Google Announced New ‘Pixel’ Smartphones At San Francisco Event

Google announced several new products at their Made By Google event yesterday in San Francisco. The tech giant traditionally announces new phones annually, but this year things feel a bit different. The buzz around this event has reached a fever pitch and with very good reason. Google introduced their all new Pixel smartphones, devices that have been years in the making. Google’s Pixel smartphone will replace the aging Nexus brand not just in name, but in totality and direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rykmwn0SMWU

With the introduction of the Pixel, Google is signifying a change in strategy in hardware manufacturing, taking a more hands on approach with this device. Make no bones about it, the Pixel will be the most “Google” handset ever made. Google is making sure that with handset, they are firmly entrenched in the top of the smartphone food chain by making a device that doesn’t hold back on specs, and is capable of competing with the rest of the heavyweights. In addition to fine tuning the hardware on the Pixel, Google is making sure that their newest software runs like a dream on their new devices. Android 7.1 will introduce a host of new features including Daydream, Google’s new VR platform. Google’s new messaging platform Allo, and it’s Facetime competitor Duo will both come preloaded on the Pixel as well.

As of right now, there will be two different models of the Pixel available. The Pixel and the Pixel XL, with both devices being largely similar, save for a larger screen on the XL. Both devices will come in a 32GB or 128Gb variant and there’s allegedly an SD slot as well. The smaller Pixel will have a 5.2 inch screen, while the Pixel XL will have a 5.5 inch display. Both phones will have a 12.3MP camera on the back, which Google says, is the best smartphone camera ever made. There’s also an 8MP camera on the front for selfies and Google’s Duo video calling platform. The phones will also rock a Snapdragon 821 processor, which will make them among the fastest performing smartphones on the market. There’s three different colors available for both Pixels, and they are: Quite Black, Very Silver, or Really Blue which looks to be an exclusive variant for Verizon Wireless.

Perhaps the most curious thing about yesterday’s announcement is the pricing that Google set for these handsets. The Pixel launches at a starting price of $649, while the Pixel XL will start at $750. Mighty big price considering the hill Google has to climb, but those prices are also in line with essentially every other flagship smartphone out there. You can also choose to pay the phone off with Google’s financing program, but there’s no option for an annual upgrade. The Pixel will also be available exclusively through Verizon Wireless, on their Edge upgrade program. According to the Google order page, the phones are shipping in between 2-8 weeks depending on the model you order.

I’m still unsure on whether or not I’m actually going to get one, but if you are let me know in the comments! If you’re going to pass, or snag a different device, I’d also like to hear from you!