This week, Google has finally unveiled their first phone, the Pixel. With a “G” on the back, the Pixel sports some pretty awesome features. It comes in silver and black, and, for a limited time, in blue. Here are some of the biggest features to look out for:
Google Assistant: Google’s AI assistant doesn’t just answer questions for you. It’s programmed to be able to hold conversations with you — it is able to answer your follow-up questions. It can get you directions and show you your photos. You can even tell it to reserve a table for dinner at your favorite restaurant.
The Camera: Google claims that their camera is the “highest rated smartphone camera” ever created. It really is powerful and is able to take clear photos in any lighting situation. It has a 12.3-megapixel rear camera with f/2.0 Aperture lens, while the front camera is an 8-megapixel one. It has other useful features, such as Smartburst, which takes several photos one after another. It received an 89 score from DxOMark, which is indeed the highest score — the iPhone 7 got an 86.
Daydream VR Mode: This works together with Google’s new virtual reality set, which costs $79 — and comes free with a Pixel pre-order.
Unlimited Storage: Yep, you get unlimited Google Photos storage, in original resolution, for all of your photos and videos.
Night Mode: This feature helps protect your eyes from blue light strain.
Touch Features: The Pixel’s fingerprint scanner will not only unlock the phone to the touch but will pull down the notification bar when you swipe down.
Other features include the quick switch adapter, which enables users to transfer their data from their old Android or iPhone, and an improved battery — you can get up to seven hours battery life with just 15 minutes of charging.
The disappointing part of this all is that some of these features are exclusive to the Pixel, and will not be available on the regular Android Nougat phones. When Nougat was first announced, it was understood that Assistant would be included, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. However, many other features, such as night mode, fingerprint gestures, app shortcuts, and Daydream VR mode will come with all Nougat devices.
Google didn’t actually manufacture the phones themselves; they commissioned HTC to do so. However, there is no HTC branding on Pixel devices.
The Pixel (with a 5″ display) and the Pixel XL (with a 5.5″ display) can be pre-ordered on the Google Store for $649 and $769. They are also available at Verizon for $27.08 a month for 24 months.
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