Is the Pixel line a welcome successor to the Nexus line, or would have preferred to see a new Nexus-

[FreakyLocz14]

I'm actually enjoying my Pixel XL. The main gripes have with it are the high price tag the lack of an intermediate storage option. What about you?

 

[Almeuit]

I am fine with the Pixel XL. I know some will definitely not agree and would have liked the Nexus.

 

[88horizon5speed]

I agree with the intermediate storage option, bit Ian loving the phone. I do have a problem typing on the keyboard but I'll get used to the new screen size. I used to think it was silly to change from Nexus to pixel but I understand they wanted a fresh start of Google branded phones.

I wish there was a front fingerprint reader and a front flash for the camera

 

[Indecyfer]

I like the Pixel. I think the fact that it is 'true' Google adds some points to it, because it can get some iPhone-levels of optimization with its hardware.

The design could be better, but the camera is purportedly amazing.

I feel its a great sequel to the line. The price though...

I consider it a pseudo-sequel, like the XZ to the Z5.

 

[Topweasel]

Nexus means one thing. People like to mean that it meant low prices. But that is because they tended to choose lower priced and lower spec'd hardware. It was purely a showcase device for new Android OS's. It's job was to show new OS features and late in life to show users what Android is supposed to be like. It's the reason why so many Manufacturers have moved to very thin skins (outside Samsung).

But that job was finished. This isn't just a worthy succession. It is the evolutionary next step. Manufacturers now spend little effort to adjust Android to their hardware. To tweak for performance. That premium performance hasn't been a priority.

So still Google has points to make. They had a whole team dedicated to hardware. Google had a choice be a player behind the scenes and try to convince Manufacturers to be more prudent (killing hardware team). Continue releasing phones with secondary or worse priority with Manufacturers with dwindling sales as hardware specs make performed tweaking less of an issue. Or third become a true phone manufacturer tweaking Android specifically for the hardware.

It becomes the ultimate demo. Gives them better visibility. Allowed them to go all out. It would be a good phone with AOSP and Nexus worthy. But the Pixel is more than that and it's worth the premium.

 

[BlackBerry Guy]

I prefer the Nexus name, but I get why Google would want to reboot their line of phones to reflect their new device philosophy. The extra effort put into integrating the hardware and software makes for a well polished, iPhone like experience. It no longer feels like stock Android just thrown onto whatever hardware was available.

 

[davidnc]

I just got used to the Nexus name. But no problem with the Pixel name
I would have preferred to have had an 64 GB model option along with the 128 GB ,, instead of the 32 GB option that was offered.
But I guess that's just their marketing plan

 

[Topweasel]

Honestly the 128 is there to feel like a premium phone. Lots of the features we want will probably be added on to the next few phones. Expandable memory won't be one of them. Google is focused on their services and expandable memory is more of a hindrance. But how can you sell a premium phone with just 32GB?

I doubt we will see a Pixel with more than two storage sizes. The minimal and a the premium.

 

[1213 1213]

Nexus. The pixel is just a rebranded nexus with a better camera.

 

[anon(9227267)]

Nexus. The pixel is just a rebranded nexus with a better camera and a sissy name

 

[PhiPsi32]

I like the Nexus concept but admit that it has narrow appeal. I would also say that the success of the 6P paved the way for the Pixel. The 6P showed us that buyers have an appetite for a premium built and premium priced handset. Nonetheless I would have liked to seen a 5X successor (as a Nexus device).

 

[recDNA]

Nexus. The word "Pixel" was only added to abandon previous reasonable prices.

 

[Aquila]

Nexus. The pixel is just a rebranded nexus with a better camera.

I could not disagree more on this, for the exact same reasons why the Pixel C cannot be thought of as another Nexus tablet.

 

[Richard Servello]

Pixel is NOT Nexus. Nexus was 2 things.

One: an avenue for lesser known oem's to get their devices to market and gain a footing on the market. It brought Samsung to light for their Nexus. Made HTC an android competitor (coming from Windows Mobile). It brought LG to the mainstream. And last year it make Huawei a known and respected brand. There's really nobody left (see LG 5x). I guess Xaomi could have gotten a shot....but I don't think Google really needs to prop brands to get them to market anymore.

Two: Nexus was a developer phone. It was first to get all Android builds. It was natively unlocked and ready for devs to use it to make some cool apps ahead of other OEM's getting their dirty mitts on the build.

Introducing the Pixel line. It started with the Pixel Chromebook. A high end, high spec chromebook, beyond anything else in the market. It had the most amazing screen available (hence the pixel name)....PC specs and actual performance that no other chromebook could muster. And it was EXPENSIVE! Like PC expensive. It was full on premium....with chrome OS....which was an odd choice. But owners LOVED it!

