Review of the Google Pixel - iPhone's Biggest Threat?
For the first time ever, Google has released its own brand smartphone - Pixel. Unlike the Nexus devices where Google provided the software and had some input into the devices but not total control, the Pixel phone joins the Pixel C Android tablet and Chromebook Pixel as Google’s first in-house devices.
Specifications
Screen: 5in 1080p AMOLED (441ppi)
Processor: quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM: 4GB of RAM
Storage: 32 or 128GB
Operating system: Android 7.1 Nougat
Camera: 12.3MP rear camera, 8MP front-facing camera
Connectivity: LTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C and GPS
Dimensions: 143.8 x 69.5 x 7.3-8.6 mm
Weight: 143g
Design
Unnoticeable to most, the pixel is actually thicker at its head than at its bottom, you may only notice it if it were to be pointed out. However for Google's first attempt at a smartphone, they have made a pretty solid device. With an all-metal body, all-glass display, rock-solid build, fingerprint scanner and headphones socket, the Pixel ticks most of the boxes expected of top-end smartphone, except for a lack of waterproofing. The pixel also eliminates to rocking as the camera bump is actually flush with the back of the phone, as is the flash module.
At the Pixel’s base it is 7.3mm thick and it weighs 143g. In comparison to the competition, namely Apple’s 7.1mm thick, 138g iPhone 7 and Samsung’s 7.9mm thick, 152g Galaxy S7, the Pixel is right in the middle. It’s thinner than last year’s 7.9mm thick Nexus 5X and but 7g heavier.
On the back it has a rather unconventional design with the majority being aluminium yet the upper top portion being glass. Whilst being a finger magnet it does house Google's signature and conveniently located fingerprint scanner making it a breeze to open your phone straight from your pocket in an ergonomic way.
Google Assistant
One of the most sought after new feature that is currently a Pixel exclusive is the new personal assistant, Google Assistant. With a long press of the on-screen home button, the assistant will be activated. From here you can ask it simple question that will be answered by Google yet you can now also ask it to complete tasks for you such as, "Turn Wifi on", or , "Set an alarm for * O'Clock tomorrow morning". You can now also connect it to other smart home applications such as Nest allowing you to control your thermostat via your voice by saying something like, "Turn the temperature up to 20°C".
Camera
The Pixel's camera is absolutely stunning. Currently the champion of Dx0 Mark leaderboard with a score of 89. Despite not having optical image stabilization (OIS), it handles low and poor light conditions like a champ. Google's HDR mode one the Pixel is one of the best I've seen producing some of the best high dynamic range photos and without the image blur that can creep in with other systems.
On another note for video, the Pixel can record up to 4K at 30 fps yet in my opinion the 1080p option at 60 fps is by far more superior as the Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) is on a complete other level. The results produced often look as though they had been shot using an expensive electronic gimbal setup.
Final Word
After using this phone for a good part of the past half year, I would recommend this to any Android fan or novice with its clean and simple interface (especially considering that it's stock Android). With the imminent release of the "Android O" developer previews, this device is sure to grab the attention of hardcore Android fans as this will be one of the main devices to receive the experimental update and will continue to get both OS and security updates regularly and the fastest from any OEM due to it coming straight from source - Google. Overall, I believe that this was the best smartphones from 2016 and it is still going strong 10 months on.