Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the new Google Pixel takes on its big brother, the Google Pixel XL. This will be a slightly different comparison since they have many important specifications in common. ‘Gogglers’ have been anticipating this day since last year’s successful launch of the LG Nexus 5 and Huawei Nexus 6P. Yes, you will notice the name change – Google decided to drop the Nexus name and begin using the Pixel moniker instead. Nobody can really give us a good answer on why Google made the switch, but it may become more obvious down the road. HTC made both of the devices and they are a combination of polished glass and metal with very few differences other than display size, display resolution, and battery size…and of course, price.
Let’s take a closer look at both of these new Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL smartphones and see just how they stack up to one another. Is The Google Pixel XL worth the extra money or are there enough similarities that the Google Pixel will suffice?
Google Pixel/ Google Pixel XL
Display
This is one area where the Google Pixel and Pixel XL are different – the Pixel model is sporting a 5.0-inch AMOLED display. It is a Full HD resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixels and 441 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) It is a small display, but many users prefer the 5-5.3-inch as their ‘sweet spot’ making it easy to carry around in one’s pocket. However, it seems like most users are preferring something a bit larger – hence the Pixel XL. The Pixel XL sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a solid 531 PPI. This will give the user a clearer display and one that is easier to read with less strain on your eyes.
So under the Display area, we have the Pixel XL with a larger display and a higher resolution and both displays are protected by Gorilla Glass 4. This is definitely a win for the Pixel XL.
Battery
The battery size is another area where the Google Pixel and Pixel XL differ. The smaller Pixel uses a non-removable 2770mAh battery for its power – along with a fast charging capability. The Pixel XL comes with a much larger 3450mAh non-removable battery, also with fast charge capabilities – Quick Charge 3.0. Both models use the new reversible Type-C 1.0 port for charging or data transfer. This is another win for the Pixel XL.
Similarities
Both of the above areas were won by the Pixel XL because there were some obvious differences – however, there are many similarities between the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. So much so that there really is no winner as all of the specifications we discuss affect both devices equally.
Processor/Memory
Both devices are packing the newest 64-bit Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor (guaranteed a 10-percent performance boost over the 820) with one dual-core clocked at 1.6GHz and one dual-core clocked at 2.15GHz. They are both using the Adreno 530 GPU for extreme graphics presentation. They both are using 4GB of DDR4 RAM and either 32GB of internal memory, although in a first for a Google smartphone there will be no 64GB option, just a 128GB option as well. That is a lot of processing power and RAM to handle Android 7.1 Nougat.
Camera Area
Google wanted their Pixel and Pixel XL users to have a top-notched experience when taking photos. At first, the specifications are not impressive – they both use a 12.3MP sensor for their main camera along with an aperture of f/2.0, phase detection autofocus (PDAF,) a dual-tone LED flash, and no OIS. The sensor is 1/2.3-inches and it uses a 1.55µm pixel size. Even the 8MP front-facing camera (FFC) is large and comes with a f/2.0 aperture, a 1.4µm pixel size, and 1080p. This setup should offer excellent selfies and video chatting. The camera was already tested by DxOMark and received a score of 89 – the highest yet by a smartphone. That is a win for both models.
Features/Observations
The Pixel measures in at 143.8 x 69.5 x 8.6mm and weighs in at 143 grams. The Pixel XL measures in at 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.6mm and weighs in at 168 grams. We know that it comes in Quite Black, Very Silver, and Really Blue. They both come with the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor that will allow you to unlock your device or authorize mobile payments. Android Pay will be part of the package as well. The 32GB Google Pixel will cost about $650 and the Pixel XL will cost you about $770.
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