Google Unveils The Pixel Smartphone. Here Is Everything You

Google’s new Pixel phones is here, and it is making shockwaves across the web. Besides the claim that it has the best smartphone camera ever, Google was also keen to rub it into Apple’s face, repeatedly and relentlessly. Launching its most ambitious smartphone design after the popular Nexus series, Google declared that this is going to be the first Google flagship phone, and has been completely made by the combination of hardware and software resources to create the “best Google experience.”

The Rivalry:

While the phone closely resembles iPhones in their looks and finish, Google made sure that everybody knew that it was “a lot more superior”. Although the bezel looks very similar to the iPhone, and the back also look pretty comparable except for the lack of shine on Pixel, the phone’s promo’s quirky statement of “3.5 mm headphone jack satisfyingly not new” was a definite dig at iPhone.

Senior Vice President of Hardware Rick Osterloh also took a swing at Apple, and while commenting on Pixel’s camera said: “And there’s no unsightly camera bump.”
And Google’s Brian Rakowski commented on Pixel’s storage: “You can say goodbye to those painful ‘Storage Full’ pop-ups.”

Then the only logic that can be given for the three bizarrely-named colours; quite black, very silver and really blue, is to counter the overly extravagant iPhone names like Rose Gold, Jet Black, etc.

#Google #Pixel #madebygoogle much phone, so color, wow pic.twitter.com/6vtT6CDcI9

— Ri Ram (@eram1294) October 4, 2016

Putting the petty rivalries aside, the colours look really amazing, although the black gives more of a silver/gray tinge, and the silver looks more like white.

Unique Design Features:

The phone has the unique fingerprint sensor, like in Nexus 5X and 6P on the back of the device. Another added feature is the half covering of Pixel’s backside using Corning Gorilla Glass. Google has admitted that it serves no purpose and is merely a design element, but it gives the phone an added gloss while making it a lot more slippery.

Difference In Pixel and Pixel XL:

When compared, Pixel and Pixel XL have very few differences between them. Pixel has a display size of 5.2-inches while it is 5.5-inches for the XL. Pixel has the resolution of 1920 x 1080p vs. XL’s 2560 x 1440p. And while Pixel XL’s battery capacity of 3,450mAh is greater than 2,770mAh for the Pixel, these are just about the only differences between the two models.

In a way, this is a good thing, as it makes the choice easier and doesn’t make you choose between trading a more powerful and hardware laden phone for a cheaper price.

Nougat 7.1 Upgrade:

The phones come with Android Nougat 7.1 OS, with some clear-cut differences and upgrades. For starters, the Google shortcut is now located at the top of the screen, that allows you to have quick access to Google Search by just one tap, although it will take some getting used to. The app drawer icon has also been replaced with a quick swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Pixel Has The “Moves”:

The phone also comes with something called “Moves,” which allow you to use some programmable hardware-based gestures as shortcuts. For example, you can bring up the camera by double-tapping the power button, while swiping down on the fingerprint sensor can drop down the notifications menu. Twisting the phone while taking a picture will alternate the camera between the rear-facing and selfie cameras.

The Best Camera Ever?

The claim of being the best smartphone camera ever is certainly something that will be proved over the course of time. On paper the 12.3 megapixel back camera can record in 4k, making it an impressive addition. The shutter speed is also faster, and the users up till now have reported of excellent performance in the low-light venue, with none of the photos being blurry irrespective of the low light and movement of objects/people.

Below is the comparison photo. Pixel’s camera is at work on the left, while the right one is taken with an iPhone 6S

It’s All About The Assistant:

Google has replaced Google Now with Google Assistant, which is really the star of the phones. Anyone who has used this feature knows that Google Now can be called up by pressing on the new home button or by saying “OK, Google.” Google have confirmed now that Google Now will completely be folded into the Assistant across all platforms soon.

The major difference in the two platforms is that while Google Now only dug through things like news headlines, sports scores and weather updates etc. Google Assistant will also be able to get personally relevant information e.g. contacts, your schedule, upcoming reservations etc.

It also structures all of your queries and requests like a conversation and provides shortcuts or Smart Replies to related queries, making the usage a lot more user-friendly

Google has certainly ticked all the boxes for this flagship invention, but it will still have to make considerable effort in marketing and customer care before it can come close to competing with Apple or Samsung and be the front runner in the “premium” competition.

You can watch the full launch event here: