Google pixel xel. Google Pixel and Pixel XL Review: Are Smartphones Really Good to Buy? A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet

Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones differ from each other only in screen and battery sizes. Google is proud to say that the smartphone has the most advanced camera ever developed. The smartphone scores well in various parameters, including battery life. Read in the review what Google has prepared for us under the guise of its flagship smartphones.

Ultra-modern Google Pixel and Pixel XL – will Apple lovers rush to hand over their iPhones?

The Nexus series of smartphones from Google is a clear example of Android in its purest form. This is a worthy product for the current market, where each manufacturer has its own quirks. Companies are constantly competing with each other, introducing different designs and unnecessary changes. Google was going to collaborate with other manufacturers every year to ease some of the tension between the companies. However, plans have changed, and now the company is actively competing with its partners. Moreover, she has her own developments, which she is not going to share.

For several years, smartphones from the Nexus line have not caused any complaints: not too high a price, acceptable quality. And now new products from Google have come out - Pixel and Pixel XL - of course, solid high-end gadgets immediately aimed at conquering the market. It would not be amiss to note that Google sees its main competitor in the company Apple. This becomes clear by looking at configuration, price and even the design of the Pixel.

The company may have lost most of its Nexus fans, but can it win over iPhone users? This is a question to which we would really like to know the answer.

Impression of the appearance of Google Pixel XL

Externally, the smartphone does not particularly stand out. This is a kind of cross between the designs of phones from Apple, Samsung, and HTC. Google is proud that it independently developed both the software and the “stuff” of the smartphone, and HTC acted only as an assembler. However, in the end, there is no talk of any clearly defined design or completely individual style.

The front panel is made of glass, the areas above and below the display are empty. The display is protected by special 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4, along the edges of which there are slight curves. We received a silver sample, so the sensor block on the front side looked ugly - like black blots on white paper. In terms of compatibility, a black version would be better. Navigation is done from the screen, so the bottom part is completely empty.

The back and sides of the smartphone are covered with a single-layer metal body, except for the upper part of the back side, which is framed by glass. This is done so as not to interfere with the signal from the antennas, although thin antenna strips still run along the top and sides of the case. This glass insert gives the device its own flair, but one gets the feeling that they have gone too far with the size, especially if you remember the fingerprint scanner located on the back.

Buttons and camera

The camera lens does not protrude from the body, thanks to the fact that the top of the phone is thicker than the bottom, resulting in a wedge-shaped shape. To be honest, the difference between the 8.5mm top and 7.3mm bottom is so small that no one would notice, but Google decided to emphasize this feature and made the edges rounded. The Pixel XL also has a slight imbalance at the top, but you quickly get used to it.

The power and volume buttons are located on the right side; we found this arrangement a little inconvenient. On the left side there is a plug with a hole for one SIM card; microSD cards are not supported. At the top of the head there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and if you look from below, you can see a USB Type-C port between two grilles, only one of which is a speaker grille.

The smartphone is a little overweight, and did not cause us such awe as, for example, the design of the Galaxy S 6 and S 7. After getting acquainted with the overall Pixel XL, perhaps we would have liked the Pixel more. I'm glad that both versions have the same functionality.

Specifications

And yet Google sticks to its line regarding hardware. With the exception of display size and resolution, battery capacity, smartphones have similar characteristics.

• The smartphone is powered by an advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC with two cores at 2.15 GHz and two more at 1.6 GHz for greater efficiency.
• There is also a built-in Adreno 530 video accelerator.
• Both models have 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB\128 GB of internal memory.
• We had a 32 GB copy, of which 29.7 GB was available for use.

Given the lack of expandable storage via microSD, we think some may be better off purchasing the 128GB version. On the other hand, Google offers unlimited storage for your photos on its Google Photo service.

The Google Pixel XL has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1440x 2560, while the Pixel has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1080x 1920. Both versions are claimed to have 100 percent color gamut. We don’t know how things are on the smaller version of the smartphone, but the display on the Pixel XL is perhaps the most advanced we’ve seen on other smartphones. The display gives a bright and rich picture in natural colors.

Connection

All standards meet modern requirements: Cat 12 LTE is supported, in other words, download speeds can be up to 600 Mb/s, and upload speeds can be up to 75 Mb/s, of course, if the Internet provider can provide it. There is also Wi-Fi with the 802.11ac standard, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, and high-frequency wireless technology. High speed USB 3.0 data transfer is provided via the Type –C connector. In addition, there are various sensors for space and environmental conditions, including an independent mini-processor that constantly processes incoming signals, such as voice commands. Moreover, even when the main processor is in standby mode.

During the launch of the smartphone, Google particularly focused on the camera capabilities and the fact that both the Pixel and Pixel XL have the same hardware. The main camera is a 12.3-megapixel module with a pixel size of 1.55 microns. In addition, there is phase and laser autofocus. On the front side there is a second camera of 8 megapixels.

The large size of the XL version allows it to accommodate a battery with a capacity of 3450 mAh. The battery supports fast charging, and a powerful (18 W) charger is included.

Easily transfer data from iPhone

In addition, in the smartphone box the user will find:

1. USB Type –A and Type –C cables;
2. small adapter for connecting different USB specifications;
3. headphones with three different sized pads.

The aforementioned adapter is particularly interesting because it allows you to connect your old phone and import contacts, photos, calendar data and messages, including emails from the Messages app on your iPhone.

Software and launcher Google Pixel

Google is replacing the much-loved Nexus series with a new smartphone. That is, from now on Pixel represents the company's advanced ideas regarding Android. Although what we see in the launcher is not Android in its pure form, but rather its “pixel” version with its own interface and several amendments. It's unclear whether other manufacturers will be allowed to bring some or all of the features to their devices.

One way or another, Google Pixel software is polished in the best possible way. This is our first experience with Android 7.1, so a lot of things were new to us. After turning on, the main screen appears. Here you can see the Google logo in the upper left corner, when you click on it, a search bar opens with a history of recent queries. If you swipe your finger to the side while on the main screen, Google Now will open with the already familiar blocks of weather, news and other information. Pressing and holding the white circle in the middle will bring up the voice search menu - this will be the user's first encounter with Google Assistant.

At the bottom of the main screen there is a block with five shortcuts, and swiping up on this area will open a list of all applications. The shortcuts for all system and pre-installed applications are rounded. When you long-press an application's shortcut, a context menu of actions pops up, but there is no way to know in advance which application supports this feature and which does not. In many cases you will need to press and hold buttons. This action can also move icons around the home screen or delete applications.

There are a bunch of screensavers, including a dynamic image from the Google Earth service. The spinning planet as a screensaver looks amazing, the screensaver changes according to the user's current location and shows the cycle of day and night. There is also a screensaver with a horizon, in which the color and position of the sun depend on the battery charge level, and there are also simply abstract patterns that visualize the time and current weather. The choice of wallpapers is simply huge; it combines well with other features of the smartphone.

When you open the notification panel, application shortcuts will appear at the bottom. If you swipe down on the screen while in the notifications tab, the panel will expand and take up the entire screen. There is a night mode that can be programmed to turn on according to a schedule.

Settings screen – now more convenient and with online technical support

Settings have been significantly redesigned, with a new menu-driven system allowing the user to quickly navigate through windows, while recommendations remain pinned to the top unless hidden or opened. We had not calibrated the recognition of the fingerprint scanner, so the recommendation that popped up turned out to be very useful, and it also opened the necessary section that we were looking for. The smartphone also has technical support built into Settings, which works 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm; the operator can remotely connect to the smartphone in order to see the user’s screen.

Google Assistant - communicate with your smartphone

The list of pre-installed applications includes the typical set of Google services, but the most remarkable element of the smartphone is built right into the operating system. Google Assistant is one of the possible reasons for the Pixel's existence, as all the recent announcements from the company have been related to this feature. And it will undoubtedly be built into other smartphones, given how Google goes out of its way to make its services an integral part of users' lives.

Google Assistant is a thing that not everyone will use, and, accordingly, will not know about all the possibilities of this function. It is in many ways similar to the existing voice search on Android smartphones. However, the Assistant is able to grasp the context based on the previous question. The service is launched using the same phrase “Okay, Google”, but now the Assistant knows which application is currently in use and can search for information there. It can also access the user's profile, location, and calendar date. Using this service, you can send messages, launch applications, translate phrases and control smartphone functions.

The assistant speaks English with a rather stereotypical accent of someone from India ;). But, nevertheless, this two-way communication is most similar to what we see with another personal assistant, Siri. In a quick comparison, we found that Assistant provides more relevant location-specific information, such as restaurant prices and airport ticket prices. Moreover, it was able to answer a more complex query such as “Find a Chinese restaurant that accepts orders at 11 pm.”

Main and front cameras

Google Assistant is the key element of a smartphone after the camera. Google understands that a high-speed camera is one of the few things that can set an expensive premium smartphone apart from the so-called “flagship smartphone killers” these days. The company successfully managed to do this.

Getting to know your Pixel smartphone camera starts with an app that launches instantly. The app is reminiscent of the Android version, but it has features such as panoramic shooting mode, continuous shooting and slow motion. There is a rather entertaining blur mode with focusing on an object. Since the Pixel doesn't have a second rear camera, this mode requires you to move the camera slightly after shooting to capture your surroundings, which the app itself will notify you about.

Photos are obtained with a resolution of up to 12.3 megapixels. You can shoot video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second; in 1080p at 120 fps or 720p at 240 (suitable for slow motion) fps. Autofocus and capture speeds are amazing, even in low light conditions.

Of course, the most important feature of the camera is the quality of the photos. And we can say with confidence that in this regard, the Google Pixel XL lives up to its advertised characteristics. In terms of image quality, the smartphone is certainly on par with the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S 7. The camera's focus is fast and accurate, and the depth of color reproduction and some details, for example, small patterns on leaves and flowers, when shooting at close range is truly amazing . Shooting in low light conditions is ideal - most photos come out colorful, even if there is very little light in the frame. The reproduction of color and detail is excellent, and the level of digital noise is within acceptable limits. The camera also pleased with its performance, although not very much.

