PIXEL XL Snapdragon 821 processor

[udamster96]

How do you know it's the processor? Couldn't it just be really good software?

It could be both. A pure, non bloat,stock like experience and latest processor could of course make the phone faster.

 

[LyricalNonsense]

It also comes with Qualcomm's 24 bit DAC so the audio quality should also be great.

 

[Wiley_11]

I agree that the aesthetics of the Pixel is a drawback, but I'll try to get past that.

I'm working on controlling my gag reflex now in case I get one later!........:-\

 

[anon(464338)]

I notice speed but mostly the smooth scrolling which most Androids suck at.

 

[jamesrick80]

Google downclocked the snapdragon 821 so performs at the same level of the 820 or less...even some 820 phones may even outperform it based on benchmarks....and the audio DAC is not that great on the pixel based on actual reviews

 

[Ryano89]

Eh the 821 is just an overclocked 820. The A10 chip in iphone 7 still smokes it according to benchmarks. Yes it will be fast, but the 821 is nothing special.

Both 820 and 821 clocked at the same speed..

 

[Jeremy8000]

Eh the 821 is just an overclocked 820. The A10 chip in iphone 7 still smokes it according to benchmarks. Yes it will be fast, but the 821 is nothing special.

Apple's been designing an integrated system of chipset, other hardware, and software for a long time, and has done extremely well with it. This is Google's first full-system approach, so I'd have been surprised if it were right there. Of course, it's well worth pointing out that Apple's devices are processing for a much lower resolution display, so that should be taken into account when comparing them.

Google downclocked the snapdragon 821 so performs at the same level of the 820 or less...even some 820 phones may even outperform it based on benchmarks...

That's misinformation - Google did not downclock the 821. There are 2 variations of that chip. Neither was developed by Qualcomm with the intent of being a big jump over the 820, but rather to offer other improvements (though the clock speed of one variation was increased). The 821 in the Pixels is much more capable than the 820 in its contribution to HDR+ processing speed. It's also more thermal- and power-efficient.

Regardless, it's widely acknowledged that the Pixels are as fast and smooth (and more often faster and smoother) compared to any other android devices regardless of processor, and outside of citing benchmarks that will have much more value for most users than being able to cite performance variations barely if at all perceptible in real use.

 

[jamesrick80]

Apple's been designing an integrated system of chipset, other hardware, and software for a long time, and has done extremely well with it. This is Google's first full-system approach, so I'd have been surprised if it were right there. Of course, it's well worth pointing out that Apple's devices are processing for a much lower resolution display, so that should be taken into account when comparing them.



That's misinformation - Google did not downclock the 821. There are 2 variations of that chip. Neither was developed by Qualcomm with the intent of being a big jump over the 820, but rather to offer other improvements (though the clock speed of one variation was increased). The 821 in the Pixels is much more capable than the 820 in its contribution to HDR+ processing speed. It's also more thermal- and power-efficient.

Regardless, it's widely acknowledged that the Pixels are as fast and smooth (and more often faster and smoother) compared to any other android devices regardless of processor, and outside of citing benchmarks that will have much more value for most users than being able to cite performance variations barely if at all perceptible in real use.

The HDR+ processing is just a software enhancement.....didnt take a snapdragon 821 to do it....the processor is downclocked as stated by many reviews to optimize battery life.....

 

[Premium1]

Apple's been designing an integrated system of chipset, other hardware, and software for a long time, and has done extremely well with it. This is Google's first full-system approach, so I'd have been surprised if it were right there. Of course, it's well worth pointing out that Apple's devices are processing for a much lower resolution display, so that should be taken into account when comparing them.



That's misinformation - Google did not downclock the 821. There are 2 variations of that chip. Neither was developed by Qualcomm with the intent of being a big jump over the 820, but rather to offer other improvements (though the clock speed of one variation was increased). The 821 in the Pixels is much more capable than the 820 in its contribution to HDR+ processing speed. It's also more thermal- and power-efficient.

Regardless, it's widely acknowledged that the Pixels are as fast and smooth (and more often faster and smoother) compared to any other android devices regardless of processor, and outside of citing benchmarks that will have much more value for most users than being able to cite performance variations barely if at all perceptible in real use.

Will be interesting to see if it remains that way. The 6p was the same at the beginning and over time started to develop issues which seem to be a recurring theme with android devices. Hopefully Google fixed these issues.

 

[Jeremy8000]

The HDR+ processing is just a software enhancement.....didnt take a snapdragon 821 to do it....the processor is downclocked as stated by many reviews to optimize battery life.....

Sure, HDR+ processing is software driven, but the 821 is capable by spec of better managing that processing than the 821 (even at the same clock speed). And despite what many reviews might be saying, Qualcomm has, according to XDA, confirmed that they did make a variant of the 821 in which they elected not to increase the clock speed beyond the 820. Either 821 processor would achieve an increase in battery life (though all other things being equal, I would presume the one Google opted for would yield the larger increase while also minimizing thermal load).

 

[jamesrick80]

Will be interesting to see if it remains that way. The 6p was the same at the beginning and over time started to develop issues which seem to be a recurring theme with android devices. Hopefully Google fixed these issues.

If its anything like the Google Pixel C in the next few coming weeks...there will be plenty of returns and exchanges

 

[Premium1]

If its anything like the Google Pixel C in the next few coming weeks...there will be plenty of returns and exchanges

Agree. Seems to be having a host of issues, hopefully it is not a widespread issue. Androidpolice editor having lots of issues.
https://plus.google.com/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/CVhHLaax3Vs
https://plus.google.com/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/FmSsXAbBhrJ
https://plus.google.com/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/iTxjheDcyxc

 

[anon(5506951)]

I'm running the 7.1 DP on the Nexus 6P, with the Pixel Launcher as default and it's smooth and snappy. I must say, more so than Marshmallow, I feel. Battery life is finally consistent with what I was getting on Marshmallow, as opposed to 7.0, which was quite inconsistent.

 

[Go0gle]

The HDR+ processing is just a software enhancement.....didnt take a snapdragon 821 to do it....the processor is downclocked as stated by many reviews to optimize battery life.....

This is only partially true. There is more hardware involved than you may think for the HDR capture. See this article in the HDR section:

Sony IMX378: Comprehensive Breakdown of the Google Pixel's Sensor and its Features

Google also optimized its HDR algorithm to run on the SD 821 Hexagon 680 DSP (instead of the CPU), using vector instructions to handle HDR processing with no shutter lag. This also saves battery life.

It's not nearly as simple as just pumping the shadows and lowering the highlights like some other manufacturers do. It's truly impressive how they have used both hardware and software to get the class leading HDR captures they do.

On top of this the sensor is also a stacked CMOS sensor, which is what allows it to have such a fast read speed.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

The HDR+ processing is just a software enhancement.....didnt take a snapdragon 821 to do it....the processor is downclocked as stated by many reviews to optimize battery life.....

It's 100% dependent on the new camera sensor and image processor in the Snapdragon 821 because it's hardware based.

Please link me to someone saying the processor has been downclocked.

 

[Ryano89]

It's 100% dependent on the new camera sensor and image processor in the Snapdragon 821 because it's hardware based.

Please link me to someone saying the processor has been downclocked.

Jerry this isn't what you asked for, but I believe it actually backs up what you ate saying...A Look at What Has Changed from the Snapdragon 820 to the Snapdragon 821 in the Google Pixel Phones
http://www.xda-developers.com/a-loo...he-snapdragon-821-in-the-google-pixel-phones/

 

[SteelGator]

The HDR+ processing is just a software enhancement.....didnt take a snapdragon 821 to do it....the processor is downclocked as stated by many reviews to optimize battery life.....

The HDR+ is more than software, the changes in the sensor were critical to the speed. Better software and processors also help with speed.

 

[mightyfacundo]

It's 100% dependent on the new camera sensor and image processor in the Snapdragon 821 because it's hardware based.

Please link me to someone saying the processor has been downclocked.

I feel like people are searching for reasons to slam this phone in an attempt to stop people from buying it. I would love to understand why.

 

[mhw100]

It also comes with Qualcomm's 24 bit DAC so the audio quality should also be great.

The volume seems lower on the 821

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Jerry this isn't what you asked for, but I believe it actually backs up what you ate saying...A Look at What Has Changed from the Snapdragon 820 to the Snapdragon 821 in the Google Pixel Phones
A Look at What Has Changed from the Snapdragon 820 to the Snapdragon 821 in the Google Pixel Phones

Stop helping them

Yeah I talked to Qualcomm a little after i talked to Google about the camera. I hope every manufacturer works with Qcomm and Sony for their next phone so they can do the same.

I feel like people are searching for reasons to slam this phone in an attempt to stop people from buying it. I would love to understand why.

I dunno man. This happens for every phone.

The volume seems lower on the 821

Pretty sure they're using a single class D audio amp for internal loudspeaker and headphone jack

Smart Audio Amplifier|NXP

It has an I2C-bus interface, so the software can control the output based in the load (when headphones are plugged in).

Not 100% sure though, I'll need to take one of them apart. Probably later this week.