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Manufacturer | Various |
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Release date | February 21, 2013 |
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Website | pixel |
Google Pixel is a brand of portable consumer electronic devices developed by Google that run either ChromeOS or the Android operating system. The main line of Pixel products consist of Android-powered smartphones, which have been produced since October 2016 as the replacement of the older Nexus, and of which the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are the current models. The Pixel brand also includes laptop and tablet computers, as well as several accessories, and was originally introduced in February 2013 with the Chromebook Pixel.
Legend: | Unsupported | Supported | Current and supported | Upcoming |
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Model | Announced | Released | Discontinued | Supported | Lifespan [lower-alpha 1] | ||
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Date | With OS | Ended [1] | Final OS [2] | ||||
Pixel / XL | October 4, 2016 | October 20, 2016 | 7.1 Nougat | April 11, 2018 | December 2, 2019 | 10 | 3 years, 1 month |
Pixel 2 / XL | October 4, 2017 | October 17, 2017 | 8.0 Oreo | April 1, 2019 | December 7, 2020 | 11 | 3 years, 1 month |
Pixel 3 / XL | October 9, 2018 | October 18, 2018 | 9 Pie | March 31, 2020 | June 6, 2022 | 12 | 3 years, 7 months |
Pixel 3a / XL | May 7, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | July 1, 2020 | September 5, 2022 | 12.1 | 3 years, 3 months | |
Pixel 4 / XL | October 15, 2019 | October 23, 2019 | 10 | August 6, 2020 | February 6, 2023 | 13 | 3 years, 3 months |
Pixel 4a | August 3, 2020 | August 20, 2020 | January 31, 2022 | November 6, 2023 | 3 years, 2 months | ||
Pixel 4a (5G) | November 5, 2020 | 11 | August 20, 2021 | February 5, 2024 | 14 | 3 years, 3 months | |
Pixel 5 | September 30, 2020 | October 15, 2020 | February 5, 2024 | 3 years, 3 months | |||
Pixel 5a | August 17, 2021 | August 26, 2021 | 11 | July 21, 2022 | At least August 2024 | — | 2 years, 7 months |
Pixel 6 / Pro | October 19, 2021 | October 28, 2021 | 12 | October 6, 2022 | At least October 2026 | 2 years, 5 months | |
Pixel 6a | May 11, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | 12 | — | At least July 2027 | — | 1 year, 8 months |
Pixel 7 / Pro | October 6, 2022 | October 13, 2022 | 13 | At least October 2027 | 1 year, 5 months | ||
Pixel 7a | May 10, 2023 | May 10, 2023 | At least May 2028 | 10 months | |||
Pixel Fold | May 10, 2023 | June 20, 2023 | At least June 2028 | 9 months | |||
Pixel 8 / Pro | October 4, 2023 | October 12, 2023 | 14 | At least October 2030 | 5 months |
Google announced the first generation Pixel smartphones, the Pixel and the Pixel XL, on October 4, 2016 during the #MadeByGoogle event. [3] Google emphasized the camera on the two phones, which ranked as the best smartphone camera on DxOMarkMobile with 90 points until HTC released the U11, which also scored 90 points. [4] This is largely due to software optimizations such as HDR+. The Pixel phones also include unlimited cloud storage for pictures on Google Photos [5] and, for devices purchased directly from Google, an unlockable bootloader. [6] In 2019, a class action lawsuit [7] over faulty microphones in some devices enabled Pixel owners to claim up to $500 in compensation.
Google announced the Pixel 2 series, consisting of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, on October 4, 2017.
Google announced the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL at an event on October 9, 2018, alongside several other products.
On May 7, at I/O 2019, Google announced the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, budget alternatives to the original two Pixel 3 devices. [14]
Google announced the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL at an event on October 15, 2019, alongside several other products. [15]
In 2019, Google offered a bug bounty of up to $1.5 million for the Titan M security chip built into Pixel 3, Pixel 3a and Pixel 4. [16]
Google announced the Pixel 4a on August 3, 2020 and the Pixel 4a (5G) on September 30, 2020, as budget alternatives to the original two Pixel 4 devices.