Videos are just as clear and rich, the picture remains smooth at any resolution and frame rate. One of the challenges when shooting in 4K is the size of the output video. However, Google provides free cloud storage where you can store photos and videos in their original quality, including 4K videos. Although in any case you will need to upload the video to the Internet, given the size of the video, traffic will fly away only this way. Be that as it may, the value of this function cannot be ignored.

Performance of Google Pixel and Pixel XL

As expected, the smartphone has a new fast hardware - the Snapdragon 821 processor, which shows exceptionally impeccable performance. The system coped with any load without problems, including resource-demanding games, watching HD video on the Internet and shooting in 4K resolution. Fortunately, the smartphone did not get too hot while performing any task. It's a real pleasure to play games and watch movies on the large display, although the uneven thickness of the body is a bit noticeable when gaming if the device is turned horizontally.

The readability of the display does not decrease even in bright sunlight, but the sound quality from the built-in speaker is disappointing. It's good for playing games and watching videos, but at high volumes the sound is slightly distorted, which, of course, is unpleasant when listening to music. The fingerprint scanner works as it should. We also have no complaints about the quality of Google Pixel communications or Internet connection. As a result, after using the smartphone, we were left with generally good impressions.

Tests Pixel XL

The XL passed all tests with ease, scoring high in both the CPU power test and the CPU load tests. The results were as follows:

1. 133650 points in AnTuTu;
2. 4154 in Geekbench multi-threaded benchmark:
3. the gaming benchmark 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited assigned the device an impressive 27,515 points;
4. According to the graphics benchmark GFXBench, the frame rate is 55fps.

The battery has a large reserve of energy - the gadget was continuously used for 14 hours and 6 minutes while the test was underway. At the same time, we played games, shot videos in 4K, watched a lot of video clips on the Internet, and listened to a lot of music online. And despite all this, the charge lasted until the end of the day and there was still some left. In addition, the device charges quickly: it took us about two hours to fully charge a completely discharged battery.

Verdict

We don’t quite understand why Google got involved in this race for more powerful hardware now, while hiding key points related to Pixel from its partners, and what all this will lead to in the future. Is it any wonder that even long-time partners of the company remain in the dark? Is the Google Assistant project so closed that it needs to be kept within the company? Or maybe the tech giant simply wants to grab a bigger piece of the money pie?

Let's wait and see what this behavior will lead to.

Pixel vs iPhone

However, it is absolutely clear that, despite the policy espied by Microsoft with its Surface series devices, Google Pixel and Pixel XL are direct competitors of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

The buyer receives the same amount of memory at a similar price. But we can at least be glad that the company did not cut down the functionality of the gadget in order to later introduce the missing functions on a more expensive model. Apple users now have their hands on the most iPhone-like Android phone ever made. Perhaps they will give their preference to the brainchild of Google. Overall, this would be a good trend considering Samsung is temporarily out of the game.

For the money spent, the user gets a smartphone with the most advanced camera, a system with high performance, which is enough for both current and future applications. Some consider the Google Assistant a useless feature, but for those who like it, buying a Google Pixel smartphone is the only opportunity to come into contact with this development today. In addition, Google said that the phone is guaranteed to receive important updates. Hopefully, a new competitor in the market will spur Samsung and other companies to raise the quality bar to an even higher level.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been particularly attracted to the Nexus series smartphones. Yes, pure Android, yes, an affordable (though not always) price, yes, a good set of characteristics. But on the other side of the scale there were problems with quality, not the best photographic capabilities (the magic of HDR+ for me came to naught after comparing the LG Nexus 5 and Vivo Xshot, and subsequently it was not very impressive) and... pure Android. Google Pixel models, as successors to the Nexus, lost one of their main advantages - affordable cost - but received an excellent camera in all respects, uncompromising hardware and the best version of Android.

You can read my story about purchasing a Google Pixel XL from the UK in a separate article.

Google Pixel XL Specifications:

• Network: GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA (band 1, 2, 4, 5, 8), FDD-LTE (band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13 , 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30), TDD-LTE, CDMA
• Platform (at time of announcement): Android 7.1 Nougat
• Display: 5.5", 2560 x 1440 pixels, 534 ppi, AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 4
• Camera: 12.3 MP, 1/2.3" Sony IMX378 sensor with 1.55 micron pixels, f/2.0, dual CRI-90 LED flash, phase and laser autofocus, video recording in 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps formats and 720p@240fps
• Front camera: 8 MP, 1.4 micron, f/2.4 aperture, video recording 1080p@30fps
• Processor: 4 cores (2 x 2.15 GHz and 2 x 1.6 GHz), Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
• Graphics chip: Adreno 530, 624 MHz
• RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
• Internal memory: 32/128 GB UFS2.0
• Memory card: no
• GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), dual band, 2x2 MIMO
• USB Type-C 3.0
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Three microphones, adaptive sound amplifier
• Fingerprint scanner Pixel Imprint
• Battery: built-in, 3450 mAh, Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging
• Dimensions: 154.72 x 75.74 x 7.31-8.58 mm
• Weight: 168 g

Video review and unboxing

Design and equipment

The unusually designed box contains the following delivery kit: a smartphone, documentation, a powerful charger, a needle for ejecting the SIM tray, a double-sided USB-C cable, a USB-A to USB-C cable and an OTG adapter with USB-C. Judging by the set, Google is actively pushing the USB-C standard, which is welcome. Of course, this still causes certain inconveniences, but they can be solved. In addition, a standard cable from USB to USB-C is thoughtfully included in the box.

