Pixel Phone Reviews: A 'Truly Great Camera' and a 'Home Run' for Google

[rGiskard]

Pixel's camera CRUSHES the iPhone's camera. It comes down to sensor size,

iPhone: 1/3" sensor, 1.22 µm pixels 17.30 mm2
Pixel: 1/2.3" sensor, 1.55 µm pixels, 28.07 mm2.

No amount of image processing can make up for a sensor that is 62% of the area of the competition's.

In comparisons it also looks like the Pixel handles white point far better than the iPhone.

What about the tele lens module? It features an even smaller 1/3.6" sensor.

The 7 Plus's camera is an insult to Apple users.

 

[bobob]

None of the Pixel reviews seem to mention that it is actually slower than the iPhone SE.

Google’s phone can’t even top the performance of the iPhone 6s and iPhone SE.

The first benchmarks for the Pixel and Pixel XL on Geekbench 4 show the phones (which are the same on the inside) scored around 4,100 for multicore performance and around 1,580 for single core. By comparison, the iPhone 7 hit a score of 5,600 for multicore performance and earned a single-core score of 3,430. The iPhone 6s got a multicore score of 4,106 and a single-core score of 2,508.​

If the device is fast enough to do what it needs to do, comparisons with other phones is largely irrelevant.

You're right, but it just seems expensive for a phone with worse specs than a year old iPhone.

(Plus - - who can resist teasing the Android fans after all their years of boasting about their specs. )

 

[usamaah]

"This is Google's first phone, and for a first effort it is remarkably good."

Why do they keep saying this is Google's first phone? It is not Google's first phone by any stretch of the imagination.

This is Google's first phone called "Pixel."

The G1 is Google's first phone. Perhaps one can argue the Nexus One is their first phone. Moreover, The Pixel is manufactured by HTC, as was the G1 and as was the Nexus One.

Google did not have much input on those phones. What camera sensor to put in? Should it get OIS? Should the phone use this processor or that? Google had strong suggestions and occasionally would push for something (like fingerprint) but something like 90% of the phone was decided by the time it came to Google with previous phones. Even the Moto X, Rick Osterloh would say himself that even though they had Google backing a lot of the cool, innovative ideas such as the "Hello Moto X" always listening that now Google and Apple copied and twist to open camera were Motorola innovations, not Google's. (He said so as much during a Hangouts with Marquees Brownlee way back).

This was designed by Google and in the sense that Google had dictated processor, camera sensor, etc. They had to secure relationships to build this phone, and HTC built it for them.

 

[Jimmy James]

attitude ... yeah, hardly reality though ... they're data mining just like everyone else.

Why does Apple store 2 billion iMessage Pings per day for 30 days rolling? What are they doing with all that data?

I agree. I find that very concerning about iMessages.

With a Google phone I expect that all a activity is potentially tracked, logged, and stored indefinitely. I further expect that this information is used to try and sell something to me.

If I'm already concerned about iOS privacy issues I'm mortified by what Google may be doing.

 

[cmwade77]

I buy an iPhone because of iOS and due of it's attitude towards privacy.

I don't like to be downgraded into a Google or Microsoft extension by using an interactive commercial paper smartphone, where both companies scanning your e-mails, your behaviour online, you're interest with almost every mouse-click.

It's rather ironic that in that regard you pay hundreds of dollars (or in my case Euro's) so you can hand over your personal profile to a tech-company. These tech companies earn lot's of money by selling these personal profiles to business, so you pay them next to working for them as well....

If you think Apple isn't doing this in some form or another, you are definitely fooling yourself. At least Google is transparent about what it collects from you, Apple says we don't collect this or that, but really in order for iCloud to function, it has to collect some information. Again, in order for Siri to function some information is required. Your emails are scanned by your email provider and probably Apple as well to make Junk mail filters work. Apple has also admitted to collecting your information and using it anonymously (or so they claim), in short, they are collecting information on you, the question is what are they doing with the information and are they making money from it? The answer is always yes.

 

[Gudi]

Why would someone buy an Android phone at this price?

