Google’s new Pixel phones are here. After years of overseeing reference Nexus devices running stock Android, Google is finally stepping into the smartphone fray to show what its vision of Android looks like. The Pixel and Pixel XL feature deep software integration to Google’s services, including Google Assistant, Daydream, and Google Photos. Unlike most current Android phones, it actually ships with the latest Android Nougat operating system and will continue to receive the latest OS and security updates.
Today’s mobile market is an extremely competitive one, with stellar phones from Apple, Samsung, LG, and more all competing for the coveted spot in your pocket or bag. To help you make that decision, at least if you still think specs tell the story, here’s how today’s best phones compare to the Pixel and Pixel XL.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 7 Plus | Galaxy S7 Edge | Galaxy Note 7 | LG V20 | Nexus 6P | Pixel | Pixel XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display |
iPhone 7 4.7-inch |
iPhone 7 Plus 5.5-inch |
Galaxy S7 Edge 5.5-inch |
Galaxy Note 7 5.7-inch |
LG V20 5.7-inch |
Nexus 6P 5.7-inch |
Pixel 5-inch |
Pixel XL 5.5-inch |
| Resolution |
iPhone 7 1334 x 750 |
iPhone 7 Plus 1920 x 1080 |
Galaxy S7 Edge 2560 x 1440 |
Galaxy Note 7 2560 x 1440 |
LG V20 2560 x 1440 |
Nexus 6P 2560 x 1440 |
Pixel 1920 x 1080 |
Pixel XL 2560 x 1440 |
| Processor |
iPhone 7 A10 Fusion |
iPhone 7 Plus A10 Fusion |
Galaxy S7 Edge Snapdragon 820 (2.15GHz and 1.6GHz, quad-core) |
Galaxy Note 7 Snapdragon 820 (2.15GHz and 1.6GHz, quad-core) |
LG V20 Snapdragon 820 (2.15GHz and 1.6GHz, quad-core) |
Nexus 6P Snapdragon 810 v2.1 (2.0GHz, octa-core) |
Pixel Snapdragon 821 |
Pixel XL Snapdragon 821 |
| RAM |
iPhone 7 Not provided |
iPhone 7 Plus Not provided |
Galaxy S7 Edge 4GB |
Galaxy Note 7 4GB |
LG V20 4GB |
Nexus 6P 3GB |
Pixel 4GB |
Pixel XL 4GB |
| Storage |
iPhone 7 32GB, 128GB, 256GB |
iPhone 7 Plus 32GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Galaxy S7 Edge 32GB |
Galaxy Note 7 64GB |
LG V20 64GB |
Nexus 6P 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
Pixel 32GB, 128GB |
Pixel XL 32GB, 128GB |
| Rear camera |
iPhone 7 12-megapixel |
iPhone 7 Plus 12-megapixel, 12-megapixel (wide) |
Galaxy S7 Edge 12-megapixel |
Galaxy Note 7 12-megapixel |
LG V20 16-megapixel, 8-megapixel (wide) |
Nexus 6P 12.3-megapixel |
Pixel 12.3-megapixel |
Pixel XL 12.3-megapixel |
| Front camera |
iPhone 7 7-megapixel |
iPhone 7 Plus 7-megapixel |
Galaxy S7 Edge 5-megapixel |
Galaxy Note 7 5-megapixel |
LG V20 5-megapixel |
Nexus 6P 8-megapixel |
Pixel 8-megapixel |
Pixel XL 8-megapixel |
| Battery |
iPhone 7 12 hours estimated |
iPhone 7 Plus 13 hours estimated |
Galaxy S7 Edge 3,600mAh |
Galaxy Note 7 3,500mAh |
LG V20 3200mAh |
Nexus 6P 3,450mAh |
Pixel 2,770mAH |
Pixel XL 3,450mAh |
| Weight |
iPhone 7 0.30 pounds |
iPhone 7 Plus 0.41 pounds |
Galaxy S7 Edge 0.35 pounds |
Galaxy Note 7 0.37 pounds |
LG V20 0.38 pounds |
Nexus 6P 0.39 pounds |
Pixel 0.31 pounds |
Pixel XL 0.37 pounds |
| Dimensions (in.) |
iPhone 7 5.44 by 2.64 by 0.28 |
iPhone 7 Plus 6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 |
Galaxy S7 Edge 5.94 x 2.85 x 0.30 |
Galaxy Note 7 6.04 x 2.91 x 0.31 |
LG V20 6.29 x 3.07 x 0.30 |
Nexus 6P 6.27 x 3.06 x 0.29 |
Pixel 5.66 x 2.74 x 0.29 |
Pixel XL 6.09 x 2.98 x 0.29 |
| Starting price |
iPhone 7 $649 |
iPhone 7 Plus $769 |
Galaxy S7 Edge $769.99 |
Galaxy Note 7 $879.99 |
LG V20 Not provided |
Nexus 6P $499.00 |
Pixel Starts at $649 |
Pixel XL Starts at $769 |
| Misc. |
iPhone 7 IP67 water resistance, “Force Touch” home button, no headphone jack |
iPhone 7 Plus 2 camera system, IP67 water resistance, “Force Touch” home button, no headphone jack |
Galaxy S7 Edge Curved display, IP68 water resistance, up to 256GB microSD storage |
Galaxy Note 7 Curved display, S-Pen, IP68 water resistance, USB-C |
LG V20 USB-C, removable battery |
Nexus 6P Compatible with Google’s Project Fi, USB-C |
Pixel Google Assistant and fast charging |
Pixel XL Google Assistant and fast charging |
When Google Pixel available in India?
Google Pixel, Pixel XL phones are now official and the devices look exactly like what the leaks had indicated. With Pixel phones, the branding is all Google; the phones have been engineered and tested in-house by the search giant. Just like Apple and the iPhone, Google has complete control over the Pixel devices. Unlike Nexus phones, which had a co-branding with the OEM, Pixel is Google’s big foray into the smartphone hardware space where software is the focus.
In terms of specifications, here’s the list: Pixel has a 5-inch full HD AMOLED display, XL has a bigger 5.5-inch display with Quad HD resolution. Both phones come with latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor clocked at 2.15 (two cores) and 2.16 Ghz (two cores) along with 4GB RAM, 32GB or 128GB storage options. The camera on the back is 12 MP with f/2.0 aperture and a larger 1.5 micron size, while the camera on the front is 8 MP.
On the battery front, the Pixel has a 2770 battery, Pixel XL has a 3450 mAh battery, and both phones support Quick Charge technology. Google is promising 7 hours of battery life with just fifteen minutes of charging. The port is Type-C USB, and yes the headphone jack is still alive on these phones.
With the Pixel and Pixel XL Google has gone for an aluminum casing with a bit of glass design. While the Pixel feels like a very light device when you hold, the bigger XL will remind you of the iPhone from the front. Except both phones have glass on the back; well half of the back has glass, and the rest has a matte-finish metal look. There are antenna bands on the bottom and muted ones on the top. The camera doesn’t jut out at all, and there’s a fingerprint scanner on the back. At the bottom, the letter G aka the Google Logo which is the highlight of this phone.
With Google Pixel and Pixel XL, the impression you get is ‘premium’; a new design language, top of the line specifications, and a software that is all tweaked and updated by Google itself. Whether many people go for this will be eagerly watched by not just analysts and the press, but also other OEMs as well.