What is the glass portion on the rear used for?

[choclab1]

What's everyone's thought on why it is designed this way?

It's awful strange looking. Not real sure how I feel about that look.
Now to be honest I didn't like the renders of the rear banner on my N6p either but I never even notice it for daily use.

 

[SpookDroid]

Can you share the render you're referring to? I've only seen renders of the front... and even then, it's nothing official.

 

[ChuckG73]

I was wondering the same thing? Hope the phone has a pixel bar like the chromebooks and tablet.

 

[osubeavs728]

Last rumor that came out says that it's a touch pad. As the Pixel could come with Andromeda, which would allow a sort of docking to a larger display/apparatus to enable a chrome book type experience. Again, rumor, pretty salty one I might add

 

[Richard Servello]

What's everyone's thought on why it is designed this way?

It's awful strange looking. Not real sure how I feel about that look.
Now to be honest I didn't like the renders of the rear banner on my N6p either but I never even notice it for daily use.

NFC doesn't work thru metal.

 

[Google10]

I get hate for saying it, but I don't think it's a great look.

 

[mscjr]

NFC doesn't work thru metal.

I don't know why this persists... Many metal-backed phones have NFC.

 

[Kaiken]

It houses the antennas. Less obstruction.

 

[buzzard]

I think it may just be styling, given that glass-backed phones are all the rave these days. Could be for improved reception (antenna) on a metal phone. Don't know. It would be nice if Google has a trick up their sleeve and there's some new innovative feature hidden in this area.

 

[Richard Servello]

I don't know why this persists... Many metal-backed phones have NFC.

Name a metal bodied phone with NFC. Don't say iPhone... It's under the plastic Apple.

 

[SteveISU]

Wouldn't any of HTC's classify as a metal bodied phone with NFC? M7/M8, ect.

 

[codeda]

Wouldn't any of HTC's classify as a metal bodied phone with NFC? M7/M8, ect.

Also the one plus 3. Nexus 6p..... I'm with you.

 

[jamezr]

NFC doesn't work thru metal.

My All metal OnePlus 3 has NFC

 

[jamezr]

Name a metal bodied phone with NFC. Don't say iPhone... It's under the plastic Apple.

Um...OnePlus 3 for starters

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

I think the glass is to help with antennas, and it breaks it up a little so it doesn't look as much of an iPhone.

My guess anyway.

I'm not super stoked with the design, I think there could definitely be better phone designs, but it's servicable and inoffensive to me.

 

[Richard Servello]

Also the one plus 3. Nexus 6p..... I'm with you.

6p stores the NFC in the camera panel.

 

[dpham00]

My All metal OnePlus 3 has NFC

I believe that nfc on the OnePlus 3 is under the camera panel

 

[duratime]

I love the look of my Nexus 6p and I actually love the look of my wife's iPhone 6+. They looked great when un-boxed, but since that day they have both been case, so I guess I don't care so much about the glass back, since I know my new pixel will be only seen naked the day I open it except for those few times I actually clean it, I know I few people keep them naked, but with that much glass on the back, I wouldn't.

 

[jamezr]

I believe that nfc on the OnePlus 3 is under the camera panel

You're right of course. But the poster I replied too said metal phones did not have NFC. That is not correct as there are several metals phones that have NFC with the OnePlus 3 being just one of them.

 

[qfnol31]

I heard somewhere that the glass panel allows them to flatten the antennas for better performance and more room, and this was not everything is crammed at the top as it is in the 6P.