The Google Pixel is the original Google-branded Pixel phone, announced on October 4, 2016 and released on October 20, 2016. It is now discontinued, but it still matters in specification history because it marked Google’s move from Nexus-style reference phones to a cleaner, more camera-led Pixel identity.
This article looks at the Google Pixel from a modern specs-editor perspective: compact design, AMOLED screen quality, Snapdragon 821 performance, the single 12.3 MP camera, LTE connectivity, Android update limits, and whether it still makes sense as a used or collector-focused device.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps or LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced: | 2016, October 04. Released 2016, October 20 |
| Status: | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions: | 143.8 x 69.5 x 8.5 mm (5.66 x 2.74 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight: | 143 g (5.04 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM |
| Water-repellent coating |
Display
| Type: | AMOLED |
| Size: | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
Platform
| OS: | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Chipset: | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm) |
| CPU: | Quad-core (2×2.15 GHz Kryo & 2×1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| GPU: | Adreno 530 |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 32GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 2.0 |
Main Camera
| Single: | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3″, 1.55µm, PDAF |
| Features: | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2″, 1.4µm |
| Video: | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack: | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Bluetooth: | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | No |
| USB: | USB Type-C 3.0 |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 2770 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: | 18W wired, PD |
| Stand-by: | Up to 456 h (3G) |
| Talk time: | Up to 26 h (3G) |
| Music play: | Up to 110 h |
Misc
| Colors: | Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue |
| SAR: | 0.92 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU: | 0.33 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| Price: | About 290 EUR |
Our Tests
| Performance: | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2461Basemark X: 33023 |
| Display: | Contrast ratio: ∞ |
| Loudspeaker: | Voice 74dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 78dB |
| Audio quality: | Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Battery (old): | Endurance rating 64h |
Price and Availability
The Google Pixel offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €290, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Google Pixel converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of September 12, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $336
- Japan: ¥51,739
- United Kingdom: £249
- Australia: A$469
- Canada: C$466
- Taiwan: NT$10,637
- Denmark: kr2.168
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼1,262
- South Korea: ₩451,968
- Germany: €290
- Brazil: R$1.717
- Vietnam: ₫8.713.710
- Kenya: KSh 43,634
- India: ₹32,140
- Indonesia: Rp 5.913.583
- Nigeria: ₦457,729
- Pakistan: ₨93,455
- Philippines: ₱21,079
- Bangladesh: ৳৪১,৫০৯
Why Should You Buy the Google Pixel?
The strongest reason to consider the Google Pixel is not raw modern power; it is the specific mix of compact hardware, clean Android heritage, and a historically important camera system. At 5.0 inches, it is much smaller than most current smartphones, making it appealing for readers who want a phone that feels genuinely pocketable. The Snapdragon 821, 4 GB of RAM, AMOLED panel, USB-C port, NFC, fingerprint sensor, and 3.5 mm headphone jack also give it a more complete feature set than many budget phones from its era.
That said, value depends heavily on condition. The Pixel is discontinued, its official update window has ended, and battery health will vary widely between used units. It is best viewed as a compact Android classic, a secondary phone, a photography nostalgia device, or a collector’s Pixel rather than a primary phone for security-sensitive daily use.
Design and Build Quality
The Google Pixel uses a compact aluminum frame with a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Its aluminum and glass back design is one of the most recognizable early Pixel signatures, especially because the rear glass panel visually separates it from the more conventional metal phones of 2016. The phone weighs 143 g, so it feels light by current standards while still offering a solid metal-frame construction.
The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is practical and naturally placed for one-handed unlocking. The Nano-SIM tray keeps the layout simple, while the water-repellent coating adds limited everyday protection against light splashes. It should not be treated like a rated waterproof phone, and buyers should inspect the frame, USB-C port, screen edges, and rear glass carefully because used-condition differences will matter more than the original spec sheet.
Display Experience
The Pixel’s 5.0-inch AMOLED display is one of its defining advantages. The 1080 x 1920 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, and roughly 441 ppi density make text and icons sharp, while AMOLED technology gives it deep blacks and strong contrast. The source test data lists an infinite contrast ratio, which fits the panel type and explains why dark UI elements and photos can still look attractive.
Its limitation is not sharpness but format. The 16:9 screen is shorter and more traditional than today’s taller displays, with a screen-to-body ratio of about 69.0%. This makes the phone easy to grip, but it also means web pages, social feeds, and multitasking views show less content than newer phones with larger panels. For readers who prefer compact ergonomics over maximum viewing area, that trade-off may be acceptable.
Performance and Storage
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 was a flagship-class chipset in the Pixel’s launch period. Its quad-core Kryo CPU and Adreno 530 GPU were built for fast Android performance, gaming, and camera processing in 2016. The listed Basemark OS II 2.0 score of 2461 and Basemark X score of 33023 show that the phone was positioned well above entry-level hardware of its time.
