The Pixel phone/Pixel XL thread

So...who's excited? Who is disappointed? Who is just plain baffled?

Nexus branding is now officially dead. This Google-designed, HTC-manufactured device is priced like an Apple/Samsung flagship ($649 for the 5" model with 32gb onboard storage up to $869 for the 5.5" model with 128gb onboard storage) and has what can only be characterized as a severely derivative design (flat-backed aluminum unibody with rounded edges, massive top and bottom bezels on the front, a corner-mounted camera, and a circular design element just above the centerpoint of the back...y'all know what I'm talking about). On the other hand, by all accounts, screen quality, camera quality, and build quality are all top-notch.

In the US, it's available on Verizon or unlocked. No other carriers will be selling it through their retail stores.

On the software side, not only is it debuting Android 7.1, but it features Google's new voice assistant, a new launcher that features an all-circular icon pack, and a tab for quick access to voice or video tech support direct from Google (I think Amazon did this a while back with their Fire devices and it was actually a really good response to "Apple genius bars" in my opinion).

Personally, I think it would be a great device when viewed in isolation, but it's not going to sell well against the very-well-established iPhone and Galaxy S lines, particularly when it's priced directly against them.

 

I was excited then when I saw the specs, all of that died. Mediocre camera, same CPU as phones from last 6 months like the Galaxy S7 line, average battery size in relation to the size of the phone.

Next please.

 

I think you're missing the point of a Google device. Nexus and Pixels are meant as a platform for cutting edge software, with actual updates and all. Unlike Samsung, who have gone out of their way to limit software upgradability (with that annoying yellow triangle and flash counter etc.). Also, more recently, their phones have been more explosive ordinances than actual smartphones.

 

...and Google has undermined their credibility on that point by saying that many of the software features on the Pixel Phone will be timed exclusives for that phone instead of rolling out to other Nexus devices. My Nexus 9 won't be getting Google Assistant for an unstated amount of time; same with the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, etc.

Edit: according to this, Google Assistant will NEVER come to Nexus devices, only Pixel devices: https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/07/the-pixels-release-doesn-t-mean-your-nexus-is-completely-toast/

When the number one selling point of the Pixel phone is "immediate updates from Google," but Google is now not living up to that promise for the Nexus phones that people bought in 2015 and 2016, who would want to pay $800 for a phone based primarily on that promise?

Oh come on, that's one model and not a brand-wide issue, and it was on a relatively niche product (their Note line) not their main flagship (the Galaxy S line). That's like not buying a Ford Taurus because one particular model of Ford Explorer had roll-over issues.

 

But its a nexus, with an unlocked boot loader, the only limitation to software is your reluctance to use custom ROMs. No other device has comparable developer support or access to such a wide range of ROMs.

As for exploding batteries, if the replacements are also catching on fire, then its obviously not an one off issue and indicate a serious supply chain problem and safety issue. If Ford had a commonly used part that exploded, like oh say the fuel tank, and fuel tanks of similiar design or manufacturing origin was used in other models, you bet im not buying a Ford when other options exist.

 

The S7 and S7 Edge have been on the market for more than half a year. If they had similar battery problems to the Note line, we would have seen hundreds or thousands of fires by now. Instead, I know of exactly one S7 Edge fire, entirely in line with the fire rates for other phones, such as iPhones (one or two stories each year, likely either unique manufacturing defects or post-sale damage to the battery).

The issue of unlocked bootloaders and flashing ROMs is different than software updates from the OEM. Nexus/Pixel is still the way to go for custom ROMs, true (but beware that the Verizon Pixel will have a locked bootloader), but Google's announcement that even the newest Nexii won't get Google Assistant makes Google significantly worse than Apple when it comes to OEM software support.

I buy Samsung because I like the hardware and software experience at the time of sale, and I'm okay with the concept that the UI will remain relatively the same during the course of ownership, instead of being updated with new features each year. If you want all the new software features that a company develops each year, really the best way to go is Apple, not Nexus/Pixel, as the no-Google-Assistant-on-Nexus fiasco shows.

