Google Pixel XL

The original Google Pixel and Pixel XL now have a new lease on life courtesy of Android 11 support via the third-party LineageOS 18.1 ROM.

Here’s just which Google Pixel model our readers think has been best so far

Damien Wilde Sep 20 2021 - 5:00 am PT

Last week and ahead of the Pixel 6 series set to come (hopefully) very soon, we asked you just what you think the “best” Google Pixel device has been so far. Well, the results were not too unsurprising overall but interesting nonetheless.

Poll: What do you think has been the best Google Pixel to date?

Damien Wilde Sep 16 2021 - 5:00 am PT

The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro could very well be the best Pixel devices to date, but we’re still waiting to see them unveiled — and then get our greasy mitts on the duo when they launch (hopefully) soon.

Android Nougat revisited: The birth of the ‘Pixel Experience’ [Video]

Damien Wilde Feb 5 2021 - 9:15 am PT

Back in 2016, Google embarked on a more prominent and marketable smartphone line in the form of the Pixel series. The direct successor to the Nexus series came with its own unique build of Android Nougat, something we have come to know as the “Pixel Experience” — not to be confused with the third-party ROM.

[Update: ROG Phone 2] LineageOS 17.1 adds support for the original Google Pixel, Pixel XL, and Nexus 6

Damien Wilde Aug 6 2020 - 1:12 am PT

After recently seeing LineageOS 17.1 officially get announced, those with the original Google Pixel or the Nexus 6 can now get their fix of the third-party ROM based upon Android 10.

Postmortem: Google’s original Pixel shows how far it’s come and how far it has to go

Ben Schoon Dec 5 2019 - 12:30 pm PT

It’s only been three years since Google decided to go on its own and start building its own flagship Android smartphones. In that three years, we’ve gotten a handful of Pixel phones all with their own strengths and weaknesses, but now that the original Google Pixel (2016) is being laid to rest, we thought it’s about time to look back at the phone that started it all and see how things have progressed.

Google Pixel phones get ‘Light Painting’ mode w/ this Google Camera mod

Ben Schoon Nov 22 2019 - 8:16 am PT

pixel 4 cameras astrophotography telephoto dual camera lens

The cameras on Google’s Pixel phones are great mainly thanks to their software and now, thanks to some developers, a new mode is available. With a Google Camera mod, all Pixel phones are getting a “Light Painting” mode.

[Update: Claims now open] Google to pay original Pixel owners up to $500 over microphone issue

Ben Schoon Aug 12 2019 - 12:40 pm PT

The original Google Pixel is a phone many still look back at with fond memories. However, the device was the subject of a couple big flaws, the biggest of which was the microphone. A lawsuit was started over the faulty Pixel microphones, and now Google has agreed to pay some buyers up to $500 in a settlement.

Google Pixel XL and Pixel 3a get ‘see-through’ wallpapers courtesy of iFixit

Ben Schoon Jul 22 2019 - 6:51 am PT

A trend has developed in the past couple of years for “see-through” wallpapers on certain phone models to get a peek at the hardware that powers your device. Now, the folks over at iFixit are giving Google’s original Pixel XL, as well as the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, the see-through wallpaper treatment.

Google’s original Pixel gets a speed test to show how four Android versions affect performance

Ben Schoon Mar 26 2019 - 8:24 am PT

It came as a surprise earlier this month when Google revealed that it would be providing an official update to Android Q for the original Pixel phones. Now, a speed test has hit YouTube to show how all of these updates affect the aging device.

Google extends support for original Pixel and Pixel XL to Android Q ‘by popular demand’

Kyle Bradshaw Mar 13 2019 - 1:32 pm PT

Among the many surprises of today’s Android Q announcements, such as releasing later in the day than expected and skipping from Developer Preview right to Beta, came another welcome surprise for owners of the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL now part of LineageOS 16 nightlies program

Damien Wilde Mar 11 2019 - 5:43 am PT

LineageOS is the offshoot of the original and immensely popular CyanogenMod ROM that was likely one of the, if not the most popular ROM on smartphone across the globe.
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November security patch in ‘final testing’ for 2016 Google Pixel devices halfway through the month

Ben Schoon Nov 13 2018 - 11:22 am PT

One of the biggest reasons to buy a Google Pixel device of any generation is for software updates. Oddly, though, the original Pixel and Pixel XL are a bit behind in that department as the Pixel November update and its associated security enhancements have yet to arrive. According to Google, though, they’re on the way.