The design of Pixel and Pixel XL became the subject of discussion and debate long before the announcement. According to leaks, Google smartphones did not seem to be the most attractive devices (to put it mildly). After the official debut, the negativity diminished, although still renderings and most photographs are not able to convey the beauty of the devices. Pixel is that rare case when the main positive emotions arise only upon real acquaintance. In person, the glass patch on the back is perceived not as a failed experiment, but as an organic addition that turns an otherwise ordinary appearance into something original. Look at the backs of popular devices and tell me, would a solid metal panel be better?

Perhaps the Google Pixel XL still cannot be called beautiful. It's just pleasant and effective. The patch is made of Gorilla Glass 4, which is inserted into a solid anodized aluminum base. The material is essentially ordinary, but the processing is special - dirt sticks to the Pixel XL less and even on a black color the stains are invisible, the material resists scratches well. The front side is covered with the same glass from Corning and its edges are also rounded. It is true that the roundings are practically not felt at the front or at the back, since in both cases the metal base is closely fitted to the glass.

Let's go through the elements. Above the screen there is a front camera, earpiece, light and proximity sensors. The phone also has an LED indicator (hidden by the earpiece), but by default it is turned off and needs to be activated in the notification settings. Why did Google decide not to use it? Because I thought that the screen lighting up for notifications provided a better experience. On the left is a tray for one nano-SIM. On the right are the power button and volume rocker, the height of which could be lower. The power button is corrugated and provides a pleasant tactile sensation.

The audio jack is at the top, while at the bottom there is a USB-C 3.0 port, a microphone and a multimedia speaker. The speaker is very loud and clear, but if for some reason you want to turn the Pixel XL into a Nexus 6P (or iPhone 7 Plus) so that both speakers can play, you can use a mod that forces you to output music through the speaker as well. True, no mod will help you swap the microphone (right) and speaker (left) slots. Personally, I prefer to hold the phone in landscape orientation with the left edge facing me, but with the Pixel XL this is problematic since my hand blocks the speaker. At the back is the main camera module, a dual flash and several points that hide the laser autofocus and microphone. The fingerprint scanner, called Pixel Imprint, is also located on the back. With its help, by the way, you can lower and raise the curtain.

The overall tactile feel of the Google Pixel XL is positive. However, it is important to understand that HTC, as the assembler of Pixel models, has certain difficulties in creating minimal borders and padding. Therefore, in terms of dimensions, the Pixel XL (154.72 x 75.74 x 8.58 mm) is not far from the rather large Apple iPhone 7 Plus (158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm). So if the iPhone 7 Plus is too big for you, then the Pixel XL will probably seem big, and in this case, pay attention to the 5” Pixel - you will get all the features of the Pixel XL, but in a smaller format. As for the build, HTC has outdone itself here (apparently under the supervision of Google). The parts fit tightly and evenly to each other, nothing creaks (my HTC 10 had a crooked Home button and the front panel was uneven). From a practicality point of view, attention should be paid to the rear glass part, which rises slightly above the metal. It is unlikely to survive a fall and resists scratches as well as the fourth generation of Gorilla Glass is capable of. That is, scratches will appear over time. If this worries you, I recommend paying attention to stickers or covers - you won’t have any difficulty ordering them from the USA or China.

The 5.5” screen with QHD resolution is made using AMOLED technology and has a pixel density per inch of 534 ppi. By default, the panel behaves in a typical “pop amoled” way: rich colors, a bias toward cool shades (to make it seem brighter). In this mode, it’s great to spend time playing games, but working with photos causes certain inconveniences due to unnatural color rendering (in particular, due to the raised saturation, people’s faces look red). Fortunately, there is an alternative - the sRGB color mode, which can be activated in the developer section. With it, the screen visually becomes yellower, but this does not mean that the white balance goes too far to the warm side. Rather, it becomes natural and such a contrast catches the eye only in the first few seconds after switching from the bluish standard mode. Color rendition in sRGB is close to natural (almost 1-to-1 corresponds to the Galaxy S7 edge in “main” mode) and with such a screen you can not only play, but also watch videos and work with photos. When directly compared with high-quality IPS matrices, the Pixel XL display with sRGB will appear off-white, but this is already a feature of AMOLED technology with a PenTile matrix structure, where green subpixels predominate. The brightness adjustment range is wide, the oleophobic layer is excellent, and viewing angles are high. The Pixel XL uses the latest generation of AMOLED and thanks to the high resolution, I cannot criticize the picture for being loose, everything is at a very high level. But the regular Pixel with Full HD screen is not so clear.

Software

Pixel is powered by the latest Android Nougat platform. The company promises to update the operating system for two years and release security patches for three years. In other words, users can rest assured of support - “pixels” will always have the most up-to-date software. The Pixel Launcher skin is exclusive to Google phones, although it can also be supplied via APK. The interface is simple, but stylish and convenient. There is nothing superfluous in it and it works ultra-smoothly and quickly. Pure Android experience as it is.

