The Pixel is the Phone made by Google, it has been launched in India available in two variants the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL. Here is the review of Google Pixel XL that comes for a price tag of Rs. 66,000 – worth it? Find out.
Unboxing the Google Pixel XL
Box content : Handset, user guide, warranty card, data cable (USB to USB Type C), premium quality earphone, SIM tray ejector pin, USB to USB Type C adapter, data cable (USB Type C to USB Type C) and travel charger (9V / 2A). Pixel XL SAR value : 0.455 W/Kg@1g head and 0.451 W/Kg@1g body.
Design and Display
The Google Pixel is using Aerospace grade aluminum body, build and finishing is excellent. The handset also to some extent looks different, unique. On the back, the camera and finger print area is covered by glass and the rest of the body is metal. This gives a unique feel to the handset. XL is 8.5mm thick and weight is around 167 grams.
Coming to the screen it’s a 5.5 inch on the Google Pixel XL – AMOLED with Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution. Color reproduction, viewing angles and touch response are excellent. The screen is also using 2.5D curved glass and is Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protected.
There is LED notification on the Pixel XL, you will need to manually enable the same. This handset comes with a single nano SIM slot and there is no external micro SD support. XL comes with good number of sensors Accelerometer, light, proximity, magnetic, pressure, Gyro and hall sensors.
Memory, Storage and OS
The Pixel XL is available in different ROM options, the one I used for the review is loaded with 4GB RAM (average 1.9GB free) and 32GB ROM (around 23GB free space on first boot). OTG works you can use the USB to USB Type C adapter, connect pen drive and access its content.
XL is running Android Nougat. I got an update before I started working on the review it’s the latest Android Version 7.1.1. Nougat OS comes with new interface and features and this being a Google, the major advantage is, it will be the first one to get the latest future updates.
Pixel XL Performance
The XL is using Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad core 64 bit clocked at 2.15GHz coupled with Adreno 530 GPU. The performance was smooth, lag free and heat up was well under control. Max battery temperature was 38 degrees i.e. when using the handset and while charging the battery temperature rose up to 44 – 45 degrees (that’s pretty much normal ~ fast charging).
Google Pixel XL Benchmark
Quadrant : 31260
AnTuTu / 3D score : 140780 / 56753 – 2nd time 139619 / 56588
Nenamark 2 : 59.3ps
Disk Speed : 221 MB/s read / 76 MB/s write
Multi Touch : 10 point
Gaming
This is SD 821 chipset; it can play many high end games. I tried Asphalt Xtreme and Modern combat 5 both games played buttery smooth – do note this handset is using Quad HD screen.
Camera
There is 12.3MP PDAF camera plus laser AF on the back with LED flash support and front camera can shoot in 8MP resolution. Front camera is fixed focus. Primary camera is with a f/2.0 aperture. This camera is really fast and even the focusing is almost instant, impressive. Press capture button and it captures images instantly.
The image quality is also excellent when shooting in daylight as well as in low light conditions. This handset can play 4K video and also record 4K videos. Slow motion videos at 240 FPS are also supported – check video review for samples.
Google Pixel XL camera rating 4.7 out of 5
Google Pixel XL front and rear camera sample
Download Original Image files (right click and save) (do not use it for commercial purpose, without permission of gogi.in).
Others
No issues with 4G VoLTE network. Sound is very loud and clear, there is a single speaker placed at the bottom and XL is packed with 3 microphones. The Google Pixel XL can also be used like a power bank – you can charge other devices. Finger print sensor on the back is fast and accurate. Other features supported – Google Assistant, Google Cast and Daydream VR.
Battery
The XL houses a 3450 mAh non-removable battery. Battery life is impressive you can expect 5 to 11 hours of non-stop moderate to heavy usage. For mixed moderate usage the handset will easily last for up to 2 days.
