Will The Pixels Be The Fastest Android Phones Yet?

Google is going for it

Google’s upcoming Pixel phones are touted to be the fastest Android smartphones in the world, all thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor.

Will they be fast enough to challenge the new iPhones too?

For those who are unaware of the existence of “Pixel” phones, they are the next in line from the erstwhile Google’s Nexus lineage.

The change in name needs to be taken seriously as it implies huge changes in the way Google does phones. Well, there are two — the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL — in keeping with the times.

After the explosive launch of the Galaxy Note7 (pun surely intended) and the huge global recall that followed, other smartphone makers can now fish millions of potential customers ripe for their taking. Both Apple and Google will undoubtedly capitalize on this.

We are aware of the kind of limelight the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus are enjoying at the moment, something we all knew would happen.

That said, Google’s Pixel phones shouldn’t be taken for lightly, as they clearly have the potential to take the Android space by a storm. This is because phones made by Google — the almighty of all things Android, will naturally leave people intrigued, starting with the cost of the devices.

David Ruddock, Android Police’s Managing Editor, took to Twitter to unveil information about the Pixel phones. “By the way, as far as I can tell, the Pixels will by the first US devices with Snapdragon 821 by a long shot. No one else is using it”, he said.
This chip is claimed to be 10 % faster than the Snapdragon 820 with support for Virtual Reality (VR). Interestingly enough, the new Snapdragon 821 processor was supposed to be a part of the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe, but the company launched the phone in India with the older 820 chip. Curious.

Ruddock also highlighted the fact that the OEMs might be avoiding the new Snapdragon 821 chipset because Qualcomm is charging “an arm and a leg” for the SoC.
This cost transferred to the customers results in higher prices.

While talking about the prices of Pixel phones, Ruddock said, Google “is getting out of the ‘cheap phone’ business at this point”, he said. “This one is more hearsay: price point being thrown around for Pixel XL is USD 649. Not clear if that’s 32 GB or 128 GB. Pixel phones will have exclusive Google support, exclusive software features, and exclusive financing options”, he also noted. “Google is going for it”

“So, if you’re the person who wanted Google to ‘really get out there and market their phones,’ you may finally see your wish granted”, Ruddock added.

Speculations regarding specifications of the phones have it that one of these Pixel phones will have a 7-inch screen with AMOLED qHD display, 4 GB RAM, 12 megapixel rear camera and 8 megapixel front snapper.

Both, Pixel (Sailfish) and Pixel XL (Marlin) are believed to have the same 4K video recording capabilities. Also expected with the handset is the USB Type-C port with a massive battery (about 5,100 mAh) and running on Android OS, 7.0 Nougat.

“I think we’re going to see Google do with Pixel what they have so long hesitated to: take the gloves off and compete with Android partners”, Ruddock clarified in a tweet, highlighting the ambitions of the team that’s developing this phone.

Rumors regarding the Pixel phones show a phone complete with not so appealing rear design and a Google branding on the back.

With the prices now in the vicinity of Apple iPhones, the Pixel devices will leave the earlier playing field of Android phones and will showcase themselves with the likes of Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy S Series — will they hold up is yet to be seen.

Originally published at Chip-Monks.