From Google’s Pixel 7 again to the Nexus and the G1: a visible historical past

A number of years in the past, if somebody instructed you that they had an Android telephone, then it might have been protected to imagine they weren’t speaking about Google’s Pixel. Till lately, “Android” had a a lot stronger affiliation with {hardware} from Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, and even LG when it was still making phones. However that mindset could lastly be shifting because the Google Pixel slowly positive factors extra identify recognition among the many Galaxies of the world.

The purpose of the Pixel is to deliver out the most effective of Android and invite producers and shoppers to see what Google’s working system might — and maybe even ought to — appear to be. In spite of everything, the iPhone’s at all times been identified for its constant interface and cohesive ecosystem throughout Apple’s gadgets, whereas Android telephones have lengthy suffered from fragmentation resulting in main variations in how the OS felt throughout producers.

For Google, its technique to push out gadgets that it sees as the proper type of Android is a feat deserving of recognition, regardless if it’s a runaway success amongst shoppers. The 2010 Nexus One, as an illustration, got the attention of Apple and Steve Jobs. And Android as an OS was capable of tackle the iPhone in a method that BlackBerry, Palm, and Microsoft have been unable to do. Google discovered from among the finest within the trade about the best way to construct telephones just like the Nexus line by partnering with producers like HTC, Samsung, LG, and Motorola — an organization Google owned for a little while.

Let’s take a stroll down reminiscence lane and see not solely each Pixel telephone Google has made but additionally the telephones that led to it:

The camera bar design launched with 2021’s Pixel 6 is right here to remain on the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The corporate’s newest telephones use a brand new Tensor 2 chip that allows higher name audio, recording, and transcribing, plus new picture processing options like unblurring faces. The Pixel 7 has the identical 50MP foremost and ultrawide cameras because the Pixel 6. The Professional has the identical foremost digital camera as nicely however will get an upgraded autofocusing ultrawide digital camera with macro images. The Professional additionally has a brand new 5x optical telephoto shooter and might obtain the next high quality optical / digital 10x zoom equal through sensor cropping. Along with an under-screen fingerprint reader, the telephones have a face unlock function. In addition they have a brand new Guided Body function that helps customers with blindness or low imaginative and prescient take nice selfies utilizing audio cues. The Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch display screen, barely smaller than the Pixel 6, and begins at $599. The Pixel 7 Professional has a 6.7-inch display screen and begins at $899.

The Pixel 6A is a part of Google’s inexpensive lineup that usually focuses on having the most effective obtainable digital camera. However with the 6A, Google is as a substitute specializing in efficiency by together with its new Tensor chip. Meaning the 6A makes use of final 12 months’s 12MP sensor. The telephone is a bit of smaller than the 6 with a 6.1-inch display screen, and it solely has a 60Hz refresh price. There’s no wi-fi charging, much less RAM, and Google removed the headphone jack that got here with each A-line telephone earlier than it. Just like the Pixel 6, the 6A has the brand new digital camera bar design and under-display fingerprint sensor, although it’s utilizing plastic as a substitute of glass on the rear. However at $449, $150 cheaper than the Pixel 6, it’s top-of-the-line offers in smartphones proper now.

Google went for a complete redesign with the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional in an effort to deliver its telephones again to aggressive flagship standing. It makes use of premium steel and glass supplies, has a definite new digital camera bar design, and lets go of the dependable rear fingerprint scanner in favor of a slower under-screen one. The corporate debuted its custom Tensor chip, which powers AI and machine studying on the Pixel 6, and it has new digital camera sensors for the primary time in years. Each have broad and ultrawide cameras, however the Professional has a telephoto and likewise a wider and higher 11MP front-facing digital camera. They’re big in comparison with the 5: the Pixel 6 ($599) has a 90Hz 6.4-inch display screen, and the Professional ($899) has a 6.7-inch 120Hz one with curved edges. The Pixel 6 helps sub-6GHz 5G and mmWave, although the latter just isn’t on the unlocked mannequin. The Pixel 6 Professional has each 5G choices, it doesn’t matter what mannequin, and likewise has 12GB of RAM versus the common 6’s 8GB.