On the main screen, when the location is activated, the weather is shown (without GPS, the time is displayed). To the left of this information there are a couple of Google buttons - search and voice input. When you swipe from left to right, a Google screen is displayed with tips and information relevant to you (weather, exchange rates, news, discounts on products that you were interested in - Google knows more about you than you think). The program list opens with a swipe from below and closes with a reverse gesture. You can open the notification shade slightly by moving your finger from the top edge. The second swipe reveals it completely. Need I say that all these swiping actions are accompanied by very smooth animation? The Pixel has a simple screen, without 3D Touch (cannot recognize forceful clicks), but this did not stop Google from implementing a context menu for icons. Just hold your finger on the application and see the available functions. If desired, they can be placed on the desktop separately. Notifications in the curtain have become more detailed and visual, they are now grouped, and you can respond to messages without opening the program. Multi-windowing has appeared - when the application is open, hold down the square and you can split the screen into two parts. By the way, if you double-click on the square while on the desktop, you will switch to the last active program, and if you click on the square from an application, you will return to the previous task - all this makes multitasking somewhat easier. Alas, there is no full-fledged Google Assistant for the Russian language, so if you want to communicate with your phone, switch the system language to English.

Background images are divided into 9 categories and the selection is amazing. It includes not only very beautiful and impressive static pictures, but also high-quality live wallpapers, which are influenced by the time of day and your location, battery level and actions on the desktop. If you wish, you can activate the daily automatic change of wallpaper and set different pictures separately for the locker and desktop. It would seem that background pictures are a trifle. And many manufacturers think so, loading a few dull pictures into memory for show. But for me this is an important detail that demonstrates that the company cares about users. The Pixel shell has become friendlier and nicer than the Nexus one. My understanding is that the Google Pixel models use "raw" Android for a general audience, while the older Nexus models offered "bare" Android for geeks. Another small example: on the Pixel, when you hold down the power button, a menu appears in which you can choose to reboot. Nexus didn't have that.

The settings are informative - key information is indicated directly below the items and this is very convenient (the access point, Bluetooth status, amount of traffic consumed, volume level, amount of available memory, etc. are visible). In “Screen” you can change the font size and image scale, and turn on night mode. The "Motions" section includes quick access to notifications (swipe the scanner) and the camera (double-tap the power button), and allows you to switch between cameras with wrist movements. A recent OTA added turning on the screen via double-tap and activating the display with notifications when picking up the device from the table.

The System UI Tuner item with additional interface settings (for example, you can specify the battery percentage in the curtain) is hidden by default. To open it, hold down the gear in the notification shade.

Nougat's Easter eggs are tricky. When you hold down the letter N, a cat's face appears, indicating the start of the search for pussies. After that, go to the section for editing curtain shortcut keys and move the Easter egg icon to the accessible area. Then place bait (food, fish, chicken, sweets) in the plate and after some time you will be able to catch the cat. There is no specific purpose for such collecting. But cats differ in appearance and can be given names and also sent to friends. Cute.

There are very few pre-installed programs - only Google/Android services and applications. This selection has both pros and cons. Experienced users will have no problem downloading their programs, but beginners who are unfamiliar with Android may be a little confused. In any case, the required minimum is present.

I will mark the keyboard as a separate line. Convenient, customizable (themes, height adjustment, ability to enter characters by holding), with precise gesture input.

Camera

During the announcement, Google decided to highlight the Pixel's outstanding photographic capabilities with a reference to the DxOMark rating, where the device scored 89 points, topping the table. This caused a mixed reaction among the thinking audience, who remember how DxOMark wrote odes of praise for the Sony Xperia (we know how lousy Xperia really is, don't we?). Nevertheless, Google Pixel and Pixel XL take really cool photos, but it’s too early for DxOMark to return the credit, because they completely screwed up Xperia at one time.

The main Pixel module uses a 12.3-megapixel Sony IMX378 sensor measuring 1/2.3" with 1.55 micron pixels. The aperture is f/2.0, there is a dual (single-color) flash, there is laser and phase detection autofocus. The camera interface is simple, but with “pro features”: white balance presets, several types of grid, fixing the focus/metering point, adjusting the exposure with a slider. By default, the Auto HDR+ photo mode is active, but you can turn it off or activate the enhanced HDR+ mode (when exiting the program). Auto HDR+ will turn on again). The dedicated Qualcomm Hexagon coprocessor is responsible for HDR+ post-processing. Look at these modes:

In difficult lighting conditions, I advise you to adjust the exposure by tap (Auto HDR+ compensation will be enough), or turn on the enhanced HDR+ mode, in which exposure adjustments are practically not required. I don’t recommend shooting without HDR+ and Auto HDR+, because without them the Pixel XL takes photos like Chinese budget cameras - with poor detail and a lot of noise. It’s even surprising how this happens. HDR+ technology is cool, although it very, very rarely fails. This is rather an exception to the rule, simply an unsuccessful composition for the algorithms. Take a look at these artifacts:

In some other scenarios, light hits the lenses in such a way that strange halos appear. The company is aware of this problem and has promised to release a fix that will programmatically remove them. What halos look like now:

