Google Pixel XL review: Upsampled

28 October 2016
Google was always a service - the best search engine on Earth. Now under the Alphabet umbrella, Google is becoming a brand - for online services yes, but also for hardware. Leading the charge are the Pixels, Google’s equivalent to Samsung’s Galaxy or Apple’s i-gadgets... and every bit as premium.

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Mobilemaster, 29 Oct 2016The NO OIS is not a problem. EIS can be even better than OI... moreIt is a problem. EIS can never match hardware OIS. The videos coming from Pixel are robotic sort of stable, and it also has that jittery effect when the camera is panned, which won't be present on hardware OIS. I will take that over excessively smooth stabilisation.

    Anonymous, 29 Oct 2016Lumia 950XL has a better camera than the pixel. Your own co... moreMobile phone cameras have their own limitations. Either they need to work like Moto Z Play/Force Hassleblad like accessories or with good software and image enhancements. With tiny sensor and questionable image quality photography in mobile phones cannot go beyond appoint. Even display size, resolution and AMOLED screens parking its spec. Processors and RAM reaching a point where further upgrades are becoming challenging. Google Pixel and XL though bit expensive like iPhone it is worth an attempt. These nit picking is applicable for all flagship models!! God Note 7 should have become a success!!

      The NO OIS is not a problem. EIS can be even better than OIS. Just watch Sony. Their EIS stabilized devices takes really good videos.
      What Google should have done is to add an IP rating, and stereo speakers.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • ty@
        • 29 Oct 2016

        Anonymous, 29 Oct 2016Lumia 950XL has a better camera than the pixel. Your own co... moreBetter to do a blind camera shootout: S7 edge/G5/HTC 10/Sony XZ/Lumia 950 XL/P9 Plus/IP7 Plus...

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          • AnonD-603875
          • f}8
          • 29 Oct 2016

          Seems like a good phone. :)

            I was on a Skype call last night overseas and while usually good image It played up. I suggested using phones instead. When he called back, the picture and clarity I have seriously never ever ever seen it so fantastic. I'm then said I'm using my new Pixel. Wow. That's better imaging and reception than any other media camera reception I have ever seen. It was even better than the work boardroom media.

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              • AnonD-593099
              • kaE
              • 29 Oct 2016

              The glass window must have been implemented for wireless charging (which would be a smart move as opposed to fully plastic/glass phone), but as usual? Google didn't have time to complete it (although still does charge like if it's there).
              It's a tough choice. I'm still inclined to buy Pixel. But competition like Moto Z (feature-wise) , HTC 10 and OnePLus 3 (pricewise) are really tempting. Knock $100 off the price, and the chosice is much more obvious. I feel like I will spend another month thinking about it and will still stay with my Nexus 4 for another year. There is still no better phone than that.

                • C
                • Camera_guy
                • 0@4
                • 29 Oct 2016

                Great camera, but no camera Pro mode? Seriously?
                Deal breaker for me.

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                  • AnonD-551322
                  • Mh@
                  • 29 Oct 2016

                  Excellent review, finally someone who can see positive and negative about this pixel, better than x, better than y....

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                    • Anonymous
                    • M3S
                    • 29 Oct 2016

                    Apple was in the opposite situation compared to Google - it was known for its hardware, its software was laughed at (remember Apple Maps at launch?). But now iMessage is one of the best respected messengers, iCloud is reliable and cheap, even Maps has improved massively.

                    Why is GSM Arena so Pro Apple? Seriously??! And that means that apple users rely on Apple Maps rather than the well proven Google maps?? Google Drive also allows people to work on documents....Apple may know about hardware but regarding software they are still behind and the know it.

                    Regarding the pixel, looks to much like an iphone and is way too expensive so people consider it as a viable choice. At least for now, Google as to earn the consideration as Apple and Samsung earned over the years to ask for those prices...

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • GXp
                      • 29 Oct 2016

                      Google has set the first nail in IPhone 's coffin with Pixel

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • rjw
                        • 29 Oct 2016

                        Lumia 950XL has a better camera than the pixel. Your own comparison tools prove this GSMArena.

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                          • AnonD-290712
                          • 3Jn
                          • 29 Oct 2016

                          XtremE16, 29 Oct 2016Guys check out Antutu score :- Google Pixel XL AnTuTu Be... moreXperia xz only wins because of its lower resolution screen. Less pixels equals less strain on gpu.

                            I think 3g talk time should be removed from battery sampling as more new phones will try to enhance the battery talk time in order to enhance the endurance rating. Please remove it @gsmarena

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                              • AnonD-368020
                              • Kxy
                              • 29 Oct 2016

                              You make a good phone with super high price - poor sales. You make a bad phone with super low price still poor sales. Good phones should be priced reasonably.

                                • D
                                • AnonD-517333
                                • thv
                                • 29 Oct 2016

                                After pixel peeping all photos captured by this fone,im blown away.....
                                Imo, the daylight photos are incredible, looks like photos captured by an one inch sensor camera.
                                Of course an one inch pocket camera has more great features. But this Pixel is amazing....

                                But I wont buy it anyway.too pricey for me.
                                Ill stick with my sony alpha 6000.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-539412
                                  • fqq
                                  • 29 Oct 2016

                                  Google might have introduced some new software features but have ultimately lost their ethos after killing off the Nexus range. The Nexus 5 (2013) was a revelation in every
                                  aspect - price, specs, aesthetics etc. Now they've just become like any other
                                  manufacturer - indistinguishable and greedy. Goodbye Nexus, will miss you :_ _ _(

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                                    • Nick
                                    • mT2
                                    • 29 Oct 2016

                                    AnonD-448452, 29 Oct 2016As said before, looks maybe so-so, but considering its Goog... moreAgree with Themobilegoku.
                                    Google wants play Apple game. I wish Google makes budget oriented LG made Nexus 5 like phone: good CPU, soft plastic, good price.

                                      • J
                                      • James
                                      • YPa
                                      • 29 Oct 2016

                                      The Axon 7 is a steal for the price. Blackberry is a must if you care for one second about your personal security and privacy. Unfortunately Google and Apple own our conversations, own our photos, own our very movements and habits recorded on our mobiles, which we provide for free, and which they market to others. I can respect Googles technology however I do not like the big brother mentality of OS providers. In many ways it is a shame the BB OS 10 was canned by so many tech writers and geeks, for no other reason than the lack of games, and a few superfluous apps. Now we are all just fodder for Google and Apple. The marginal technical elements are just that - marginal but with smart marketing. It is the software and OS that are the issue for the future.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • PPx
                                        • 29 Oct 2016

                                        Jason Melling, 29 Oct 2016"The design is arguably bland". This is not true, it IS bla... moreha ha... yep.

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