With Google set to unveil the Pixel and Pixel XL phones on October 4, a lot is being said about the successor to the highly successful Google Nexus 6P.
For starters, the name is being changed from Nexus to Google Pixel XL. There is also a word that Google will be dropping the Nexus logo on the phone in favor of a G logo. Furthermore, the new Google Pixel XL phone will cut some real estate on the screen when compared to the Nexus 6P. Without going into too much talk, here is a look at what differences the rumor mill has with respect to the Google Pixel XL and Nexus 6P.
Design and display
The Google Pixel XL, as the name suggests, is expected to be the larger Google phone this 2016. There is talk of the phone borrowing its design language from the HTC 10, with the fingerprint scanner still featuring on the back. There is no known height or thickness of the Pixel XL, but expect a full-metal design that may include a glass panel at the back where the rear snapper rests. As far as the display is concerned, the Google Pixel XL will reportedly come with a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen with QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. This should translate to a pixel density of 534ppi.
This is almost the same design as the Google Nexus 6P. There is a full metal design that measures 159.3 mm tall and 7.3mm thick, weighing 178g. There is a fingerprint scanner at the back alongside a camera lens and LED flash. In terms of display, the Google Nexus 6P has a 5.7-inch AMOLED panel with QHD resolution and 2560 x 1440 pixels of resolution. This translates to 518ppi of pixel density, which makes it slightly less sharp than its newer counterpart.
With the Gorilla Glass 5 already here, we expect this to feature on the Google Pixel XL as opposed to the Glass 4 that appears on the Nexus 6P.
Hardware and software
In terms of hardware, the incoming Google Pixel XL will indeed pack some impressive specs. There are high hopes that the new Snapdragon 821 could feature on the phone ahead of the Snapdragon 820. This will be paired with a RAM of 4GB and onboard storage of 32GB. There is also word that the company could avail a larger 128GB variant, but this is yet to be confirmed.
If the same leaks are to be believed, the Google Pixel XL will keep the same battery capacity of 3450mAh as the Nexus 6P. Speaking of the Nexus 6P, this 2015 flagship comes with a Snapdragon 810 SoC that is paired with a 3GB RAM. You get three storage options of 32B, 64GB, and 128GB.
Software-wise, the Nexus 6P has already received an Android Nougat update, although it comes pre-installed with Android Marshmallow. On the contrary, Google Pixel XL should debut with Android 7.1 Nougat on board. With the same software on board, these two should bring about the same user experience that can only be differentiated by nifty additions to the Pixel XL hardware, additions that can only be confirmed after the phone is released.
Camera and conclusion
Latest leaks have shown that the Google Pixel XL will keep almost the same camera specs as the Google Nexus 6P. You get a 12MP snapper at the back and an 8MP lens on the front. There are no details of the features of these cameras, but it is expected that HTC will finally debut OIS on the Pixel XL.
The Nexus 6P, on the other hand, has a 12.3MP snapper at the back with f/2.0 aperture and the front has an 8MP snapper with a f/2.4 aperture. The rear snapper has a dual-LED flash, IR laser autofocus, but there is no OIS.
Given that the Google Pixel XL is set to come with a smaller form factor as compared to the Nexus 6P, the major selling point could remain with the premium specs sheet on offer. Other than this, there is really nothing much different between these two, unless Google and HTC have a huge surprise in store for us.
Remember, this report is based on speculations and rumors, so take the Google Pixel XL details with a grain of salt, at least until October 4th.
Do you think these phones would be a massive hit? Which one are you looking forward to? Share your views in the comments section below!
Why is Apple And Google “phoning it in” this year? (no pun intended) it makes me wonder why there are no serious iterations from last year.
I was thinking the same thing. There doesn’t seem to be much of an upgrade from the 6p to this Pixel thing.
They’re supposedly adding the necessary hardware for daydream this year, but we’ll see.
I hope it does not look like this one here, I have the 6p and as a woman, I love the design of mine. I can’t wait to see the new pixel but I don’t want to be disappointed .
The 6p is a tuff act to follow
The 6p is so awesome if stay with it as not much is changing. I’d need more convincing rumors.