No one should buy a Pixel smartphone from Verizon

Google, at its Made By Google event, killed old practices of launching Nexus devices by partnering with OEMs. Google has apparently confirmed to 9to5Google that Verizon will be in charge of delivering Android software updates to all Pixel phones that it sells. But the downside is that it will only be for Google Pixel phones, and will remain that way unless they say otherwise. And, in-line with all the rumors, Google chose to ditch the famous Nexus lineup and their smartphones will now be called as “Pixel” with a tagline- “phone by Google”. The Pixel Launcher comes with a distinct Search Box, and it requires a “swipe up” gesture to show all of the device’s apps. These are the first smartphone made completely by Google. It has other useful features, such as Smartburst, which takes several photos one after another. The company recently shelved its ambitious modular smartphone Project Ara and Google Glass headset after years of development and publicity. “When a new update is available, it can download and install in the background – no more waiting around for your phone to update”.

The impact on you: Online forums like the Android Reddit page have been filled with anxiety over the state of everyone’s current Nexus phones and tablets. The ait for the Pixels won’t be too long, either, as October 20th appears to be the date that these new smartphones start shipping to customers and hit stores. This is also one of the primary benefits of the purchasing a Google Pixel/Nexus handset rather than going in for a carrier model.

The smart assistant responds to voice commands, performs actions and serves notifications based on a user’s habits.

Both phones have 12-megapixel cameras with optical stabilisation and an f2.0 lens. It gets the highest camera rating of 89 on camera-testing website DxOMark and is touted as having “the shortest capture time on any mobile camera ever”.

The Pixel has a five-inch screen, while the Pixel XL’s is 5.5.