The order of the Google Pixel series is quickly explained. The smartphone series started in 2016 with the first Pixel and the Pixel XL.
1st model in the series: Google Pixel / Pixel XL
In 2016, Google introduced the first smartphone in the order of Pixel models. While other companies were commissioned to produce previous models in the Nexus series, the production of the Pixel phones should now be in Google's own hands. The Google Pixel and the Pixel XL were right at the beginning in the order of the new Google smartphones at the time.
- The Google Pixel had a 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution. The Pixel XL had a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,440 pixels.
- The Pixel's battery capacity was 2,770 mAh. The XL version's battery had a capacity of 3,450 mAh.
- The Pixel's main camera was 4k capable and had 12.3 megapixels. The front camera had 8 megapixels.
- The XL's main camera also had 12.3 megapixels, the front camera 8 MP. In Full HD mode, the Pixel XL was able to film at 120 frames per second. Otherwise, the phone could also record in 4K.
- The Pixel and Pixel XL were available with either 32 GB or 128 GB of memory. Neither smartphone had a slot for memory cards.
2. Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL
About a year after the first generations, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were released in 2017.
- The Pixel 2 again received a 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution. The XL version appeared with a 6-inch display in 18:9 format with a resolution of 2880 by 1440 pixels.
- The Pixel 2's battery had a capacity of 2,700 mAh, the XL version had 3,520 mAh.
- The front camera of both versions delivered a resolution of 12.2 megapixels. The front cameras were 8 MP.
- You could buy both the Google Pixel 2 and the Google Pixel 2 XL with 64 GB or 128 GB of storage.
3. Google Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL
The third generation of Pixel smartphones was released in autumn 2018. Google once again launched a standard and an XL version.
- The Pixel 3's display was 5.5 inches (2,160 by 1,080 pixels) with an aspect ratio of 18:9, while the XL version was 6.3 inches (2,960 by 1,440 pixels). While the XL has a notch, the smaller model does not have one.
- The Google Pixel 3 had a battery capacity of 2,915 mAh, while the Pixel 3 XL had 3,430 mAh.
- You could buy both models with a 12.2 megapixel main camera. There was something special about the front cameras on both models: they were equipped with two 8 MP cameras. A normal camera and a wider-angle camera were available for group selfies.
- You could buy both versions with either 64 GB or 128 GB of memory.
4. Google Pixel 3a /Pixel 3a XL
The next Pixel smartphones appeared in May 2019. More specifically, these were the Google Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL.
- The Pixel 3a had a screen measuring 5.6 inches and a resolution of 2220 by 1080 pixels in an 18.5:9 format. You could buy the Pixel 3a XL with a 6-inch display (18:9) and a resolution of 2160 by 1080 pixels.
- The Pixel 3a's battery had a capacity of 3,000 mAh, while the XL version had 3,700 mAh.
- Both variants again received a 12.2 MP camera. However, the two front cameras of the Pixel 3 (XL) disappeared. Instead, both models now have an 8-megapixel camera for selfies.
- You could expand both the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL with 64 GB of storage space. As with its predecessors, this was not expandable.
- The prices of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL were significantly lower than their predecessors: Google Pixel 3a: 399 euros; Google Pixel 3a XL: 479 euros.