The Pixel 5A did midrange proper. For $449, you bought an even bigger than ever 6.3-inch show, glorious battery life, IP67 waterproofing, a headphone jack, 128GB of storage, a steel physique, and the identical Snapdragon 765G from the Pixel 5. There’s no wi-fi charging, although, and despite the fact that the 5A had 5G, it didn’t have assist for mmWave like some 4A 5G fashions, plus it lacked C-band 5G despite Google admitting the hardware is there. It additionally got here in only one coloration referred to as “principally black,” although it appeared like a darkish inexperienced and was complemented by a mint inexperienced energy button.

Google launched only one model of the flagship Pixel in 2020, and it utterly let go of the experimental Project Soli features that the Pixel 4 telephones had. Gone was the large brow that additionally had the infrared face unlock function; now, there was only a hole-punch digital camera and skinny bezels throughout. The Pixel 5 was introduced on the identical day because the 4A 5G, however the latter shipped a month later. Each telephones shared the identical Snapdragon 765G processor and likewise the actually good broad and ultrawide cameras. The Pixel 5, at $649, was $200 greater than the 4A 5G, however you bought IP68 waterproofing, 8GB of RAM in comparison with 6GB, a premium aluminum design, wi-fi charging, and a 6-inch 90Hz OLED display screen in comparison with an solely barely greater 6.2-inch at 60Hz on the 4A 5G.

Pixel 4A and Pixel 4A 5G (2020)

The Pixel 4A was launched about two months earlier than the 4A 5G, and the Pixel 5 was launched in between the 2. At $349, the 4A was essentially the most inexpensive Pixel but and got here with a large 5.8-inch display screen with a hole-punched entrance digital camera that lastly gave the Pixel thinner bezels. You bought one digital camera on the 4A, however just like the 3A, it was excellent regardless of missing a picture processor that sped issues up between snaps. The 4A 5G had an even bigger 6.2-inch display screen and included an ultrawide digital camera that took the place of the Pixel 4’s telephoto. The 5G model was costlier, at $499, nevertheless it additionally had a quicker processor and bigger battery than the Pixel 4A. Google did avoid wasting cash by not including water resistance rankings and wi-fi charging to the 4A pair, however in alternate, you bought the headphone jack once more.

Verge rating: 8 out of 10 and 7.5 out of 10 (5G)

Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL (2019)

If I needed to describe the Pixel 4 and 4 XL in a single phrase, it might be “formidable,” however that’s not in the most effective of how. Google determined to make its Project Soli radar technology the star of the present that 12 months, which enabled options like waving your hand to snooze your alarm or skip music tracks. It might even inform in case you have been sitting close to your telephone or reaching for it with a function referred to as presence, and it might get up forward of time as you choose it up. The concepts have been cool, however they didn’t work very reliably. Mixed with a brand new infrared sensor for face unlock, the Pixel 4 pair needed to be designed with a powerful brow and nonetheless had a little bit of a chin on the underside. You probably did get a pleasant 90Hz display screen, and Google added a telephoto digital camera as nicely — although an ultrawide would in all probability have been extra welcome. On the software program facet, the telephones shipped with Android 10 and had a useful Live Transcribe feature. All these options, together with lower than stellar battery life and beginning with 64GB storage, may very well be had for $799 and $899 for the XL — the costliest Pixels but.

Verge rating: 8 out of 10 and 8.5 out of 10 (XL)

Pixel 3A and Pixel 3A XL (2019)

Google began releasing inexpensive A-line variations of the Pixels earlier within the 12 months, and the Pixel 3A and 3A XL have been the primary within the development. At $399 and $479 (XL), the telephones took a very powerful elements of their flagship counterparts and made them accessible to extra folks. The screens have been nonetheless OLED and sized at 5.6 inches and 6 inches, respectively, however the processor was downgraded to a Snapdragon 670. In addition they lacked the dedicated image processor, however the high quality of the digital camera remained legendary, and the gadgets sport nice battery life. You possibly can’t simply inform that the our bodies are fabricated from cheaper plastics than the costlier Pixel 3 telephones, however there are different compromises, like no wi-fi charging and no waterproof ranking. Lastly, Google additionally stopped offering the free full-quality photo backup it supplied with earlier fashions, however you’re nonetheless getting the most effective bang to your buck right here.

Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (2018)

The Pixel 3 ($599) and the Pixel 3 XL ($699) gained wi-fi charging and bigger higher-quality OLED screens — however the XL mannequin obtained an enormous notch slicing into it. The 12.2MP rear digital camera is similar sensor from the earlier mannequin, however Google upgraded the devoted picture processor from 2017’s Pixel 2, making footage come out quicker and higher. The telephones additionally had a large front-facing digital camera so you may selfie with extra folks. There have been nonetheless comparatively massive bezels in comparison with the competitors, however the nice front-facing audio system stay and sound even higher. The headphone jack didn’t come again, however at least it came with wired USB-C headphones. Google debuted its name screening function with the Pixel 3 that lets a robotic discuss to the caller to substantiate it’s not a advertising name.

Verge rating: 8.5 out of 10

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (2017)

The Pixel 2 welcomed IP67 waterproofing and a tremendous digital camera with AI processing that may set the bar for years. Google dropped the headphone jack however included a dongle to hook up your personal headphones. You may squeeze the Pixel 2 to activate Google Assistant, and the lock display screen had a Shazam-like function that displayed what song was playing around you. The XL mannequin had a vivid 6-inch display screen, however the common mannequin’s 5-inch display screen was missing in high quality. There was nonetheless no wi-fi charging, and whereas the entrance nonetheless had big bezels, it at the very least housed excellent high quality front-facing audio system.

Verge rating: 8.5 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 (XL)

Pixel and Pixel XL (2016)

Google’s Pixel ($649) and Pixel XL ($769) have been the corporate’s first telephones to be developed internally and served as a blueprint for the “pure” Android expertise. Different producers continued to push their very own customized launchers and options, however the Pixel served as a method to remind them what Android ought to appear to be. Google Assistant was the star of the present, and it appeared leaps forward of what Siri was able to — and that hasn’t modified up to now. It appeared just like the iPhone 7 and seven Plus, nevertheless it nonetheless had a headphone jack. The Pixels had glorious battery life and OLED screens (5-inch and 5.5-inch for the XL) however lacked waterproofing. Google enticed prospects with free full-quality photo storage on Google Photos for the lifetime of the telephone.

Nexus 6P by Huawei (2015)

Our journey down reminiscence lane doesn’t finish on the first Pixel; Google has at the very least 10 extra telephones it’s had a hand in making. The Nexus 6P was Google’s remaining kind for the road that preceded its Pixel, and it was the most effective telephone the corporate made on the time. Constructed by Huawei, this large telephone had a pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow expertise, an enormous AMOLED display screen, and a fingerprint sensor on the rear. It had USB-C, which was uncommon at the time however would later turn out to be ubiquitous. The digital camera high quality was glorious, although it was one of many first so as to add a giant digital camera bump to accommodate it.

Verge rating: 8.8 out of 10

LG’s Nexus 5X has a design based mostly on the Nexus 5 from 2013, however now, it’s quicker and has an even bigger 5.2-inch display screen. It was nonetheless straightforward to make use of with one hand regardless of the expansion, had higher battery life, and was much more inexpensive at $379. It felt low cost total, although, and it had a gradual digital camera — although picture high quality was good. In case you needed a better-built telephone, you’d must go for the Nexus 6P that launched alongside the Nexus 5X.

Verge rating: 8.3 out of 10

Nexus 6 by Motorola (2014)

The “phablet” development, spearheaded by Samsung, turned the main target of Motorola’s go on the Nexus line. Its 6-inch display screen was bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus, and at $649, it was $100 cheaper, too. It had stereo front-facing audio system and 32GB of inner storage however no SD card growth. Inventory Android Lollipop with the “materials design” interface was a giant give attention to this telephone, and it was additionally the primary to work with Google’s Fi MVNO mobile community.

