5 Things To Know About The Google Pixel Phone

Google is a household name for just about everyone, from your 4 year old niece to your 90 year old great-grandma. One might argue, Google has revolutionized a lot of the world. They haven’t stopped at your browser though. By now you’ve probably heard the buzz about the new Google Pixel phone, the very first phone designed by Google.

And although I was never an Android user in the past, this phone is truly remarkable; and it’s made me rethink how efficient smartphones really should be.

I had the chance to test drive the Google Pixel since October and I have to say that it’s got some kickers that beat just about every other piece of hardware I’ve seen on the smartphone market. Get ready to geek out with me because I want to run you through the top 5 things (although, I have to say it was hard to narrow it down to 5) that you’ve got to know about the Google Pixel.

Whether we want to admit it or not, our phones are probably the most intimate items in our life.

Because I’m a super tech nerd, know that I’m not selling you. Every piece of tech is incredible in its own right, with its own innovations… all I’m saying though is, if you get the opportunity to try this phone out – DO IT. And here’s 5 reasons why you won’t regret it 

If you’re an Instagrammer, blogger, amateur photographer, or just love to take a damn good photo… the Google Pixel is definitely the smartphone you need to invest in. The functionality is incredible and the specs, if that means anything to you, are pretty sexy. You’re got an 89 DxoMark Mobile core (which basically means it top grade), a 12.3 MP rear-facing camera, 1.55 micron pixels, and a f/2.0 aperture. Oh, and you can shoot 4K video at 30fps. Youtube-famous here I come 

In all seriousness though, or perhaps in simpler terms, what I love about the camera is that in works in basically any light (bright or low) and takes action photos at crazy fast speeds without causing blurriness. I literally left my DSLR at home on several occasions because my Google Pixel took better photos without the fussiness of a heavy camera.

“OK, Google” is basically the phrase I’ve been addicted to for the past 4 months. It’s what triggers Google Assistant, if you didn’t already catch on. Of course, you can also hold the Home button, but screening, “OK Google” is so much more fun 

I used the Google Assistant feature the most to find places to go or start up a Google Maps (I would literally be lost in the world without my homie GMaps). I mostly used Google Assistant to find new coffee shops around me to shoot at or new brunch places to try… what can I say, my phone knows me well. 

The coolest thing is that Google Assistant actually gets better over time. It remembers your preferences, like who your best friend is… clearly this was Dave, for me. The travel search feature is also incredible, not to mention you have auto access to Google translate (basically the best assistant EVER). Move over Donna, Harvey’s just going to buy a Google Pixel phone.

For those of you who grew up bedazzling just about everything you owned. Well, you’ll love the Google Pixel. You don’t need to run to PMall to find your “soul mate phone case” anymore. You literally design it. Of course, you can use one of the presets too… but how cool is designing your own legit case?!

And of course, I branded mine in monochrome with “Mel Inspired” on it. In true Mel-cheesiness (would you expect anything less), I did it to remind me of how awesome this world of blogging is and how many awesome opportunities it’s brought me along the way… including introducing me to Google Pixel. Blog-ception!

Since the idea of “virtual reality” came out, I’ve been dying to get my hands on one.  The Google Daydream View is powered by your Google Pixel, so there’s not much more you need beyond it and your headset. And the headset is only $99, so it doesn’t break the bank like some other virtual reality headsets. The experience is as immersive as you think it’s going to be.

And surprisingly, despite the fact that I get super bad motion sickness, I didn’t get dizzy at all. I think it’s how incredibly immersive it is. You don’t feel like you’re watching anything, you feel like you’re in another world. The coolest thing was when I let my older relatives try it on… their face when I took them to a waterfall or let them watch a Youtube video was priceless.

When I went away on vacation, I didn’t have to “purge” my phone of photos to make space for the copious amounts of photos I’d be taking on my trip (and trust me when I say I take a crap load of photos). Your Google Photos feature of your Google Pixel comes with free, unlimited storage. All of your photos are backed up, organized, and searchable from your Google account… YEAH, I said unlimited, and free. This is probably my favourite feature, because the thing I hated most about my previous phones was that I felt like I didn’t purchase big enough storage.

Whether we want to admit it or not, our phones are probably the most intimate items in our life. We carry them with us everything, capture our most cherished moments on it, and, for some, it’s a source of livelihood. It definitely is all the above for me.

So when you think of your phone and the things you want it to be able to do, you want to be able to trust it. If you haven’t guessed by reading through this entire post, I think my Google Pixel is giving Dave a run for his money in my books 

*This post was in partnership with Google Canada. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you heard of the Google Pixel phone? Have you tried it? What do you think of it?