I stumbled upon a really good deal. Didn't need a new phone. My brand new Moto G4 ($179) was perfectly fine, but I couldn't pass up a deal to try out the Pixel.

So ... anyone else using one? I don't get what the big deal is. The Google Assistant (voice) appears to be no different than on my other phone.

Seems the camera is excellent, according to reviews, but it's hard to tell so far.

Honestly, I don't do much with my mobile phone, so I'm not quite sure what I might be missing.

I have the XL and i think its a great phone.. Its more just about having a nice solid phone with a clean OS from google. The camera is amazing on it.. BTW try lens blur.. Swip on the left side to the right side with the camera open and select lens blur.. its cool

COOOOL

+1

Hi Julie,

I have the XL as well along with a 7+ and like both phones for different reasons.

I agree with Kevin, native Android Nougat w/o bloatware and monthly security updates is the only way to experience Google. To Julie’s point I can’t tell much of a difference from the Assistant on the Pixel from the “standard” OK Google on the previous Nexus 6p but if you spend some time with it does a good job of displaying timely and relevant information (flight updates, parking location, traffic updates, hotel information, tailored news, specific stock updates, etc, etc.) If you are a Google user (Gmail, Maps, Photos etc) the experience is becoming seamless. The display is amazing and the battery life is really good. Oddly I like the location of the finger print sensor on the back making it easier for one-handed control. BTW Pixel still has a built in 3.5mm headphone jack :). I just received the VR headset and as gimmicky as it looks, the kids sure are having a lot of fun with it (OK me too).

iPhone 7+ has the 2x optical zoom which makes it my go-to for photos. If you live in an Apple ecosystem with the Mac, iPad etc it makes most sense. But I can’t stand Apple’s conversation view in their default iOS10 mail. Seriously, I get lost inside of their mail app and have reverted to the Outlook app instead (Gmail is almost as bad but you can turn it off).

My 2cents-

For the phones that have the fingerprint sensor on the back -- how do you use it when docked in car holder (for example)?

A friend who works for an AV store in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago has it and loves it.

A relative who lives in Minneapolis but travels all the time to LaCrosse WI and other areas has it and it's spotty when they are not in the metro areas.

I love this in concept. I will be waiting until I consistently hear great results in a broader cross section of areas.

In the meantime, I am on a pay-as-you-go voice+LTE plan at $35/mo. I am not in any hurry to switch.

It's not a big issue, you can set the Bluetooth device you use in the car to keep your phone unlocked. The sensor is also very versatile, works with your finger at any orientation so if you can get to it it will unlock.