We’re less than 24-hours away from the launch of Google’s latest own-brand smartphones, but the leaks have been particularly heavy this year, giving us an almost crystal clear picture of what to expect. Here’s all we know about the smaller of the two phones, the Pixel.
What is the Google Pixel phone?
It’s no secret that Google has been bringing together its mobile and desktop platforms in Android and Chrome OS, for some time now. Last year’s Pixel C tablet was the first Android device to adopt the Pixel name in place of Nexus branding (and also happened to be the first piece of mobile hardware made by Google itself). With the arrival of the new Pixel smartphones, the company is simply adding more ties to this technological tapestry.
Unlike the Pixel C, both the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are still being built with the help of an outside company, in this instance, HTC, which haven’t made hardware for Google since the original Nexus One, back in 2010.
The Pixel takes over from last year’s LG-made Nexus 5X, with a familiar 5-inch Full HD display-based footprint and other similarities like Type-C USB. It’ll be accompanied by the larger 5.5-inch Pixel XL, but beyond size, most of the hardware on offer is the same.
The Pixel phone will be one of the first devices to sport Android 7.1 Nougat out the box and serve as one of the first phones to offer native support for Google’s VR platform, Daydream.
Check out our hands-on Google Pixel phone review
Google Pixel phone rumoured/leaked specs
| Screen size | 5-inches |
|---|---|
| Screen resolution | Full HD (1920×1080) |
| Weight | 143 grams |
| OS | Android 7.1 Nougat |
| Front camera | 8-megapixels |
| Rear camera | 12.3-megapixels w/ OIS |
| Processor | 2.15GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM (DDR4) |
| Storage | 32GB/128GB. Non-expandable |
| Battery | 2770mAh w/ fast-charging via Type-C USB |
Google Pixel phone UK price and release date
The Google Pixel phone will be released in the UK on October 20 and you can pre-order it right now. For full Pixel pricing details and the best monthly contract offers, check out our Pixel phone price and deals feature.
Should I wait for the Google Pixel phone or stick with the Nexus 5X?
Unlike its larger launch partner, the Nexus 5X didn’t fare as well over its first year, primarily as a result of noticeably slower performance over time and more conservative hardware lagging behind the competition so early on in 2016. The Pixel and Pixel XL look to be on a far more level playing field out the gate, so if you’re not happy with your 5X, the Pixel won’t only serve as a suitable remedy, but offer greater longevity too.
Read next: Google Pixel vs Google Pixel XL: What’s the difference?
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