The Pixel and Pixel XL Reviews

[Richard Servello]

Re: Reviews

Very very happy to see all the glowing reviews of the phone. Honestly, only the Note 7 was reviewed as well as I am seeing here today (other than iPhone reviews, of course - no comment).

The Verge: Home Run
"This is Google's first phone, and for a first effort it is remarkably good. By almost every metric I can think of — speed, power, camera, smart assistant, you name it — it matches or exceeds the best phones available on the market today. "

Mossberg: Google's first phone is first rate
"If you’re an Android fan, willing to buy a premium phone, the Pixel is your answer. To repeat: it’s simply the best Android phone I’ve tested."


A/C review:
"The Google Pixel XL is my new daily driver. As for the smaller Pixel, I know it's going to take a lot to tear Daniel Bader away from this compact Android powerhouse. (Ed: True.) Both are excellent smartphones which we can wholeheartedly recommend

Engadget
"Everyone else making Android phones should be a little worried"



Most of the rest have the same theme. Really good camera, really good software. Fast, fast , fast. We'll see on battery life (most seem OK to good).

I am excited now!

I feel like Google gave OEMs enough opportunity to do it...and none have really done it right. Google is done with reference devices and is a real OEM now.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

Re: Reviews

Very very happy to see all the glowing reviews of the phone. Honestly, only the Note 7 was reviewed as well as I am seeing here today (other than iPhone reviews, of course - no comment).

The Verge: Home Run
"This is Google's first phone, and for a first effort it is remarkably good. By almost every metric I can think of — speed, power, camera, smart assistant, you name it — it matches or exceeds the best phones available on the market today. "

Mossberg: Google's first phone is first rate
"If you’re an Android fan, willing to buy a premium phone, the Pixel is your answer. To repeat: it’s simply the best Android phone I’ve tested."


A/C review:
"The Google Pixel XL is my new daily driver. As for the smaller Pixel, I know it's going to take a lot to tear Daniel Bader away from this compact Android powerhouse. (Ed: True.) Both are excellent smartphones which we can wholeheartedly recommend

Engadget
"Everyone else making Android phones should be a little worried"



Most of the rest have the same theme. Really good camera, really good software. Fast, fast , fast. We'll see on battery life (most seem OK to good).

I am excited now!

They're not all glowing.

TechnoBuffalo
"It’s a fine phone, sure, but there are plenty of devices that offer similar performance and, in some cases, more features, for the same price or less.

You want an Android phone? Buy a Galaxy S7 Edge. You want an Android phone that doesn’t break the bank? Buy a OnePlus 3. You want an Android Phone with Google Assistant? Buy a Nexus 6P and hack it on. Want something unique? Buy a Moto Z. You want an expensive Android phone with 24/7 support, unlimited Google Photo backup and the chance at getting the latest software first? Then get the Pixel. I suggest waiting to see what Google’s grander plan for the Pixel is before diving in, however. With the glaring hole left by the Galaxy Note 7 in my arsenal, I’ll personally be switching over to the Moto Z."

 

[Aquila]

Re: Reviews

Consensus seems to be best camera, best battery life, great build quality and we already know best software and best security, etc. Still waiting to see the display analysis. And also waiting for noon tomorrow so I can talk about mine.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Re: Reviews

They're not all glowing.

TechnoBuffalo
"It’s a fine phone, sure, but there are plenty of devices that offer similar performance and, in some cases, more features, for the same price or less.

You want an Android phone? Buy a Galaxy S7 Edge. You want an Android phone that doesn’t break the bank? Buy a OnePlus 3. You want an Android Phone with Google Assistant? Buy a Nexus 6P and hack it on. Want something unique? Buy a Moto Z. You want an expensive Android phone with 24/7 support, unlimited Google Photo backup and the chance at getting the latest software first? Then get the Pixel. I suggest waiting to see what Google’s grander plan for the Pixel is before diving in, however. With the glaring hole left by the Galaxy Note 7 in my arsenal, I’ll personally be switching over to the Moto Z."