Google Pixel XL Battery Performance (time / battery % drop / battery temperature)
Running Benchmark app : 9 minutes / 2% / 38 degrees
Asphalt Xtreme + MC5 game play : 18 minutes / 6% / 36 degrees
4K video playback with full brightness (WiFi /4G on) : 50 minutes / 7% / 36 degrees.
It took me 2 hours 20 minutes to charge the Pixel XL battery from 1% to 100% using fast wall charger.
Verdict
The Google Pixel XL no doubt is a powerful handset, performance is excellent, heat up is under control, excellent for gaming, looks premium and can shoot excellent still and motion pictures, including slow motion. However it comes with a single SIM slot and its quite pricey at Rs. 67,000.
Now OnePlus 3T using the same snapdragon 821 chipset, but with FHD screen is priced at Rs. 30,000. If you compare the camera performance the XL camera is slightly better than the OnePlus 3/ 3T.
Will customers go for OnePlus 3T for Rs. 30,000 or opt for Google Pixel XL with Quad HD screen and a slightly better camera by paying almost double the price – Rs. 67,000?
I agree that image quality is excellent but detail capturing is worst, my gionee p3 is better than this. If not agree then try to zoom the left car number plate in that parking lot image.
Disk Speed : 221 MB/s read / 76 MB/s write
Everything is good except this. Very average and it will show up sooner or later with apps lagging..
Apple leads in memory speeds and even One PLus has better values!
Great review gogi ji!. Have downloaded and saw the original image samples, Excellent camera. One small request from me. Can you attach the original image samples. Zip file of one plus 3 review too!.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the original images of OP3 and older reviews, as my PC had crashed. And the original images that I used to upload have been optimized for size for the web. And I also don’t have the OnePlus 3, else would have shot some new ones and uploaded.
Thanks for your reply gogi ji!.
sad to know that!
anyways like this new feature of original image zip file in your review
BTW are you gonna review one plus 3t?, if so try to do the same with it!.
For all upcoming reviews I will be following this method. Not sure if an when I will get OnePlus 3T for review.
If a phone costs +60k ,then it has to be bettr dn phones lyk one plus 3/3T in every way……if not, its not worth it
it is using the sony camera sensor that is also used in Mi5 but Google software experts have put in lots of efforts in optimizing camera software for Pixle…one can see the difference it makes in night photography…they are almost DSLR quality. Chinese brands are simply putting latest hardware and do little in optimizing software part.
Completely wrong, the sensors are different, also the pixel sizes are greater in Google Pixel which helps it to reduce noise and produce better low light results… Please do some research before blindly bashing companies,typical mentality…
No comment on Google assistant which is exclusive on these phones ?
Ppl will buy it by stading in queues for days if it is named as “Apple Pixel” 😀
Paying 67k for something as plain and ordinary looking as this phone is stupid, also there is nothing special about this phone apart from camera and google brand name.
Phone is pricey but “Smart”phone assistant is exclusive to pixel
Way expensive only for camera i have to pay double price than one plus 3t and storage also less
67k for something with a lifetime of 3yrs? NO, THANK YOU..
Full HD > Quad HD when it comes to gaming and battery life.
well said “Gogi Bhai” Oneplus 3T better option as compare to cost & features
but not in terms of after sales service and product durability…once phones of oneplus type companies got issue you can read their sufferings on amazon flipkart…i too suffered therefore always prefers brand…currently using moto its best
Dude Lenovo own Motorola and Lenovo is a Chinese brand
Lenovo has retained the original staff for motorola and it is indeed a very good brand, once phones like Pixel and older Iphones end up with cracks on screen or get water damaged, you will be shelling out enough money to buy a respectable phone which will be technologically relevant for years at a stretch…
I will certainly go with One Plus 3T . It’s not for everyone as it’s very pricy .. Google should keep it price around 40k.. User will consider Samsung premium phone rather than this. Nothing so special in this phone…..
“a slightly better camera by paying almost double the price – Rs. 67,000?”
You said it all 🙂