Google announced the Pixel 5 on September 30, 2020.
Google announced the Pixel 5a on August 17, 2021.
Google announced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro on October 19, 2021.
Google announced the Pixel 6a on May 11, 2022.
Google announced the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro on October 6, 2022.
Google announced the Pixel 7a at its annual Google I/O on May 10, 2023. [26]
Google announced the Pixel Fold at its annual Google I/O on May 10, 2023. [26]
The Pixel C was announced by Google at an event on September 29, 2015, [27] alongside the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P phones (among other products). The Pixel C includes a USB-C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. [28] The device shipped with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and later received Android 7.x Nougat and Android 8.x Oreo. Google stopped selling the Pixel C in December 2017. [29]
The Pixel Slate, a 12.3 in (31 cm) 2-in-1 tablet and laptop, was announced by Google in New York City on October 9, 2018, [30] alongside the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. The Pixel Slate includes two USB-C ports but omits the headphone jack. The device runs ChromeOS on Intel Kaby Lake processors, with options ranging from a Celeron on the low end to an i7 on the high end. In June 2019, Google announced it will not further develop the product line, and cancelled two models that were under development. [31]
The Pixel Tablet was announced by Google at I/O 2022. It comes with a stand, similar to that of a Home Hub; however, it is detachable. [32] It was released on June 20, 2023. [33]
Google announced the first-generation Chromebook Pixel in a blog post on February 21, 2013. [34] The laptop includes an SD/multi-card reader, Mini DisplayPort, combination headphone/microphone jack, and two USB 2.0 ports. Some of the device's other features include a backlit keyboard, a "fully clickable etched glass touchpad," integrated stereo speakers, and two built-in microphones. [35]
On March 11, 2015, Google announced the second generation of the Chromebook Pixel in a blog post. [36] The laptop includes two USB-C ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, and a combination headphone/microphone jack. The device also has a backlit keyboard, a "multi-touch, clickable glass touchpad," built-in stereo speakers, and two built-in microphones, among other features. [37]
Google discontinued the 2015 Chromebook Pixel on August 29, 2016. [38] [39]
On October 4, 2017, Google launched the first generation of the Pixelbook at its Made by Google 2017 event. [40]
On October 15, 2019, Google announced a mid-range version of the Pixelbook, named the Pixelbook Go, at its Made by Google 2019 event. [41]
The Google Pixel Watch is a first-generation wearable made by Google that released in October, 2022. It features a circular display. Multiple wristbands for the watch are available on the Google Store for purchase.
The Pixel Watch 2 is a second-generation wearable made by Google that released in October, 2023. It features a similar design as the first-generation Pixel Watch's circular display. Multiple wristbands for the watch are available on the Google Store for purchase.
At Google's October 2017 hardware event, a set of wireless earbuds were unveiled alongside the Pixel 2 smartphones. [42] The earbuds are designed for phones running Android Marshmallow or higher, and work with Google Assistant. [43] In addition to audio playback and answering calls, the earbuds support translation in 40 languages through Google Translate. [44] The earbuds are able to auto pair with the Pixel 2 with the help of the Google Assistant and "Nearby". [45] The Pixel Buds are available in the colors Just Black, Clearly White and Kinda Blue. The earbuds have a battery capacity of 120 mAh while the charging case that comes with the Pixel Buds have a battery capacity of 620 mAh. [46] The earbuds are priced at $159. [46]
A second generation of Pixel Buds were released in 2020, omitting the cord between the two earbuds. In June 2021, a mid-range variant of the second-generation earbuds were released as the Pixel Buds A-Series.
At the 2022 Google I/O event, an enhanced version of the second-generation earbuds was announced and later released in May 2022, as the Pixel Buds Pro, which featured Active Noise Cancellation mode, transparency mode, and spatial audio (added in a subsequent software update). The "Pro" earbuds are priced at $199.