LOL at someone switching to Moto after saying "I suggest waiting to see what Google's grander plan for the Pixel is before diving in".

That's hilarious. Moto has been shuffled around and changed plans so often in the past two years that I'm not sure I believe that they actually have a plan. I do hope they stick with the Mods though, but only because they already promised to and I don't want people to get hosed.

You're trying to find reasons to not like the Pixel, and that's fine. Maybe just own up to that and skip it. Stick with the S7/Edge until the S8 is a real thing that you can buy. That might sound mean, but it's literally my honest advice to you (I'm also someone that always wants the newest thing out).

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

Consensus seems to be best camera, best battery life, great build quality and we already know best software and best security, etc. Still waiting to see the display analysis. And also waiting for noon tomorrow so I can talk about mine.

There is no consensus on the camera. In the reviews I've seen, two reviews said it was the best smartphone camera, three said it wasn't as good as the Samsungs. It doesn't offer the best battery life either - just average - along the lines of an S7 Edge.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

LOL at someone switching to Moto after saying "I suggest waiting to see what Google's grander plan for the Pixel is before diving in".

That's hilarious. Moto has been shuffled around and changed plans so often in the past two years that I'm not sure I believe that they actually have a plan. I do hope they stick with the Mods though, but only because they already promised to and I don't want people to get hosed.

You're trying to find reasons to not like the Pixel, and that's fine. Maybe just own up to that and skip it. Stick with the S7/Edge until the S8 is a real thing that you can buy. That might sound mean, but it's literally my honest advice to you (I'm also someone that always wants the newest thing out).

I'm not trying to find reasons not to like it, I'm just not ignoring the reasons not to like it. Some people are so hyped up that they're missing the drawbacks or misrepresenting the positives.

 

[T48]

Re: Reviews

Consensus seems to be best camera, best battery life, great build quality and we already know best software and best security, etc. Still waiting to see the display analysis. And also waiting for noon tomorrow so I can talk about mine.

Go ahead. We won't tell anyone on you.

 

[dsignori]

Re: Reviews

They're not all glowing.

TechnoBuffalo
"It’s a fine phone, sure, but there are plenty of devices that offer similar performance and, in some cases, more features, for the same price or less.

You want an Android phone? Buy a Galaxy S7 Edge. You want an Android phone that doesn’t break the bank? Buy a OnePlus 3. You want an Android Phone with Google Assistant? Buy a Nexus 6P and hack it on. Want something unique? Buy a Moto Z. You want an expensive Android phone with 24/7 support, unlimited Google Photo backup and the chance at getting the latest software first? Then get the Pixel. I suggest waiting to see what Google’s grander plan for the Pixel is before diving in, however. With the glaring hole left by the Galaxy Note 7 in my arsenal, I’ll personally be switching over to the Moto Z."

I don't see much negative there. As you say they won't all be glowing, but many are. I know you are looking hard for the negatives

 

[klau25]

There is no consensus on the camera. In the reviews I've seen, two reviews said it was the best smartphone camera, three said it wasn't as good as the Samsungs. It doesn't offer the best battery life either - just average - along the lines of an S7 Edge.

I think you are analyzing everything a little too much. seems like you are stressing yourself over this. it's not unusual to read 5 different reviews and get 5 different opinions, cause at the end, they are all the reviewers opinions. camera, might not be the best, but I think we can all agree on it's one of the best. maybe it suffers a little in low light due to no ois and that's fine for me. the battery life can be very different because there are so many different factors that can change how it performs. and most reviewers do think it is probably the best android phone out there. I say you should just wait for the actual phone to come out and play with it yourself in a store. heck, maybe even order from google and test it for the 15 days they give you. they have awesome return policy and will even give you a label to ship back for free. let yourself be the final judge to keep the phone or not.

