Google Pixel XL a direct competition to Apple iPhone 7 

When Google launched artificial intelligence (AI)-powered premium devices Pixel and Pixel XL earlier this month, the message was clear: The device with the personal Google Assistant built right in sounded the threat bugle for Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The comparison is natural, especially in the absence of another flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which leaves Google and Apple fighting for the premium segment..

Siri vs. Google Assistant
Putting an end to Android users' long wait, the Google Assistant in Pixel XL definitely has an edge over Apple's Siri.
When asked: “Are you a man or a woman?", Google Assistant responded with answers like "I'm all inclusive :D" and "Does it really matter?" while Siri staidly replied: "I was not assigned a gender.".

Siri, however, was more informative than Google Assistant when asked "Who is the Prime Minister of India?". While Siri threw up results like when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister and how long has he been serving, Google Assistant came back only with his name.
Google Assistant can tell jokes, remember your passwords and even set the alarm for you in a clear voice.

What works
The 5.5-inch Pixel XL (32GB, black colour) aluminum and glass-built device looks elegant and fits comfortably in the palm. Unlike Nexus 6P, which had a thin glass strip at the top, Pixel XL's back panel has almost one-third glass covering.
The "Pixel Imprint" fingerprint scanner is located at the back and is extremely responsive. It not only unlocked the device in a split second but also accepted (authorised) half a fingerprint for unlocking.

Google has retained Type-C charging port that charged the 3,450 mAh battery in a flat 48 minutes. Google has put in a lot of accessories inside the box, including a two-way Type-C port cable ensuring OTG device (also included) support. With this cable, one can charge Pixel XL with another phone having a Type-C port.

The smartphone runs like a charm on Android Nougat 7.1 -- the only device till date to have it. A swipe right on the screen brings the notable search results in line with browsing history. Pixel's 12.3MP rear camera with f/2.0 has been rated the highest ever 89 DxOMark Mobile score. It is very fast, responsive and has a video stabilising mode. As expected, the photos in broad daylight were stunning. Even in "very low light conditions", the camera did not disappoint.

As compared to shooting video in normal mode, we noticed a remarkable difference when we shot the same video with "Video Stabilisation" on. There were low or no jerks and no picture distortion. One can even try new gestures, relish the audio output and save unlimited data online in original quality for free.

What doesn't work
Pixel devices are not waterproof. At a time when Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (and the now discontinued Galaxy Note 7) and Apple are offering IP68 rating (waterproof ratings), Pixel smartphones fall behind in this category. The camera does not have an optical image stabilisation feature and the Type-C to Type-C charging is slow.

PHONE FEATURES
Dimensions (mm) 154.70 x 75.70 x 8.50
Weight (g) 168.00
Battery capacity (mAh) 3450
Colours Very Silver, Quite Black, Really Blue
Screen size (inches) 5.50
Resolution 1440x2560 pixels
Pixels per inch (PPI) 534
Processor 1.6GHz quad-core
Processor make Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM 4GB
Internal storage 32GB
Rear camera 12.3-megapixel
Front camera 8-megapixel
Operating System Android 7.1

By Sourabh Kulesh