve the camera, the speed of the camera (which was egregious to begin with), and offer the Google Assistant on the Nexus 6P, I'm not sure I'd have paid $800 for it and I absolutely loved the Nexus line. It just seems to me that they created a Nexus, regressed on the design of it, slapped a new name on it, went all in on it "being made by Google, as Google intended", released essentially the same software with Google Assistant baked in (which you can get through Allo on a 6P anyways), and improved the camera. Then with that entire package decided it was now worth $300+ more than the 6P last year despite no wireless charging, no IP67-68 ratings, and no SD card support (all of which is fine, but could have made the price tag a little bit more palatable).

Now don't get me wrong; the 6P was and is still a great phone, but I'm struggling to see how this isn't just another Nexus that improved marginally and now costs significantly more.

See I think this is where some are missing the bigger picture. Google for the first time is taking over Android, and that is huge. Hardware and OS is all on Google the way they want it to be period. This well separate on how Google handles Android to the rest of the OEMs.

 

[qnet]

See I think this is where some are missing the bigger picture. Google for the first time is taking over Android, and that is huge. Hardware and OS is all on Google the way they want it to be period. This well separate on how Google handles Android to the rest of the OEMs.

I agree with you, but it will be hard to convince people. Most people, even on these forums; don't seem to care about that. I wouldn't say they disregard it totally, but it's just not the top of their list for justifying the price.

 

[SteelGator]

So what I'm gathering from all the reviews and comments I've read:

A lot of people wanted to love this phone long before it was "released;" and they found reasons to continue to love it.

A lot of people wanted to dislike this phone long before it was "released;" and they found reasons to continue to dislike it.

Pretty much the same thing that can be said of almost any phone these days. But, most people who didn't seem (in my eyes) to have an opinion prior to "release" seem to view it favorably; so that's a good sign.

I agree with your trend observation, but there are many here, me included, that started luke warm on this phone and have grown more excited by the day and as the reviews roll out. The more I see here on the camera action, the more optimistic I am that I am getting at least as good as other leaders. I can't wait to get it in my hands tomorrow so I can see for myself. I have definitely changed though.

 

[noordzy77]

I'm just juggling how important the safety of waterproofing is to me. Never needed it, but it was nice in my Note 7 knowing it was there.

 

[jsnugen]

thanks

 

[jsnugen]

Yes.

thanks

 

[badelhas]

Android Central:
http://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel

Verge:
Google Pixel review: Home run - The Verge

Walt Mossberg:
Mossberg: Google’s first phone is first rate - The Verge

Wired:
https://www.wired.com/2016/10/review-google-pixel/

ArsTechnica:
Google Pixel review: Bland, pricey, but still the best Android phone | Ars Technica

CNET:
https://www.cnet.com/products/google-pixel-phone/review/

Android Police:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/18/google-pixel-review-a-very-good-phone-by-google/

Gizmodo:
http://gizmodo.com/the-google-pixel-is-too-dumb-and-ugly-to-replace-your-i-1787877249?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Mashable:
http://mashable.com/2016/10/18/google-pixel-xl-review/#lCSlE.MS9aqQ

TechnoBuffalo:
http://www.technobuffalo.com/reviews/google-pixel-review/

Engadget:
https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/18/google-pixel-and-pixel-xl-review/

9 to 5 Google:
https://9to5google.com/2016/10/18/google-pixel-review-androids-new-flag-bearer-isnt-perfect-but-still-one-of-the-best-phones-ever/

Android Authority:
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-xl-review-720243/

Techcrunch:
https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/18/google-pixel-xl-review/

Droid Life Camera Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ferxiZlirg

Digital Trends:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cell-phone-reviews/google-pixel-review/

Tech Spot:
http://www.techspot.com/review/1265-google-pixel-xl/

USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2016/10/18/google-pixel-review-assistant-camera-add-up-winner/92340136/

New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/technology/personaltech/google-pixel-review-assessing-the-new-smartphone.html

Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/shelbycarpenter/2016/10/18/pixel-xl-review-google-android-camera/#4be0c6d37ccd

Time:
http://time.com/4533705/google-pixel-review-release-date-2016/

Business Insider:
http://www.businessinsider.com/google-pixel-review-2016-10

Independent:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/google-pixel-review-xl-android-should-i-buy-best-phone-handset-price-release-date-a7367376.html

PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3131306/android/pixel-xl-review-googles-new-phone-isnt-a-nexusits-better.html

Pocket Lint:
http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/139043-google-pixel-xl-review-android-s-new-heavyweight-champion

The Inquirer:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/review/2474485/google-pixel-xl-review

Slash Gear:
http://www.slashgear.com/google-pixel-xl-review-android-embodied-for-better-or-worse-18460393/



*Posting them as I find them... Positive or Negative*

Moderator Note: Post edited to include Android Central's Pixel/Pixel XL review.

