Tech

Google just announced its first smartphone, called Pixel — check it out

google pixel phones
Google
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Google announced a brand-new smartphone, called Pixel.

Here are its specs and features:

• Aluminum and glass body in three color options, including black, silver, and blue.

• 5-inch and 5.5-inch AMOLED displays

• Android 7.0 Nougat

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor

• 4 GB RAM

• Fingerprint sensor

• 12.3-megapixel rear-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture

• Advanced video stabilization for smooth 4K video

• Free unlimited storage for photos and videos at original quality with Google Photos

• Quick charging with USB-C; up to seven hours of power with 15 minutes of charging

• 32 or 128 GB internal storage

• Headphone jack

• It comes with Google Assistant built in, which lets you get contextual information from Google searches by using your voice or text, and can perform tasks like making restaurant reservations.

• Google's video-calling app, Duo, is also preinstalled.

• Supports Google's new Daydream VR platform to use with the new Daydream View VR headset

• $649 base price ($27 per month financing)

• Available to buy from Verizon or unlocked from the Google store

• Preorders start October 4 for US, Australia, Canada, Germany, and UK, and October 13 for India.

Check out some more pictures of the new Pixel smartphones:

Check out these three colors:

google pixel colors
Google

The fingerprint sensor is on the back, like it was on the Nexus devices last year.

MadebyGoogle Pixel
Google

You'll have the choice of two screen sizes: 5-inch and 5.5-inch. The new Pixels use sharp, vibrant AMOLED displays.

google pixel screen sizes
Google

Google claims the Pixel's 12.3-megapixel camera is the best on any smartphone, achieving a score of 89 from the photography site DXOmark. That's a better score than the iPhone 7's (86), but the scoring didn't include the Samsung Galaxy S7's camera, which is widely accepted as the best smartphone camera.

google pixel camera
Google

The video stabilization looks as though it can smooth out some pretty substantial hand-shaking.

And as is becoming the standard in smartphones, the Pixels use USB-C for fast charging.

google pixel usb-c
Google

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Antonio Villas-Boas was a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. During his time as Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models
  • Phone accessories, including charging cables, phone cases, and protection plans
  • Smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch
  • Mobile carrier plans, including major carriers and MVNOs
  • Tablets, including iPads and Galaxy Tabs
  • Laptops and computers, including MacBooks and Windows models
  • Computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and monitors
EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio is also a full time dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.