 

But android is open source, the whole point of having open source is so that development is not limited to software companies. I have an old Galaxy Nexus, last official update was 4.3, yet Im running 6.0.1 with no issues whatsoever.

 

That's "the whole point" for you and for a small subset of people, but not for the vast majority of Android users.

This is a sensible device for people who put an unlocked bootloader and open-source community support as a priority AND want $700-$900 "premium" hardware. But how much overlap is there in that Venn diagram, and is it a significant portion of Android users overall?

 

Yup, this is exactly why early Android vendors were skitish about supporting Android, that some day Google would want a piece of the hardware pie and tie the hands of the other vendors to get a timing advantage for features.

Google said they wouldn't ever do this.

And, now they have.

Selling a crappy phone (same as current tech) on the merits of their exclusive Android features that others can't offer.

Nexus rode the fence on this subject, keeping the hardware makers involved in the production.

Now Pixel takes away the hardware from those vendors and Google takes the whole pie.

Where are those Linux smartphones?, we need some new competition to take Google down a few notches.

It's not like Google needs the revenue, what in the world are they thinking shutting out their partners this way??

 

Yeah, tying the software feature (Google Assistant) to Google hardware makes this very distinct from the Microsoft Surface. Microsoft doesn't include unique Windows software features on the Surface that other PC OEMs don't have access too.

Whether or not GOogle Assistant turns out to be a really killer feature remains to be seen--I personally don't care about it--but the very principle that it's a software feature that Google is making available on Google hardware but not OEM Android hardware really bothers me.

 

Vast majority of users want a device that's supported for up to 2 years (aka the duration of their contract), which is something Samsung does not do. In fact, Samsung goes out of their way to make sure you don't use custom ROMs by integrating that flash counter. If you google this, there are thousands upon thousands of people in varying languages complaining about how Samsung does this. That's why some people turn to Apple, or buy a nexus, or even go to windows phone.

Also, the Nexus line is a developer platform, Google will make the base software, whatever else you want, you add it yourself or wait for someone else in the community to do so. When you buy a Nexus, its generally expected that you will flash custom ROMs. Realistically, there is no reason to buy a Nexus unless you are going to do so, but even then, basal level of support by google on the Nexus line is infinitely better than Samsung and their piss poor software.

In terms of actual software support by the manufacturers, Apple and Microsoft are obviously better than Android OEM. Google knows that this is a problem, hence Nexus and Pixel. It's a shame that they're killing off the Nexus, but having something like the Pixel line should in theory push the other OEMs into doing more with their software. Otherwise, Samsung and the like will have less features and no updates.

In terms of Samsung battery issue, it's a supply chain and QC issue. Samsung is currently making **** batteries, which are exploding. Those batteries are made by Samsung SDI, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Samsung group makes batteries for all makes and models of Samsung devices (not just phones). Unless SDI stops dropping the QC ball like this, exploding batteries will spread to all Samsung devices since they seem have absolutely no clue which batches are good and what batches are bad.

 

Right or wrong, the vast majority of purchasers couldn't care less about software updates. Tech forums are not accurate representations of the market as a whole.

 

I can't say I agree with that. Consider that people on the Apple side constantly talk about features and updates, you really think that magically disappears on the android side? I'm under the impression that Android users absolutely care about new features and updates, but are constantly disappointed by manufacturer support that they're just living with it. Hell, the Dutch are suing Samsung for not delivering software updates.

 

My Galaxy S7 is still on the August security patch despite Samsung having had released the Sep update 2 weeks ago and we are already in October. That's one thing I hate about Samsung we are the last 2 get software updates and this is the international unlocked version. I cannot count how many times per day I keep checking for an update but in vain. The current firmware I'm running has a low cell reception problem which makes me miss a lot of calls as people tell me my phone is off

 

That's what I hear ONLINE...Apple fans going on about security updates and Android fans going on about custom ROMs. But that's not what I hear in real life from either side of the fence. In real life, Apple v. Samsung in my experience boils down to "easy to use" versus "big vibrant screens."