In current use, expectations should be realistic. The 4 GB RAM configuration is enough for basic apps, messaging, browsing, music playback, and lightweight photography, but modern games and heavy multitasking will expose the age of the platform. Storage choices are 32 GB or 128 GB, both using UFS 2.0, and there is no microSD card slot. The 128 GB version is far easier to recommend if the phone will store photos, offline media, or multiple apps.
Camera Hardware and Video
The rear camera is a single 12.3 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, 1.55 micron pixels, phase detection autofocus, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama support. It does not have an ultrawide, telephoto, macro camera, or modern multi-camera flexibility, but the large pixels and Google’s image processing made the original Pixel an important camera phone.
Video support is still notable for the period: 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 or 120 fps, gyro-assisted electronic stabilization at 1080p 30 fps, and 720p slow motion at 240 fps. The 8 MP front camera records 1080p at 30 fps and is best understood as a simple selfie and video-call camera. Buyers should check focus accuracy, lens scratches, and stabilization behavior because camera condition is central to the Pixel’s appeal.
Battery and Charging
The Google Pixel has a 2770 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery with 18W wired USB Power Delivery charging. On paper, Google listed up to 456 hours of 3G standby, up to 26 hours of 3G talk time, and up to 110 hours of music playback, while the source test data reports a 64-hour endurance rating. Those numbers describe the phone in controlled or original-condition contexts, not necessarily a used unit many years later.
Battery aging is the biggest practical risk. A Pixel with an original battery may have much shorter screen-on time, weaker standby, or unexpected shutdowns under load. The presence of USB-C and 18W PD charging helps convenience, but it does not offset cell wear. For anyone considering this phone as a usable device, battery replacement history should be treated as a key buying detail.
Software and Update Reality
The Pixel launched with Android 7.1 Nougat and is listed as upgradable to Android 10. That software path is historically important because the first Pixel helped define Google’s promise of direct Android updates and a cleaner software experience. The interface remains part of the phone’s appeal, especially for users who like stock-style Android without a heavy manufacturer skin.
The critical caveat is support. Google’s current update guidance places Pixel 1 and Pixel 1 XL among earlier models that no longer receive Android version updates or security updates. That makes the phone unsuitable for users who need current security patches, banking-app reliability, or long-term primary-device confidence. It can still be interesting for offline use, light testing, media playback, or collecting, but software age should be weighed seriously.
Connectivity and Audio
Connectivity is broad for a 4G-era phone. The Pixel supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE, including many FDD and TDD LTE bands, plus LTE carrier aggregation with Cat9 or Cat11 speed capability depending on version. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.0 round out the core wireless and wired features.
The phone also keeps a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is a useful advantage for wired audio users. Loudspeaker test results list 74 dB for voice, 68 dB for noise, and 78 dB for ring output, while audio quality measurements show strong noise and crosstalk figures. It does not have modern stereo speaker tuning, but the jack, NFC, USB-C, and wide LTE support make the hardware surprisingly complete for its age.
Who Should Buy the Google Pixel?
The Google Pixel is best for enthusiasts who understand exactly what they are buying: a compact, discontinued, first-generation Pixel with strong historical value and a still-interesting single-camera setup. It suits collectors, Android fans, developers testing older Android behavior, and users who want a small secondary phone for simple tasks.
It is not the right choice for buyers who need 5G, long battery life, current Android security patches, expandable storage, wireless charging, a large display, or multi-camera versatility. Compared with newer Pixel models, it feels more like a carefully preserved snapshot of Google’s early smartphone priorities than a modern daily-driver recommendation.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel remains an important compact Android phone with a sharp AMOLED display, Snapdragon 821 performance, a respected 12.3 MP camera, USB-C, NFC, and a headphone jack. Its discontinued status, ended update support, and likely battery aging are the main reasons to be cautious. Recommended only for collectors, compact-phone fans, or secondary-device use.
References
- Google Pixel Phone Help – Hardware Tech Specs (Earlier Models) – Official Google specifications for older Pixel models, including the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL, with display, camera, processor, storage, battery, sensors, and network details.
- Google Pixel Phone Help – Hardware Tech Specs – Official Google hardware specifications for newer Pixel phones, useful for verifying current model specs and comparing generations.
- Google Store – Compare Pixel Phones – Official Google comparison page for Pixel models, useful for cross-checking dimensions, displays, cameras, storage, and other headline specs.
- Google Pixel Phone Help – Software Update Support – Official source for Android version and security update support periods, which are important for a full specifications article.
- Google Pixel Phone Help – Safety & Regulatory Information for Pixel and Pixel XL – Official safety and regulatory reference for the original Pixel and Pixel XL, including SAR and compliance information.