 

[Aquila]

It doesn't offer the best battery life either - just average - along the lines of an S7 Edge.

I'm seeing a lot of on par or better than the S7 Edge and for some reason I think that the S7 Edge is the current battery life champ on Android.

I also am under the distinct impression that the smaller Pixel's battery life goes toe to toe with my 6P and stomps on my Nexus 5X.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I'm not trying to find reasons not to like it, I'm just not ignoring the reasons not to like it. Some people are so hyped up that they're missing the drawbacks or misrepresenting the positives.

Here's my take (I've read a LOT of reviews too):

Camera is easily top 3, trading blows with iPhone and Samsung in various metrics. You need to decide which of those metrics are important to you.

Battery life seems generally good. If it's "on par" with the S7 Edge as you said then how is that a bad thing?

Design is subjective. I happen to like it, others don't. YMMV

Screen has not been measured, but the presence of an sRGB mode in dev options is good enough for me to think that mode is at least accurate.

Speaker seems to be better than we all thought it would be since it's just mono and bottom firing. Still not a replacement for cheap BT speakers.

General performance seems great, and is the one thing that I think all reviews have agreed upon.

Assistant is great compared to Siri, but still needs some work in general.


What did I miss?

 

[dsignori]

There is no consensus on the camera. In the reviews I've seen, two reviews said it was the best smartphone camera, three said it wasn't as good as the Samsungs. It doesn't offer the best battery life either - just average - along the lines of an S7 Edge.

There is a consensus. They all seem to feel it's a great camera. I'm not sure why you need to rank them. If half rank them best, half rank them 2nd best, or whatever, why would you care? It's a really good camera, by all estimates. The exact "ranking" doesn't matter a dime to me.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

I don't see anything negative there. I know you are looking hard for them though

You have to be critical of it because it's a phone that doesn't offer much for its price when you consider that the phone's only standout area is really just Google Assistant. It may be strong as an overall package, but so is every other device in its price range and they have more features.

I think you are analyzing everything a little too much. seems like you are stressing yourself over this. it's not unusual to read 5 different reviews and get 5 different opinions, cause at the end, they are all the reviewers opinions. camera, might not be the best, but I think we can all agree on it's one of the best. maybe it suffers a little in low light due to no ois and that's fine for me. the battery life can be very different because there are so many different factors that can change how it performs. and most reviewers do think it is probably the best android phone out there. I say you should just wait for the actual phone to come out and play with it yourself in a store. heck, maybe even order from google and test it for the 15 days they give you. they have awesome return policy and will even give you a label to ship back for free. let yourself be the final judge to keep the phone or not.

Yeah, that's a good idea. I will have to see one at Verizon. The main reason I am considering this phone is because I'd like to leave Verizon for Project Fi so I can't just try the phone out and return it.

 

[dsignori]

Here's my take (I've read a LOT of reviews too):

Camera is easily top 3, trading blows with iPhone and Samsung in various metrics. You need to decide which of those metrics are important to you.

Battery life seems generally good. If it's "on par" with the S7 Edge as you said then how is that a bad thing?

Design is subjective. I happen to like it, others don't. YMMV

Screen has not been measured, but the presence of an sRGB mode in dev options is good enough for me to think that mode is at least accurate.

Speaker seems to be better than we all thought it would be since it's just mono and bottom firing. Still not a replacement for cheap BT speakers.

General performance seems great, and is the one thing that I think all reviews have agreed upon.

Assistant is great compared to Siri, but still needs some work in general.


What did I miss?

Yup, my takes as well. I've read about 10 reviews so far.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

Here's my take (I've read a LOT of reviews too):

Camera is easily top 3, trading blows with iPhone and Samsung in various metrics. You need to decide which of those metrics are important to you.

Battery life seems generally good. If it's "on par" with the S7 Edge as you said then how is that a bad thing?

Design is subjective. I happen to like it, others don't. YMMV

Screen has not been measured, but the presence of an sRGB mode in dev options is good enough for me to think that mode is at least accurate.