Despite a misleading quote, Google hasn’t dropped unlimited Google Photos backup for life on original Pixels

Ben Schoon Oct 10 2018 - 8:09 am PT

With yesterday’s Pixel 3 reveal, Google confirmed that, once again, it would be offering unlimited backups on Google Photos for the device. However, it also seemingly backtracked on how long it would last for the original Google Pixel devices. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

Android 9 Pie causing fast charging issues for many Google Pixel/XL (2016) owners [Update]

Ben Schoon Aug 13 2018 - 6:45 am PT

Google’s Pixel devices have all supported fast charging over USB-C PD, and that has managed to cause some headaches over the past couple of years. With the Android Pie update, though, it seems something snapped and the functionality isn’t working for many users.

Google Store and Project Fi no longer selling the original Google Pixel, Pixel XL

Abner Li Apr 10 2018 - 11:20 am PT

The Pixel in 2016 kicked off Google’s latest and most committed push into entering hardware. When the second-generation Made by Google phones launched last October, the original device was kept around with a $100 price cut. Today, those first phones are no longer in stock on the Google Store or Project Fi.

Android 8.1 causes a possibly dangerous overcharging bug w/ original Google Pixel XL [Update]

Ben Schoon Mar 19 2018 - 7:29 am PT

While Google’s Pixel 2 family currently has the spotlight, last year’s original Pixel devices aren’t out for the count just yet. Both devices have held up very well over time, but a new bug threatens some users…

How to manually install Android P Developer Preview 1 on Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL

Justin Duino Mar 7 2018 - 10:10 am PT

Google just took the wraps off of the first Developer Preview build of Android P. This early build introduces a redesigned notification shade and much more. Here’s how to manually install Android P DP1…

Google facing lawsuit over ‘defective microphones’ it ‘knowingly sold’ in original Pixel devices

Ben Schoon Feb 8 2018 - 6:35 am PT

Google’s collection of Pixel smartphones have proven to be fantastic overall, but it’s clear in more ways than one that Google is still getting the hang of this whole hardware thing. Display issues plague the Pixel 2 XL, but another issue affected original Pixel devices and now, Google is being sued over that…

Android One Moto X4 drops to $249, Pixel XL to $549 w/ limited time Project Fi promo

Abner Li Feb 2 2018 - 10:07 am PT

Project Fi kicked off the year with what is effectively an $80 unlimited plan. Heading into February, the Google MVNO is now offering a promotion that drops the Moto X4 to $249 and 2016’s Pixel XL to $549.

Camera NX, a Google Camera mod, brings portrait mode to the Pixel & XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X

Justin Duino Dec 31 2017 - 10:23 am PT

One of the most essential features for most smartphone owners is the camera. Because of this, Google focused on image quality when it launched the Pixel 2 and introduced new features such as portrait mode. But while the search giant’s latest and greatest got new features, the original Pixel and the last Nexus devices were left in the dust.

Thanks to the developer behind Camera NX, Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X owners can now enjoy taking portrait mode photos by merely sideloading an APK…

Pixel Week: Where the Pixel falls short [Video]

Sep 29 2017 - 5:52 pm PT

We’ve already compared the Pixel XL to one of the best phones of 2017, the Galaxy Note 8, and visited some of the reasons why it’s still one of the best Android phones on the market. Nothing is perfect, though, and to close off Pixel Week, we wanted to look at some of the ways the Pixel and Pixel XL fall short and where the Pixel 2 might be able to pick up the slack.

Pixel Week: Where the Pixel still shines a year later [Video]

Sep 28 2017 - 2:38 pm PT

We’re just six days away from Google announcing the second-generation Pixel lineup (along with some other expected products, including some new Google Home devices), and in the meantime we wanted to revisit the original Pixel and Pixel XL. Too often, tech sites including ourselves get caught up in the craze of new devices and neglect to look at how well (and sometimes, how poorly) the older devices have held up.

The Pixel and Pixel XL were some of our favorite phones when they launched last year, and though we’ve since seen dozens of great new devices, we’re still terribly fond of Google’s in-house projects, which have aged better than just about any other Android phones we’ve seen.

Pixel Week: Pixel XL vs. Galaxy Note 8 [Video]

Sep 26 2017 - 7:32 pm PT

We’re excited to see Google unveil the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 next Wednesday, but the original Pixels are still some of the best smartphones on the market. With so many new trends like dual cameras and edge-to-edge displays popping up in 2017, we wanted to see how well the Pixel XL holds up against some of today’s modern flagships, in what we’re calling Pixel Week.