I honestly tried to use my Pixel XL in every possible situation, trying to determine its strengths and weaknesses. As a result, I came to the conclusion that a smartphone camera is suitable for any subject. And in snowy Russia, and in smog-covered China, and in colorful Hong Kong, the shots are amazing. The camera focuses accurately and shoots quickly. It’s just as difficult to get lube at night and at home as on the iPhone 7 Plus. The richness of the colors of the surrounding world is preserved not only outdoors in good light, but also at night, as well as indoors. The device reproduces colors perfectly and rarely makes mistakes in white balance. The Pixel XL camera is truly one of the best, if not the best, in terms of all its advantages. The advantage is that you can simply point and shoot, resulting in a cool photo with minimal effort and no additional processing required. Everything is just the way iPhone users love it. By the way, the iPhone 7 Plus, in my opinion, takes worse photographs than the Pixel XL. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is also worse. Like the flagships of Xiaomi, Meizu, not to mention Sony. Hello DxOmark.

The 8-megapixel front camera with 1.4 micron pixels has an f/2.4 aperture. The results are excellent for a selfie module without autofocus.

Video for the main camera is recorded in resolutions of 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps and 720p@240fps, for the front camera – 1080p@30fps. Electronic stabilization of the second generation is extremely effective in conditions of sufficient lighting and shows itself adequately in the evening, however, in poor light, ghosting of the picture sometimes occurs, which spoils all the positive impressions of the digital stub. Noise invariably accompanies Pixel/Pixel XL video recording not only at night on the street, but also at home under room lighting - and this is not cool. The sound is recorded in mono at a low bitrate (96 kbit/s). Nevertheless, the audio track can be called high-quality. Unlike the Apple iPhone, where it is also mono, but the microphones are focused on recording events in front of the camera, and the operator’s voice ends up sounding like it’s coming from the toilet, the three Pixel microphones are optimized for wider coverage - both the operator’s voice and surrounding sounds are captured well. Loud concerts are easy for the Google Pixel XL. In general, with reservations, video shooting can be called a strong point of the smartphone, yj with reservations. I must admit that the programmers did a better job on the photo part. Know that if someone praises the Pixel and Pixel XL camera, they are praising the photo part, not the video.

Pixel phones are available with 32 and 128 GB of memory, and the advanced camera will certainly motivate many to actively shoot and for some users it will not be a problem to fill even 128 GB. Don't worry about the lack of microSD support - Google offers Pixel smartphone owners unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos in full resolution for free. Just enable auto-upload in Google Photos and all your photos will be automatically uploaded to the server. If your phone suddenly runs out of space, the program can delete old photos whose copies have already been uploaded to the Internet.

Benchmarks and Performance

A phone with long-term software support relies on powerful hardware with high potential. For Pixel models, a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor is selected, with 2 cores of 2.15 GHz and 2 cores of 1.6 GHz, and Adreno 530 with a frequency of 624 MHz is responsible for graphics. 4 GB RAM (LPDDR4), which may not seem enough compared to 6 GB solutions from China. In fact, this volume is more than enough to quickly switch between tasks and keep many programs in the background. In fact, unlike Chinese firmware, where companies try to compensate for the lack of optimization with extra gigabytes (yes, I'm talking about Xiaomi and MIUI), Pixel's Android is optimized in the most efficient way. Benchmark results:

Let me remind you that the Pixel XL has a QHD screen resolution, which makes the test numbers even more impressive. In the Google smartphone, the use of the latest Snapdragon 821 chip is felt, unlike the Xiaomi Mi5s with Full HD (review). The Chinese flagship also stutters every now and then in toys (watch the video), and its throttling is noticeable. For example, the AnTuTu 3D test result for Mi5s drops by 32% in just 10 minutes, while for Pixel XL the drop within an hour is recorded at 7%. The Google smartphone plays games as well and stably as the OnePlus 3 (review), which received the title of the best Android gaming smartphone. Vulkan API support guarantees high performance in the latest titles. The Pixel XL heats up slightly under load.

The battery capacity is 3450 mAh, which corresponds to the level of the Nexus 6P with a 5.7” screen. Quick Charge 3.0 is supported, with which a 15-minute charge should be enough, according to the manufacturer, for 7 hours of operation. I didn’t measure specific numbers, but I can confirm that the Pixel XL, offhand, charges really quickly. On the contrary, the battery discharges slowly. In standby mode, thanks to a minimum of pre-installed software running in the background, as well as Doze technology, the phone practically does not lose charge. When playing video with maximum screen brightness, the smartphone lasted more than 14 hours (not least thanks to AMOLED), and the discharge in Asphalt 8 games per hour at a comfortable brightness level was 18% (that is, you can play for more than 5 hours). From personal observations, I can say that the Pixel XL is superior in battery life to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and discharges almost like the Apple iPhone 7 Plus - charging is required once every two days, without much difficulty you get 5-6 hours of screen time. But I’ve seen complaints about battery life about the regular Pixel. Keep in mind.

