Last week, I wrote an article which highlighted what we can expect from Google’s new phone: the Pixel. Some of the things predicted did happen while others did not. Since this is Google’s first phone to not come with the ‘Nexus’ logo, is it a change in strategy by Google to target the iPhone 7 more? Here are the main features of the Google Pixel and whether or not it is an iPhone 7 killer or not.

Google Pixel Features

There are two versions of the Pixel – a 5″ full HD AMOLED version with a 2,770 mAh battery (talk time of up to 26 hours) and a 5.5″ Quad HD AMOLED version (called the Pixel XL) with a 3,450 mAh battery (talk time of up to 32 hours). Apart from the screen and battery sizes, the phones have identical hardware inside:

• Cornering Gorilla Glass 4
• Aluminium body
• 4GB RAM
• 32GB or 128GB options of storage.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor.
• 12.3 megapixel rear camera and an 8 megapixel front camera.
• Pixel imprint fingerprint sensor.
• 4K recording and free online storage of all pictures and videos, even 4K videos.
• 3.5 mm headphone jack.
• USB Type-C with quick charging.
• Newest and latest version of Android which will feature Google Assistant.

Is the Pixel and Pixel XL Competition for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus?

In one word, yes.

From the perspective of Google, they are trying to compete with Apple with their new range of phones (built by Google as well, unlike the Nexus range). Their marketing video explains all of the things new on the phone and **coughs** at the fact the headphone jack is reassuringly ‘not new’. So yes, Google are competing with Apple and hope to do this with the Pixel and Pixel XL, offering what they believe to be the best Android phones on the market.

From the perspective of a consumer, I can see how the Pixel and Pixel XL can compete with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. In terms of features, they are on par with each other. The pricing of all the phones are near enough the same. But, Google wants to bring forward that they offer more. They offer a headphone jack, Google assistant, a beautiful clean new Android OS system and unlimited storage for life even of 4K videos (something I think Apple would never do). These are all impressive features to have as USPs.

However, does it beat the Samsung S7 and S7 Edge? I guess we have to write off the Note 7 since production of the phone has stopped again. Putting this aside, I think it might be. Consumers always state that stock Android cannot be beaten which was one of the reasons why the Nexus range was always so popular. But, Nexus phones had hardware in the ‘middle’ category of smartphones so never really competed with Apple or Samsung. However, with the Pixel and Pixel XL, Google have stepped up the game by offering a clean stock Android experience with the best hardware out there right now. AMOLED, Snapdragon 821 processor and ‘the best camera on a smartphone’, it will be interesting to say the least how the Pixel takes to the market.