Google has finally lifted the lid on its new pair of Pixel phones, which are the next evolution of its lauded Nexus handsets. Simply dubbed the Pixel and Pixel XL, these two phones are a very different kind of offering compared to last year's Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, as Google's put both of them very much at the flagship end of the product scale, eschewing its traditional value for money approach for something altogether more premium.
It's no surprise, really, given that the rest of its Pixel devices are also top of the range, but it's still a little disappointing considering the Nexus 5X (and many of its predecessors) was such a great mid-range heavyweight. With the Pixel and Pixel XL now firmly in Galaxy S7 territory, Google's certainly got a tough road ahead of it if it's going to stand out.
Design and display
Thankfully, it looks like both phones are more than up to the task of giving Samsung a run for its money. While I've yet to test them in full, I've just been hands on with both handsets at Google's official launch event, and they're both absolutely stunning in the flesh. As the naming convention implies, the Pixel XL is simply a larger version of the regular Pixel. Both share the same polished aluminium frame and half glass rear, but while the normal Pixel has a 5in 1,920 x 1,080 AMOLED display, the Pixel XL stretches to a 5.5in AMOLED screen and has a larger 2,560 x 1,440 resolution to go with it.
It's certainly a rather striking design, and you'll be pleased to know it does, indeed, come with a 3.5mm headphone jack – take that, iPhone 7. Available in 'Quite Black', 'Very Silver' and a limited edition 'Really Blue' (yes, really), the Pixel certainly knows how to make an impression. Since only a third of the back is glass, it's less prone to picking up nasty fingerprints. Likewise, the subtle, chamfered edges are exceedingly comfortable to hold, and its largely metal casing is very smooth to the touch.
Specs and Android Nougat
Each phone shares the same internals, too – in this case, one of Qualcomm's latest quad-core 2.15GHz Snapdragon 821 chips and 4GB of RAM. As you'd expect, Android Nougat felt silky smooth on both smartphones, so I wouldn't be surprised if they quickly rose to the top of the Expert Reviews performance board once they come in for review.
A large part of that is down to Nougat's new Pixel launcher. Here, you'll find round icons throughout, and a simple, understated look. You'll also find Google's brand-new Google Assistant AI here, too. The next evolution of Google Now and currently available in beta form in the Google Allo app, the Google Assistant will be on hand to answer queries, provide more accurate image searches and give you an overview of your day whenever you need it. All you need to do is press the home button.
Using Google's natural language processing, you'll be able to use normal speech patterns to ask it questions, and its state of the art translation software will be able to translate text with a much higher level of precision and sophistication. You can also swipe upwards to get context-relevant information from text messages – much like Google on Tap.
Camera
On the back, meanwhile, you'll find a 12.3-megapixel camera with an f/2.0 aperture lens on both handsets – a little disappointing given the S7 has a larger aperture of f/1.7, but at least it's wider than the f/2.2 lens on the iPhone 7. Likewise, with each pixel measuring an impressive 1.55um, it will be able to let in a significant amount of light, so both the Pixel and Pixel XL should (theoretically) perform better in low light than Apple's latest and greatest. Indeed, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P's cameras were two of the best smartphone snappers of last year, so I expect great things from Google's new Pixel phones.
Battery Size
The key difference, apart from screen size, is the size of each phone's battery. The Pixel has a 2,770mAh battery, while the Pixel XL has a bigger 3,450mAh battery. Google wasn't ready to talk numbers, but it assured us you'll easily be able to get through the day. Both phones support quick charging via its USB Type-C port, too, with the regular Pixel providing 7 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes of charging.
Storage
Each phone will be available in either 32GB or 128GB of internal storage, but thankfully there's also a microSD slot for expanding the storage at a later date, meaning you don't have to pay upfront for more space, a la Apple. Of course, there's also Google's cloud services on hand to help alleviate some of your storage woes, but the good news for Pixel owners is they'll get free unlimited photo and video storage at full resolution – including videos shot in 4K.
Daydream VR
Another key aspect of the Pixel phones is that they're both made for virtual reality, utilising Google's Daydream VR platform to take users into the world of mobile VR. The Pixel phones have been built from the ground up to be 'Daydream-ready', but you'll still need a dedicated headset to use it properly. Luckily, Google's got you covered here. Dubbed Daydream View, it's the first Daydream-ready headset that supposedly prioritises comfort over anything else.
It's made from a combination of fabric and soft microfiber that you'd normally find in clothing and athletic wear. As a result, it's 30% lighter than similar headsets. It fits over glasses, and opens by simply unlatching the front. The phone connects with the headset automatically, too, so you can just slip it over your head and get started.
There's a remote with a clickable touchpad and buttons, but hidden inside are dozens of motion sensors that can respond to your movements. Google says it's so precise you can even use it to draw. If you're worried about losing, though, then fear not. When you're done, you can simply pop it in the inner lid of the headset. The Daydream View will work with other Daydream-ready phones, too. Available this November for £69, it will only come in Slate to start off with, but it will also be available in Snow and Crimson models later this year.
Pricing and availability
It's a shame that Daydream View isn't being packaged with the Pixel phones, but at least you won't have to wait long to get your hands on the phone. Launching on 20 October in the UK, you'll need to be prepared to pay a pretty penny for them, as the regular Pixel will cost £599 for the 32GB version and £699 for the 128GB version.
The Pixel XL, meanwhile, will cost £719 for the 32GB version and an eye-watering £819 for the 128GB model. Both will be available to buy from the Google Store, as well as on contract from EE and Carphone Warehouse. Of course, we'll be bringing you our final verdict on both phones as soon as review samples are available, so check back soon to see if they're worth the price of entry.