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.
Pixel vs Pixel XL
- Thread starter bchreng
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
epicrayban
macrumors 604
This is a key point. Both Samsung and now Google offer no compromises in their smaller models. Other than the obvious screen size and battery size, everything else is the same. With the iPhone options, you lose out on camera features in the smaller model. That's not cool. I've always been vocal about it against Apple.
To answer your question, I have the smaller Pixel pre-ordered for my father, and will likely pick the smaller Pixel for myself, too.
mi7chy
Suspended
There's virtually no penalty going down in size or upsell going up in size like the iPhones so it boils down to size preference. I use my phones more like computers so prefer the larger screen size.
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/si...hone-7-Plus,Google-Pixel-XL/phones/9816,10263
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/si...hone-7-Plus,Google-Pixel-XL/phones/9816,10263
s0nicpr0s
macrumors regular
I'm a little torn on which one to go with eventually. Since the screen and battery are the only differences, I'd be more than happy to go with a smaller device, but since I use a LG G4 currently, I don't really want to go back to a Full HD screen. I really enjoy having the Quad HD, even if it doesn't actually make much difference on the user experience.
I think I'll ultimately end up with the smaller device, using the premium of the larger screen to go with the higher capacity instead. A little sad to see that the blue finish only comes in the smaller storage capacity too.
I think I'll ultimately end up with the smaller device, using the premium of the larger screen to go with the higher capacity instead. A little sad to see that the blue finish only comes in the smaller storage capacity too.
I always think I want a bigger screen next time around but the smaller one handed usability usually wins out when it comes time to buy.
maxsix
Suspended
I'm more than willing to give up "ease of carrying" for the increased usability / functionality and speed that a larger spacious display provides.
It's a "smartphone" and as such I use it for some tasks I was formerly forced to do on my laptop. In fact it's having an open file system that is the the supreme advantage of Android. An advantage so strong it's relegated my iPhone to an "also ran".
It's a "smartphone" and as such I use it for some tasks I was formerly forced to do on my laptop. In fact it's having an open file system that is the the supreme advantage of Android. An advantage so strong it's relegated my iPhone to an "also ran".
There are probably going to be advantages to the XL for the VR Goggles, too.
Even so, I chose the smaller Pixel because it's going to spend time in my pocket. I found I can manage a Galaxy S7 or IPhone sized phone okay in my pocket. Not as comfortably as the SE but it's feasible. I didn't have as much luck with my 6S Plus.
Lol, I actually ordered two Pixels! I couldn't decide between silver or black so I decided to preorder both (so I can get the free VR Goggles) no matter which one I ultimately end up with. There's light bleed according to Android Central so black bezels would be preferable. But I can easily darken most rooms in the house because the previous owners installed some amazing custom blinds.
Even so, I chose the smaller Pixel because it's going to spend time in my pocket. I found I can manage a Galaxy S7 or IPhone sized phone okay in my pocket. Not as comfortably as the SE but it's feasible. I didn't have as much luck with my 6S Plus.
Lol, I actually ordered two Pixels! I couldn't decide between silver or black so I decided to preorder both (so I can get the free VR Goggles) no matter which one I ultimately end up with. There's light bleed according to Android Central so black bezels would be preferable. But I can easily darken most rooms in the house because the previous owners installed some amazing custom blinds.
Technarchy
macrumors 604
timeconsumer
macrumors 68020
I have to admit, I'm extremely impressed by this. Well done on Google for not forcing somebody to the larger phone if they want certain features. This device is truly about if you prefer a larger screen and/or slightly more battery life. It certainly makes it easier to decide.
I'm not knowledgeable when it comes to VR and the only time I've tested VR was the Samsung display in Best Buy, but I would think you're accurate when you say that there probably will be advantages to the XL for VR. This would make sense as the XL has a 1440p screen vs. a 1080p screen.