Thanks for that! Cheers

 

[Momi7]

Don't know how many of those I'm going to read, but looking forward to it.

 

[Adranalyne]

See I think this is where some are missing the bigger picture. Google for the first time is taking over Android, and that is huge. Hardware and OS is all on Google the way they want it to be period. This well separate on how Google handles Android to the rest of the OEMs.

How is this any different than the Nexus devices that preceded it? Google has always had complete control over the software aspect of the device and has worked with other OEMs, just like they did with HTC for the Pixel, to craft the hardware around it. The only difference is that we're not calling this the HTC Pixel and there's a Google logo on the back instead of any HTC markings. It's hard for me to look at this objectively and say this isn't just another Nexus device with a Google logo that costs more.

 

[klau25]

How is this any different than the Nexus devices that preceded it? Google has always had complete control over the software aspect of the device and has worked with other OEMs, just like they did with HTC for the Pixel, to craft the hardware around it. The only difference is that we're not calling this the HTC Pixel and there's a Google logo on the back instead of any HTC markings. It's hard for me to look at this objectively and say this isn't just another Nexus device with a Google logo that costs more.

From what I understand, before, Google will step in towards the end of the process and give some advices. The designing of the hardware was still up to the manufacturers. This time Google designed the hardware with the software together. More like how Apple does it. HTC is strictly just putting the phone together. More like how Foxconn makes iPhone for Apple.

 

[tcatnat]

From what I understand, before, Google will step in towards the end of the process and give some advices. The designing of the hardware was still up to the manufacturers. This time Google designed the hardware with the software together. More like how Apple does it. HTC is strictly just putting the phone together. More like how Foxconn makes iPhone for Apple.

This is my understanding also, total control of hardware and software. Time will tell if this pans out but Apple seems to be having success with this model.

 

[klau25]

This is my understanding also, total control of hardware and software. Time will tell if this pans out but Apple seems to be having success with this model.

I think so. The improvements in the camera and supposedly battery life is something I believe from this.

 

[Cant Miss]

Apple seems to be having success with this model.

Apple's model is decidedly different. They actually design the silicon. Even if Google made every decision about what went into the Pixel (and based on Osterloh's comments - they didn't), they still only chose existing, off the shelf parts, and depend on the vendors of those parts for driver support going forward.

Big difference.

 

[Adranalyne]

Apple's model is decidedly different. They actually design the silicon. Even if Google made every decision about what went into the Pixel (and based on Osterloh's comments - they didn't), they still only chose existing, off the shelf parts, and depend on the vendors of those parts for driver support going forward.

Big difference.

Exactly. It's hardly different than their execution with the Nexus devices and not at all comparable to what Apple does with their iPhones. The improvements to their camera was just Google catching up to the rest of the pack. Battery life is more likely just more efficient hardware combined with more improvements on the software side----something they could do on any other phone and not really anything to do with their choice of hardware someone else built.

 

[badelhas]

How is this any different than the Nexus devices that preceded it? Google has always had complete control over the software aspect of the device and has worked with other OEMs, just like they did with HTC for the Pixel, to craft the hardware around it. The only difference is that we're not calling this the HTC Pixel and there's a Google logo on the back instead of any HTC markings. It's hard for me to look at this objectively and say this isn't just another Nexus device with a Google logo that costs more.

Totally agree. I refuse to pay the Pixel / iPhone prices.

 

[Cant Miss]

I am not sure just how the Nexus program worked. I was under the impression that the OEMs designed the phone, and that there was simply a set of guidelines Google provided.

If so, the Pixel is an improvement, but "designed from the ground up" is a bit of a stretch at this point, and comparing the process to Apple's is worlds apart. Apple recognized early that mobile was a gold mine, and that building their own chips would significantly improve performance, support, and profitability.

 

[klau25]

Well for what it's worth, there is rumor that Google wants to decide their own chip also. I sure hope this is true. Does anyone know if Apple designed their own chip in the beginning.

 

[TheJastrom]

I've always felt if I buy an unlocked phone, I want to own it outright, I can do that for $400 bucks but dropping over $700 sheesh.

 

[bmoguy]

Well for what it's worth, there is rumor that Google wants to decide their own chip also. I sure hope this is true. Does anyone know if Apple designed their own chip in the beginning.

Samsung chips in the beginning. But it sounds like Samsung was still involved until the IP7.

Sorry, Samsung. The iPhone 7 processor is reportedly being made by your rival | TechRadar