New Google Pixel & Pixel XL Phones

[ScarySpikes]

Nexus 5x launched at $379 and the 6P at $499.

Now we are looking at $650 for the base model on the smaller one (71% increase) and 780 for the larger one (56% increase).

Nexus was always good because it gave you a great quality phone at a reasonable price. Now they are basically playing in the same price range as Apple and Samsung. In that class, the Samsung in IP68 waterproof rated (vs IP53, which is the difference between full submersion and a light shower.) It also has the larger battery, better screen, and micro SD card support, at the cost of a slightly slower processor.

It's probably a good phone, but it's no longer the great cost/performance choice that it's predecessor was.

 

[mikev]

That's the whole reason they ended the Nexus name.

The idea now is for Google devices - the Pixels, Home, the new router, etc, are all meant to be "premium" devices now.

In that regard, they still don't measure up to the top tier of devices. It's a refinement over the 6P, but it's not a 750 dollar upgrade.

 

[rodr]

Not sure I understand the Verizon connection. There's said to be "Verizon exclusivity" yet the phones come unlocked and can work with other carriers including Google Fi, and you can also get them directly from Google. Does this just mean if you buy from Verizon you're stuck with their bloatware in exchange for whatever perks they offer? Who decides when updates roll out?

 

[Zerox]

Introducing the new Google Pixel.

 

[mikev]

Not sure I understand the Verizon connection. There's said to be "Verizon exclusivity" yet the phones come unlocked and can work with other carriers including Google Fi, and you can also get them directly from Google. Does this just mean if you buy from Verizon you're stuck with their bloatware in exchange for whatever perks they offer? Who decides when updates roll out?

Verizon is the only carrier that will finance the phone for you, otherwise you have to do it through Google.


It's very odd, and not really "exclusive"

 

[ScarySpikes]

That's the whole reason they ended the Nexus name.

The idea now is for Google devices - the Pixels, Home, the new router, etc, are all meant to be "premium" devices now.

In that regard, they still don't measure up to the top tier of devices. It's a refinement over the 6P, but it's not a 750 dollar upgrade.

Yup.

At least it still has a 3.5 mm jack though.

 

[mototireguy]

Not sure I understand the Verizon connection. There's said to be "Verizon exclusivity"

Does this just mean if you buy from Verizon you're stuck with their bloatware in exchange for whatever perks they offer? Who decides when updates roll out?

My guess is Verizon offers some small discount in exchange for buying the bloatware shopware loaded phone from them instead of directly from Google.

The bloatware vendors pay Verizon a fee for installing their apps on the phone.

And your OS updates from Google are delayed while Verizon updates their bloat version.