Years ago, Google made waves in the smartphone industry by releasing its first-ever smartphones built entirely by them—inside and out—the Pixel and Pixel XL. These phones, though modest by today’s standards, were trailblazers. The original Pixel featured a 5-inch display, while the Pixel XL boasted a 5.5-inch screen. Both offered the same premium build quality, state-of-the-art specs, and seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. Still, they also marked a significant shift in smartphone technology, setting the standard for mobile photography, performance, and user experience.
Fast forward to today, Google continues to innovate with its latest Pixel devices, now entering their 9th generation. Let’s journey from where it all began to where we stand today, showcasing how far the Pixel brand has come.
Then vs. Now: The Evolution of Pixel
Build Quality
In 2016, the Pixel series introduced a sleek metal unibody design coupled with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4 for durability. Fast forward to the latest Pixels, and we now have a combination of glass and recycled aluminum, pushing the envelope of sustainability and style. The new Pixels are durable and environmentally friendly, highlighting Google’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Display Technology
The original Pixel’s 5-inch Full HD AMOLED display was a marvel at the time, delivering vibrant colors and deep contrasts with a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Today, the Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, variable down to 1Hz for battery optimization. The colors are richer, the refresh rate smoother, and the responsiveness unparalleled. Google’s True Tone technology also adapts the screen’s color temperature to the lighting conditions around you.
Performance
The Pixel and Pixel XL were the first devices to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821, a top-tier 64-bit quad-core processor with 4GB of RAM. In 2024, Google took a bold step by developing its custom-built Tensor G3 chipset, designed specifically to power advanced AI and machine learning capabilities. The new Pixels come with up to 12GB of RAM, ensuring they easily handle multitasking and gaming. The days of Qualcomm dominance are over as Google now builds its hardware from the ground up, tightly integrated with software for optimal performance.
Camera: The Pixel Legacy Continues
When the original Pixel launched, it quickly earned the title of “best smartphone camera” with its 12.3MP rear sensor and impressive 1.55µm large pixels, optimized for low-light photography. Google’s computational photography, paired with smart-burst mode and HDR+, produced stunning images.
The Pixel 8 Pro now features a 50MP primary sensor, with computational photography capabilities that have evolved into tools like Magic Eraser, Real Tone for authentic skin tones, and Night Sight for dazzling low-light shots. The camera experience has gone beyond just hardware; it’s about the powerful software that makes every shot look professional effortlessly.
Software: Pure Android, Better Than Ever
While the original Pixel debuted with Android Oreo, Google’s Pixel phones are now the gold standard for Android updates. With the Pixel 8, users get Android 14, the latest iteration packed with new privacy features, AI-powered enhancements, and the smoothest Pixel experience yet. Google’s promise of 7 years of software updates means the Pixel series is here to stay, continually improving with each new update, setting it apart from competitors.
The Pixel Advantage
- Battery: Google’s adaptive battery technology now learns your habits and optimizes power consumption to deliver all-day battery life, a leap from the early days.
- AI and Google Assistant: AI is at the heart of every Pixel. The new Pixels are built to be smarter, more intuitive, and helpful, whether it’s smart photo editing, real-time language translation, or predictive text assistance.
- Sustainability: With a focus on eco-friendly materials and packaging, Google has embraced a more sustainable approach to manufacturing.
What’s Next?
The Pixel series has always been about pushing boundaries, and the future looks bright. Google is investing heavily in AI, foldable technology, and sustainability. Rumors about the next Pixel Fold or Pixel Ultra are already making headlines, promising more breakthroughs in mobile technology. If the history of Pixel has taught us anything, it’s that Google doesn’t just follow trends—it creates them.
As for those early fans of the blue Google Pixel? If you’re feeling nostalgic, know that the color might return in future generations, perhaps even with a new eco-friendly twist.
Google’s Pixel journey is a testament to its dedication to innovation and delivering a seamless user experience. Pixel continues to set the bar higher, from pioneering mobile photography to building custom chips. Keep an eye on what comes next—it’s bound to be exciting!
