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Google Pixel · Google official Pixel and Pixel XL shared launch photograph; depicted size/configuration is unspecified where the shared image does not distinguish it. Complete supplied framing and background retained.

Google Pixel
Photo 1 of 2

Google Pixel · Google official Pixel and Pixel XL shared launch photograph; depicted size/configuration is unspecified where the shared image does not distinguish it. Complete supplied framing and background retained.

Google · Pixel

Pixel

Released October 2016

Google's first compact Pixel combines a 5-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 821 and a 12.3 MP main camera with a headphone jack.

Screen
5″
Display
OLED
Chip
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
Memory
4 GB
Storage
32 GB – 128 GB
Main camera
12.3 MP
Zoom
–
Battery
2,770 mAh
Weight
143 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews liked the camera and smooth Android experience, but questioned the price and dated design. Battery findings differed; Expert Reviews measured strong video endurance, while TechRadar often needed an evening top-up. They also disagreed about how its low-light camera compared with Samsung's Galaxy S7.

From techradar.com, techradar.com, techradar.com, techradar.com, techradar.com and expertreviews.co.uk

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Display

Screen size
5″
Resolution
1920 × 1080
Sharpness
441 pixels per inch
Panel
OLED
Display type
AMOLED FHD; 1920 × 1080 pixel resolution confirmed by Expert Reviews; 16:9 aspect ratio
Pixel density
441 ppi
Screen protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 4; oleophobic coating

Performance

Chip
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
Memory
4 GB
Storage
32 GB, 128 GB
CPU
64-bit quad-core CPU; 2.15 GHz + 1.6 GHz
GPU
Adreno 530
Storage type
4 GB LPDDR4 RAM; no microSD slot

Cameras

Main camera
12.3 MP
Ultra wide camera
None
Telephoto camera
None
Optical zoom
None
Front camera
8 MP
Main camera
f/2.0; 1.55 μm pixels; phase-detection and laser-detection autofocus; CRI-90 dual-LED flash
Front camera
f/2.4; 1.4 μm pixels
Video recording
Rear 4K at 30 fps; 720p slow motion at 240 fps and 1080p slow motion at 120 fps
Front video
HD at 30 fps
Camera features
HDR+; Smartburst; Lens Blur; video stabilisation; double-twist gesture switches between cameras

Battery and charging

Battery
2,770 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)
Up to 13 hours
Wireless charging
None
Battery life detail
Non-removable; maker claims up to 19 days standby, 26 hours talk, 13 hours Wi-Fi or LTE browsing, 13 hours video and 110 hours audio; actual results vary
Wired charging
Supplied USB-C 18 W charger; maker claims up to seven hours of mixed use from 15 minutes of charging; actual results vary

Design

Type
Standard
Weight
143 g
Thickness
8.58 mm
Height × width
143.84 × 69.54 mm
Materials
Anodised aluminium and Gorilla Glass 4; tapered body measures 7.31 mm at the bottom and 8.58 mm at the top
Colours
Very Silver, Quite Black and Really Blue; Really Blue was US-only at launch
Buttons
Power button and volume controls
Biometrics
Pixel Imprint rear fingerprint reader
Sensors
Accelerometer; gyroscope; magnetometer; barometer; proximity and ambient light; Hall sensor; Android Sensor Hub
Speakers
Bottom-firing speaker; adaptive audio amplifier
Microphones
Three microphones; two front and one rear

Software

Operating system
Android
Software at launch
Android 7.1 Nougat
Software updates
No longer receives Android version or security updates according to Google's current support policy
AI features
Google Assistant introduced at launch
In the box
USB-C to USB-C cable rated USB 2.0; USB-C 18 W 9 V/2 A charger; SIM tool; Quick Switch adaptor; USB-A to USB-C cable rated USB 3.0; quick-start packet; earbuds included in India and Australia

Connectivity

Mobile network
4G LTE with three-carrier aggregation; UK/rest-of-world variant has FDD LTE bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/21/26/28/32 and TDD LTE 38/39/40/41; no 5G
SIM
One nano-SIM slot
Wi-Fi
Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.2
NFC
NFC
USB
USB-C 3.1; 3.5 mm headphone jack
Positioning
GPS and GLONASS; digital compass

Storage options

Storage
32 GB
128 GB

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Compact 143 g aluminium design
  • Headphone jack and rear fingerprint reader
  • 32 GB and 128 GB storage options

Cons

  • No microSD slot or optical telephoto camera
  • Single bottom-firing speaker
  • Android and security updates have ended

Closest rivals

Model
ScreenDisplayChipMemoryStorageMain cameraZoomBatteryWeightReleased
SamsungGalaxy S7
5.1″OLED, 60 HzExynos 88904 GB32 GB – 64 GB12 MP–3,000 mAh152 gMar 2016
SonyXperia X Performance
5″LCDSnapdragon 8203 GB32 GB23 MP–2,700 mAh165 gJun 2016
SonyXperia XZ
5.2″LCDSnapdragon 8203 GB32 GB23 MP–2,900 mAh161 gOct 2016

Newer model: Pixel 2.

Sources

  1. support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16043605
  2. support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738422
  3. blog.google/products-and-platforms/devices/pixel/introducing-pixel-our-new-phon…
  4. support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/4457705
  5. support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7158537
  6. newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-exclusive-direct-network-partner-for-googles-pixel-pixel-x…
  7. newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-pinpoints-launch-of-googles-first-pixel-handsets
  8. qualcomm.com/news/onq/2016/10/pixel-phones-made-google-powered-snapdragon-821
  9. expertreviews.co.uk/technology/phones/google-pixel-phone-and-pixel-xl-review-sm…

Photo: Google official Pixel and Pixel XL shared launch photograph; depicted size/configuration is unspecified where the shared image does not distinguish it. Complete supplied framing and background retained.

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