Pixel, Pixel XL Review Roundup: The Pros And Cons Of Google's New Android Phones

Well, the reviews on Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are finally in. Reviewers who spent time trying out and scrutinizing the new mobile devices ahead of everyone else are now speaking on what it’s like to use Google’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus competitors. Are they giving good feedback to the handsets, or is it the opposite? Let’s find out.

BuzzFeed’s Nicole Nguyen gives credit to Google for ensuring that the Pixel comes with a powerful software, but she couldn’t say the same for the appearance of the device. The news reporter even calls the look of the Pixel “uninspired.” Nguyen claims that nothing is spectacular about the phone’s hardware save for the fact that it screams of Google’s desire to prove that it can go head-to-head with the big players, Apple and Samsung.

Gizmodo’s Michael Nunez calls the Pixel phone “too dumb and ugly” to be even considered as a replacement for Apple’s iPhone. He adds that Google may have come up with big ideas for its new smartphone, but it still falls short of its goal of producing an “iPhone-killer.” The reviewer’s tirade does not end there as Nunez also points out that Google’s AI is still “too stupid” at this point that Google Assistant sounds too mediocre when compared to Siri. Nunez adds that the user experience of the AI feature is “underwhelming” because it failed in performing commands correctly on more than one occasion.

Engadget’s Chris Velazco has also noticed some cons when it comes to both the Pixel and the Pixel XL. The tech reviewer says that the phones are expensive despite not having commendable designs. Velazco also opines that being less water-resistant than it rivals from big companies is also another con.

ZDNet’s Jason Cipriani questions Google’s “best ever” claim for its smartphone cameras present on both the Pixel and the Pixel XL. According to him, the smartphone snapper does have zero shutter lag, but it is clearly not the best phone camera there is. Pointing out the primary camera’s flaws, Cipriani says that the photos it captures are “a little too saturated.” Hence, the reviewer maintains that the claim is not really true, but he also admits that the Pixel devices’ camera is actually the best one yet for Google’s smartphone releases.

Contrary to the aforesaid opinions, there are also tech reviews that emphasize the good things about the Pixel handsets. For example, VentureBeat’s Emil Protalinski and Jordan Novet agree that the Pixel XL is apparently “the best Android phone money can buy.” Comparing the new Google handsets to last year’s Nexus smartphones, the reviewers note that the Pixel mobile handsets are “more powerful” despite being smaller in size.

CNET’s Lynn La gives her two cents on the Pixel and Pixel XL, saying that the camera of the two is “fantastic” even in low light conditions. La also commends Google for bringing Google Assistant to the Pixel devices since for her, this is the “most natural, human approaches” to AI so far.

Mashable Asia’s Raymond Wong states that with Google’s new smartphones, everything phone consumers want for a flagship device to have is present. Wong says that the Pixel XL is not lacking when talking about phone specs. He also reveals that based on his experience, daily performance is fast and smooth without lags even when multitasking.

Wired’s Kelsey McClellan stresses that Google’s Pixel has changed the idea that the iPhone is the default standard among smartphones, for it is just as competent as Apple’s iPhone with the addition of “innovative software and services.” Wrapping up her review piece, the Wired reporter bravely says the Pixel is the product of when Google comes up with its own iPhone.

Finally, Business Insider’s Steve Kovach also has good things to say about Google’s smartphones. He opines the Pixel is not only an excellent device, it is also what Android should have been from the very start. He claims in his review that Google did good in melding great software with excellent hardware — something that Apple has been very good at in recent years.