Speaker seems to be better than we all thought it would be since it's just mono and bottom firing. Still not a replacement for cheap BT speakers.

General performance seems great, and is the one thing that I think all reviews have agreed upon.

Assistant is great compared to Siri, but still needs some work in general.


What did I miss?

I never said the battery life was bad. I just said it was average. Battery life is a big concern for me because I'm tired of my battery draining any time I take a day trip somewhere so I am going back and forth between buying a Pixel XL and switching to Project Fi or buying a Motorola Z Play for $450 with a monster battery that I'll never have to worry about but has a terrible camera and staying with Verizon. Some people are saying that this phone is the best in various categories and reviews haven't shown that to be true. I'm not saying the phone is bad. It's just being overhyped a bit.

I'm still waiting to see more on battery life and standby time. I know the LG V20 does very well in standby, but the LG V20 and Galaxy S8/S8 Edge is out of my price range because I'd have to stick with Verizon and I'm not available for an upgrade yet.

 

[anon(9227267)]

The main reason I am considering this phone is because I'd like to leave Verizon for Project Fi so I can't just try the phone out and return it.

I have Verizon and am interested in Fi also - ended up getting a Nexus 5x thru the Fi store for less than 300 dollars, tax and 1 day shipping included. I'll keep my Verizon Z Force and play with the 5x on Fi - anxious to see how it all goes.

ETA - you want battery time - get the Z with the batt mod - it outlasts my truck

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

There is a consensus. They all seem to feel it's a great camera. I'm not sure why you need to rank them. If half rank them best, half rank them 2nd best, or whatever, why would you care? It's a really good camera, by all estimates. The exact "ranking" doesn't matter a dime to me.

Because the Pixel is a lot of money and it's not offering much for that price so what it does do has to be exceptional.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

I have Verizon and am interested in Fi also - ended up getting a Nexus 5x thru the Fi store for less than 300 dollars, tax and 1 day shipping included. I'll keep my Verizon Z Force and play with the 5x on Fi - anxious to see how it all goes.

ETA - you want battery time - get the Z with the batt mod - it outlasts my truck

Yeah, I may end up going with the Moto Z Play. People are literally getting 2-3 times the screen on time of the Pixel XL. Unfortunately, it appears to have a bad camera (as all midrange phones do) and Verizon and Best Buy don't have any Moto Z Play demo units.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I never said the battery life was bad. I just said it was average. Battery life is a big concern for me because I'm tired of my battery draining any time I take a day trip somewhere so I am going back and forth between buying a Pixel XL and switching to Project Fi or buying a Motorola Z Play for $450 with a monster battery that I'll never have to worry about but has a terrible camera and staying with Verizon. Some people are saying that this phone is the best in various categories and reviews haven't shown that to be true. I'm not saying the phone is bad. It's just being overhyped a bit.

I'm still waiting to see more on battery life and standby time. I know the LG V20 does very well in standby, but the LG V20 and Galaxy S8/S8 Edge is out of my price range because I'd have to stick with Verizon and I'm not available for an upgrade yet.

I don't think you should get a phone that has a terrible camera.

What phone is not slightly overhyped at launch that is also a flagship?

I doubt anything is known definitively about the V20 at this point. There have not even been real review samples sent out. At the very least you can't deny that we know more about the battery life of the Pixel and Pixel XL than we do the V20.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

I don't think you should get a phone that has a terrible camera.

What phone is not slightly overhyped at launch that is also a flagship?

I doubt anything is known definitively about the V20 at this point. There have not even been real review samples sent out. At the very least you can't deny that we know more about the battery life of the Pixel and Pixel XL than we do the V20.

Marques Brownlee has an LG V20 video that has some initial impressions. Most of it is nothing we haven't heard before, but he does talk about the standby time and says it is pretty incredible. I think he said it lost 4% in standby over the course of two days or something ridiculous like that.