Verge rating: 8.6 out of 10

With the success of the Nexus 7 pill, Google began getting critical about advertising Nexus telephones to shoppers slightly than simply builders / energy customers. It had a giant 4.95-inch 1080p display screen, however Samsung’s Galaxy S4 had a barely bigger one which had higher high quality. The Nexus 5 did lastly get LTE, and it was the primary to get Android KitKat. The brand new OS was smoother than ever and continues to be the oldest system that helps Google Play providers.

The Nexus 4 is LG’s first go on the Nexus line, and it targeted on construct high quality. Whereas it was a strong telephone, the Gorilla Glass rear was a priority for shattering, and just like the iPhone, the battery was now not detachable. Telephones on the time have been beginning to acquire LTE, however this didn’t make the most of that. It has a 4.7-inch IPS display screen with a 1280 x 768 decision, and it got here with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, which introduced widgets to the lock display screen and a fast settings menu that allow you to entry Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in a number of swipes. It additionally had a swipe-like keyboard for straightforward typing. The machine supported wi-fi induction charging, a flagship function of the Palm Pre (nobody says “induction” anymore, however they did on the time).

Verge rating: 8.3 out of 10

Galaxy Nexus by Samsung (2011)

Samsung’s second Nexus telephone was the primary to get Android Ice Cream Sandwich, which had cool new options like transferring information through NFC and facial recognition for unlocking. It later obtained the Jelly Bean replace, with options like expandable notifications. The Android menu buttons turned a part of the system as a substitute of the {hardware}, showing on the underside of the 4.65-inch Tremendous AMOLED display screen that made the iPhone 4S look tiny. It had a teardrop form design and a 5MP digital camera with flash, nevertheless it didn’t have an SD card slot — though 16GB built-in storage was sizable for the time.

Verge rating: 8.6 out of 10

After Samsung made its Galaxy, it made Google’s subsequent Nexus. The Nexus S was Samsung’s first Nexus telephone and the second Nexus telephone ever. Samsung put in a giant 4-inch Tremendous AMOLED display screen within the Nexus S, and the show was barely curved, which gave it a novel look. The physique of the machine was made principally of plastic and had a shiny end. The telephone was the primary to ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, including a much-improved interface. The facility button on the fitting and a headphone jack on the underside have been distinctive design decisions on the time.

The Nexus One is the telephone that made Steve Jobs’ blood boil. “I’m going to destroy Android, as a result of it’s a stolen product. I’m keen to go thermonuclear battle on this,” Jobs mentioned, according to his biography by Walter Isaacson. It’s the telephone that might stand as much as the iPhone 3GS, with a bigger display screen than Apple’s at 3.7 inches. It was barely thinner as nicely. HTC and Google made a telephone that actually may very well be the “Google Telephone,” and it broke away from provider lock-in and branding. Android controls have been capacitive buttons under the display screen (a development that continued for a number of years), and bodily controls have been diminished to a sleep button and a trackball — making this essentially the most touch-oriented Android telephone up to now.

The second Android telephone ever ditches the Keyboard, navigating nearer towards the full-screen iPhone design. Launched broadly because the T-Cell myTouch 3G within the US, it had a 3.2-inch display screen, which was smaller than the iPhone’s 3.5-inch and didn’t have an excellent software program keyboard as compared. Whereas it solely had 4GB of storage, you may prolong it through microSD and get extra footage and music on it, although you’d have to attach a dongle to plug headphones in.

You’ve made it to the start of time — nicely, at the very least for Google’s {hardware} story. Earlier than the telephones by Google — the Pixels and Nexuses of the world — there was the telephone with Google. That’s what was printed on the rear of the HTC Dream because it was the primary telephone to run Google’s new Android OS. The Dream was identified extra broadly because the T-Cell G1 as a result of many telephones bought within the US on the time wanted a provider companion with its personal advertising and branding to succeed. The HTC Dream was designed for many who needed to cautiously step into the full-screen telephone world that Apple was promoting. It included a built-in slide-out keyboard like some Home windows Cell phones had on the time plus a BlackBerry-like trackball to assist navigate.

Correction October sixth, 8:53AM ET: A earlier model of this text prompt Samsung made the Nexus S earlier than the Galaxy S. The Nexus S got here out after. We remorse the error.