epicrayban
macrumors 604
Unfortunately not shipping until November 23rd. So my impressions will be very late. I'll share them none the less.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Are You Purchasing the Pixel?
- Thread starter v0lume4
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Unfortunately not shipping until November 23rd. So my impressions will be very late. I'll share them none the less.
verpeiler
macrumors 6502a
Google Assistant and the unlimited photo and video storage are a huge draw. Everything else about this phone is uh...needs a case on it.
Fortunately Google sells customizable ones, I see. Yes, hide the fug. I put cases on all of my phones anyway so ...whatever. With a case on it could pass as an iPhone without the home button. Which weirds me out, because it's like a person without a belly button. Not that there's anything wrong with that...there is a Victoria's Secret model who lacks a belly button and has to have one photoshopped in. Don't ask me how I remember useless trivia like that, when I can't remember my own cell phone numbers. Anyway...moving right along...
I would have liked the option of using an SD card just because I have a 256 gb one from Samsung and a 64 gb one IN my Samsung Note7 that unfortunately likely will end up going back to AT&T. 🙁 (I would keep it but the hysteria of people is getting out of hand and I'm sick of getting caught in it and possibly losing carrier support for updates).
However, internal storage is always faster and at least the Pixel offers 128 gb of it with that option to offload to its cloud storage. I actually think that's what the premium is for. They're not charging so much for this pile of meh. It's that unlimited "free" storage. Suddenly this plain Jane looks really attractive to a photo and video nut like me. From what little I've seen so far, the camera is decent, too. Not fabulous, but decent.
Does the Pixel record video with stereo audio? Or is it monaural sound like the iPhone?
maxsix
Suspended
Google Assistant and unlimited storage absolutely sold me on the Pixel XL. Yet that said I will be the first to admit I've been waiting and anticipating this phone from Google for some time now.
Ugly? Heck yes! But I'm reserving final opinion until I have it in hand. Appearance is last on my list. The only reason why I do place limited value on iPhone appearance is Jony Ive and Apple's world class design team. All the bragging they do... shut up and create a truly stylish iPhone. It could be very subtle, doesn't have to be outrageous, but at least make it look like the superb phone it is.
Home Button?
Funny how we get used to certain things. I was fine with Apple's analog mechanical home button... until I got my first Android with capacitive buttons and Swype. That did change everything for me. Ultra fast, highly efficient, suddenly iPhone became old and slow... at least in my experience. I do believe Apple clung to the old fashioned analog button for two reasons, one of which was the look that made iPhone instantly recognizable, a choice I understand. Samsung likely adopted their mechanical button on the Galaxy Series to emulate Apple, essential in the early years of smartphone development.
Indeed, a removable card would be nice but I can overlook it's absence since there's so much else this Pixel has to offer.
Yesterday I reluctantly returned my Note 7 to AT&T, sadly things just went south for Samsung with this model. I'm looking forward to Note 8.
Great question... I stopped researching the Pixel XL once I'd read enough to know it was for me. I'm saving some of the discovery for the unboxing hands on fun. 😀
Last edited:
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
Yeah, they are. The iPhone 7 cost to make it is $219.80 plus $5 in manufacturing(according to zdnet.com) and they sell it for $649. Im sure the others are somewhere in that range as well though i dont know where they make the Pixel phone. It could be in China like the iPhone but i dont know. Either way, the profit margin is high.
** I found that it costs Samsung $255 to make the GS7 so even when they drop the price later on they are making a profit. They just dont seem so bent on their profits as much as Apple is.
As for the Pixel......i probably wont get one. No Micro SD card slot = No go for me so ill just wait for the GS8 since i have JoD w/ TMobile and it wont cost me anything out of pocket to get it.
