Google's Pixel versus Pixel XL: What are the differences?
The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are packed with features like Google Assistant, Daydream VR support and what Google claims is the best smartphone camera. What are the differences? There aren't many and that's good.
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At an event this morning, Google announced a slew of new products, including the debut of the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. The phones have the same design, same processor, same storage and same camera. So with all this sameness, what are the differences?
Well, there are not many. And that's good, because even if you get the smaller one, you're not missing out on any cool features. The real differences are in battery and screen size, as well as the resolution and price.
- Screen size: Despite the Pixel XL having a larger screen with more resolution, the smaller Pixel still sports a very respectable 1,920x1,080-pixel display.
- Battery: The Pixel has a 2,770mAh battery and the Pixel XL a 3,450mAh battery. Until we test the phones, we can't be certain how much more battery life, if any, the Pixel XL will get.
- Price: For a 32 GB model, the Pixel starts at $649 and the Pixel XL at $769. Both are available for preorder today -- except the blue version, which is sold out.
The Pixel and Pixel XL come built-in with Google Assistant and support for Google's Daydream VR platform. Google touts that the camera on the Pixel series is better than on any other smartphone. DxOMark, a camera-testing website, gives the Pixel's camera a score of 89 -- the highest for any smartphone.
Check out the full specs for both phones below, and take a look at our hands-on video of the Pixel and Pixel XL.
Google Pixel and Pixel XL specs
| Google Pixel | Google Pixel XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 5-inch; 1,920x1,080 pixels | 5.5-inch; 2,560x1,440 pixels |
| Pixel density | 441 ppi | 534 ppi |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 5.66x2.74x0.34 (at its thickest) | 6.09x2.98x0.34 (at its thickest) |
| Dimensions (Millimeters) | 143.84x69.54x8.58 (at its thickest) | 154.72x75.74x8.58 (at its thickest) |
| Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.04 oz; 143 g | 5.92 oz; 168g |
| Mobile software | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 7.1 Nougat |
| Camera | 12.3-megapixel | 12.3-megapixel |
| Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | 2.15GHz + 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB | 32GB, 128GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery | 2,770mAh | 3,450mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Back cover | Back cover |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Special features | Google Assistant built-in; unlimited cloud storage; Daydream VR ready | Google Assistant built-in; unlimited cloud storage; Daydream VR ready |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $649 (32GB); $749 (128GB) | $769 (32GB); $869 (128GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £599 (32GB); £699 (128GB) | £719 (32GB); £819 (128GB) |
| Price (AUD) | TBD | TBD |