The Google Pixel Thread

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#1646232 5-Oct-2016 22:10

ajobbins:

lNomNoml:

Anyone on a Nexus 6P thinking of upgrading or waiting for the next one after Pixel?

Part of me wants to - though I would go to a Pixel not a Pixel XL. But my 6P is worth AU$400-450 at least to sell (even though only a few months old), so upgrading to even the base 32GB pixel would cost me $600+, and I just can't justify that for a phone that I see as inferior in a number of ways to the identically priced iPhone 7.

In what ways is the Pixel inferior to the iPhone 7. I can't think of any bar 3D touch (still more gimic than real value) and waterproofing? What else?

On the Pixel side, it has a better screen in both resolution and contrast, fast charge, unlimited full resolution photo and video cloud storage ... and an audio jack.

And possibly superior camera, but yet to be tested.

dafman

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#1646234 5-Oct-2016 22:12

Linuxluver:

tripp:

The phones are really not cheap

Way too expensive.

They will get a cheaper in 2-3 months.

Unlikely. Google are taking apple on at their game, so will continue to maintain price until next release, me thinks

mattwnz

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#1646257 5-Oct-2016 22:24

dafman:
Linuxluver:

tripp:

The phones are really not cheap

Way too expensive.

They will get a cheaper in 2-3 months.

Unlikely. Google are taking apple on at their game, so will continue to maintain price until next release, me thinks

It all comes down to How it sells. But androids phones to to get discounted substantially over time. Apple have a monopoly with iOS, so don't need to. But the original iPhone had to be discounted when they had poor sales.

ajobbins

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#1646271 5-Oct-2016 23:42

dafman:

In what ways is the Pixel inferior to the iPhone 7. I can't think of any bar 3D touch (still more gimic than real value) and waterproofing? What else?

On the Pixel side, it has a better screen in both resolution and contrast, fast charge, unlimited full resolution photo and video cloud storage ... and an audio jack.

And possibly superior camera, but yet to be tested.

This could be wrong, but I've read in a number of places that the processor in the iPhone 7 is faster. Agreed that 3D touch is meh, but waterproofing is a big fail here I think given that other flagships in this price range have it - and this is what the phone is competing with.

Yes, it has better screen res, but perhaps beyond most people's ability to tell. And the Pixel uses an AMOLED screen which I have had a couple of now and do not rate. They are awful.

Fast Charge is only useful in very limited circumstances (it only fast charges when very low), and iPhones will still draw 2.4 amps off a suitable charger, and often don't take as long to charge as they get away with a smaller battery. They can have a smaller battery because iOS limits so much, but if that's your device of choice, I really struggle to see fast charging as much of a plus (As a person with a Nexus device with fast charging).

Obviously the 3.5mm audio jack is a big deal for some. For me it's no loss at all - I hate wires, so never use mine and only use Bluetooth.

Google has priced their device at a point to compete with the iPhone and Samsung. Samsung has better specs per dollar, but awful Touchwiz and very slow updates. iPhone has frustratingly limited software but by far the most superior update model and other benefits.

You also have to take into account other aspects of the value proposition. I think Apple's service model for example is worth something of a premium for a device. I haven't had an iPhone since the 4, but when I smashed the screen on that I was able to walk into an Apple store and walk out with a brand new replacement for under $200. I can't do that with a Pixel, and any fault likley remains days or weeks away at service, and mucking around with couriers to and fro. Also, Apple devices really do hold their value, and it remains to be seen how the Pixel will do in this regard, but I don't have high hopes. The Nexus phones have not held their value well at all, My 6P was AU$799 new a few of months back, but I doubt I would get $450 for it now based on Gumtree listings even though it's still under warranty and is pristine.

As much as I favour the Google model, and I am not going to buy an iPhone because I don't like iOS and the restrictions it comes with, I just don't think Google has can charge iPhone prices for this device - ecosystem preferences aside, the total value proposition is lower.

Twitter: ajobbins

dafman

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#1646355 6-Oct-2016 08:37

This quote I heard from a web commentator sums up Pixel nicely:

I’ve always wanted an iPhone running Android. Now I’ve got one.

old3eyes

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#1646368 6-Oct-2016 09:03

dafman:

Linuxluver:

tripp:

The phones are really not cheap

Way too expensive.

They will get a cheaper in 2-3 months.

Unlikely. Google are taking apple on at their game, so will continue to maintain price until next release, me thinks

Their NZ online pricing for the 6P has been $1099 since the day it launched until they removed it this week..