Last edited:
epicrayban
macrumors 604
I'm warming up to the design. Still wish this was fully waterproof though. I could deal with no wireless charging, but no waterproofing is a near deal breaker. I'll see in November when it arrives if its strengths can out weigh the drawbacks for me to get one of my own.
spinedoc77
macrumors G4
So what is motivating the ones who are plunking down their money? Google assistant seems the same as Google now, at least in the present and I'm hesitant to buy something based on what the future may bring. Verizon users won't get timely updates. Other than google assistant and timely OS updates what reason is there for getting this?
Honestly curious with the iPhone 7 being very unappealing, every other 2016 phone being lackluster, and the possibility of having to give up my Note 7 now I'm starting to think about what the heck phone I'm going to use.
Honestly curious with the iPhone 7 being very unappealing, every other 2016 phone being lackluster, and the possibility of having to give up my Note 7 now I'm starting to think about what the heck phone I'm going to use.
Tig Bitties
macrumors 603
I like the Hyundai analogy, look at their new 2017 Genesis G90 high end line, it really is a very nice luxury car. That truly can come close and compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes Benz E Series, which are in that $75k range and up, with the sport versions like the ///M and AMG being around $100k , but... the Genesis starts @ $68k.
My point being the iPhone and Galaxy phones in the smartphone world are looked upon like the BMW's and MB's, and the Nexus line was viewed as maybe the Hyundai line, and this new Pixel phone like their highest end Hyundai Genesis model. And even Hyundai knows not to price their new Genesis neck and neck with BMW pricing, they know the name brand recognition isn't their yet for this high end Genesis line, but could be in a few years possibly.
I think Google should be pricing the new Pixel like Hyundai does the Genesis G90, yeah quality wise it's right up there with the well known high end competition, but you can't ask for the same price yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another point on the pricing. It seems the $800 was only slapped on the Pixel XL was because Google thinks smartphone buyers will only believe it's a high end phone, if it matches the iPhone Plus and Galaxy Note pricing, but besides that there's zero reason for Google to be charging so much. The thing is, Apple and Samsung are in the hardware business, and make their profits and money on selling a **** ton of phones, so of course they'll push the price to as high as people can stomach. But Google is in a totally different situation, and not a hardware seller, and not banking on Nexus sales or now Pixel sales to make them billion$, that's not their thing.
Google can easily have made this Pixel phone sell @ cost to get their name out there, which would be like $300 or so. They've done that in the past, almost giving away the Nexus phones at cost to get it in developers hands, and get the word out there, again because Google isn't banking on phones for their profit generator. But that would be stupid. So they thought lets get people to think this is a high end phone, so let's sell it iPhone Plus pricing. And for no other reason did Google price the Pixel @ $800. Only for this high end perception idea.
The Nexus 6P was a pretty high end phone last year, it had 2015 flagship specs on par with other phones selling in that $750 range, but it was only $499. So how is the Pixel XL so improved that it's almost double the price this year ? Is a better camera and nicer display warranting of almost doubling the price ? No. Again they did it for the press and perception, for the public to believe it's high end, they must price it at iPhone levels, otherwise if they kept it at 6P pricing of $500 or so, the public would view it as mid range for some reason ? Even though it could have been just as high end or better than a Galaxy S.
That's my opinion.
My point being the iPhone and Galaxy phones in the smartphone world are looked upon like the BMW's and MB's, and the Nexus line was viewed as maybe the Hyundai line, and this new Pixel phone like their highest end Hyundai Genesis model. And even Hyundai knows not to price their new Genesis neck and neck with BMW pricing, they know the name brand recognition isn't their yet for this high end Genesis line, but could be in a few years possibly.
I think Google should be pricing the new Pixel like Hyundai does the Genesis G90, yeah quality wise it's right up there with the well known high end competition, but you can't ask for the same price yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another point on the pricing. It seems the $800 was only slapped on the Pixel XL was because Google thinks smartphone buyers will only believe it's a high end phone, if it matches the iPhone Plus and Galaxy Note pricing, but besides that there's zero reason for Google to be charging so much. The thing is, Apple and Samsung are in the hardware business, and make their profits and money on selling a **** ton of phones, so of course they'll push the price to as high as people can stomach. But Google is in a totally different situation, and not a hardware seller, and not banking on Nexus sales or now Pixel sales to make them billion$, that's not their thing.
