Google Pixel

Overview

After years of experimenting with Nexus devices, Google finally decided it wanted to make a phone of its own. HTC might be assembling the phones, but Google designed and developed the Pixel from end-to-end. In doing so, it crafted a truly great smartphone that sadly looks a little dull. Still, the inclusion of a speedy new Snapdragon 821 chipset and a fantastic camera make the smaller Pixel a device to be reckoned with. Now, if only it were a little cheaper.

-- As reviewed by Engadget

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 66 expert reviews

Excellent:

39
Good:

26
Average:

0
Bad:

1

7.0

User Score

Based on 147 reviews
as rated by users

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Last revision on October 19, 2018

Reviewers Liked

Google Assistant is the first voice assistant that really works
Android from Google. This is a cohesive, consistent software package instead of being a branding battleground between Google and a third party
Excellent build quality
Long battery life
Fantastic camera

Reviewers Didn't Like

Lacks waterproof
Expensive
Google's take on Android needs more polish
The single speaker is a big downgrade from the Nexus 6P
Google's flagship smartphone design is a bland iPhone clone

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.

Expert reviews and ratings

Google's two Pixel phones mark a major move, not only for the company itself but also for the technology industry as a whole. Both are brilliant smartphones that entirely justify their place at the industry's top table. They have a great screens, good...

By Alphr on April 12, 2018

These are good phones, but they don't tear up any trees. We'd be more tempted by a Samsung S7 or an iPhone...

By TopNewReview on April 02, 2018

When the Google Pixel was launched in 2016, it was one of the top smartphone cameras we tested with the original DxOMark Mobile protocol in October 2016, thanks to its mixture of powerful hardware and innovative algorithms.The Pixel was also the first...

By DXOMark on September 11, 2017

Google's first phones are pretty cool. They may lack the water resistance which is increasingly common in rival handsets and the battery isn't the leap forward we're all waiting for, but they have a lot going for them. Performance is very strong: fast...

By avforums.com on July 12, 2017

The Google Pixel truly cements Google's place in the high-end phone market segment. Previous Google Nexus models did bring an excellent “value for the price” but had a tendency to lose out slightly on important features such as Camera Performance and...

By Ubergizmo on January 16, 2017

Every year, Android enthusiasts and fans of the software's latest stock form look forward to the next smartphone that Google plants its “Nexus” stamp on. Except, this year is different. The historic OEM partnership program was abandoned in favor for...

By GadgetReview on December 22, 2016

Google Pixel$649.00 GoogleScreen Size 5.0 inches Screen Res 1920 x 1080 CPU Snapdragon 821 Cameras 12.3MP/8MP OS Android v7.0 (Nougat)The Google Pixel is Google's flagship phone release for 2016, replacing the Nexus lineup. As before, these high-end...

By Tom's Guide on December 14, 2016

The Pixel has plenty going for it: it's small, well built, speedy and has excellent cameras. It also supports Google's Daydream VR headset and runs the plain version of Android 7 – complete with Google Assistant - and will get timely updates. But it...

By techadvisor.co.uk on December 09, 2016

To conclude, if we were to judge the Google Pixel in a bubble, then it's very easy to recommend this phone. We've got a device that's really delicious to handle, with a very delightful experience in the software, lots of promise with the Google...

By Pocketnow on December 06, 2016

100

User interface and software: I am always game for stock Android UI over the custom ROMs and that is one of the reasons I always liked the Nexus hardware and even the Motorola smartphones. Google's Pixel XL continues to have the stock Android UI yet it...

By businesstoday.intoday.in on November 22, 2016

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Google Pixel

Overview

Pros & Cons

Reviews

Price: $480

TechSpot Metascore

User Score

Reviewers Liked

Reviewers Didn't Like

Competitors and Related Products

Apple iPhone 7

OnePlus 3

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Google Nexus 6P

Expert reviews and ratings