The AC editors have a Pixel and Pixel XL — ask us about them!

[Andrew Martonik]

Good morning everyone, it's Pixel day! That means that we can start talking about these phones we've been using for the past handful of days. Myself and Alex Dobie have "quite black" 32GB Pixel XLs in our hands, and Daniel Bader has a "very silver" 32GB Pixel in his.

First, read our our comprehensive review to get a feel for these phones: Google Pixel + Pixel XL review | Android Central

Then, read my (shorter) U.S.-centric Pixel XL review: Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective

And we also have a special edition podcast: Android Central 311: Google Pixel review roundtable

Then, perhaps watch our review video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FCNA-RwRBQ

NOW you can ask us about it. Drop us whatever burning Pixel or Pixel XL questions you have, and we'll all aim to answer as many as we can!

 

[jd78]

Solid review!

My question is kind of lame, but was wondering how noticeable the slight wedge type design was after using it for several days?

 

[ClusterPuck]

I was apprehensive with going with the pixel since it was a slight decrease in screen size from my moto x 2016. and I am just not a phablet person. However, battery life is just key for me because i am not always near a charger. After reading the reviews, is the XL able to fit in a front pocket? Just trying to get an idea of size.

 

[anon(98335)]

How does Pixel feel to hold on hand? I hope it's not as slippery as my N6P.

 

[Stang68]

Has mine shipped yet?

 

[trido#AC]

On using Google Assistant
Must we WAKE the phone up before saying OK GOOGLE or will it work from LOCKED screen?

thanks

 

[Nesquik]

On using Google Assistant
Must we WAKE the phone up before saying OK GOOGLE or will it work from LOCKED screen?

thanks

+1 on this -- the Moto X was great at this but it required two CPU chips from what I remember -- is this the case also for the Pixel? My android priv always required me to unlock/wake the phone which was annoying.

 

[mountainman]

Is there a dark mode or theme for the Pixels? I can't stand all that white in every app

 

[deltascrew]

Does it have double tap to wake funtionality?

 

[SuperTongue]

Does the camera interface rotate if the screen orientation is locked to portrait?

This is something incredibly annoying with Google's camera app and most other manufacturers override the setting.

 

[AtanRaca]

Can you control Hue lights with Assistant?

 

[cjbrigol]

Are the chins really that huge IRL?

 

[Lobwedgephil]

How would you compare the battery to the Note 7 or S7 Edge?

 

[Andrew Martonik]

My question is kind of lame, but was wondering how noticeable the slight wedge type design was after using it for several days?

It's more of a subconscious thing rather than something you notice all the time. On the XL, at least, the taper toward the bottom is noticeable in that the phone is thinner at the bottom and easier to hold. But do you actively think about it when you pick it up? Nope.

I was apprehensive with going with the pixel since it was a slight decrease in screen size from my moto x 2016. and I am just not a phablet person. However, battery life is just key for me because i am not always near a charger. After reading the reviews, is the XL able to fit in a front pocket? Just trying to get an idea of size.

XL fits in my pocket just fine. FWIW I ordered the standard Pixel because I want a smaller phone, but after using the Pixel XL for almost a week I've managed the size fine. Same size as the Note 7, basically. Smaller than the Nexus 6P.

How does Pixel feel to hold on hand? I hope it's not as slippery as my N6P.

Not as slippery or hard to manage as the 6P.

On using Google Assistant
Must we WAKE the phone up before saying OK GOOGLE or will it work from LOCKED screen?

thanks

Nope, it can wake up from "off" and start listening without ever touching the phone.

Is there a dark mode or theme for the Pixels? I can't stand all that white in every app

Nope.

Does it have double tap to wake funtionality?

It does not.

Does the camera interface rotate if the screen orientation is locked to portrait?

This is something incredibly annoying with Google's camera app and most other manufacturers override the setting.

If you use the setting to force portrait, then everything is portrait. Yes, even the camera app.

Can you control Hue lights with Assistant?

Google hasn't released any third-party integrations yet as far as I know. I think we're waiting for Google Home to launch.

Are the chins really that huge IRL?

They really aren't. One of those things that people focus on when they see renders, but you don't notice at all when you actually use the phone.

How would you compare the battery to the Note 7 or S7 Edge?

Comparable. Full day for me on the XL leaves the phone with 20-30% battery in the tank.

 

[Daniel Bader]

Solid review!

My question is kind of lame, but was wondering how noticeable the slight wedge type design was after using it for several days?

I've only used the smaller Pixel, but I haven't noticed it at all. It's even subtle in side profile photos.

How would you compare the battery to the Note 7 or S7 Edge?

Right now, I'm finding the S7 battery a little better than the Pixel's thanks to its 3,000mAh battery. It's not significant, but the S7 will get you maybe an hour more. That said, the Pixel performs better in most situations (except camera speed, and even then it's not huge), and Android 7.1 has some pretty significant improvements in idle usage that will improve standby.

I've not found the chin to be a problem at all. In fact, I enjoy the symmetry gained by the larger bottom chin, and it gives you somewhere to rest your thumb when holding the phone in landscape mode.

Is there a dark mode or theme for the Pixels? I can't stand all that white in every app

Not officially, no.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Not officially, no.

What about unofficially?

 

[Toughmn]

Is the back Gorilla glass really that scratch prone?

 

[PhiPsi32]

Does it work with Miracast (WiFi Direct devices) or support MHL?

 

[Almeuit]

Andrew,

Has Google Assistant been helpful? I can't wait to try it out .

 

[Daniel Bader]

Is the back Gorilla glass really that scratch prone?

Yeah, it is, but it's not as apparent on the Very Silver (white back) model as it is on the darker Quite Black version. I haven't really found an issue with the back scratching on my Pixel.