Google Pixel XL

While Google hasn’t really made a big deal out of it, it’s no secret that the Pixel phones are made by HTC. HTC’s prowess in crafting smartphones that rock solid build quality and sport stylish designs is unquestionable – a look at some of its last flagships will explain why I say that. And when I look at the Pixel XL closely, I do see a faint resemblance with the HTC 10 (review) in terms of design. The Pixel XL looks good in an understated sort of a way, and while it definitely feels good in the hand, I’d have preferred something a little snazzier considering the asking price and the premium positioning.

The 5.5-inch QHD screen on the Pixel XL (the Pixel offers a 5-inch FHD screen) is extremely capable and crisp. It uses AMOLED tech, which means the blacks look great and the colours appear vivid. High brightness levels and wide viewing angles means legibility isn't a problem, regardless of where and from angle you look at it. 

And then there’s that camera. A 12.3MP primary camera, and that too, one that lacks OIS, won’t make anyone jump for joy. But wait till you see the results. The Pixel XL’s camera is one of the best out there, excelling in almost all situations. It trumps the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, and even the Samsung Galaxy S7 duo, with what it can do… and that’s saying a lot. The Pixel XL camera launches in a jiffy, focusses fast (using PDAF and laser autofocus), and delivers detailed and sharp results. HDR is one of its key strengths, and in fact, the HDR Auto mode comes enabled by default. And since there’s no lag in terms of HDR processing at all, you might as well leave it on. If there’s one gripe that I have with the Pixel XL’s snapper, it’s that it boosts ISO up to insane levels for low-light shots, resulting in some unnatural looking images. That apart, there’s nothing really to complain. On the Pixel devices, Google’s even offering unlimited free cloud storage for both stills as well as videos, which means you can free up storage space on your phone easily.

The only word I can think of regarding the Pixel XL’s performance is ‘sublime’. Top-of-the-line hardware like the Snapdragon 821 SoC and 4 gigs of RAM have been tuned perfectly to run stock Android Nougat in the smoothest of manner. This is where Google’s premise of taking more control over the hardware side of things comes to the fore, and there’s no speed breaker to ruin your drive. Smooth animations, brilliant multitasking, enjoyable gameplay, and speedy app launches are the name of the game. The Pixel XL does heat up slightly when stressed, but doesn't really reach uncomfortable levels. And then there’s the battery life. The 3,450mAh pack is loaded with juice – easily lasting me the entire working day and dropping me home at night with 20-30 percent left in the tank. The 91mobiles battery drain test ran for over 16 hours – which is a great result. The fingerprint scanner at the rear works brilliantly well, and is extremely fast and accurate.