 

[DNichter]

Not a bad effort, but I don't see it as major competition like everyone is saying. Google services are okay for the most part, but I don't see any of them as being better than Apple. I watched the keynote and asked Siri all of the things they did. No problem for Siri. I don't even use it much, but the way they were hyping it up, I assumed Siri couldn't handle such requests. The Photo storage I would say is a plus, but I don't see it as an issue for me anyway. It's a worse looking iPhone 7 without touch ID, siri, waterproofing, stereo speakers, dual cameras, Apple's ecosystem, and iOS. I guess I don't see why you would downgrade? For unlimited photo storage?

 

[rjohnstone]

Why would someone buy an Android phone at this price?

Same reason someone buys an iPhone.
They like what they see and find value in it.

I personally don't care for it, but I won't bash someone for making that decision.

 

[usamaah]

Pixel's camera CRUSHES the iPhone's camera. It comes down to sensor size,

iPhone: 1/3" sensor, 1.22 µm pixels 17.30 mm2
Pixel: 1/2.3" sensor, 1.55 µm pixels, 28.07 mm2.

No amount of image processing can make up for a sensor that is 62% of the area of the competition's.

In comparisons it also looks like the Pixel handles white point far better than the iPhone.

What about the tele lens module? It features an even smaller 1/3.6" sensor.

The 7 Plus's camera is an insult to Apple users.

I'm a huge Android fan from day 1 but it's fallacy to equate better sensor with better camera.

A camera is more than just its sensor. The data collected needs to be processed appropriately. Apple's ISP is industry leading. Samsung has a good camera too, and now so does the Pixel. But they're all pretty even to be honest. As per usual Apple tends to have more accurate colors and Samsung more punch, it seems the Pixel errs on true colors like the iPhone.

 

[44267547]

Exactly how much money do these manufacturers get from the Carriers to make it exclusive?

Windows Lumia 1020: exclusive to AT&T = Tanked

Amazon Fire Phone: exclusive to AT&T= Tanked

Are the couple of $ millions they get from the carriers really worth cutting out 3/4 of all phone purchasers?

I'm no fan of Samsung, but at least they managed to figure THAT out ...

Excellent point and these were my thoughts. Verizon is a huge carrier and It's a starting point for the Pixel. If this phone does well, then it would make sense to expand beyond one exclusive carrier. If the Pixel were not to expand, it's only throttling its own success, if it's a success. The Pixel will definitely Will have some leeway with the Note 7 out of the game.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Google did not have much input on those phones. What camera sensor to put in? Should it get OIS? Should the phone use this processor or that? Google had strong suggestions and occasionally would push for something (like fingerprint) but something like 90% of the phone was decided by the time it came to Google with previous phones. Even the Moto X, Rick Osterloh would say himself that even though they had Google backing a lot of the cool, innovative ideas such as the "Hello Moto X" always listening that now Google and Apple copied and twist to open camera were Motorola innovations, not Google's. (He said so as much during a Hangouts with Marquees Brownlee way back).

This was designed by Google and in the sense that Google had dictated processor, camera sensor, etc. They had to secure relationships to build this phone, and HTC built it for them.

This is all a matter of degrees. Whether Google invested 400 engineer hours in a phone or 4,000 engineer hours in a phone is certainly a difference. Several press-releases for the former Nexus phones describe great degrees of Google involvement in all aspects of the design, both hardware and software. However, saying this is Google's first phone implies that Google had no prior experience with phones and they happened to make a super polished phone on their first attempt.

Judging this phone as if Google is new to the business of making smartphones is disingenuous. This phone should be judge as a new design made by a huge company that has among most experience in making smartphones.

If a novice startup company had designed this as their first attempt at a smartphone, it would be very impressive. Google is not that, though.

 

[modeyabsolom]

Seems to be a very good product. This is great news for both Android and iOS customers, as competition will increase future innovation.