Remember, if internet forums were accurate representations odd the market as a whole, both Nexus and OnePlus would outsell Samsung Galaxies...

 

I hear these complaints at the office and at the bar almost daily, I guess we are just exposed to different demographics?

 

Maybe so. The people I know in real life are largely secretarial and humanities (legal, human resources, finance) or blue collar (construction, flooring, etc). Very few of my real life friends are from STEM fields, where I think you'd run into these complaints the most.

 

Do you have proof that the camera is mediocre? It has a brand new Sony IMX378 sensor, as well as always-on HDR+ with zero shutter lag, and best-in-class EIS. While I do think that official camera samples and DxOMark's scores are to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt, it does sound like Google has focused enough on the camera for it not to be mediocre.

I think the hardware is pretty much in line with expectations of a flagship this time of the year. Google doesn't manufacture or design their own SoCs, so it would be unreasonable to expect them to have a Cortex-A73 monster ready to spar with Apple's A10. Besides, they've been in bed with Qualcomm for a long time now.

I'm not sold either, however, as I would have liked a display of at least 5.7-inches and a more attractive design with smaller bezels. Shame to see them do away with the stereo speakers of the Huawei Nexus 6P, even if it frees up room to allow a higher screen-to-body ratio (??).

 

Independent reviews of the Pixel phones aren't even out yet, whatever comment on the camera is purely speculation based on specs on paper at the moment. Also, most people forget that camera sensor is only 1/2 the picture, how the raw data is processed is the other half.

 

Waiting on reviews. May trade in my note 7 for this.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

 

You could do a lot worse. Every initial hands-on I've read and watched have noted that it's extremely competent in every respect, even if it seems to be lacking a unique "gotta have it" feature or subjective appeal/"X factor"/je ne sais quoi.

 

I may just go for an S7 though. I really like this Note 7. Everything about it is great. Except the 'sploda-phone feature.

 

That's what I did bro, you get the same awesome camera, best on the market right now, good easily pocketable size, and a great phone all-round.

There are no better options out there IMHO right now. I hate modular phones and the iPhone 7 has its issues like the hissing sound from the GPU and some screens having a yellow tint.

You'll also save some money going with an S7

then we'll upgrade to the S8 which is going to have an all glass design with no bezels and dual lens cameras

 

Yeah. I don't have any interest in an Apple product. I have too much invested in Android, and have avoided Apple on principle alone.

 

Keep me away from iTunes and I'm a happy man

 

I personally went S7 Edge instead of holding out for the Pixel because:

(1) regardless of how good the Pixel's photos will be in professional hands in controlled conditions, Samsung cameras are remarkably good at giving good results to average joes like me in the real world,

(2) I know some people think vanilla Android is the pinnacle of the Android experience, but my Nexus 9's performance hiccups and app compatibility issues have soured me on it, plus I prefer Samsung's quick-toggle setup, and

(3) I routinely wake my phone up while it's sitting on a desk, and you can't do that with a back-mounted fingerprint reader.

 

Speaking of stock Android, I thought the idea was great, when I had the Nexus 6P, I wasn't impressed by the camera or the default camera app. That's where Samsung shines, just point and shoot and baam, you have the best photo you can get from a smartphone

 

Samsung's great and all, except when they enabled "IED mode" on their latest and greatest. All my Korean friends calls Samsung "Shamesung", there's a reason for that.

 

(1) The S7 and S7 Edge do not have battery problems; they've been on the market for more than half a year.

(2) HTWingNut is already aware of the Note 7's issues, as he owns one, and hasn't shown any desire to boycott the company as a whole.

