Google Pixel XL Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Google Pixel XL was launched in October 2016 and quickly gained popularity for its impressive features and capabilities. As a flagship device from Google, this smartphone promises a premium experience for users, with a high-end camera, powerful processor, and intuitive user interface. Even though it has been discontinued, the Pixel XL remains a popular choice for users who are looking for a reliable and high-performing phone.

Design and Build Quality

The Google Pixel XL boasts a sleek and modern design that is both elegant and practical. The phone features a glass front with Gorilla Glass 4 protection and an aluminum/glass back, which gives it a premium feel. The phone's dimensions of 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm and weight of 168 g make it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.

The Google Pixel XL's ergonomic design also makes it easy to operate with one hand. The power button and volume rocker are conveniently located on the right side of the phone, allowing for easy access. The phone's fingerprint sensor is located on the back, which is both intuitive and secure.

In terms of durability, the Pixel XL features a water-repellent coating that protects the phone from accidental spills and splashes. The phone's construction is solid, and it can withstand normal wear and tear without showing any signs of damage.

Overall, the Google Pixel XL's design and build quality are top-notch, and it is a phone that looks and feels premium. The combination of glass and metal gives it a modern and sleek look, and its ergonomic design makes it easy to use for extended periods. The phone's durability and water-repellent coating also make it a practical choice for everyday use.

Display

When it comes to the display, the Google Pixel XL impresses with its 5.5-inch AMOLED screen. The display boasts a high resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 534 ppi. This means that text and images are crisp and clear, with no visible pixelation.

The AMOLED technology used in the display delivers deep, rich black levels and vibrant colors, making for an immersive viewing experience. The screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, which provides a good level of scratch resistance.

In terms of brightness and outdoor visibility, the Pixel XL performs well, with good visibility even in bright sunlight. The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen are also impressive, with fast and accurate touch recognition.

Overall, the display on the Google Pixel XL is one of its standout features, providing a stunning visual experience with rich colors and sharp detail.

Performance

The Google Pixel XL boasts impressive performance capabilities, with its Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 chipset and Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) CPU. Its Adreno 530 GPU also ensures that graphics-intensive tasks are handled with ease.

Multitasking is a breeze on this device, with its 4GB of RAM providing ample memory for running multiple apps simultaneously. Storage options come in at 32GB or 128GB, and while there is no expandable storage, the UFS 2.0 internal storage technology ensures speedy read and write speeds.

Gaming on the Pixel XL is a treat, with its powerful hardware allowing for smooth gameplay even on the most demanding titles. Benchmark scores confirm its performance capabilities, with a Basemark OS II 2.0 score of 2281 and a Basemark X score of 30861.

In real-world usage, the Pixel XL impresses with its snappy response times and effortless navigation through the Android 7.1 (Nougat) operating system. Overall, the Pixel XL provides an exceptional user experience, delivering on both speed and power.

Software and User Interface

The Google Pixel XL runs on Android 7.1 Nougat, which is upgradeable to Android 10. The device offers a clean and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. The operating system offers a range of customization options, including the ability to change the theme, icon packs, and fonts. The Pixel XL also comes with a few pre-installed apps, including Google Assistant, Google Photos, and Google Maps.

The software on the Pixel XL is optimized to work seamlessly with the hardware, ensuring smooth and seamless performance. The device offers excellent multitasking capabilities, allowing users to switch between apps effortlessly. The phone is also equipped with the Google Now launcher, which offers a simple and clean home screen layout.

One of the standout features of the Pixel XL is its software support. As a Google device, the phone is guaranteed to receive timely updates and security patches for at least three years from its release. This ensures that users have access to the latest features and security updates, making the phone a reliable and secure option.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Pixel XL offer a clean, user-friendly experience with plenty of customization options. The device's seamless performance and excellent software support make it an attractive option for users who value reliability and security.

Camera

The Google Pixel XL boasts an impressive rear camera setup with a 12.3 MP lens, f/2.0 aperture, and 1.55µm pixel size. The camera also features PDAF and laser autofocus, dual-LED flash, and HDR for capturing stunning photos. The camera can also take 4K videos at 30fps, 1080p videos at 60/120fps, and 720p videos at 240fps.

The image quality is exceptional even in low light conditions, thanks to the camera's HDR+ technology that enhances images by combining multiple shots. The Pixel XL's camera also has excellent zoom capabilities and image stabilization that helps in reducing shaky shots and ensures smooth video recording. The front-facing camera is an 8 MP lens, with an f/2.4 aperture and 1/3.2" sensor size, that can record 1080p videos at 30fps.

