Google Phone Showdown: Nexus 6P Vs Pixel XL
Google’s new Pixel phones have replaced the Nexus lineup. We don’t usually compare new phones to old ones, but if you’re shopping now or looking to replace an exploded Galaxy Note 7 , these are two of your best options. Let’s take a look at how the old guard stacks up against Google’s new hardware and where the real value lies.
Applicants
The Nexus 6P (along with the 5X) is the last generation Nexus that Google will ever manufacture. Meanwhile, the Pixel XL (along with the Pixel) is the first in a new line of hardware with a clear goal of being loved by everyone . Here are our rivals:
- Nexus 6P: Google’s large-screen Nexus was built by Huawei. It is an all-metal phone with a 5.7-inch display, Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, 12.3MP rear camera and a whopping 3450mAh battery. It also features stunning custom dual front speakers that are perfect for watching videos. It is noteworthy that the 6P had a number of differences from its younger brother 5X. Among them, the smaller version had a less powerful processor, less RAM, a lower quality front camera, yes, and it was made by a completely different company (LG).
- Pixel XL: The Pixel line is much more uniform than its Nexus predecessors. Both the Pixel and Pixel XL are powered by an insanely fast Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM, a 12.3MP rear camera, and an all-metal body made by HTC. The Pixel XL has a slightly larger screen (5.5 inches versus 5 inches) and a larger battery (3450 mAh versus 2770 mAh). These two differences aside, they are almost identical. Although we’ll focus on XL, you can feel free to treat both pixels as roughly the same.
We’re not going to be comparing the specs of the two phones as it doesn’t make sense – and if you already own a Nexus 6P, you definitely don’t need to spend over $ 650 to upgrade. Instead, we’re looking at the total cost of both phones for those looking to upgrade right now and might have a phone older than both of those phones, or just want something new and are considering a Pixel versus a used or refurbished Nexus. 6P.
Pixel has the best camera, but the 6P has no problem
If you want the absolute best camera you can get, Pixel deserves your attention. The Nexus 6P’s camera isn’t terrible – in fact, personally, it’s the best smartphone camera I’ve ever had, and before the Pixel was one of the best you could get in an Android phone – but a few features make the Pixel stand out from the crowd. crowd.
First, the Pixel camera starts taking pictures the moment you launch it, and continues to take pictures as long as the app is open. By the time you press the shutter button, the camera has already captured the scene you want and just saves it. This means the camera is fast . Faster than it should be. This also means that you can keep HDR + on at all times (although you can turn it off for some images ).
The Pixel also includes laser autofocus, which makes focusing on subjects in the foreground and background very fast and accurate, which is even more advantageous when shooting video. Autofocus was a particularly frustrating issue for my Nexus 6P – although I can get it eventually, I often have trouble focusing correctly, so it’s nice the Pixel has improved it. This feature also helps with the Pixel’s electronic (but not optical) image stabilization. When shooting video, the Pixel tries to stabilize a shaky camera to an almost uncomfortable degree . This is great news if you want to plan a shoot, although it can make up for occasional videos a bit.
Of course, for the average smartphone user, these improvements may not make much of a difference. A third-party camera ranking site DxOMark gave the Pixel 89 out of 100 . In comparison, iPhone 7 got 86 points, and the Galaxy S7 Edge – 88 points . Nexus 6P got 84 points . It’s still impressive. If you have an older phone, both are likely to be a huge improvement over what you have now. However, if you absolutely need the highest quality photos you can get from your phone, the Pixel is your best bet.
You can get most of the best Pixel features in Android 7.1
We’ve already shown you how to get some of the best Pixel features on older phones, including the 6P, so for those comfortable with tweaking or rooting their phone, the comparison is almost moot. If you buy the 6P, you should be able to get almost all of the Pixel’s features with minimal fuss.
However, even if you don’t want to be rooted, you’ll still get most of the Pixel’s features. Many of the nicest and most overlooked features of the Pixel are actually part of Android 7.1. Here are just a few of the new features that both phones will benefit from:
- Application shortcuts quickly perform common tasks. Google allows developers to add shortcuts to home screen icons. For example, you can long-press the Google Maps icon to quickly navigate to home or work. The Google Now launcher already supports them , and other launchers are sure to follow.