Regards,

Old3eyes

sidders80

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#1646398 6-Oct-2016 09:45

it is IP53 after all

http://www.gsmarena.com/confirmed_googles_pixel_and_pixel_xl_have_ip53_dust_and_water_resistance-news-20903.php

Sid

Equinox IT

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Wade

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#1646410 6-Oct-2016 10:05

One could argue that a lot of Androids need to reduce in price as their update lifespan is drastically shortened 6~12mths down the track, but Nexus and Pixel will no doubt always be current so priced as a premium product. The price drops on Nexus are generally induced by shops moving stock the only way they know how by price reduction probably by cutting their own margins

dafman

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#1646412 6-Oct-2016 10:07

dafman:

This quote I heard from a web commentator sums up Pixel nicely:

I’ve always wanted an iPhone running Android. Now I’ve got one.

Spot the difference?

DeepBlueSky

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#1646423 6-Oct-2016 10:25

My 2 cents on this; Google is playing the long game and Apple knows this I'm sure by now, its a chess game where pieces are being placed by Google that historically seemed disparate but are now coming together to the point if Apple does not turn on the afterburners and fast it may be at risk of becoming the next Microsoft. The phone is from what I can see just a means to an end for Google its the entire ecosystem they want to dominate.

Google Search - The predominant search engine
Google Maps - The predominant mapping solution
New AI Assistant - link the above and give context
Google Home - to leverage the AI and integrate with Home Automation
Pixel Phone to make the above mobile
VR plus Mixed / Augmented reality

Etc Etc Etc Android Auto....

To me all these pieces are coming together to make one compelling story, how quick Apple can react will be the question whatever happens we are in for a fun ride I'm sure.

MikeB4

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#1646424 6-Oct-2016 10:28

dafman:

dafman:

This quote I heard from a web commentator sums up Pixel nicely:

I’ve always wanted an iPhone running Android. Now I’ve got one.

Spot the difference?

One has a 3.5 audio port the other has not, one has a home button the other has not, one has a wobbly bump on the back the other has not, one has a horrible OS the other has Android, just to name a few

MikeB4

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#1646425 6-Oct-2016 10:29

The more I look at the Pixel the more I like it.

ajobbins

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#1646582 6-Oct-2016 12:42

sidders80:

it is IP53 after all

http://www.gsmarena.com/confirmed_googles_pixel_and_pixel_xl_have_ip53_dust_and_water_resistance-news-20903.php

IP53 is a long, long way from IP67 or IP68

Twitter: ajobbins

dafman

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#1646585 6-Oct-2016 12:44

Great article from the Verge - some quotes and link below:

"If earlier this summer you were to offer me an HTC 10 with a better camera, nicer Android interface, and the reassurance that Google itself would be doing everything within its power to make that device a success, I’d have been elated. So why am I not feeling quite so thrilled today?"

"Fast performance, aluminum unibody design, a high-definition AMOLED display, phase-detect and laser autofocus systems, fast and reliable fingerprint sensors... we’re taking all of these things as easy and automatic. But if they are, what sort of wild-eyed additional spec bump would have satisfied us that the Pixel is a suitably advanced device?"

"We asked and asked, for many years, to see Google get serious about building and designing its own smartphones. The Pixel isn’t everything we wanted, but it is definitely the device and strategy we’ve been demanding from Google for so long. And just like the enigmatic Google Assistant, this new initiative of Google acting as a hardware designer and builder is likely to only grow better with more time and experience."

http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13171712/pixel-phone-by-google-specs-design-reaction

ajobbins

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#1646589 6-Oct-2016 12:49

DeepBlueSky:

My 2 cents on this; Google is playing the long game and Apple knows this I'm sure by now, its a chess game where pieces are being placed by Google that historically seemed disparate but are now coming together to the point if Apple does not turn on the afterburners and fast it may be at risk of becoming the next Microsoft. The phone is from what I can see just a means to an end for Google its the entire ecosystem they want to dominate.

Google Search - The predominant search engine
Google Maps - The predominant mapping solution
New AI Assistant - link the above and give context
Google Home - to leverage the AI and integrate with Home Automation
Pixel Phone to make the above mobile
VR plus Mixed / Augmented reality
Etc Etc Etc Android Auto....

To me all these pieces are coming together to make one compelling story, how quick Apple can react will be the question whatever happens we are in for a fun ride I'm sure.

I agree with much of the above, but much of what you say suggests that Google are taking a shot at the space where Apple operates - and I think this is good. I really do want to see a proper android competitor to the iPhone, and this is a major step in that direction. BUT, the model is unproven and Google don't have the reputation in this space yet (think resale value) to command the price that Apple can for an iPhone. Maybe next year, or the year after - but for now, People see the iPhone platform as proven, where as this is Googles first real attempt in the same space.

Google may know this, and be OK with it and the fact it may well mean awful sales for the Pixel but a longer term reputation improvement. Speaking to many iPhone users (my wife and parents included), they have iPhones because they 'just work' and there is a perception that Android is less usable and less stable. I think that was true a few years ago, but the last few OS releases are very slick. But if they want to take market share off Apple, they have a hell of a task ahead of them to convince those people that the Pixel is just as good, and better than the iPhone. Releasing something that looks very similar and costs the same as an iPhone will not do that.

Twitter: ajobbins

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