Since HTC isn’t distributing review units of the Pixel, we haven’t been able to get our hands on either of the devices yet. We have a Pixel scheduled to show up on our doorstep in the next week or so, but since no one wants to wait that long for a review, we’ve decided to scour the web and consolidate the Pixel reviews for you.
If you happen to come across a review of the Pixel or Pixel XL that we missed, feel free to drop a link to it in the comments.
The Verge – The Pixel is the best Android phone ever
This is Google’s first phone, and for a first effort it is remarkably good. By almost every metric I can think of — speed, power, camera, smart assistant, you name it — it matches or exceeds the best phones available on the market today.
Engadget – The Pixel phones should have other manufacturers worried
The thing is, Google had to start somewhere, and the foundation it built with these two phones is a surprisingly strong one. These aren’t just great first attempts at smartphones; these are great smartphones, period, and every other Android device maker out there should be a little worried.
CNET – the full Google experience for the general consumer
Now that many are justifiably cautious of Samsung phones, the Pixel is a great option for Android users wondering where to go next. Its brand cachet already rivals Samsung and Apple. Unlike the Nexus models of years past, you don’t have to be an Android enthusiast to appreciate it. The only thing you’ll have to be enthusiastic about is owning a phone that’s beautiful, takes awesome photos and has smooth performance. If you are, the Pixel’s for you.
Arc Technica – Impeccable software inside a lackluster body
In the end, we don’t see anything in Pixel (yet) that justifies stepping on the toes of OEMs. Fortunately, the Pixel features an excellent camera thanks to Google’s killer software algorithms. The camera is fast, has killer low-light performance, and features video stabilization and 240 fps video.
WSJ – The Android iPhone you’ve been waiting for
Why is Google suddenly making such an aggressive play for iPhones? Ironically, it’s because the smartphone war is over. The big leaps now come in software and services and the ecosystem of devices around them. With an iPhone of its own, Google can appeal to longtime Apple buyers who already tend to live mostly in Google’s world.
TechnoBuffalo – A boring phone brought to life by its software
The Pixel performs decently well and offers some of the best hardware available. But it’s boring. It’s not water resistant. It doesn’t offer wireless charging. It doesn’t have expandable storage. It doesn’t offer a hardware feature we haven’t seen, like an iris scanner. The software is the highlight here.
I actually don’t like “5 days of use” reviews and prefer AnandTech detailed reviews, even if they take a while to come out.
Cheers