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Nexus-N/Pixel XL ( 2016 )

Been changing my mind between a few phones for a couple months now, but I've finally joined the waitlist for a XL. No clue how long it is going to take these days, but I'll be excited when my spot in line comes up. I'm probably going to give Project Fi a try as well, as I'm tired of Big Red and don't have the same signal requirements as before.

:apple:'s recent decisions lost a future iPhone 7+ customer. The future will tell if it spreads to my other devices as well. 😵
 
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Kiwikat88 said:
:apple:'s recent decisions lost a future iPhone 7+ customer. The future will tell if it spreads to my other devices as well. 😵
Click to expand...

Your last sentence speaks to me, too. I never thought I'd ever look elsewhere for potential future computing needs, but here I am researching Chromebooks and Surface options. It'll likely still be a while before I fully convert, but I'm not liking what Apple's been doing lately either.

And on the smartphone side, the iPhone isn't even a contender. Not until we see what they have to offer in 2017. I'm optimistic about the next iPhone. Until then, it's either my new Pixel or hanging onto my S7E a little while longer.

I'm leaning Pixel.
 
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epicrayban said:
Your last sentence speaks to me, too. I never thought I'd ever look elsewhere for potential future computing needs, but here I am researching Chromebooks and Surface options. It'll likely still be a while before I fully convert, but I'm not liking what Apple's been doing lately either.

And on the smartphone side, the iPhone isn't even a contender. Not until we see what they have to offer in 2017. I'm optimistic about the next iPhone. Until then, it's either my new Pixel or hanging onto my S7E a little while longer.

I'm leaning Pixel.
Click to expand...
With Apple's decisions I'm now left with only the following two Apple products in my household: an iPhone 5s and an Apple TV (3rd generation).

I've sold two MacBook Airs (11" and a 13") and passed two iPhone 7's to family members who were on older iPhones. Those users don't like iOS 10 but they are older as they are my parents. I'm basically distancing myself from Apple products and moving on to other products.

Also @pojo1806, to provide yet another update on my charging issues: I switched chargers with my GF, my charger which was causing issues for me works perfectly fine for her Pixel and her charger works perfectly fine for me. So I no longer have the issue with charging my Pixel. My uptime is now at 191 hours! I would see if Google will just swap that out for you.
 
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timeconsumer said:
With Apple's decisions I'm now left with only the following two Apple products in my household: an iPhone 5s and an Apple TV (3rd generation).

I've sold two MacBook Airs (11" and a 13") and passed two iPhone 7's to family members who were on older iPhones. Those users don't like iOS 10 but they are older as they are my parents. I'm basically distancing myself from Apple products and moving on to other products.

Also @pojo1806, to provide yet another update on my charging issues: I switched chargers with my GF, my charger which was causing issues for me works perfectly fine for her Pixel and her charger works perfectly fine for me. So I no longer have the issue with charging my Pixel. My uptime is now at 191 hours! I would see if Google will just swap that out for you.
Click to expand...


That's so weird about the chargers.
 
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After much deliberation (and impatience) I have finally placed an order for a Very Silver 32GB Pixel via the Google Store UK.
It has been a very long time since I last paid the actual RRP for a mobile device (that includes Apple products).. nevertheless I am very excited now! 🙂
I think Google Store UK have an extended return period for Dec/Jan should I have any issues or if there any price drops anywhere!
 
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kkh786 said:
After much deliberation (and impatience) I have finally placed an order for a Very Silver 32GB Pixel via the Google Store UK.
It has been a very long time since I last paid the actual RRP for a mobile device (that includes Apple products).. nevertheless I am very excited now! 🙂
I think Google Store UK have an extended return period for Dec/Jan should I have any issues or if there any price drops anywhere!
Click to expand...

They do indeed have extended returns over Christmas. It might take a week or so to arrive, my Daydream View headset I ordered on a Saturday came the following Saturday.
 
Not that I need another XL but I keep seeing reports of 128gb models back in stock. Then I remember it probably doesn't mean the UK site. And it doesn't.
 
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andy2141 said:
As much as I like my Pixel I'm thinking of getting myself an iPhone 7 to see me through most of 2017.

Something about the simplicity of iOS and in the integration with all the other kit in the house always makes me want to come back at some point.