Alongside the launch of the Pixelbook in October 2017, Google announced the Pixelbook Pen, a stylus to be used with the Pixelbook. It has pressure sensitivity as well as support for Google Assistant. The Pen is powered by a replaceable AAAA battery and is priced at US$99. [47]
In October 2018, Google announced the Pixel Stand alongside the Pixel 3 smartphones. [48] In addition to standard 5 watt Qi wireless charging, the Pixel Stand has wireless 10 watt charging using a proprietary technology from Google. [49] It also enables a software mode on the Pixel 3 that allows it to act as a smart display similar to the Google Home Hub. In October 2021, alongside the release of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones, a second-generation Pixel Stand was made to support the phones' new wireless charging speeds of 23 watts. [50]
Developer | |
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OS family | Unix-like (modified Linux kernel) |
Working state | Current |
Latest release | Android 14 / January 3, 2024 |
Marketing target | Smartphones and tablet computers |
Official website | pixel |
Articles in the series | |
Android version history |
Google Pixel UI [51] is an Android skin used for the Pixel phones and the Pixel Tablet, and developed by Google. Starting from first generation of Google Pixel phones, [52] [53] Google had replaced the launcher for their smartphone with Pixel Launcher instead of Google Now Launcher which is the default launcher for Nexus series.
Unlike the Nexus phones, which Google shipped with "stock" Android (AOSP), the Pixel UI that came with the first generation Pixel phones were slightly modified compared to "stock" Android. Currently, Pixel UI and its home launcher are available on Pixel family devices only. (However, third-party modifications allow non-Pixel smartphones to install the Pixel Launcher with Google Now feed integration). [54]
During the launch of Android 4.x "Ice Cream Sandwich", Google had started to replace some of the stock Android apps with Google apps, including the stock Android music apps with Google Play Music, and Android browser with Google Chrome. By the launch of Android 4.4.x "KitKat", most of the stock Android apps had been replaced with Google apps, such as the stock Android gallery being replaced with Google Photos, etc. [55] This also includes the Android home launcher being replaced with the Google Now Launcher, allowing users to access to their Google Now feed more conveniently. [56] However, the rest of the UI was still similar to stock Android, including the settings menu and toggles buttons colors. [57]
Google officially launched the Pixel Launcher and Pixel UI together the Pixel phones; unlike the Google Now Launcher which allowed non Nexus phones to install, the Pixel Launcher was only available on the Pixel phones. Most Android smartphones including Nexus phones are not compatible with the launcher. [58] Some of the modifications Google had done to differentiate Pixel UI with stock Android included the setting toggle's buttons colors, and 24/7 online support which allowed the user to get direct support from Google's customer support. [59]
Google Nexus is a discontinued line of consumer electronic devices that run the Android operating system. Google managed the design, development, marketing, and support of these devices, but some development and all manufacturing were carried out by partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Alongside the main smartphone products, the line also included tablet computers and streaming media players; the Nexus started out in January 2010 and reached its end in October 2016, replaced by Google Pixel.
The Samsung Galaxy S series is a line of flagship Android smartphone and tablet computer produced by Samsung Electronics. In conjunction with the foldable Galaxy Z series, the lineup serves as Samsung's flagship smartphone lineup.
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The Sony Xperia 5 is an Android smartphone marketed and manufactured by Sony. Part of Sony's flagship Xperia series, it was unveiled at the annual IFA event on September 5, 2019. The device is a cheaper, more compact variant of the Xperia 1.
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The Sony Xperia 5 II is an Android smartphone marketed and manufactured by Sony Mobile. Part of Sony's flagship Xperia series, the phone was announced on September 17, 2020. A less expensive and more compact variant of the Xperia 1 II, the Xperia 5 II belongs to Sony's handset lineup of 2020, which includes the flagship Xperia 1 II and the entry-level Xperia 10 II. The phone was released worldwide in October 2020.
The Pixel 5 is an Android smartphone designed, developed, and marketed by Google as part of the Google Pixel product line. It serves as the successor to the Pixel 4. It was officially announced on September 30, 2020 at the "Launch Night In" event alongside the Pixel 4a (5G) and released in the United States on October 29. It is the first flagship smartphone in the Pixel lineup not to feature an XL version. On October 19, 2021, it was succeeded by the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
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Audio is recorded in stereo at 192kbps - a new development after the Pixel 2's mono audio