Google can easily have made this Pixel phone sell @ cost to get their name out there, which would be like $300 or so. They've done that in the past, almost giving away the Nexus phones at cost to get it in developers hands, and get the word out there, again because Google isn't banking on phones for their profit generator. But that would be stupid. So they thought lets get people to think this is a high end phone, so let's sell it iPhone Plus pricing. And for no other reason did Google price the Pixel @ $800. Only for this high end perception idea.
The Nexus 6P was a pretty high end phone last year, it had 2015 flagship specs on par with other phones selling in that $750 range, but it was only $499. So how is the Pixel XL so improved that it's almost double the price this year ? Is a better camera and nicer display warranting of almost doubling the price ? No. Again they did it for the press and perception, for the public to believe it's high end, they must price it at iPhone levels, otherwise if they kept it at 6P pricing of $500 or so, the public would view it as mid range for some reason ? Even though it could have been just as high end or better than a Galaxy S.
That's my opinion.
tbayrgs
macrumors 604
Can only comment on my own motivation here's the appeal for me:
- Google's version of Android. In the past, that's been the 'stock' version they out on Nexus and going forward it's what they putting on the Pixel. Going hand in hand with that are the timely updates.
- Improved hardware vs the 6P. The 6P is nice but doesn't feel as substantial/premium with the same level of build materials as other flagships..i.e. iPhone or Galaxies. Everything I've ready and listened to has said, looks withstanding, the Pixel is a noticeable improvement over the 6P in fit/finish/feel. I've also just receive my first case and it's signifantly smaller than the 6P and noticeably smaller than the 6s+.
- unlimited full res photos and video in Google Photos.
- no big interest to date in VR but i have to admit, I'm curious about Daydream and getting the View for free let's me scratch that itch.
- I'm intrigued by the Google Assistant but it's not an absolute must have.
I'm a bit fed up with Apple for now and the Pixel come closest to ticking all my boxes in the Android world. I'd like wireless charging and waterproofing but don't have them now so they're not anything I'll miss, per se. Same goes for expandable memory...haven't used it for years and don't need it now.
Last edited:
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
Cant say i agree with much of this. iPhones being made in China and Galaxy's made in Korea are being compared to BMWs and a MB? LOL....ok.
And you keep complaining about the price of these Pixels. Dont buy one then! Go buy the iPhone you said you are forced to buy(even though you hate them, so why would you buy one?) for the same price. Makes no sense to me but whatever.
Googles name is already out there so using that excuse for them to price the phone cheaper to me is weak sauce. The cheaper ones(Nexus) in my experience werent that great though i havent had a 6P or whichever was the smaller one. I dont like phones bigger than 5.2".
You got away with buying cheap phones for years and now you cant and you just sound like a broken record repeating yourself on how its too much now compared to your 6P.
The Pixel 32GB is $649 which is on par with others. My GS7 was from TMobile has the same list price if not more for the 32 GB version. It just didnt cost me any money out of pocket to get it.
Tig Bitties
macrumors 603
LOL not gonna buy an iPhone. I am very happy with my Nexus 6P running a great 7.0 ROM, so really no hurry to get a new phone. I probably will get the bug to get the Pixel after I see it in the wold at BestBuy or something.
The only phones I really like are smartphones that run stock Android or something close to it, like the OnePlus, but I'm not really a fan of the OnePlus Three. So that only leaves the Pixel line then. It really sucks to get stock vanilla Android on a smartphone, only Google offers it. Would be neat if there was some other options.
One phone I would plop down $800 cash for right now this second, but doesn't exist, would be a new gen GPE phone, really sucks Google and manufacturers stopped making those.
