Developer | |
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Manufacturer | Google, various |
Type | Smartphones, tablets, laptops |
Release date | February 21, 2013 |
Operating system | ChromeOS and Android |
Online services | Google Play (2015–present) Chrome Web Store (2013–present) |
Website | store.google.com/category/phones |
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 7 is the current model. 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.
See also: Comparison of Google Pixel smartphones |
Legend | Discontinued and unsupported
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Discontinued but still supported
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Current or still sold
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Model | Announced | Released | Discontinued | Supported | Lifespan | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | With OS | Ended[1] | Final OS | ||||
Pixel | October 4, 2016 | October 20, 2016 | 7.1 Nougat | April 11, 2018 | December 4, 2019 | 10 | 3 years, 1 month |
Pixel 2 | October 4, 2017 | October 17, 2017 | 8.0 Oreo | April 1, 2019 | October 4, 2020 | 11 | 2 years, 11 months |
Pixel 3 | October 9, 2018 | October 18, 2018 | 9 Pie | March 31, 2020 | February 2, 2022 | 12 | 3 years, 3 months |
Pixel 3a | May 7, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | 9 Pie | July 1, 2020 | September 6, 2022 | 12L | 3 years, 3 months |
Pixel 4 | 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 | 10 | January 31, 2023 | At least August 2023 | — | 2 years, 7 months |
Pixel 4a (5G) | November 5, 2020 | 11 | August 20, 2021 | At least November 2023 | 2 years, 4 months | ||
Pixel 5 | September 30, 2020 | October 15, 2020 | At least October 2023 | 2 years, 5 months | |||
Pixel 5a | August 17, 2021 | August 26, 2021 | 11 | July 21, 2022 | At least August 2024 | 1 year, 6 months | |
Pixel 6 | October 19, 2021 | October 28, 2021 | 12 | October 6, 2022 | At least October 2026 | 1 year, 4 months | |
Pixel 6a | May 11, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | 12 | — | At least July 2027 | — | 8 months |
Pixel 7 | October 6, 2022 | October 13, 2022 | 13 | At least October 2027 | 5 months |
Main article: Pixel (1st generation) |
Google announced the first generation Pixel smartphones, the Pixel and the Pixel XL, on October 4, 2016 during the #MadeByGoogle event.[2] 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.[3] This is largely due to software optimizations such as HDR+. The Pixel phones also include unlimited cloud storage for pictures on Google Photos[4] and, for devices purchased directly from Google, an unlockable bootloader.[5] In 2019, a class action lawsuit[6] over faulty microphones in some devices enabled Pixel owners to claim up to $500 in compensation.
Main article: Pixel 2 |
Google announced the Pixel 2 series, consisting of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, on October 4, 2017.
Main article: Pixel 3 |
Google announced the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL at an event on October 9, 2018, alongside several other products.
Main article: Pixel 3a |
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.[13]
Main article: Pixel 4 |
Google announced the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL at an event on October 15, 2019, alongside several other products.[14]
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.[15]
Main article: Pixel 4a |
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.
Main article: Pixel 5 |
Google announced the Pixel 5 on September 30, 2020.
Main article: Pixel 5a |
Google announced the Pixel 5a on August 17, 2021.
Main article: Pixel 6 |
Google announced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro on October 19, 2021.
Main article: Pixel 6a |
Google announced the Pixel 6a on May 11, 2022.
Main article: Pixel 7 |
Google announced the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro on October 6, 2022.
Main article: Pixel C |
The Pixel C was announced by Google at an event on September 29, 2015,[25] 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.[26] 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.[27]
Main article: Pixel Slate |
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,[28] 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.[29]
Main article: Pixel Tablet |
The Pixel Tablet was announced by Google at I/O 2022. It will have come with stand similar to that of a Home Hub, however it will be detachable.[30] It is planned for release in 2023.
Main article: Chromebook Pixel |
Google announced the first generation Chromebook Pixel in a blog post on February 21, 2013.[31] 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.[32]
Main article: Chromebook Pixel |
On March 11, 2015, Google announced the second generation of the Chromebook Pixel in a blog post.[33] 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.[34]
Google discontinued the 2015 Chromebook Pixel on August 29, 2016.[35][36]
Main article: Pixelbook |
On October 4, 2017, Google launched the first generation of the Pixelbook at its Made by Google 2017 event.[37]
Main article: Pixelbook Go |
On October 15, 2019, Google announced a mid-range version of the Pixelbook, named the Pixelbook Go, at its Made by Google 2019 event.[38]
Main article: Pixel Watch |
The Google Pixel Watch is a first-generation wearable made by Google. It features a circular display. Multiple wristbands for the watch are available on the Google Store for purchase.
Main article: Pixel Buds |
At Google's October 2017 hardware event, a set of wireless earbuds were unveiled alongside the Pixel 2 smartphones.[39] The earbuds are designed for phones running Android Marshmallow or higher, and work with Google Assistant.[40] In addition to audio playback and answering calls, the earbuds support translation in 40 languages through Google Translate.[41] The earbuds are able to auto pair with the Pixel 2 with the help of the Google Assistant and "Nearby".[42] 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.[43] The earbuds are priced at $159.[43]
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.[44]
In October 2018, Google announced the Pixel Stand alongside the Pixel 3 smartphones.[45] In addition to standard 5 watt Qi wireless charging, the Pixel Stand has wireless 10 watt charging using a proprietary technology from Google.[46] 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.
Android 13 home screen with Pixel Launcher | |
Developer | |
---|---|
OS family | Unix-like (modified Linux kernel) |
Working state | Current |
Latest release | Android 13 / August 15, 2022 |
Marketing target | Smartphones and tablet computers |
Official website | pixel |
Articles in the series | |
Android version history |
Google Pixel UI[47] is an Android skin used for the Google Pixel line of smartphone, and developed by Google. Starting from first generation of Google Pixel phones,[48][49] 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).[50]
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.[51] 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.[52] However, the rest of the UI was still similar to stock Android, including the settings menu and toggles buttons colors.[53]
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.[54] 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.[55]