Following
an absolute deluge of pre-event leaks and revelations, Google's new
Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are now finally official.
Differentiated primarily by the size and resolution of their screens
— 5-inch 1080p display on the Pixel and 5.5-inch Quad HD panel on
the XL — these two devices are built by HTC, but Google takes full
credit for their design and makes this explicit with its "phone
by Google" branding. Both Pixel models are powered by the latest
Snapdragon 821 processor and run a specialized version of Google's
Android software, which includes support for the Daydream virtual
reality platform that was announced at Google I/O in the summer.
The
Pixel name, says Rick Osterloh, Google's recently hired hardware
chief, "has always represented the best in hardware and
software, designed and built by Google, together." He highlights
five key points for the new Pixel phones:
Google
Assistant.Pixel is the first phone with the new Google
Assistant built in. When you touch and hold the home button or say
the "hot word," the Assistant "jumps into action."
In Google's event demo, the Assistant is used to bring up photos from
a particular time or place from the past, and also plays whatever
music you ask it to play, choosing your favorite music app by
default. Similarly, it integrates the Google Now on Tap
functionality, allowing the user to swipe up with information on the
screen, such as a restaurant name, and provides further information,
such as reviews and the restaurant's address. Also, like a bot, the
Google Assistant will take your reservation for that same restaurant
using only voice prompts.
Camera
experience.The Pixel and Pixel XL rear camera scores an 89
in DxOMark, the highest rating ever. That benchmark isn't the most
consistent measure of good performance, but at least it's an
indicator of the sensor's potential in the new Pixel phones. It has a
12.3-megapixel resolution with large 1.55-micron pixels and an f/2.0
aperture. Google claims that its new camera has "the shortest
capture time on any mobile camera ever." There's also very
intricate, gyroscope-based video stabilization on board, however
there's no optical image stabilization for stills. Google isn't shy
in presenting this as the best smartphone ever.
Endless cloud storage.Google will allow free unlimited storage for full-resolution images and videos shot with the Pixel. That's much like the standard Google Photos backup ability, but takes off the size limit and compression, even on 4K video shot with the new phone.
Connectivity
and communications.Pixel users will be getting the
latest Android updates directly from Google as soon as they become
available. This is one of the biggest pain points with Android, and
Google is stressing its lead in this category. The company has also
paid close attention to the Pixel's endurance on the move, adding
fast charging that gets you up to 7 hours of power in 15 minutes of
charging. Google has also built in 24-hour live phone support right
into the Pixel's software, so that a tech support operator can see
exactly what's on your screen and thus help you better. And yes, the
Pixel comes with Google Duo preinstalled, if you've been hankering
for the company's video chat app.
Made
for mobile virtual reality The
Pixel is the first Daydream-compatible phone and Google today also
announced the $79 Daydream
View headset to
accommodate the Pixel for VR use. The Daydream View comes bundled
with a tiny motion controller that is so precise, claims Google, that
you can even draw with it. When you're done using it, the controller
tucks inside the Daydream View itself for safe storage.
On
the hardware front, the Pixel phones are both made out of aluminum
with a big glass window at the back, surrounding the camera, flash,
and the fingerprint sensor (now dubbed Pixel Imprint). The Pixel XL
has a 3,450mAh battery and the Pixel has a 2,770mAh battery. Both
displays are AMOLED, both devices have 4GB of RAM, USB-C, a choice of
32GB or 128GB of storage, Bluetooth 4.2, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Yes, Google felt the need to advertise that last one. Google is
also bringing
back the Live Cases it
introduced with last year's Nexus devices.
Pricing
starts at $649 for the smaller 5-inch Pixel with 32GB of storage,
available for preorder today. That number scales up to $749 with
128GB of onboard storage, $769 for the larger Pixel XL with 32GB, or
$869 for the XL with 128GB. Google gives a choice between black
or silver for
color, with an exclusive "really blue" option with Verizon
in the US, though the latter is limited to just 32GB of storage