Google Pixel XL full, in-depth smartphone review: Phones just got smarter

Name: Google Pixel XL full, in-depth smartphone review: Phones just got smarter
Item: Google Pixel XL full, in-depth smartphone review: Phones just got smarter
Rating: 5.00
Author: Nick Ross

Daydream VR now makes this a must-have phone

Nick Ross

PC World

@NickRossTech

11/11/16

Expert Rating

5.00 / 5

Pros

Google Assistant's A.I. is innovative
Superb camera
Fast
Unlimited cloud storage
Fast charging
Daydream VR compatibility

Cons

Battery life is modest
Expensive
Not pretty
Single speaker is retrograde step
Not waterproof
15% price hike for Aussies

Bottom Line

It is as good as or incrementally better than everything else on the market but the A.I-enhanced Google Assistant elevates it to another level of smartphone technology. However, now that Google's amazing Daydream VR is here - and it's currently exclusive to Pixel - this is the phone to buy.

Would you buy this?

Price
$ 1,269.00 (AUD)

The Pixel XL camera review

We’ve taken many pictures with many different phones in recent months and we’re confident that this is one of the very best if not the best. Before the Pixel, it was Samsung that had the best camera in terms of detail, low-light ability and handling. It was followed closely by the new iPhone. Quality might be on a par but the responsiveness and accuracy of the Pixel nudge it to the front of the pack.

This portrait illustrates the detail, accurate exposure and High Dynamic Range (detail in light and shadows) of the main, 12-megapixel camera. It was also taken while she was moving on a swing illustrating the speed and accuracy on offer.

We’ve already mentioned that Google Assistant will take a picture just by talking to it, but opening the phone with a double tap of the power button goes from sleep to ready-to-shoot (accurately) in roughly a second. Samsung and other phones aren’t too different in terms of speed if you’re holding them right (and can quickly perform two gestures), but this is still heading-the-field stuff.

Despite "only" offering 12-megapixels, landscape shots are very sharp and detailed.

Read more: Clamcase for iPad Pro 9.7-inch

Low-light performance is exceptional. The insert shows how dark the room is. It's similar to (if note better than) Samsung's top cameraphones.

Unlike the recent, disappointing Sony Xperia XZ, the laser focus has a higher accuracy rate. It’s rarely wrong unless motion was significant. Again, Samsung, Huawei and Apple’s flagships are comparable here but this is either equal with them or a nose ahead. In terms of low-light performance, it joins with Samsung in stepping ahead of the iPhones and again, might be a nose ahead, although not by much.

There's only one lens but Google can create a 'Bokeh' effect (blurred background) by moving the camera (VERY) slowly up as you take the shot. It can be a bit fake-looking though. Huawei's P9 and the iPhone 7 Plus (with their dual-lens systems) are better.

The Pixel uses native-Android's line-up-the-dots-to-stitch-photos-together Panorama method. It also does this for 360-degree photo spheres and other large-format effects. But it doesn't always come out right.

Video resolution goes up to 4K. Again, performance is up there with the best. The Sony XZ’s five-axis image stabilisation is a bit smoother but the dynamic range of the Pixel meant that you could see out of bright office windows while seeing what was within the office at the same time.

On a bright day, it's rare that a cameraphone camera will capture detail outside of the windows while also capturing detail in the much-darker interior. This illustrates a good dynamic range with video recording.

It’s also very quick to focus and audio sounds natural (not robotic as with some cheaper phones). It did capture flickering with Fluorescent tubes more than competitors but this won’t affect many people in day-to-day usage. It can still blow out in bright highlights but it also does well at dealing with darker areas (albeit at the expense of graininess).

The eight-megapixel Selfie camera performed very well.