- Smooth updates make it easy to update. Upgrades used to force you to spend half an hour waiting for an update to be installed, optimizing apps, and usually ruining your day. In Android 7.1, updates will happen in the background, so all you have to do is reboot to get the new data.
- Smart Storage frees up storage space. When you run out of space, Android 7.1 has a new feature that helps you find old things on your phone that you no longer need. It will find photos and videos older than 30 days or apps that you haven’t used in more than 90 days. Then you can choose which ones you don’t need and delete them.
In fact, Google Assistant is one of the few core features exclusive to the Pixel. Even if you’re uncomfortable modifying your phone to get it , Google Now is still insanely powerful . The assistant can do a few things that you couldn’t do before , but none of it is as impressive that you will have to spend hundreds more on it if you haven’t already planned it. If you opt for 6P instead, you won’t miss out on a lot.
Pixel has better support and will receive more updates
While you can take your iPhone to the Genius Bar or call AppleCare, Google has never offered anything like this for Android or its own Nexus phones. The Pixel changes that and gives you a single button to press to connect by phone or chat with Google support. You can even share your screen with a Google representative.
If you need support for your Nexus, you better read the forums and man pages. With the latest Android 7.1 update, the Settings app has a new Support tab, but it only contains links to Help Articles and Tips & Tricks. Searching for online support will take you to many forums, blogs, and other sites, both official and custom. The best thing I could find for real human help was the Nexus help page . Here, if you click Contact Us, Google will provide you with a list of the phone numbers of various Android manufacturers. It’s less than helpful. For enthusiasts who know what they are doing and are comfortable solving their problems (or those who have been using an Android phone for years), this is fine. However, for the less tech savvy newbie and average phone user, the Pixel has clearly better support.
When it comes to updates, the Pixel only wins because it’s newer. According to Google support pages , Nexus 6P and 5X are not guaranteed to receive Android updates after September 2017. Meanwhile, Pixels are guaranteed to receive updates for at least two years or until October 2018. This means you get additional annual updates over the Nexus. Granted, your phone won’t stop working if you don’t get updates, but you’ll probably get more longevity from the Pixel right now than if you got the Nexus.
Nexus 6P wins unconditionally on price
Pixel phones are clearly (and notoriously) more expensive than the Nexus ever was. The base Pixel starts at $ 650. If you want the XL with a large screen and battery, you’ll need to shell out an extra $ 120 for a total of $ 770. Meanwhile, Huawei’s new Nexus 6P is priced at $ 469 on Amazon . This is already quite a big difference.
However, production of the Nexus 6P is also discontinued. Earlier this month, Google removed older Nexus from its online store . You can still find it on Amazon or Best Buy , but these are likely to disappear soon if Google no longer orders. Instead, you can buy used phones from sites like Swappa , where the 6Ps cost less than $ 400 . Depending on the type of deal you can find, you can pay half as much for a nearly new 6P as you would for a brand new Pixel.
As we discussed in the last section, the Pixel has a longer shelf life now, so if you plan on storing your phone for an extended period – for example, two to three years or more – the Pixel might be worth the price. However, if you update frequently or just want to save as much money as possible, 6P will clearly be easier on your wallet. You can also check out our guide on how to update frequently at no extra cost .
Verdict: The Nexus is a great deal, but the Pixel is good in the long run
Picking a winner between the Pixel XL and the Nexus 6P is like trying to pick your favorite twin. There may be some key differences, but they are so similar that it is sometimes difficult to tell them apart. If you are updating an old phone, you will probably love any of these. However, there are some handy criteria to help you separate them.
If you want the best camera you can get, or need on-call support from the company that made your phone and don’t mind paying more for it, then the Pixel is for you. It has an amazing camera and support is just a tap away. You can also consider the Pixel if you plan on having your phone for several years and you can stretch that high price tag for a long time.
For those who are comfortable with customizing their phone to get the latest features, or those looking to save some money while still getting a really powerful device, the Nexus 6P is the best choice. The Pixel can barely do anything that the Nexus can’t. It’s also the latest and greatest phone in a long line of Google hardware experiments that laid the foundation on which the Pixel stands. For Android enthusiasts, there is something meaningful about being a part of this tradition as it comes to an end.