Now just to try and find the best way to go about it. Tempted to just eBAY it or take a hit and use CEX just for zero hassle .
Click to expand...
That's funny, I have the 7+ but I'm thinking about getting the Pixel since I'm already bored with the iPhone, and want to use Android Auto in my car since it just received an update for it (Carplay requires new hardware).
 
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Anybody know the battery impact of leaving the Google now feed on in the left panel? It's gotta be refreshing pretty often to keep track of my location and whatnot right?

Is there anyway to turn off the feed but still have the weather widget remain on the main screen?

I swear, Google is making this widget harder to use than it needs to be.
 
The best justification for the high price point of the Pixel, in my opinion, is the unlimited photo (and video!) backups with Google Photos. It's a joy to use. Easy, simple, reliable, and unlimited.

The Photos app itself isn't quite as good to use as TouchWiz Gallery app. The editing functions don't feel as robust. And it sucks that it doesn't save your edits into a new photo; instead, it saves the edits to the original photo (you can reverse it thankfully). There are a few other weird quirks about Photos, but all in all, a good gallery app. The auto backing up and ease of use viewing them on the computer via your Google account is terrific.
 
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epicrayban said:
The best justification for the high price point of the Pixel, in my opinion, is the unlimited photo (and video!) backups with Google Photos. It's a joy to use. Easy, simple, reliable, and unlimited.

The Photos app itself isn't quite as good to use as TouchWiz Gallery app. The editing functions don't feel as robust. And it sucks that it doesn't save your edits into a new photo; instead, it saves the edits to the original photo (you can reverse it thankfully). There are a few other weird quirks about Photos, but all in all, a good gallery app. The auto backing up and ease of use viewing them on the computer via your Google account is terrific.
Click to expand...

I don't know how compelling that is for most people IMHO what will be most compelling is the fact that it's boringly consistent. It band switch really fast, the finger print reader is fast and works no matter what is on your fingers, I still haven't found any real lags, the battery life is stupid consistent. The word I'd use for this phone is consistent it works without being flashy and without surprises. I keep bringing Pure Nexus up but it's like that it's "right"
 
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epicrayban said:
The best justification for the high price point of the Pixel, in my opinion, is the unlimited photo (and video!) backups with Google Photos. It's a joy to use. Easy, simple, reliable, and unlimited.

The Photos app itself isn't quite as good to use as TouchWiz Gallery app. The editing functions don't feel as robust. And it sucks that it doesn't save your edits into a new photo; instead, it saves the edits to the original photo (you can reverse it thankfully). There are a few other weird quirks about Photos, but all in all, a good gallery app. The auto backing up and ease of use viewing them on the computer via your Google account is terrific.
Click to expand...

I 100% agree with you, I've been using it years with iPhone's and other Android phones and I had used 5gb of the free 15gb so when I saw unlimited full quality with the Pixel I couldn't resist!
 
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lowendlinux said:
I don't know how compelling that is for most people IMHO what will be most compelling is the fact that it's boringly consistent. It band switch really fast, the finger print reader is fast and works no matter what is on your fingers, I still haven't found any real lags, the battery life is stupid consistent. The word I'd use for this phone is consistent it works without being flashy and without surprises. I keep bringing Pure Nexus up but it's like that it's "right"
Click to expand...

Consistent is a good word to describe the Pixel. Well, except for that damn weather/date widget! 😉 Had to have a play by play walkthrough from MRU to finally set it the way I want.

Otherwise, I agree. It's a rather charming little device. Even the design is growing on me. It feels GREAT in the hand (regular Pixel). The metal portion feels slim, smooth, and sturdy, while the upper glass portion provides orientation and some grip. I love that it gets slightly slender toward the bottom too. Aesthetically, it's still questionable, but it's a damn charming and effective looking phone to handle.
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mackie8 said:
Anybody switch from iphone 7 plus to pixel xl?
Are u happy? No regrets?
Click to expand...

I recommend giving the Pixel a shot. As someone who uses the iPhone and Pixel together on a daily basis, I can say with confidence that Android is a superior experience compared to iOS in almost every way. And there's no better representation of Android at this point in time than the Pixel devices.

Happy to go into more detail if you've got questions why I feel this way, but to sum it up briefly: Android is an operating system that tries its best to cater to your needs. Customization applies to both aesthetic and functionality preferences. For a device that one uses on a daily basis, multiple times a day, this means something.
 
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So.. received my Pixel yesterday.. spent most of the evening setting up.. I am happy thus far!
First hardware impressions were iPhone like.. the build quality is great (the weight was perfect).
Software was familiar as I had used a Nexus 5X with 7.1.1. but the extra Pixel Launcher touches are very much evident (in a positive way)!
I am glad I went for the very silver now as I like the white bezel match with the "whitish" android OS.. makes the screen pop more IMO.
Coming to the screen.. it is lovely.. I was a bit hesitant as we have a pentile 1080p unit but those worries are gone after my play with it.. the screen is nice and bright!
The speaker although bottom firing is pretty loud and doesn't sound bad in depth at all.. I am happy enough.. next best thing after stereo speakers I guess.
Finger print sensor is functional and accurate but not fast as Touch ID 2 but I am loving the scrolling function!
Performance wise it has been nippy apart from a few frame drops during app installations and after a reboot.. but much better than any Android handset I have used previously.. I will give it the benefit of doubt for now.. let the OS settle down a bit before making a judgment.
Battery life so far has been better than the iPhone 7.. point in case Google Maps.. I used Google Maps for a 45 min journey this morning.. I lost around 10% battery.. while on the iPhone 7 it would be normally around the 15-20% mark.. that is a big deal for me! Also the overnight standby was comparable to iOS so thumbs up again!
Not had a decent look at the cameras yet.. and the other little things.. will try to test those over the weekend.
Anyway apologies for another waffle.. but in summary the Pixel has made a positive impression that has given me confidence that I may stick with it until the next iPhone (or Pixel 2 perhaps)! 🙂
KKH
 
Kiwikat88 said:
Been changing my mind between a few phones for a couple months now, but I've finally joined the waitlist for a XL. No clue how long it is going to take these days, but I'll be excited when my spot in line comes up. I'm probably going to give Project Fi a try as well, as I'm tired of Big Red and don't have the same signal requirements as before.

:apple:'s recent decisions lost a future iPhone 7+ customer. The future will tell if it spreads to my other devices as well. 😵
Click to expand...


The waitlist for the XL is useless. Completely and utterly useless. I joined it back in November and never got any sort of notification. So, last week, I signed up for a notification from http://www.nowinstock.net/electronics/mobilephones/unlocked/googlepixel/ when it goes in stock, and received a notification from them Monday evening that the XL 128 was available for preorder. I immediately pounced on it, Google said my delivery estimate was mid-January. The phone arrived Wednesday.

Don't bother with the waitlist, sign up for a Now In Stock alert and you'll get your XL much sooner.
 
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Woohoo this is actually happening now! Just went to the Fi website to look and it let me preorder. Never got an alert from Google or NowInStock.

PREORDERED
JANUARY 17 – 18, 2017

Let the hype begin! 😀😀😀
 
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Almost two months in and my XL is rolling along, no hiccups, and never misses a beat. Rock steady.

First phone in a long time (15+ this year) that makes me not want to jump to the next new release or miss something I used to have.

Ultra reliable camera with great results, silky smooth software and astounding battery - no need to disable or turn anything off.

Must say it's nice to have a (mostly) metal phone again after a few shattered glass devices from minor drops. I feel OK without a case on but have skinned it.

I've even grown to like the chin which means my thumb doesn't have to stretch all the way down for something.

Consistently 5 hours on pure 4G or 7 on WiFi.
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Hopefully one of HTC, LG, and Samsung have something ultra compelling in Q1/2 or I may have to keep this.
 
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Kiwikat88 said:
Woohoo this is actually happening now! Just went to the Fi website to look and it let me preorder. Never got an alert from Google or NowInStock.

PREORDERED
JANUARY 17 – 18, 2017

Let the hype begin! 😀😀😀
Click to expand...

When I "preordered" on Monday, it also said mid-January. FedEx delivered my phone on Wednesday, so hopefully you'll have the same luck.
 
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Finally got an XL unit with a perfectly even screen, took me going through two to get this third one. The other two were white and I'm actually way happier with this black one anyway, it seems to make the screen look a lot more "bam!" If that makes sense lol. I was unhappy with the other two as they had an extreme yellow to pink gradient running across the screen either horizontal or vertical respectively Really happy with this one though! Also, for those waiting, the Fi store is the place to get. Seems like they have a separate inventory from Google store and have them in stock more often. That's where I got all three of mine.
 
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