I'm thinking about ordering a Pixel myself, but I have an iPhone 7 so I'm not too bothered if I have to wait a little bit for better availability. After moving from the 6s+ to the 7 I found that I prefer smaller phones for portability over the larger phones. I could see myself making the Pixel my main phone as I'm really annoyed with my iPhone 7 with the lack of the headphone port. (more of a rant here but: There's not enough good quality lightning headphones and I absolutely hate the adapter. Bluetooth headphones just aren't ready for me yet, another thing I have to remember to charge!)
MRU
macrumors Penryn
I'm going of the regular 5" pixel. If you were interested in VR then go for the XL, but that doesn't bother me and I think I would prefer the smaller ergonomics.
From what I read it's best to order an XL for VR and the color black. But all Pixels will work for Daydream goggles.
I have both a small black Pixel and a small silver Pixel on order. I have a space grey SE already done up in black cases and a black wallpaper and my silver Samsung is also in a black case with a black theme applied. I have always wanted a silver iPhone but never gotten one, sometimes due to lack of availability and sometimes because I had reasons to go for other colors. So this time I'm making a break for the silver Pixel.
I had ordered black because I had been planning to get a black iPhone 7 so that was the color on my mind. And really I was getting a black iPhone because it disguises the camera bump. Well, on a Pixel there is no camera bump to disguise. So I may as well go for silver. Once I receive confirmation that my silver pre-order will qualify me for a free 3-D goggles I will cancel my pre-order for the black Pixel.
I'm able to darken most of the rooms in my house easily for VR, especially the basement rec room. So light bleed shouldn't be a problem even if I choose a white Pixel.
[doublepost=1476881532][/doublepost]
I share your feelings about the removal of the headphone jack and your frustration with Bluetooth headphones. I was gifted with Beats Studio noise cancellation headphones and with the ear buds. First off, I've lost the ear buds already. I've not lost wired ear buds in years. But those wireless ones are elusive little Devils despite being a loud lime green. The charging dongle is another thing to keep track of. Pairing is a pain. Both headphones are prone to skipping and stutters. It's not as bad on the full sized headphones.
I know there are other brands out there that may be better, but these are what Apple sells and what my husband bought me as a gift and they were expensive. So it doesn't reflect well on Apple's choice when some of Apple's own very pricey recent wireless offerings work less well than my decades old cheap wired headphones. It's fine and courageous to remove the headphone jack if you have a better alternative that forces no compromises ready to go. The air pods should have been ready to go with the new iPhone. I can't believe Apple released the iPhone 7 plus with camera software that wasn't ready on launch and released both I phones without the clever (but odd looking) air pods ready for market as well.
epicrayban
macrumors 604
Yup. Then there's this: http://thenextweb.com/apple/2016/10/19/iphone-7-storage-speed-test/
The 32GB iPhone 7 has 8 times slower storage performance than the 128GB model
Wonder if this is the case with the Pixels.
s0nicpr0s
macrumors regular
I do expect there to be some level of difference with the flash storage, but the title is slightly misleading. The larger capacity iPhone used in the video was a 256GB model, not a 128GB. So for all we know, the performance difference is maybe closer to 5 times rather than 8.
timeconsumer
macrumors 68020
That was a good video, I liked how he showed the benchmarking software and then put that into a real world scenario by transferring a 4.2GB video file.
In the video it shows clearly that transferring files from a computer to the 32GB was much slower. I am confused on the article though as in the video the guy was testing a 256GB vs a 32GB. As @s0nicpr0s pointed out that the 128GB was not tested so the performance difference of the 128GB may not be as drastic, although it could be, but we do not know as it wasn't tested in that specific video.
I would think that somebody who purchases a 32GB iPhone is more than likely not going to be transferring such a large file, but I could be wrong.
Questions I have from watching the video:
It shows in the video that transferring files is slow, but does this effect app installations and OS updates as well?
Would this effect game performance at all? (I don't play games often so I'm not sure how many games need to save or write to the storage)
EDIT: Since this thread is for the Pixel and Pixel XL, has anyone tested the differences of the 32GB in the Pixels vs the 128GB Pixels? I wonder if they have similar differences. Perhaps we could ask the same reviewer to repeat the same test on those.
Last edited: