What is the best Pixel so far?

What is the best Google Pixel to be released so far?...

9to5Google By Damien Wilde September 16, 2021

[{"selector":"#anim-5a43efb0-00ca-4b9b-84f9-5051617b82f0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro set to launch with notable upgrades and improvements we're wondering just what Google Pixel has been the best so far?...

[{"selector":"#anim-e3f371e6-c099-4583-aa58-70dfb48d3207","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Google has released 16 (yes, 16!) smartphones since the debut of the Google Pixel series back in 2016. Not all have been perfect, with plenty of issues to speak of. Problems and issues have plagued older units but even so the Pixel Experience is the reason people return time after time...

[{"selector":"#anim-b12beae2-76f6-4af2-a7f1-f1af1d712b6d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Released back in 2016, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL superseded the Nexus series of smartphones and provided the first proper taste of what a "Pixel" could be. An exceptional camera, clean software and simple hardware all rolled into one...

[{"selector":"#anim-ea036c88-d776-4017-a55a-bdb5dc20a03c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are undoubtedly a fan-favorite with the stunning "Panda" Pixel 2 XL undoubtedly channelled with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro design. Is this is "peak" Pixel or the best so far?...

[{"selector":"#anim-24a6f9c7-08e8-4b39-94c3-2ac14d03cbfc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] An easily forgotten device, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL were solid if unspectacular but with all the hallmarks of a Made by Google phone. The "bathtub" notch on the Pixel 3 XL might not have aged quite so well but 4GB of RAM did hinder it somewhat. An excellent camera and Android Pie held everything together nicely though...

[{"selector":"#anim-260dd28f-8dc5-4e41-be8a-f9651938fac5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The first Pixel A-series was released at I/O 2019 and was a triumph for Google as the Pixel 3a and 3a XL offered all the goodness of the Pixel 3 series without the associated cost. It also proved that Google was serious about affordable smartphones.

[{"selector":"#anim-912c6ef6-9963-4002-8c8f-419a1f1f7509","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] At least until the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro come to market the Pixel 4 and 4 XL are the most powerful Made by Google phones available. Poor battery hampered what is still a great device.

[{"selector":"#anim-34536494-b90f-4899-968e-49e56d723f0a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Delayed due to COVID-19, the Pixel 4a arrived in August 2020 and still packs a punch. Excellent battery and an all-screen design are particular highlights.

[{"selector":"#anim-11e71ff4-4eee-4ad0-9616-3746f0699dd4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A strange phone that could easily have been the Pixel 4a XL, the 4a 5G launched alongside the flagship Pixel 5 and includes the same CPU and dual camera setup. For $499 it provided 95% of the Pixel 5 in a bigger package...

[{"selector":"#anim-9570f4d2-4953-4c20-962d-f85fd465fe5b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Google's 2020 lineup included what amounts to a "mid-range flagship" in the guise of the Pixel 5. Leveraging a cheaper 5G-enabled chip, it feels like a half-step towards and out-and-out flagship smartphone but with premium features included.

[{"selector":"#anim-55d039a7-e31d-4718-b5bc-07a01ccc85f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The first 2021 Made by Google device is the newly released Pixel 5a with 5G. It's also the most "premium" A-series Pixel to date. IP67 rating, dual cameras, metal chassis and a $449 asking price. But it's only available in the US and Japan...

[{"selector":"#anim-b4b1d827-0ea4-4fb3-9fec-35cd5b4363ea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Just what is your favorite Google Pixel smartphone and why?