(3) Samsung's response to the Note 7's issues is measured in days and weeks. Contrast that with GM's response to the ignition defect (stalled for years, resulting in possibly hundreds of deaths) and Chrysler's response to the Grand Cherokee fires (years of stalling and denial)...yet I don't know many people talking about boycotting GM or Chrysler. And while Antennagate was a usability issue instead of a safety issue, Apple fought that one for three years before issuing checks of $15 per affected consumer. Samsung's response to the Note 7 issue (first recall within weeks of the first reported fire, second recall within days of reports of post-recall devices catching fire) is downright exemplary in comparison.

(4) There's not a tech company out there that doesn't have a pejorative nickname. Crapple, Lenopenope, Dell Hell, etc.

 

1. The S7 and S7 Edge do not have widespread battery "problems", poor battery life is a problem, getting overly warm is a problem. It's a simple PR game, if they say a battery running out of spec is expected behavior, its not a problem.

2. HTWingnut may have had a good experience with Samsung, I have not. I had a Galaxy Nexus in white that died on day 364, in which Samsung has refused to fix, had to threaten them with a lawsuit. They then replaced it with a refurb which had the battery bulge out after about 6 months, obviously had to get that one replaced. It was a good thing that the battery pops out of the back, instead of becoming an IED. I've also had a bad Samsung TV, washer, fridge, microwave, and SSD. Yeah, I get that defects that occurs on occasion, but its the frequency of the occurrences and how the company deals with them that's the problem. In all of those cases, Samsung voided the warranty in one way or another trying to get out of warranty repairs. Funniest one was "water damage" in my washing machine. In each occurrence, had to get either the government or lawyers involved to resolve the issue. The way the Note 7 issue was handled merely reflects Samsung's culture, which is in line with my own experience.

3. You should talk to more people, plenty of people have boycotted GM, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota etc. for life, I know quite a few. Also, I should point out that the ignition problem was arguble in terms of causing deaths. The car may stall sometimes yes, but car stalling does not lead straight to it crashing or flipping over or whatnot. Steering and breaking are still good, hazard lights are still good. People panicking was a major factor in the related fatalities and injuries. In apple's case, it wasn't a case of usability, it was an advertising issue, that's where they've got dinged. Also, I'd say that you're comparing apples to oranges. Apple's fault didn't affect safety, big auto's "safety issues" didn't occur when people were in their bed sleeping. If you got a product where it can significantly harm people or destroy their property when they're not able to fight it, then waiting as long as Samsung did is by no means exemplary. Moreover, replacing IEDs with more IEDs is also an exceptionally ****ty thing to do.

4. When every Korean friend (from Korea, not Korean-Americans) I talk to knows Samsung's nickname, its a problem of an entirely different magnitude.

Also, gonna get back on topic here.
Pixel is interesting, hope Google will support it on par to what Apple and Microsoft does with iPhones and Lumias respectively. If not, meh, developer device, I'll flash my own ROMs as usual. It's just a branding change, nothing to freak out about.

 

The S7 Edge actually has really good battery life in my experience, especially if you disable the always-on display (which adds drain of about 1% per hour in my experience and in TechRadar's experience). And in ArsTechnica's testing, the S7 Edge's battery life beat the Nexus 6P, LG G4, and iPhone 6S Plus.

I'm not going to debate anecdotes about washing machine reliability or TV quality or Korean friends, because your anecdotes don't match my anecdotes.

Anyway, back to the Pixel.

 

Nothing to debate about, to each his own. I've had enough experiences with these things to know what I like and don't like, but I'll never give up a chance of poking at any brand that has products which fail spectacularly, or flops. But to do so for a product that hasn't even hit the shelves yet, that's a bit much...

 

@Mitlov @HTWingNut

The S7/S7 Edge camera and mic blows the Pixel XL's camera out of the water, look at the color saturation, resolution, and audio difference!!

 

Blows it out of the water? Are we looking at the same video?

