Google Pixel – Pure Android

Google Joins The Race

Google’s Pixel phone has officially joined the mobile market as of October 4th, 2016. It could not have been released at a better time with a second Samsung Note 7 recall in progress. This second recall has been a major blow for the Android fan and consumer. If you are not an iPhone user the options are rather slim right now when it comes to high-end phones. After years of having phone makers manufacture Nexus phones for them, Google has stepped out on its own. The Pixel and Pixel XL are created by Google 100% despite HTC assembling the phones. The Pixel phones are the latest additions to Google’s line of in-house products.  Google has provided promising design, features and hardware specs.

Design And OS

Right away you can notice the Pixel’s minimalist elegant design. The phones are completely made out of a mixture of aluminum and glass. You can see the glass is located on the top back of the phone and takes about 1/3. Both phones have no physical buttons on the front but rather digital at the bottom of the screen. The fingerprint sensor is located on the back within the glass area. It can be used to lock and unlock the phone as well as to Android pay. The headphone jack is located on the top of the phone. Dual speakers and a Type-C charging port at the bottom. There is a side power button and a volume button. The Pixel comes with Android 7.1 Nougat which has a list of impressive features including the new Google Assistant. 

Price And Specs

Google Pixel is a little more expensive than previous Nexus releases. The Pixel sells for $649.99 and the Pixel XL for $769.99. The main differences other than price are larger/sharper display and more battery capacity. Both phones lack a microSD slot but can be ordered in 32GB or 128GB storage. They are also both rated at IP53 meaning splash proof nothing more. Here is the full list of specs for the Pixel:

Verdict

Google Pixel is a great alternative from Samsung for those Android fans. Although the price tag is a little higher than previous Nexus phones, it is completely justifiable taking material and specs into consideration. The waterproof might be a deal breaker for some but not for others. The lack of microSD card slot is made up by the 128GB model for those who need more storage. Being Google’s first 100% designed and engineered phone you can only expect a high-end phone with a smooth OS. Google Pixel brings great competition into the phone market at a critical time.