Nexus is lifeless. Pixel is king. Say howdy to the Google Pixel, a handset ushering in a brand new period of the search large’s smartphone vary. 

It arrives alongside the bigger (and much more costly) Google Pixel XL, because the agency doubles up on gadgets for one more yr. 

The Pixel takes over from 2015’s Nexus 5X because the smaller providing in Google’s lineup. The factor is although, it hasn’t inherited its predecessor’s worth level, with the brand new Pixel sporting a decidedly extra premium tag. 

Watch our video overview of the Google Pixel

Google Pixel vs Google Pixel 2 worth comparability

The value hole between Google’s first-gen system and the brand new Google Pixel 2, thus far, hasn’t been that broad. Thus, buying the previous over the latter merely could not be advisable. 

However as time goes by, and main retail occasions like Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2017 crop up, the choice will grow to be simpler. Why? Nicely, the costs are getting higher for the Pixel – as little as $399 for the 128GB model. That is virtually half-off its unique worth.

Whereas worth varies for the unique Pixel, you will not see as a lot fluidity simply but for the Google Pixel 2. It simply launched in October 2017, so anticipate to attend one other handful of months earlier than huge offers present up. 

That stated, here is a take a look at the easiest values for Google’s newest cellphone.

Google Pixel worth and launch date

• 32GB – launched at $649 (£599, AU$1,079), now $549
• 128GB – launched $749 (£699, AU$1,229), now $649

The Pixel is available in two variants, 32GB and 128GB, with the smaller storage choice costing you a lofty $649 (£599, AU$1,079) at launch. In the meantime the Google Pixel worth for the 128GB mannequin is a staggering $749 (£699, AU$1,229) at launch, pitching it towards the likes of the iPhone 7, Huawei P9, HTC 10 and Samsung Galaxy S7. 

Nonetheless, the value by means of the Google Retailer has now dropped to $549 and $649 for the 32GB and 128GB fashions respectively within the US. 

In the meantime, within the UK it is EE who’s bagged the unique Pixel cope with £9.99 upfront and £50.99 monthly supplying you with 10GB of knowledge plus limitless calls and texts.

Earlier Nexus gadgets had a leg-up over the competitors with their barely cheaper price tag, which helped customers overlook a few shortcomings; however in 2016, with the brand new Pixel model and a courageous new worth level, there’s nowhere to cover. 

A sub-par digicam, or patchy battery, for instance will not be simple to forgive as there is no “oh, however it solely prices XXX” – Google wants to make sure the Pixel sings each observe.

In case you’ve owned a Google-brand smartphone prior to now you will recognize the no-nonsense inventory Google interface – and you will be glad to know it is enterprise as traditional on the Pixel in terms of the Android Nougat working system. 

For many who are new to Google’s handsets, issues could also be much less clear. Whereas HTC is the agency that has truly constructed the system, the search large has made all of the calls on what goes into the Pixel, and the way it operates. 

These handsets are aimed to showcase the perfect of Google and Android. They pack new options not seen earlier than on the platform (Google Assistant and a ‘best-in-class’ digicam within the Pixel’s case), and you will be first in line for an replace when a brand new model of Android is launched – often weeks, if not months forward of the likes of Samsung, LG, Sony and co. 

The Google Pixel sports activities a primary for Google’s smaller smartphone – a full glass and steel physique – together with a 5-inch full HD show, Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, 12MP rear digicam, fingerprint scanner and 8MP entrance snapper. 

On paper no less than, then, the Google Pixel seems to be to be a flagship contender – however can it reside as much as the hype – and that price ticket – in actual life?

 Assertive Assistant

• A better, extra private Google in your pocket
• Has potential, however energy isn’t absolutely realized but
• Can play video games, inform jokes and skim you poems

On the beating coronary heart of the brand new Pixel smartphone is Google Assistant, which the search large claims provides you a ‘private Google’, accessible at any time when, wherever.

Google is driving the Assistant angle laborious, and is eager for it to not solely be the middle of your cellphone, however the heart of your life. It debuted on the Pixel, however we have been seeing it on different gadgets, together with the LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S8.

How does Google Assistant evaluate to your former pocket mates?

Assistant is actually an upgraded Google Now, with higher conversational smarts – ask ‘what’s the time in LA?’ after which observe up with ‘what about San Francisco?’ and it’ll know you need the time in that location – and a fleet of latest tips together with jokes, poems, info, video games and even humorous movies. 

In addition to the enjoyable stuff you may ask Assistant to do a bunch of extra helpful issues similar to make an inventory, ship a textual content or test your agenda – which is useful, however not that a lot faster than leaping into the corresponding app itself. 

You need to use your voice to set off Assistant at any level by saying ‘OK Google’ – and this works even when your cellphone is locked. Generally it may well take the Pixel a number of makes an attempt to choose up your voice, and we discovered it struggled in noisy environments, and even at residence with some music taking part in.  

If you need to say the ‘OK Google’ command greater than as soon as the Assistant immediately turns into irritating. Fortunately, you are capable of now kind to Google Assistant as of Google IO 2017.

Asking ‘what are you able to do’ is an efficient technique to learn how else Assistant might help you, from discovering out how the Packers received on final evening (they misplaced, unhealthy instances) to diving right into a Geography quiz which highlighted the gaps in our flags data. 

Typically, Assistant was capable of comprehend our garbled instructions, however there have been a number of events when it received issues improper, or didn’t register our dulcet tones. It nonetheless feels a bit unusual speaking to your cellphone – and once you’re made to repeat your self the novelty begins to put on skinny fairly shortly.

There’s no doubting that Assistant has the potential to be a robust instrument; with the identical smarts constructed into Google Residence and help for the likes of Chromecast, and your good lighting and heating programs, we’re getting nearer to the day when you may just about run your house along with your voice. 

Assistant additionally learns as you go, and the extra you employ it the smarter it’s going to get – however that takes time, and endurance, and it’s possible you’ll discover it’s simpler to only use your fingers. 

We’re nonetheless somewhat method off absolutely realizing the potential, and for now Assistant is a pleasant addition to the Pixel, however it’s not a function many will likely be holding up because the stand-out cause to purchase the cellphone. 

What’s within the field? Discover out in our Google Pixel unboxing video