- Galaxy Note 7 ( minus the fire issues ) running stock Android 7.1 would get me to part with $800 right now. I really like the design and shape of the Note 7, a very compact sized phone for having a 5.7" screen, the edge display looks great. The camera is top notch, the build quality feels great in the hand. The display is amazing and bright with deep rich colors, it's IP68 waterproof. I just don't like Touchwiz, so if they made a 'GPE' version, meaning a high end Samsung phone running stock Android, that would be the best of both worlds, great hardware and features with Google's stock OS.
I did have the HTC One M8 GPE, paid $599 for it brand new, and that phone was one of my fav Android phones to date. It had the beautiful HTC metal design, and lovely shape, but was running pure Android updated by Google. Amazing device, I miss the GPE program.
Right now the Pixel XL, seems nice, but not wowing me, it's not making me lust after it, like some other phones in years past, where I was like I must have that phone right now. With the Pixel I am just not feeling that. And it's not the high price, there's just something missing or something not grabbing me on these Pixel's, I can't pin point it. I remember when the white iPhone 4S came out, I was like holy **** that's amazing must have it, or the HTC one M8 GPE, same thing, I was like holy cow, I need that phone ASAP. But the Pixel's, I am feeling a wait to see approach, just not getting that must upgrade now feel yet.
Typically a phone's design and style doesn't matter to much to me, but it does help sway me a little bit. With the Pixel, I am not digging it at all to be honest, just looks strange. It looks as if the HTC 10 had a baby with the iPhone 6S, and out came the Pixel, and they slapped on a silly glass back panel on the rear half. The Pixel looks chunky and thick. The bezels look huge for not having front facing dual speakers, which really bugs me. It just looks weird, and not helping make me lust after it like some other phones in the past.
Last edited:
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
They will go down in price (Pixels) but even if they were $500 right now i wouldnt buy one, but im different than many here and dont have multiple phones at once. I like to choose the one i want, buy it and stick with my choice and i keep them for at least a year unless i break it....which ive only done once so far.
As ive mentioned before, i wasnt that impressed with the Nexus phones and i feel i got what i paid for which was a less than up to par phone. But again i havent had a 6 or 6P because i decided i was thru with them before the Nexus 5X came out. I wouldnt mind trying a Pixel but with no micro card slot, im not feeling it. Id rather just wait for the GS8 and hope they dont make it bigger than what it is now because that wont work for me either.
[doublepost=1475955028][/doublepost]
LOL, yeah i wonder if there are any fools that pay those ridiculous prices on eBay when these phones and the new iPhones, etc, go on there. Who would need to have it so soon to pay those prices?
maxsix
Suspended
I agree.
Especially since several articles published last year cited price of the Nexus 6P as a factor influencing the perception that it wasn't a high quality flagship.
When it comes to high end products of all types price plays a very big role in perceived value / quality/ status.
It's not in my opinion. Months of exemplary service from my Nexus 6P revealed it to be an exceptionally nice smartphone, my absolute favorite to date.
The reason I'm looking the other way and paying the exorbitant price for my upcoming Pixel XL is simply because I'm determined to stay the course and enjoy Nexus / Pixel smartphones over the long haul.
Android as it's implemented in these phones is just wonderful, at least for my tastes. Fast, stable, reliable and highly functional, it's the backbone of my mobile workflow.
spinedoc77
macrumors G4
Interesting, so it's smaller than the 6p, but also loses .2" of the screen, I'll be curious to actually physically hold one to see how it hefts. It's fairly thick though so I don't know. Personally I had no issue with the 6p's fit and finish, it was right up there with apple or Samsung IMO. Of course we know the shortcuts Huwaei took like lack of OIS (wait doesn't the pixel lack OIS also?) and the crappy screen, so definitely room for improvement but not sure if a such a higher price. Thanks for the feedback, I will definitely consider it and will see how it feels when Verizon gets some in.