The camera app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with various modes such as panorama, slow-motion, and photo sphere to experiment with. The camera's software is also continuously updated for better performance and new features. Overall, the Google Pixel XL's camera is one of the device's strongest features and provides users with an excellent photography experience.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Google Pixel XL offers a wide range of connectivity and networking options, making it a versatile device for users who require reliable and fast connections. The phone has GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies, which make it compatible with most cellular networks across the globe. It also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA, allowing for fast and stable wireless internet connections.

In terms of Bluetooth capabilities, the Google Pixel XL supports Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE, and aptX, which ensures a seamless and efficient transfer of data between devices. The phone also has GPS and GLONASS positioning, which provide accurate and reliable navigation services. Additionally, the device supports NFC technology, which enables easy and secure wireless payments and data transfer.

The Google Pixel XL also comes with a USB Type-C 3.0 port, which allows for fast and efficient charging and data transfer. The phone is also equipped with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer sensors, which provide a range of features such as unlocking the device and measuring atmospheric pressure.

Overall, the Google Pixel XL offers a wide range of connectivity and networking options that make it a versatile device for users who require fast and reliable connections. Its support for multiple technologies and protocols ensures that users can easily and securely connect with other devices and networks.

Additional Features

The Google Pixel XL boasts a number of additional features that add to its overall appeal. Firstly, the device features water-repellent coating, which means it can withstand splashes of water and rain without sustaining damage. This is a great feature for those who lead an active lifestyle or live in areas with unpredictable weather.

Additionally, the device does not have expandable storage options, but it does come with unlimited cloud storage, which is a great alternative. This feature allows users to store and access their data from anywhere, without the need for additional hardware.

The audio quality on the Pixel XL is also impressive, with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This makes it a great device for those who enjoy listening to music or watching videos on their phone.

The speaker performance is also noteworthy, providing clear and crisp sound that is perfect for conference calls, videos, and music. The Google Pixel XL also comes with a fingerprint sensor, which provides added security to the device while being easy to use.

Overall, the Google Pixel XL offers a range of additional features that make it a great choice for those who want a device that is both versatile and functional. Whether you're looking for water resistance, unlimited cloud storage, great audio quality, or enhanced security, the Pixel XL has got you covered.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to comparing the Google Pixel XL to other related phones, there are a few standout devices that come to mind. One such device is the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which was released around the same time as the Pixel XL. While the S7 Edge has a slightly smaller 5.5-inch display compared to the Pixel XL's 5.7-inch screen, it boasts a higher resolution and a curved edge design. The S7 Edge also has expandable storage, unlike the Pixel XL.

Another device worth mentioning is the iPhone 7 Plus from Apple. While the iPhone 7 Plus has a smaller display than the Pixel XL at 5.5-inches, it has a higher resolution and a dual-camera setup. The iPhone 7 Plus also boasts water resistance and a slightly longer battery life than the Pixel XL.

Finally, for those who prefer a pure Android experience, the OnePlus 3T is a strong contender. It has a similar processor to the Pixel XL and comes with more RAM and storage. While the display is slightly smaller than the Pixel XL, it has a higher resolution and a longer battery life. However, the OnePlus 3T lacks water resistance and expandable storage options.

Overall, when compared to these related phones, the Google Pixel XL stands out for its pure Android experience, large display, and excellent camera performance. However, depending on individual preferences, other devices may offer features that better suit their needs.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Google Pixel XL is a device that boasts impressive features and specifications, making it a great option for those looking for a high-end smartphone. With its sleek design, powerful processor, and impressive camera capabilities, the Pixel XL is a device that can handle everything from multitasking to gaming and photography. Its software and user interface also provide a great user experience, with customization options and regular updates to keep the device up-to-date.

While the Pixel XL may not have the most competitive price point, it does offer a unique combination of hardware and software that is difficult to find elsewhere. Its battery life is also impressive, with fast charging and wireless charging options available.

Overall, the Pixel XL is a great choice for those looking for a premium smartphone with great features and performance. Its only major downside is its lack of expandable storage options, but this is a small price to pay for a device that excels in almost every other area. If you're in the market for a high-end smartphone and don't mind paying a premium price, the Pixel XL is definitely worth considering.