The Google Pixel Thread

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7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1663965 4-Nov-2016 20:25

lchiu7:
droopanu:
I thought about it, it should work all ok and end up cheaper. In theory the american version has all 3G/4G bands required for NZ.

Nevertheless, it has fewer 3G/4G bands compared to international version so coverage might be a bit wonky worldwide ...

According to GSM Arena it looks like these are the differences between the two models.

LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 21(1500), 26(850), 28(700), 32(1500), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500) - Global

LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 20(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 28(700), 29(700), 30(2300), 41(2500) - USA

Looks like Vodafone uses 4G bands 28, 3 and 7 which are covered by both models. And Spark also uses band 17(700) which is on all both models.

Which countries would using the US version reduce coverage?

Spark uses: Band 3 (1800), Band 7 (2600) and Band 28 (700) for 4G.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_New_Zealand_Mobile_Network_(XT_Mobile_Network)#4G_LTE_Network

NikT

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#1663974 4-Nov-2016 20:38

Both the US and international models will work fine in NZ, and support all NZ bands.

The only relevant difference is that the US model does not support carrier aggregation between NZ bands.

On another note, Google Assistant will not work if you set the region to English NZ. You'll need to go for English AU, English UK, or English US. The AU accent is atrocious to my ears at least, and the UK isn't much better, so settled for the US flavour since it has the most natural-sounding voice.

EDIT: I did the homework on this one a while back (for obvious reasons), here's the run-down for the curious.

Here's a list of LTE bands present in the international Pixel which are not present in the US Pixel, and where they're used, with the corresponding networks noted for the countries most relevant to NZ consumers.

Band 18 - 800 Japan (KDDI)
Band 19 - 800 Japan (DoCoMo)
Band 21 - 1500 Japan (DoCoMo)
Band 26 - 850 USA (Sprint)
Band 32 - 1500 Currently N/A
Band 38 - 2600 Uganda, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Saudi Arabia
Band 39 - 1900 China (China Mobile)
Band 40 - 2300 Nigera, Ivory Coast, Gambia, South Africa (Telkom), Tanzania, Canada, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Australia (Optus, NBN fixed wireless), Vanuatu (WanTok)

Of note, bands 38-40 are TDD-LTE rather than FDD-LTE, and most are used as in-fill rather than for primary 4G service. I suspect we'll see short-range small cells deployed in NZ with band 40 in the next few years since Spark bought the spectrum in March (IIRC 2d has a bit of band 40 spectrum as well, with Voda having band 41 spectrum instead), but frankly, it's not something the average punter would ever care about or notice. Especially so given the telcos here don't usually market their tech as it rolls out and tend to do things quietly.

DOUBLE EDIT: Tested the loudspeaker by asking Google Assistant to tell me the news. It began to play a series of the day's short podcasts/reports from the biggest US news networks (It's set to English US as above). The speaker is rather good for a downward-firing mono job on the left. Also the Pixels do not support AptX.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

Kopkiwi

2617 posts

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#1664996 7-Nov-2016 13:51

Are PBTech taking the piss with their pricing or is that in line with importing?

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#1665009 7-Nov-2016 14:03

If it is sold in nz, and is more expensive than an iPhonethey probably won't sell too many. Looks a lot cheaper to buy from overseas, although import duty GST, and fees will add quite a bit

SirBruceLee

15 posts

Geek

#1665027 7-Nov-2016 14:22

To be fair, PBTech are actually selling it for the lowest prices so far

Expert Infotech and Digi Parallel Imports are it selling for another $50-100

Hopefully Google official release it soon so the prices can come down, but that seems unlikely since Google seems to be having stock issues

NikT

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#1665030 7-Nov-2016 14:28

Kopkiwi:

Are PBTech taking the piss with their pricing or is that in line with importing?

Take the Australian pricing, convert to NZD, add the GST difference, and it's pretty obvious we're not exactly swimming in margin Scrooge McDuck style even before you factor in the costs of logistics and retail. :)

The Pixels are very expensive no matter where in the world you buy them, and no matter how many of them you're buying at once. Google decided NZ didn't matter, so I figured it better to bring them in than leave NZ Pixelless for who knows how long.

Was surprised that so many people were happy to pay $1599+ for the Note 7 & iPhone 7 Plus, but those sold like hotcakes, and the Pixels are too.

SirBruceLee:

To be fair, PBTech are actually selling it for the lowest prices so far

Expert Infotech and Digi Parallel Imports are it selling for another $50-100

Hopefully Google official release it soon so the prices can come down, but that seems unlikely since Google seems to be having stock issues

Without naming names, certain stores have a track record of showing items as 'in stock' and walking down to their local PB to fulfil orders as they come in, clipping the ticket on the way.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

disease

41 posts

Geek

#1665039 7-Nov-2016 14:36

They are priced the same as Apple devices (no matter the retailer), so it seems they are fairly priced. It's really just more just the 'living in NZ' tax

NikT:

Take the Australian pricing, convert to NZD, add the GST difference, and it's pretty obvious we're not exactly swimming in margin Scrooge McDuck style even before you factor in the costs of logistics and retail. :)

The Pixels are very expensive no matter where in the world you buy them, and no matter how many of them you're buying at once. Google decided NZ didn't matter, so I figured it better to bring them in than leave NZ Pixelless for who knows how long.

Was surprised that so many people were happy to pay $1599+ for the Note 7 & iPhone 7 Plus, but those sold like hotcakes, and the Pixels are too.

I'm quite happy to pay $1600+, but I'd like to think there are no compromises for that price - so the lack of carrier aggregation is a little frustrating (even if I can't tell the difference, the perfectionist in me doesn't want to accept this).

Will PBTECH be offering the 'RoW' over the 'US' model in time?

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NikT

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#1665061 7-Nov-2016 14:54

disease:

Will PBTECH be offering the 'RoW' over the 'US' model in time?

Yeah, we'll hot-swap to global SKUs as soon as we can get stock. It's effectively sold out globally right now.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

droopanu

168 posts

Master Geek

#1665080 7-Nov-2016 15:21

So are you currently selling the US or the international version?

NikT

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#1665086 7-Nov-2016 15:29

droopanu:

So are you currently selling the US or the international version?

Launch stock is US.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

NikT

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#1665165 7-Nov-2016 16:39

Rappelle:

NikT:

droopanu:

So are you currently selling the US or the international version?

Launch stock is US.

I assume they come with 230-240V wall adapters, though?

An NZ USB wall charger and an NZ converter for the OEM charger are included.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

gnfb

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#1665215 7-Nov-2016 17:03

Wahhh ...... That is way to confusing for this little brain Universal US version this works that doesnt Looks like I will stick to my 6s plus till everything settles down.

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droopanu

168 posts

Master Geek

#1665217 7-Nov-2016 17:07

yeah... same...

Plus, I'm hoping for some christmas sales .... *wink wink*

gnfb:

Wahhh ...... That is way to confusing for this little brain Universal US version this works that doesnt Looks like I will stick to my 6s plus till everything settles down.

tripp

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#1665219 7-Nov-2016 17:17

There is a sale at pbtech on friday (Black friday sale). Instore only however from 4pm - 9pm (I know instore only sucks).

Shops close at 3pm and reopen at 4pm

Don't expect a discount on the pixel however

lchiu7

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#1667820 11-Nov-2016 09:34

tripp:
There is a sale at pbtech on friday (Black friday sale). Instore only however from 4pm - 9pm (I know instore only sucks).

Shops close at 3pm and reopen at 4pm

Don't expect a discount on the pixel however

No Pixel phones but they are selling the 5X and 6p for good prices. I could be tempted.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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