Google Unveils Pixel and Pixel XL Phones to Rival the iPhone

Google just took the challenge to Apple more directly than ever before as, today, it unveiled its new 5-inch Pixel and 5.5-inch Pixel XL smartphones, with features and pricing to truly rival the iPhone.

The two new Pixels are Google’s first smartphones carrying solely the Google brand – unlike the company’s earlier Nexus devices, which were also branded by manufacturers with which Google partnered. These Pixel phones will have Android 7.1 Nougat and Google Assistant built in – but there’s also a strong emphasis on photography and virtual reality experiences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rykmwn0SMWU

The rear camera is, judging from DxOMark ratings, one of the best in a smartphone, while photos taken with it can be backed up – without any compromise in their quality – to the cloud with Google Photos. The phones are also ready for use with Google’s virtual reality platform Daydream.

The handsets are available in colors which Google has called “very silver”, “quite black” and – this one’s a limited edition – “really blue”. In the US, the Pixel and Pixel XL are available for preorder through the Google Store, with pricing starting at $649.

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