[doublepost=1475977229][/doublepost]
Excellent point on the Genesis versus some of the other luxury brands. Samsung and Apple are already established as luxury brands with price points to boot, but Google isn't and needs to tread carefully here. They may succeed, although personally I doubt they will. They really need to hit the marketing HARD and not let up. But lacking physical stores weakens their attempt IMO, and no I don't believe the carrier stores are the same thing but better than nothing.
tbayrgs
macrumors 604
Fairly thick? It's .6 mm thicker than the Note 7. Yeah, it's not the thinnest phone--the iPhone and 6P have it by over 1 mm but I wouldn't called it a 'fatty' either. 😉
Guess we'll just agree to disagree regarding the build quality and fit and finish of the 6P. I hold it side-by-side with my 6S+ and they don't feel like equals. It's certainly not terrible but the metal doesn't feel as nice, the screen doesn't have the nice smooth, slightly curved transition to the metal frame, and the shiny, chrome-looking chamfered edge looks and feels like metal painted plastic, IMO. The guys over at Android Central that attended the event said the difference between the 6P and the Pixel is pretty dramatic. I'll certainly share my impressions in a couple weeks.
epicrayban
macrumors 604
I fully understand both sides. I am only barely on the side of "buy" versus not.
By getting it for my father (who is really excited by this for some reason), I get to try it out first hand for myself.
My biggest gripe is the lack of waterproofing.
By getting it for my father (who is really excited by this for some reason), I get to try it out first hand for myself.
My biggest gripe is the lack of waterproofing.
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
Id rather have the micro SD card slot. Waterproofing i can do without.
Me and you both! 😀 I've been looking forward to the next "Nexus" phone all year long. Now they're here, in the form of the Pixel! I thought that the renders looked pretty awful, but seeing the ACTUAL phone in press photos and videos, I've really grown to like the design. Yes, I looks just like an iPhone. Oh well.
It's so exciting to finally have a "Google phone," through and through new. I really can't wait to get my hands on it. I saw someone post that Best Buy will be carrying display models. Pretty jazzed about that.
HickDead
macrumors 6502a
$700+ for a Google Android phone. Lol..... What!!!!
The joke is on anyone who purchased this overpriced Google spy phone.
The joke is on anyone who purchased this overpriced Google spy phone.
I had wanted waterproofing but now wonder if it causes more issues than it solves.
I like SD expandability but with the 128 GB onboard storage I can get by just fine. Because my SE has only 64 GB I've gotten used to offloading to Google anyway.
What I really want to know is if this phone records video in stereo sound or monoaural. I want to be able to record the school musical programs in stereo sound. Having heard stereo sound on my Samsung Note 7 videos, I don't want to go back to monoaural. Or however it's spelled.
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
True but I wouldn't be buying the 128 gb. I'd get the 32 because of the price so a micro SD slot would help.
maxsix
Suspended
While suggesting it's a "spy phone" gets you big points from the paranoid Google haters, step back and look at the big picture. There isn't a smartphone offered today, including the worshippers holy iPhone... that isn't the authorities wet dream.
Paranoid? Dump your smartphone, get off Facebook and the web... Now!
Welcome to the real world circa 2016.
HickDead
macrumors 6502a
a) I don't use Facebook or any social media for that matter. I'm not one of those idiot Millennials who needs to put my private life out for public consumption and self attention
b) Google is well known for privacy issues and user tracking. Anyone who denies this is either misinformed or is a blind homer
c) didn't look like the authorities in San Bernardino were having a "wet dream" when it came to the iPhone they wanted to hack - and not to mention with Apple refusing to meet their demands
maxsix
Suspended
1a) Kudos! I don't use Facebook either, never have.
2b) Yes Google does use a host of tracking tools... Notice my longstanding Signature below. It's DuckDuckGo. That said far more nefarious is big data, an entire industry that's got everything on everyone. In concert with the insurance industry, they're the worst.
3c) This incident simply highlighted how successful Apple is / was in getting certain Apple users to believe the company line. The warm fuzzy story that Apple loves and protects you. Excuse me while I puke.
I don't hate Apple, nor do I advocate for any company. It's just business, a game Apple has mastered.