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Pixel XL / Pixel: Screen and Storage Trade off

N

nismoair

Lurker
Hi

I've just got a Pixel with 128GB storage and the phone is outright amazing.

However, I find the screen size just a bit too small. For roughly the same price (contract deal) I could opt for the XL but would take the hit on storage and shift down to 32gb. My storage usage on my previous phone (s6) was just over the limit of 32gb (taking into account system reserve) so wanted the extra headroom moving to a pixel. I can't have the best of both as the XL and 128gb option is too costly, sadly.

So I'm wondering what people's thoughts and experiences are on the XL and whether it's screen size and the 32gb is a good option vs the pixel 128gb, also considering the benefits of Google cloud storage.

Thoughts and opinions please.

Thanks
 
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In my opinion the Pixel has more balanced configuration. 5in is not small at all given the usual distance between the phone and your eyes. Opting for the XL would only satisfy your touch and feel. And having more pixels means greater chance of encountering dead/frozen pixel problem.
 
Naturally I'd always suggest a way of getting exactly what you want. Considering your going into this for 2 years, really what is an extra few dollars a month?

Storage to me is the absolute essential. I cannot rely on streaming music or video so I store a lot on the device.

Both of these can only be as important as you allow then to be but please don't forget, this is a big decision your living with for 2 years. You'll regret not making the right one.

If screen size is as important as storage have you considered other options like last year's flagships like the s7? Or a cheap alternative like the one plus 3?
 
nismoair said:
My storage usage on my previous phone (s6) was just over the limit of 32gb (taking into account system reserve) so wanted the extra headroom moving to a pixel.
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Do you recall what the 32GB was used up by? Was a large portion of it photos (that could potentially be uploaded to Google photos)? If not and it was mostly apps, then I'd suggest 128GB (whether it is XL or not). If all the apps you had on your S6 are ones you use regularly, you don't really have an option on storage.
 
If you (like me) are able to rely upon The Cloud for storing byte-heavy data like pictures, videos, and music, 32GB should be absolutely fine. The Pixels will even automatically clean out local copies of backed-up photos and videos the phone gets low on space.

I go through a lot of applications and games (currently ~245 installed), but I get all my music from Google Play Music and store all my photos/videos in Google Photos. As such, I'm currently using about half of my Nexus 6P's 32GB of local storage.
 
Thanks for your replies.

I've never really considered cloud storage before but with regards to my previous usage, the majority was indeed taken up by videos and pictures so clearly there is a solution available here through the unlimited free Google cloud storage on offer (hope this remains free).

I had some in-store time with the phones today so got a good feel for both. I have to say the screen quality of the XL does have the edge on the Pixel (only just but its there). Had another consideration thrown at me as the on site google rep demo'd a Daydream which was very cool. As reported by most review sites, this is better on the XL.

I think with the combination of OTG USB and cloud storage solutions, I can get past my storage concerns. With the larger battery benefit, the edge on screen quality (and more of it) and now the VR piece. I think I'm swayed to make the trade tomorrow!
 
If you can manage to afford the 128gb you should do that. I have the 32 GB model because the 128 was not available and I didn't want to wait. I'm already always worried about space and thus have to actively monitor and move things to the cloud. If you want worry-free, get the larger capacity. If you don't mind monitoring your memory usage, 32 is probably doable if you keep on top of things.
 
nismoair said:
Went in store today and... Ordered the 128GB Xl :thumbsupdroid:

Have to wait till Tuesday but good to know I've now got piece of mind in terms of storage.
Click to expand...

Well done! Good choice. As i said above, this is the next 2 years of your life. Its worth the slight extra amount now.
 
I think your question was directed at oleb84 but I have the 128GB Pixel XL as well - I had the Nexus 6 before this, and so, it was not a dramatic change. To be honest, I think the Nexus 6 "looked" better. The pixel does seem to perform a little faster.

The camera on the Pixel is amazing (compared to the Nexus 6). Compared to the S6 that you had, the camera may not seem amazing (from what I heard, the S6 camera was fairly decent) - still, I think you'll like the camera.

Google Assistant, compared to the Google Now (on Nexus), still needs improvements. It is getting there, but not as refined yet (especially there is no option to let user select on-screen text for contextual search). I'm sure it will get there soon.
 
One thing I noticed with the Pixel was that pictures had a border either side of the picture (4:3 res) @ 12.3 mp in landscape. Noticed there was no setting for 16.9 - is this linked to the resolution of the Pixel? Wondering if this is different with the Xl?
 
nismoair said:
One thing I noticed with the Pixel was that pictures had a border either side of the picture (4:3 res) @ 12.3 mp in landscape. Noticed there was no setting for 16.9 - is this linked to the resolution of the Pixel? Wondering if this is different with the Xl?
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From what I know you can only take photo with the highest resolution in 4:3 mode.
 
lvt said:
From what I know you can only take photo with the highest resolution in 4:3 mode.
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My understanding is that the sensor captures images at native 4:3, and then crops it to 16:9 if the user prefers that format. So that's why you only get the full resolution with 4:3.

Me, I'd rather CAPTURE ALL THE PIXELS! and then crop to 16:9 after the fact on my terms.
 
I agree, I hope they can implement a change for this as full screen (16.9) landscape is much better!

You can get 16.9 if you lower the mega pixel quality in the settings though.
 
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