Then came Pixel C. The convertible android tablet (and first to annex the nexus line). Again. Completely premium build. Beautiful, simple, aluminum build with only the pixel color bar to indicate it's brand. The best keyboard available for any tablet on the market. It's fast...it's smooth, it runs the latest build of android and it's slightlly customized for the UX. It was a testing ground to build a consumer Android model. I have one and LOVE it.

Welcome Pixel Phone. In step with the rest of the Pixel line, it is more expensive than the Nexus line. It is extremely premium in all respects. It is designed completely by Google. It has incredible (almost impossible) battery life while still being buttery smooth. It is the IDEAL Android handset. But this time...it's not a reference for other OEM's to learn from....it's an actual product!! Therefore it has to compete with the other lines. Unfortunately, greedy companies like Samsung and Apple have set the "flagship" pricing model. And it's high. Much higher than the reference line of Nexus. Therefore, in order to be respected....Google HAS to charge the same. Nexus 6p was the first really competitive Google handset in all regards. But being Nexus is was charged accordingly. It was never meant to make google money...it was a developer/reference model. Pixel is different. It is the iPhone of Google. It is a revenue stream. Don't expect future models to be less expensive...but also don't expect them to be less innovative.

I'm personally happy Google went this route. I expect some incredible devices to come out in the future.

 

[Matty]

I'm actually enjoying my Pixel XL. The main gripes have with it are the high price tag the lack of an intermediate storage option. What about you?

I personally think its a great successor. Sure the name has changed, but its still essentially that 'Pure Android' experience. and paired with tat Snapdragon 821 it just flies through anything. Plus, it never gets hot. Like ever!

 

[1213 1213]

Pixel is NOT Nexus. Nexus was 2 things.

One: an avenue for lesser known oem's to get their devices to market and gain a footing on the market. It brought Samsung to light for their Nexus. Made HTC an android competitor (coming from Windows Mobile). It brought LG to the mainstream. And last year it make Huawei a known and respected brand. There's really nobody left (see LG 5x). I guess Xaomi could have gotten a shot....but I don't think Google really needs to prop brands to get them to market anymore.

Two: Nexus was a developer phone. It was first to get all Android builds. It was natively unlocked and ready for devs to use it to make some cool apps ahead of other OEM's getting their dirty mitts on the build.

Introducing the Pixel line. It started with the Pixel Chromebook. A high end, high spec chromebook, beyond anything else in the market. It had the most amazing screen available (hence the pixel name)....PC specs and actual performance that no other chromebook could muster. And it was EXPENSIVE! Like PC expensive. It was full on premium....with chrome OS....which was an odd choice. But owners LOVED it!

Then came Pixel C. The convertible android tablet (and first to annex the nexus line). Again. Completely premium build. Beautiful, simple, aluminum build with only the pixel color bar to indicate it's brand. The best keyboard available for any tablet on the market. It's fast...it's smooth, it runs the latest build of android and it's slightlly customized for the UX. It was a testing ground to build a consumer Android model. I have one and LOVE it.

Welcome Pixel Phone. In step with the rest of the Pixel line, it is more expensive than the Nexus line. It is extremely premium in all respects. It is designed completely by Google. It has incredible (almost impossible) battery life while still being buttery smooth. It is the IDEAL Android handset. But this time...it's not a reference for other OEM's to learn from....it's an actual product!! Therefore it has to compete with the other lines. Unfortunately, greedy companies like Samsung and Apple have set the "flagship" pricing model. And it's high. Much higher than the reference line of Nexus. Therefore, in order to be respected....Google HAS to charge the same. Nexus 6p was the first really competitive Google handset in all regards. But being Nexus is was charged accordingly. It was never meant to make google money...it was a developer/reference model. Pixel is different. It is the iPhone of Google. It is a revenue stream. Don't expect future models to be less expensive...but also don't expect them to be less innovative.

I'm personally happy Google went this route. I expect some incredible devices to come out in the future.

I'm sorry but I don't see how anybody can sit there and claim it was designed completely by google. Everything about it looks like a htc device except the glass back and fingerprint sensor.

 

[Wiley_11]

I'm sorry but I don't see how anybody can sit there and claim it was designed completely by google. Everything about it looks like a htc device except the glass back and fingerprint sensor.

And it even comes with HTC's crappy RF and Bluetooth performance!

 

[anon(847090)]

for the past 3 years my wishlist was that google make their own hardware and that finally came true.
I dont care for the price but besides that nothing has changed for me.

my next wishlist is a 2 in 1 chromebook pixel from google

 

[Richard Servello]

And it even comes with HTC's crappy RF and Bluetooth performance!

Do you actually have a pixel??? It has the best radios I've ever had. Amazing wifi performance, excellent LTE and I have not had a single Bluetooth failure or drop (something I've never been able to say for any device!!!)

 

[Richard Servello]

for the past 3 years my wishlist was that google make their own hardware and that finally came true.
I dont care for the price but besides that nothing has changed for me.

my next wishlist is a 2 in 1 chromebook pixel from google

Meaning tablet Chromebook? Pixel C is phenomenal.