A few words about sound. The Qualcomm codec that is part of the Snapdragon 821 chip will satisfy most listeners. Of course, you shouldn’t pair your phone with high-impedance headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro - it’s not capable of driving them - but the Pixel showed itself worthy with the Denon D600 and Sennheiser Momentum M2 (wired). With them there is a small volume reserve, the processing of frequencies is not satisfactory. True, I recently had the temerity to compare the Pixel XL with the Meizu Pro 6 Plus and the Chinese flagship, of course, made it clear that a dedicated DAC and amplifier are still work. But, again, the vast majority will like the sound of the Pixel XL. No worse than Samsung Galaxy S7 edge or Xiaomi Mi5s.

conclusions

As you know, there are no ideals, but if you close your eyes to conventions, then I’m ready to give the title of the ideal Android smartphone to the Google Pixel XL. It delivers on that very best, offering a seamless Android Nougat experience, a great camera, and great hardware. This combination of qualities cannot but be expensive, and this is the main reason why the Pixel family is unlikely to become popular in our country. If you are not strapped for money and are considering a balanced device for the next couple of years (and not an iPhone), then this is in front of you.

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use.	75.74 mm (millimeters) 7.57 cm (centimeters) 0.25 ft (feet) 2.98 in (inches)
Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use.	154.72 mm (millimeters) 15.47 cm (centimeters) 0.51 ft (feet) 6.09 in (inches)
Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement.	8.6 mm (millimeters) 0.86 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.34 in (inches)
Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement.	168 g (grams) 0.37 lbs 5.93 oz (ounces)
Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.	100.78 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 6.12in³ (cubic inches)
Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale.	Black Silver Blue
Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body.	Glass Aluminium alloy
Certification Information about the standards to which this device is certified.	IP53

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies.	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz
CDMA CDMA (Code-Division Multiple Access) is a channel access method used in communications in mobile networks. Compared to other 2G and 2.5G standards like GSM and TDMA, it provides higher data transfer speeds and the ability to connect more consumers at the same time.	CDMA 800 MHz CDMA 1900 MHz
TD-SCDMA TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) is a 3G mobile network standard. It is also called UTRA/UMTS-TDD LCR. It was developed as an alternative to the W-CDMA standard in China by the Chinese Academy of Telecommunications Technology, Datang Telecom and Siemens. TD-SCDMA combines TDMA and CDMA.	TD-SCDMA 1880-1920 MHz TD-SCDMA 2010-2025 MHz
UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology.	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1700/2100 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz
LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced.	LTE 700 MHz Class 13 LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 1900 MHz (B39) LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2500 MHz (B41) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 2300 MHz (B30) LTE 1900 MHz (B25) LTE 850 MHz (B26) LTE 700 MHz (B12) LTE 700 MHz (B28) LTE 700 MHz (B29)

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation.	Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996 Pro
Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor.	14 nm (nanometers)
Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications.	2x 2.15 GHz Kryo, 2x 1.6 GHz Kryo
Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors.	64 bit
Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute.	ARMv8-A
Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2.	32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes)
Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory.	1536 kB (kilobytes) 1.5 MB (megabytes)
Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel.	4
CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).	2150 MHz (megahertz)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc.	Qualcomm Adreno 530
GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).	624 MHz (megahertz)
Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted.	4 GB (gigabytes)
Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device.	LPDDR4
Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates.	Dual channel
RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data.	1866 MHz (megahertz)

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends.	AMOLED
Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches.	5.5 in (inches) 139.7 mm (millimeters) 13.97 cm (centimeters)
Width Approximate screen width	2.7 in (inches) 68.49 mm (millimeters) 6.85 cm (centimeters)
Height Approximate screen height	4.79 in (inches) 121.76 mm (millimeters) 12.18 cm (centimeters)
Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side	1.778:1 16:9
Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail.	1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail.	534 ppi (pixels per inch) 209 ppcm (pixels per centimeter)
Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display.	24 bit 16777216 flowers
Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device.	71.39% (percent)
Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics.	Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance
	Corning Gorilla Glass 4 2.5D curved glass screen VR ready 100% NTSC

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Main camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.

Sensor model	Sony IMX378 Exmor RS
Sensor type
Sensor size	6.25 x 4.65 mm (millimeters) 0.31 in (inches)
Pixel size	1.544 µm (micrometers) 0.001544 mm (millimeters)
Crop factor	5.55
Diaphragm	f/2
Focal length	4.67 mm (millimeters) 25.94 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame)
Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting.	Double LED
Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image.	4048 x 3036 pixels 12.29 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device.	3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP (megapixels)
Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p.	30fps (frames per second)
Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality.	Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode
	Phase detection Laser autofocus 1080p@120fps 720p @ 240 fps

Additional camera

Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.

Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the photo sensor used in the device's camera.	Sony IMX179 Exmor R
Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device.	CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)
Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution.	4.54 x 3.42 mm (millimeters) 0.22 in (inches)
Pixel size The smaller pixel size of the photosensor allows more pixels per unit area, thereby increasing resolution. On the other hand, a smaller pixel size can have a negative impact on image quality at high ISO levels.	1.391 µm (micrometers) 0.001391 mm (millimeters)
Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor of a particular device.	7.61
Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger.	f/2.4
Focal length Focal length is the distance in millimeters from the photosensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length is also indicated, providing the same field of view with a full frame camera.	3.38 mm (millimeters) 25.73 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame)
Image Resolution Information about the maximum resolution of the additional camera when shooting. In most cases, the resolution of the secondary camera is lower than that of the main camera.	3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with an additional camera.	1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels)
Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the secondary camera when shooting video at the maximum resolution.	30fps (frames per second)

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Location determination

Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser.