Yes it will drive innovation in the Android field. But Apple lives in its own bubble and has probably nearly signed off next years iPhone 8 already without ever looking at the competition...why would they? Even if Android smartphones do better technically than the iPhone, and many do...if you're locked into iOS you're unlikely to leave, which I believe tends to make Apple lazy when adding very high performance parts to its iPhone line, actually stunting innovation a bit in the iOS market because they basically have no competition to force them to do so. Which is not so great. None the less features like Force-Touch are still unique to Apple for the time being.

 

[usamaah]

... However, saying this is Google's first phone implies that Google had no prior experience with phones and they happened to make a super polished phone on their first attempt.

Judging this phone as if Google is new to the business of making smartphones is disingenuous. This phone should be judge as a new design made by a huge company that has among most experience in making smartphones.

If a novice startup company had designed this as their first attempt at a smartphone, it would be very impressive. Google is not that, though.

I agree, even if they had zero involvement in making the previous Nexus phones, the fact is they write software for millions of phones and so should be judged with a higher bar in mind.

 

[Mark316]

Why would someone buy an Android phone at this price?

Why not? Is Apple the only company worthy of ripping people off?

 

[rjohnstone]

Excellent point and these were my thoughts. Verizon is a huge carrier and It's a starting point for the Pixel. If this phone does well, then it would make sense to expand beyond one exclusive carrier. If the Pixel were not to expand, it's only throttling its own success, if it's a success. The Pixel will definitely Will have some leeway with the Note 7 out of the game.

The Pixel is not a true carrier exclusive like the other phones mentioned.
It can operate on other carriers as they are all sold without a carrier lock.

Google will also let you do a payment plan just like the other carriers if you buy it from them.
Sure it's not as convenient as walking into your non- Verizon carrier and getting one, but it's not as "exclusive" as the others were.

 

[mistasopz]

I'm surprised Apple hasn't hit them with a lawsuit on this. It seriously looks just like an iPhone with a few things moved around.

Where did Apple move the headphone jack to exactly?

 

[44267547]

The Pixel is not a true carrier exclusive like the other phones mentioned.
It can operate on other carriers as they are all sold without a carrier lock.

Google will also let you do a payment plan just like the other carriers if you buy it from them.
Sure it's not as convenient as walking into your non- Verizon carrier and getting one, but it's not as "exclusive" as the others were.

My point was the Pixel is only available through Verizon. Unlocked, yes, but it doesn't change the concept of availability for other carriers who want supply.

 

[Return Zero]

So... It only took 8 years for Google/Android to actually compete with the iPhone, and yet:

- It's not water resistant (1 year behind)
- It's still not quite as fast or responsive as the iPhone (1-2 years behind)
- The design is stale, more on par with the iPhone 6 (2-3 years behind)
- The camera doesn't have OIS, even on the XL model (2-3 years behind)
- They still have no solution remotely close to rivaling iMessage (5+ years behind)
- The app & accessory ecosystems are still nowhere close either (indefinitely behind)
- They have no comparable deep integration with a desktop OS (indefinitely behind, Chrome OS doesn't count)
- They have no physical stores to have your device serviced/replaced same-day (indefinitely behind)
- Verizon-exclusive??? What is this, 2007?
- They are far more lax on privacy, since 90% of their revenue is from ads, not products (vastly inferior on so many levels)
- I think I could go on for a while.
- In all fairness, the screen resolution, image sensor, and personal/voice assistant are better than the iPhone. (1-2 years ahead?)

All this, and they still charge the same price as the iPhone? What are they smoking?

 

[Stella]

You're right, but it just seems expensive for a phone with worse specs than a year old iPhone.

(Plus - - who can resist teasing the Android fans after all their years of boasting about their specs. )

Shhhh but Apple sell Macbook Pros with outdated CPUs and GPUs, at today's prices...!

 

[jujufreeze]

2 Words: Battery Life. Sounds like the Pixel xl can be left on for days without a recharge. Hope this lights a fire under Apple that the iphone 8 needs exceptional battery life to push it ahead of the pack. Most flagship phones have reached close enough parity in camera, display quality, THINNESS, performance etc.
Much improved Battery life is a super practical feature everyone under the sun actually needs.