The S7-family has a killer camera, no doubt. Video on the S7 is indeed better, with crisper, stereo sound coming from its mics, and a better dynamic range with more vivid colours. However, there's a lot more jitter, especially with 4K, and the greens seem a bit overblown. Low light is again a win to the S7, though its not too shabby on the Pixel either, so while Google isn't even close to Samsung here, I don't think they'd disappoint people coming from other phones. For still photography in decent lighting, I'd say the HDR+ of the Pixel is killer, as well as the front-facing camera. Look at the details of the reviewer's jacket and face, as well as the more natural looking and balanced colours. I take way more photos than video, so even though the S7's low-light shooting would have been nice, I'd pick the Pixel based on that review. Overall, I think the reviewer's stance of calling it a tie is accurate. I'm honestly a bit surprised by the results.

 

my bad, I spoke too early not realizing that the first part was the video camera test. I agree, the Google Pixel in still shots has better dynamic range and detail and has a better front facing camera when not in low light. Good job Google I must say

 

I love SuperSaf video comparisons. Very fair and detailed. Liked his comparison of the S7 and iPhone 7 cameras as well.

The main thing is that the Pixel's camera is at the same tier as the S7 (and, due to the transitive property of equality, the iPhone 7). Google and HTC have had a pretty poor camera history, the Nexus 5X/6P being the one notable exception. Camera performance is VERY important for a phone at this price point, and so long as it's at a "personal preference dictates the winner" level with the S7 and iPhone 7, it's doing well.

 

Haha, that's what comments are for! With this kind of competition, it will be interesting to see what the S8 will be like. About time.

 

I like how SuperSaf shows you the video/audio of both devices at the same time, very easy to tell which phone's camera is better

 

The Wallpaper app with currated and daily wallpapers is now available on the Play Store for all devices running Android 4.1+. Pretty neat!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wallpaper

 

Very attractive wallpapers.

I also have to give a shout out to the "Pixel IP" icon pack, which has faithfully recreated the Pixel's round icons for non-Pixel users. I find the uniformity in icon silhouettes a step up from what vanilla Android did previously. Obviously requires a launcher that supports icon packs, such as Nova.

 

I'm currently using the Google Now Launcher. I'll definitely adopt the circular look after Nougat ROM development for my Mi 5 has moved past alpha stage so that I can use the Pixel Launcher. CM13 runs great and Xiaomi has recently released its kernel source, but I'm not sure how useful it actually is to anything resembling stock Android. I've got a feeling I'll have to break my upgrade cycle this time around, especially if Daydream VR sees early popularity.

 

Google Pixel 2 coming out in 2017

https://www.androidpit.com/google-pixel-2-release-date-news-price-specs-features

 

Any Pixel owners here had the problem with the microphone intermittently cutting out on voice calls? A coworker has a Pixel and had that issue, and apparently it's pretty common. Seems like a huge, huge issue on a smart phone.

I want to like "pure Google" hardware, but after the various issues with my Nexus 9 (light bleed, frequent lag issues typically attributed to the choice of processor) and this, I'm somewhat distrustful.

 

Now to decide whether I pick up a used Pixel after this comes out or buy the new model. It will also be the first time in forever I've managed to have a phone for a full 2 year lifespan...if I make it to November. Somehow managed to be happy with my 6P since launch.

 

Pixel 2 leaked!

Looks pretty nice.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...ow-bezel-amoled-display-and-squeezable-frame/

Spoiler: Photo

 

Very attractive hardware--a real upgrade over the current hardware in like subjective opinion--but my only concern would be whether LG has solved the boot loop issues that have plagued many of their recent phones, including the Nexus 5X.

 

Is there is any talk about the Pixel 2 having IP68 water resistance?

 

As far as I know, HTC will still be building the next Pixel. LG will supply the AMOLED panels.

And yes, it's rumored the new Pixels will have an IP rating... whether it be 67 or 68 is not clear.

 

HTC will be building the Pixel 2 but LG will be building the Pixel 2 XL. They're splitting up manufacturers between the two sizes kind of like what they did with the last generation of Nexus phones.

https://m.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-2

Edited: typo

 

You meant LG for the XL?