Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: What’s the difference between Google’s newest handsets?
This week Google debuted two brand new, Nexus replacing phones – and thankfully there’s not much difference between the two. One is a 5.5-inch version, while the other has a smaller 5-inch panel. Both are available to pre-order in the UK right now, ahead of release later in October.
Here’s all you need to know about what sets these two phones apart.
Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Design
The first thing to note is that these new Pixel phones look absolutely nothing like last year’s Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. While those were made by two different brands – Huawei and LG respectively – the Pixels have been designed by Google and look very similar.
The build is a mixture of aluminium and glass, and looks very similar to 2015’s HTC A9. Let’s hope it doesn’t perform quite as badly as that phone.
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To be honest, we haven’t been completely won over by the Pixel design. The large bezels on the front seem somewhat pointless unless they’re hiding stereo speakers, and chamfered edges are a design trait that started to become tiresome years ago. The two-tone glass and metal back will surely divide opinion too.
From what we can gather from the device’s names, the biggest difference between the two phones is size.
Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Display
We’ve already mentioned the display sizes are different, but that also leads to a difference in resolution.
The 5.5-inch Pixel should come with a quad-HD, 2,560 x 1,440 AMOLED panel, which is almost the same as the Nexus 6P from 2015 but 0.2-inches smaller, and the current standard for a flagship phone.
The regular Pixel has a 5-inch offering, which should have 1080p resolution. That’s slightly smaller than the outgoing Nexus 5X and one of the dinkier Android phones on the market.
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Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Performance
With the new Pixel phones, we’ve got the first use of the new Snapdragon 821 processor in a major phone, and it’s paired with 4GB RAM.
The new chip comes with a reported 10% bump in processing power over the Snapdragon 820 and should ensure top-notch performance on these phones. It also means the phones will be able to the run the Daydream VR software much more smoothly.
Unfortunately, you won’t find a microSD slot on either of these phones (Google seems to be like Apple when it comes to expandable storage) but storage starts at 32GB with a separate 128GB variant.
Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Software
With the release of the new Pixel phones, it seems the notion of ‘stock’ Android will be no more. Yes, the Pixels will both come running Android Nougat but they’ll have their own skin on top called Pixel Launcher.
And from our time with the early leaked APKs on the launcher, it’s a very different approach. Gone is the app drawer icon – you now swipe up from the bottom to see all your apps – and the iconic search bar has been replaced by a pill shaped icon and a view of the date.
Icons have also been surrounded by circles and there’s a fantastic new wallpaper that pulls in images from Google and can be set to automatically alter on a daily basis.
You’ll also have all the benefits that arrived with Nougat, like split-screen apps and an improved Doze mode.
Related: Google Pixel vs Nexus 6P
Both Pixels are also the first Daydream ready phones, and will work with Google’s new Daydream View VR headset.
Google Assistant also plays a huge part in the software, with the company demonstrating how a long-press on the home button will enable the digital assistant. From there’s you’ll be able to use voice recognition to text people, reserve tables at restaurants, and book tickets for shows and concerts.
Watch: Google’s Pixel phone event in just 3 minutes
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Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Camera and battery
Until the Nexus 6P, cameras on Google phones could be described as nothing more than ‘ok’.
Thankfully the 6P remedied that with a great snapper, but its position has fallen somewhat now the likes of the Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7 are on the scene.
Both phones come packing a rear-facing 12.3-megapixel rear camera. It doesn’t look like they’ll be any fancy dual-sensor system like the Huawei P9 or iPhone 7 Plus, but the f/2.0 aperture, and large 1.55-micron pixels, should make for decent low-light photos.
There’s also some clever software features when it comes to camera, with video stabilisation, a smart burst feature that lets you take multiple photos by holding the shutter button and having the phone pick the best one, and free unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos at their original quality.
In terms of battery, the larger PIxel comes with a beefy 3,450 mAh cell while the smaller one features a smaller 2,770 mAh version. Both will charge via USB-C, though there won’t be wireless charging thanks to that metal back.
What’s more, the phones will be able to provide 7 hours of battery life after just 15 minutes of charging, according to Google.
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Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Price and release
The Pixel phones are available to pre-order now in the US and UK. The Pixel will be £599 (32GB) and £699 (128GB) with the Pixel XL coming in at £719 (32 GB) and £819 (128GB). The phone will actually release on October 20.
First impressions
We’re excited about the two Pixel phones not because of their spec sheets, but because they finally signal Google taking the phone market seriously and gunning for a slice of the pie.
There are, of course, other things to look forward to: the spruced up launcher, new Snapdragon 821 CPU and hopefully a camera that can compete.
We’ll have more once we’ve reviewed Google’s new handsets.
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Let us know what you’re most excited for on the new phones in the comments.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