 

[rjohnstone]

My point was the Pixel is only available through Verizon. Unlocked, yes, but it doesn't change the concept of availability for other carriers who want supply.

No... it's not only available through Verizon.
Walk into any Best Buy and pick one up.
Order online from Google, Amazon, etc...
If Google was smart, the carrier exclusivity with Verizon is short term.

 

[Return Zero]

2 Words: Battery Life. Sounds like the Pixel xl can be left on for days without a recharge. Hope this lights a fire under Apple that the iphone 8 needs exceptional battery life to push it ahead of the pack. Most flagship phones have reached close enough parity in camera, display quality, THINNESS, performance etc.
Much improved Battery life is a super practical feature everyone under the sun actually needs.

I think the jury is still out on this one... Specific usage can make a huge difference, of course.

"The Pixel XL had no problem making it through my day. The smaller Pixel had a harder time keeping up, hitting 10% most days by 8 p.m. In my punishing lab tests, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus lasted an hour longer than the similar-size Pixels." - WSJ

"In my short few days of testing, using the smaller Pixel, I never approached the 13 hours or so Google claimed for most activities. On a day when I was focused on battery life, streaming a 90-minute movie and playing music for hours, I got only a few minutes over nine hours — not even enough to get most people through a full work day, including commutes. As I write this, having played little music and streamed no video today, the phone is predicting I’ll get 12 hours. For comparison, in my typical usage patterns, and in the same areas and phone network, the iPhone 7 got between 12 and 14 hours." - Mossberg (Verge)

 

[GoodWheaties]

I've seen some of the review photos. It seems like the iPhone 7 Plus has a much better portrait mode, and the Pixel doesn't have OIS, and it doesn't seem like it can focus as closely and have as shallow a depth of field as the iPhone 7 for close up shots, but for 70% of most photos people would take, the Pixel camera seems to be better. It's especially impressive in low light, although some of the low light shots I've seen were with the Pixel and iPhone 7 mounted on tripods, which seems unfair since the iPhone 7 has OIS. Any camera can properly expose a scene on a tripod if the shutter remains open long enough—although that can add noise, especially if it's warm out.

I'd be interested to see the EXIF data for this shot below in particular, because as someone who has done a bit of professional photography work, the image below doesn't seem right. If the room is actually dark, you only get results like this when using a flash if you have a pretty long exposure combined with the flash using a diffuser, or have an off-camera fill flash. Either that or the Pixel has a magical high ISO imaging sensor similar to that found in Sony's $3000 a7SII. The only other scenario (and most likely in my opinion) is that the room itself actually isn't very dark, and the iPhone is horribly underexposing when using the flash, which is a viable possibility but should be easily fixable with a software update. Sometimes it also depends on how you use the camera. If you tap to focus on the white dress, the iPhone will expose for that making everything darker. But if you tap more on the model's face, near her dark hair or the background, then it will expose for that and make everything lighter. Back in college I used to do a ton of long exposures around town in the middle of the night. What gives away the Pixel shot for me are the starburst rays I see on the lights on the ceiling. I would see those a lot in longer exposures and they aren't apparent in the iPhone photo. So either Apple messed up or someone didn't lock exposure properly. If they didn't tap for exposure or focus at all, then the iPhone software messed up.

Something else I noticed in some of the photos is that the Pixel seems to do a better job cutting down UV haze in landscape photos. Either it has a better filter or is doing something in software, similar to the reduce haze feature found in Adobe Lightroom.

It appears that the iPhone used flash and the Pixel didn't. You can see the shadows from the flash. That seems like somebody screwed up and didn't turn the flash off on the iPhone. That also makes the pictures not very comparable.

 

[Glideslope]

It's The Verge people. What did you expect?

 

[44267547]

No... it's not only available through Verizon.
Walk into any Best Buy and pick one up.
Order online from Google, Amazon, etc...
If Google was smart, the carrier exclusivity with Verizon is short term.

I'm referring to carriers. Verizon is the only carrier at the moment. I wasn't referring to third party stores or online venues.