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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  • b
  • bug
  • ntM
  • 28 Oct 2016

For the asking price, 2 years of updates is not a pro. It's an insult.

    • D
    • AnonD-603626
    • xdU
    • 28 Oct 2016

    Can you please test the screen calibration with the sRGB mode found in developer settings enabled? Also curious if it affects the brightness.

      • D
      • AnonD-585261
      • Nu7
      • 28 Oct 2016

      U guyz are d only ones complaining about battery life and performance

        • S
        • Smuti
        • 3pw
        • 28 Oct 2016

        So pretty much the only 2 good things about the Faxel is the camera and the os updates.

          • D
          • AnonD-425519
          • 4BY
          • 28 Oct 2016

          Excellent camera sense post processing. Love the HDR+.

            Still waiting for xz in our region. Not gonna go to pixel.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • JQ}
              • 28 Oct 2016

              s7 is better in everything

              iphone 7 have awful video camera omg.

                As good as your reviews are always, I found this one outstanding. Thanks for not falling for the hype and delivering an A class text.

                  • A
                  • Ashoaib
                  • Hxc
                  • 28 Oct 2016

                  greenfieid, 28 Oct 2016GSMarena, you need to show us more video samples and test. ... moreHey GSMArena, you have Pixel XL and you also have Xiaomi mi 5s. Can you please do a camera shoot out test from both because both have same imx378. It will be an interesting comparison.

                    • g
                    • greenfieid
                    • p4M
                    • 28 Oct 2016

                    GSMarena, you need to show us more video samples and test. Puting the phone on a tripod and filming something that is that far away doesnt give us much. Maybe some stability tests, some panning around, to see how phones handles white balance and color, dynamic range shifts ???

                      No mention of OnePlus 3 in the conclusion list. :(

                        • s
                        • sn
                        • ixY
                        • 28 Oct 2016

                        Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.

                          Android users and manufacturers are thinking Pixels new AI software will eventually come to their phones. Don't be surprised if it and other software features don't make it to now competitors handsets. This is the new Google and it's just the beginning. Google will release more budget conscious devices soon.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-442781
                            • H5W
                            • 28 Oct 2016

                            So to conclude, compared to the s7 edge:
                            Worse battery life
                            Worse performance
                            Worse display
                            Worse audio
                            Worse design
                            Worse screen to body ratio and thickness
                            Worse hardware features like expandable storage and ip68
                            Worse price

                            Camera, and ui are debatable

                            Better software support and better ai.

                              That screen colour calibration is not acceptable, period.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • Sie
                                • 28 Oct 2016

                                google should get its software and camera on Mi Mix and take over the world!

                                  • B
                                  • BAD BATTERY LIFE
                                  • p2Z
                                  • 28 Oct 2016

                                  9 hours wifi browsing...hahahah...FAIL...BYE

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-442781
                                    • H5W
                                    • 28 Oct 2016

                                    Vin, 28 Oct 2016Gsmarena said huge bezels in list of disadvantages but they... moreiPhone bezels at least have a button on them.

                                      • D
                                      • Dude
                                      • 3Kf
                                      • 28 Oct 2016

                                      What GSMarena is trying to say is that the Pixel basically sucks, save from the camera, but hey there are better point and shoot camera's for that. Google failed, big time. Xiaomi Mi MIX destroys this iPhone wannabe any ol' day of the week.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • gyc
                                        • 28 Oct 2016

                                        Pixel XL no better than nexus 6p. Pls pixel battery test.

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