Google has been in the smartphone game for some time now. The creators of Android used to claim the Nexus range of untouched Android headsets as their own, getting new manufacturers to produce new handsets every so often. That sort of approach, and the Nexus brand, is a thing of the past though. Google instead is taking over the reigns, revealing their first smartphone under the Google name. Say hello to Pixel.
Although manufactured by HTC, the Pixel is 100% Google designed. It’s the first phone of theirs that can truly be called that, and it comes in two size variants. The regular Pixel will feature a standard 5-inch display with 1080p resolution, with the larger Pixel XL sports a 5.5-inch display and Quad HD resolution. Both come with 4GB RAM, are equipped with the same Snapdragon 821 processor and run a specialized version of Google’s Android software.
The Pixel is what Google considers the quintessential Android experience, and during their press conference they highlighted a few key features that help achieve that. Google Assistant, for example, is the Pixel’s new powerful answer to Apple’s Siri. A long press on the home screen allows you to voice search anything, from photos you took months ago to songs on the internet. Google Assistant handles it all.
In conjunction with that, Google is also boasting that the Pixel’s rear-camera is the best on the market right now. And that’s not just them saying it – benchmark company DxOMark scored the camera an 89, the highest rating ever for a smartphone. Google also boasted about it being the fastest camera too, with a shutter speed that could make Barry Allen blush. There’s also the fact that it actually fits into the aluminium frame of the phone. No bumps here.
Google also revealed that Pixel users will get unlimited Google Drive storage for all their photos and videos, the latest Android updates as soon as they become available, and a platform that has been built from the ground up for mobile VR. The Pixel is Google’s long overdue statement of intent in the smartphone market, allowing third-parties to continue using Android and now play catch-up. The Pixel starts at $649, and ramps up significantly based on storage and size requirements. Pre-orders are live today.
Last Updated: October 5, 2016
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 5, 2016 at 10:34
Google’s attacking the market aggressively with Pixel…
http://i.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/pixels-movies-based-on-video-games.gif
Original Heretic
October 5, 2016 at 10:46
Gawd this movie was terrible.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
October 5, 2016 at 10:48
Still haven’t seen it thankfully
Dungeon of JJ
October 5, 2016 at 10:50
Movie? Wait, no, don’t tell me
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
October 5, 2016 at 10:55
Jack Thompson was right!
http://www.asset1.net/tv/pictures/movie/world-trade-center-2006/World-Trade-Center-DI-2.jpg
Fnuik
October 5, 2016 at 10:50
Loved it. Mindless fun
Admiral Chief
October 5, 2016 at 10:38
Yes, sign me up for one!
BakedBagel
October 5, 2016 at 10:42
Google shots lmao https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5cd8f6571502ad91a60bff182df64dc45f21624fd55ca4103ea2100fc643334e.jpg
Admiral Chief
October 5, 2016 at 11:03
Yeah. So much lolz
Original Heretic
October 5, 2016 at 10:47
$649 STARTING price? I’d rather buy a kickass PC.
Dungeon of JJ
October 5, 2016 at 10:50
Yea, my thoughts too.
HairyEwok
October 5, 2016 at 11:32
GTX1080 price right there.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
October 5, 2016 at 10:53
People are way too obsessed with expensive phones.
Original Heretic
October 5, 2016 at 10:55
Dearly beloved Lagz community, we are gathered here today to upvote Hammer’s comment. Come one, come all, give the comment above your attention and spread the word all over the misshapen lump of rock we call Earth.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
October 5, 2016 at 10:55
ROFL
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 5, 2016 at 10:55
You can have my expensive phone when you pry it from my poor, bankrupt hands!
chimera_85
October 5, 2016 at 10:57
Looks like an iPhone, small battery like an iPhone, yet iPhone’s are “shit” yet all these companies want to compete with the “shittest” smartphones?
Admiral Chief
October 5, 2016 at 11:04
Hmmmm….manufactured by HTC…….not sure if want
Viking Of Science
October 5, 2016 at 11:20
Are you Kidding, HTC Manufactures amazing tech, the One line of phones chief among them.
Admiral Chief
October 5, 2016 at 15:06
Still have a sour taste in my mouth from the last few HTC devices I helped colleagues with
*spits*
I hope they are better these days
Milesh Bhana
October 5, 2016 at 11:05
Looks like an iPhone with a headphone jack. Welcome to 2015, Google.
For the Emperor!
October 5, 2016 at 11:16
Does it come with less bloat ware than the other phones on the market? I want something light-weight where I do not have to manually disable 50 f’ing apps to stop them from using all my data for nonsense news or weather feed stuffs that I NEVER use!
VampyreSquirrel
October 5, 2016 at 11:30
It’ll probably have EVERY Google produced app ever created on it.
DragonSpirit009
October 5, 2016 at 11:19
Damn… that price! It makes a person shudders!
HvR
October 5, 2016 at 11:27
Year ago R9000 wasn’t too bad
DragonSpirit009
October 5, 2016 at 11:43
Year ago I was still trying to figure out how to save money XD
VampyreSquirrel
October 5, 2016 at 11:29
People moaning about this phone costing R8k+… have you seen the starting price of Samsungs, iPhones, Sonys, and the like? R8k isn’t THAT bad.
HairyEwok
October 5, 2016 at 11:33
Samsung Note 7, R13k+ and it has the potential to blow up in your face. Yeah R8k is actually looking real cheap now XD
VampyreSquirrel
October 5, 2016 at 11:37
R13k+ and the contents of your home… or R8k and life.