HTML HTML5 CSS 3

Audio file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours.	3450 mAh (milliamp-hours)
Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices.	Li-Ion (Lithium-ion)
2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network.	32 h (hours) 1920 min (minutes) 1.3 days
2G latency 2G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network.	552 h (hours) 33120 min (minutes) 23 days
3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network.	32 h (hours) 1920 min (minutes) 1.3 days
3G latency 3G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network.	552 h (hours) 33120 min (minutes) 23 days
Adapter output power Information about the electrical current (measured in amperes) and electrical voltage (measured in volts) that the charger supplies (power output). Higher power output ensures faster battery charging.	9 V (volts) / 2 A (amps)
Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery.	Fast charging Fixed

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.

Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values.	0.92 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard.	0.58 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)

The second Google Phone, and even in XL size, is an example of an almost ideal smartphone. It is powerful, fast, takes better photos than anyone else, runs pure Android, and is protected according to the IP67 standard. And everything would be fine if not for a couple of “buts”.

Huge display

A significant part of the smartphone's design is the widescreen screen framed by small frames. It is built on the basis of a progressive P-OLED matrix with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2880x1440 pixels. The display can constantly display the time and notification icons (Always On function). The model's shortcomings are also associated with it: firstly, when the viewing angle changes, the picture on the screen turns yellow and green, and secondly, pixels burn out on it (when the same part of the image is displayed for a long time).

Beyond competition

In terms of performance, very few colleagues in the shop can compete with the Google Pixel 2 XL. And it’s not even a matter of using the most powerful “filling” (the top-end Snapdragon 835 chip combined with Adreno 540 graphics and 4 GB of RAM), but the stock version of Android Oreo, under which the device operates. The cameras are also beyond competition - the main 12.2 MP with f/1.8 aperture and an 8 MP selfie module. It is worth dwelling on them in more detail.

The power is in the chamber

According to the authoritative resource DxOMark, The main camera of the second Google Phone is recognized as the best on the modern mobile device market. With a score of 98 points, it is one step ahead of the Apple iPhone X and a full 4 steps ahead of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Moreover, the mentioned smartphones are equipped with a paired photo module, and one lens is installed on the “back” of the Google Pixel 2 XL. The camera is equipped with an optical stabilizer and an advanced software background blur system when shooting in portrait mode. It also extends its effect to the front camera.

In favor

The smartphone doesn't come without a few branded goodies. Thus, the side edges of its body react to compression force (functionality is limited to support for calling a voice assistant or the ability to reset an incoming call), and when music is played near the device, the name of the track and the name of the artist are displayed on the screen. The second “pixel” is also supported by good battery life, convincing workmanship and always an up-to-date OS version.

Google Nexuses have already taken root in a narrow circle of developers and users who are accustomed to advanced mobile gadgets. But it seems that this line is ending its existence, because the reorganization has been asking for a long time. Well, the company decided to change this line and now instead of Nexuses we will see Pixels. It is worth saying that Google has already presented Google Pixel, but its extended version is of much greater interest - Google Pixel XL.

Design

It's no secret that each generation of Nexuses was produced by a specific company, among which HTC, Samsung, LG and even Huawei and Motorola managed to make their contribution. Well, Google devices received their signature features in the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P, but this is still not enough compared to the guise in which the Google Pixel XL appeared. From the front it resembles the seventh generation iPhone. No wonder they say that these devices continue to have an unprecedented influence on the entire mobile design of our time. At the back we see a glass tab that occupies less than half of the upper part of the case. And this is a bold design step: it is rare that designers manage to combine two trends in one device. In this case, the developers decided to combine an all-metal body with glass. And the strangest thing is that in the resulting case the side strips of the antenna wiring were preserved.

Well, in terms of design Google Pixel XL turned out to be very ambiguous. And if there are universal design options for a smartphone, a large audience of which is not at all imbued with design delights, then this is definitely not about the new Pixel. Its design will not leave anyone indifferent and there can be no neutral assessment: someone will say that everything is terrible, while others will say that everything is perfect. Ixels are available in black, blue and silver colors, like their younger brothers.

Characteristics

This device differs from the basic five-inch model with a 5.5-inch diagonal. And if in the first case we saw full-length, then in this case the resolution is much higher: 1440x2560 pixels. As for the platform, it is built on the same fresh Snapdragon 821 series. And the camera is still good, despite the modest 12 megapixels.

Well, if you want a gadget with an unusual design that can be compared not only with modern flagships, but also with flagships that manufacturers have just introduced, Google Pixel XL will be an excellent choice. But due to the price, this device confidently moves into the category of niche, because there are many proven Apples and Samsungs for the same money. And no matter what Google says about their goals to make the series understandable to the masses, the device will be of interest exclusively to Gul fans.