Google Pixel XL

• Verdict

The thing with the Google Pixel XL (and the Pixel, since it’s essentially the same except for differences in screen and battery) is, there’s very little to complain about. Okay, it isn’t waterproof, and that does seem like a glaring omission on Google’s part. Samsung’s Galaxy S7 (review) and S7 edge (review) are, and when they came out, they seemed to be the only mainstream flagships that were waterproof. But Apple’s latest iPhones are also waterproof, which means that this is a feature I’d expect from every premium flagship smartphone now. Bafflingly, the Pixel smartphones also ... Read Full Verdict

The thing with the Google Pixel XL (and the Pixel, since it’s essentially the same except for differences in screen and battery) is, there’s very little to complain about. Okay, it isn’t waterproof, and that does seem like a glaring omission on Google’s part. Samsung’s Galaxy S7 (review) and S7 edge (review) are, and when they came out, they seemed to be the only mainstream flagships that were waterproof. But Apple’s latest iPhones are also waterproof, which means that this is a feature I’d expect from every premium flagship smartphone now. Bafflingly, the Pixel smartphones also lack VoLTE support, but I refuse to believe that a premium flagship (or any other smartphone launched in 2016 except the most basic ones for that matter) can ignore that feature. especially with Reliance’s Jio creating big waves in the country. I’m willing to give the Pixels benefit of doubt on that, and hope a software patch can bring VoLTE support. These niggles apart, the Pixel pair for me, represents the very best of Android. The only thing that comes close on the Android side is the Galaxy S7 duo, and with its solid performance, capable cameras and imperviousness to water, presents stiff competition… and the significantly lower outlay they involve also works in their favour. The pricing of the Pixel phones is a heart stopper, and puts the siblings out of reach for many. That however, seems to be the positioning Google has chosen and there’s no budging from that. One of the key reasons why Apple’s iPhones offer very smooth performance is said to be the complete control the Cupertino major has over both the hardware and software side of things, and with the Pixel smartphones, Google has been able to deliver the perfect marriage of hardware and software on the Android side. So if you can afford their asking price, and don’t want to compromise on the usage experience, the Pixel smartphones are well worth a buy. And then there’s the promise of timely platform updates from Google, fresh from the factory… Android aficionados never had it so good.