Pixel and Pixel XL specs: What Google changed

At its “October 4 hardware event” in San Francisco today, Google announced the Pixel and Pixel XL, succeeding the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P respectively. The company calls the Pixels its first phones “designed inside and out by Google,” but for our intents and purposes, let’s just agree they’re rebranded Nexus phones.

Preorders begin today, and the devices will begin shipping on October 20. Before you get your credit card out, and assuming you’re not into Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, you might want to see what exactly you’re getting with the latest Android offerings. The tables below show you what Google changed, comparing the Nexus 5X to the Pixel and the Nexus 6P to the Pixel XL.

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	Nexus 5X	Pixel
Price	$379, $429	$649, $749
Storage	16GB, 32GB	32GB, 128GB
Display	5.2-inch, 1920×1080, 423 ppi	5.0-inch, 1920×1080, 441 ppi
CPU	Snapdragon 808, 1.8GHz	Snapdragon 821, 2.15GHz
RAM	2GB	4GB
Fingerprint sensor	Nexus Imprint	Pixel Imprint
Rear camera	12.3MP, 1.55 μm; f/2.0	12.3MP, 1.55 μm; f/2.0
Video recording	4K at 30fps	4K at 30fps
Front camera	5MP	8MP
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.2, NFC	Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
Battery	2700 mAh	2770 mAh
Height	5.79 inches (147.0 mm)	5.6 inches (143.8 mm)
Width	2.86 inches (72.6 mm)	2.7 inches (69.5 mm)
Depth	0.31 inch (7.9 mm)	0.3 inch (8.5 mm)
Weight	4.80 ounces (135 grams)	5.04 ounces (143 grams)
SIM card	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Project Fi	Yes	Yes
Connector	USB Type-C	USB Type-C
Colors	Black, White, Blue	Black, Silver, Blue

 

And now for the phablet — is that still a term worth using? — comparison:

	Nexus 6P	Pixel XL
Price	$499, $549, $649	$769, $869
Storage	32GB, 64GB, 128GB	32GB, 128GB
Display	5.7-inch, 2560×1440, 518 ppi	5.5-inch, 2560×1440, 534 ppi
CPU	Snapdragon 810, 2.0GHz	Snapdragon 821, 2.15GHz
RAM	3GB	4GB
Fingerprint sensor	Nexus Imprint	Pixel Imprint
Rear camera	12.3MP, 1.55 μm; f/2.0	12.3MP, 1.55 μm; f/2.0
Video recording	4K at 30fps	4K at 30fps
Front camera	8MP	8MP
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.2, NFC	Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
Battery	3450 mAh	3450 mAh
Height	6.27 inches (159.3 mm)	6.0 inches (154.7 mm)
Width	3.06 inches (77.8 mm)	2.9 inches (75.7 mm)
Depth	0.29 inch (7.3 mm)	0.34 inch (8.5 mm)
Weight	6.28 ounces (178 grams)	5.93 ounces (168 grams)
SIM card	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Project Fi	Yes	Yes
Connector	USB Type-C	USB Type-C
Colors	Black, White, Silver	Black, Silver, Blue

 

In short, both phones are smaller and thus lighter than their predecessors, but also much more expensive. If you’re coming from the Nexus 5X, you’re actually getting the bigger upgrade but paying significantly more. If you’re upgrading from the Nexus 6P, you’re getting a little bit more and paying so accordingly.