The Google Pixel XL Review: Life After Nexus
by Matt Humrick & Brandon Chester on November 8, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Mobile
- Snapdragon 821
- Pixel
GPU Performance
Section by Brandon Chester
The Pixel XL's Snapdragon 821 SoC uses the same Adreno 530 GPU that is used in Snapdragon 820. In the case of MSM8996 Pro AB, the max GPU frequency is set at 624MHz, which is also the same as Snapdragon 820. This means that at least on paper, one can expect the same GPU performance from the Pixel XL as existing Snapdragon 820 devices. Of course, there are always improvements to drivers and to the SoCs themselves as the manufacturing process matures, so there's always room for improvements in peak and sustained performance, but there won't be any major gains like what one would see from a completely new GPU or a bump in peak clock speed on the same part.
The Pixel XL performs similarly to existing Snapdragon 820 devices in 3DMark Sling Shot. All the devices from the past twelve months generally achieve the same overall score in this test, although when you look at the separate graphics and physics scores you'll see that some devices do better in each category than others. There's not much else to say here, as the Pixel XL isn't breaking any new ground, but it's also not behind the other Android flagship competition either.
As expected, the performance of the Pixel XL in GFXBench's Manhattan test is in line with existing Snapdragon 820 devices. This year devices have really standardized on a resolution of 2560x1440 and Snapdragon 820, so the Pixel XL's performance in both tests is essentially identical to other phones such as the HTC 10 and the Galaxy S7. It's hard to overlook the fact that the Pixel XL's performance is competitive with smartphones that launched in the first quarter of the year, while the most recent smartphones like the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are over 30% faster in this test despite being the same price.
In Car Chase the situation is essentially the same as Manhattan, with the Pixel XL performing similarly to existing Snapdragon 820 devices. In both cases the performance is actually a bit better, but not significantly so. The OnePlus 3 pulls ahead of the Pixel XL in the on screen test, which makes sense given that it's a 1080p device sitting among 1440p devices. Car Chase isn't available on iOS so there's no way to compare to Apple's A10, but among Android devices the Pixel XL does provide the best GPU performance available right now.
The Pixel XL's GPU performance is in line with the current flagship Android phones. Of course, it's already November, so it won't be too long before we see the next generation of phones arrive. Launching this late into the year means that performance isn't going to be significantly better than the initial wave of Snapdragon 820 devices that have been available since February or March, which does put the Pixel in a bit of an awkward position as far as price is concerned. You can grab a OnePlus 3 for $399 and it will perform equally as well in GPU-bound applications as the Pixel, or you can spend the same amount as the Pixel on an iPhone and GPU performance is significantly better. Whether or not this matters really depends on the customer, but it's something to consider when considering the balance of performance and features relative to the cost of a device.
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zodiacfml - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
I'd just get a 5x for that camera and spend the remaining budget for next year's phones.Impulses - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
" We recently received a second Pixel XL review unit that shows some softening on the extreme left edge and a little in the corners, but it’s nowhere near as bad as. "In the camera section, I'm guessing that sentence was either supposed to end on "the first unit", or the last 'as' there prior to the period is just redundant? Just nitpicking.
Matt Humrick - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
Superfluous "as" removed :)Meteor2 - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
Good review, although I think you should look into measuring screen reflectance, as that makes more of a difference to outdoors readability than peak brightness.What a disappointing phone. Poor design, screen, and optimisation, at a ridiculous price.
vikramc - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
Disappointing phone ? Really ? hope you are enjoying your one plus 3 ?Meteor2 - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
You read my mind, Mr Crazy Troll! It's clear to me that the OnePlus 3 is the current Android leader. Specs you can't argue with, and half, HALF the price of a Pixel XL. OxygenOS seems fine to me -- useful additions, rather than replacing what's already good in Android.(Personally I use phones for 2+ years, and won't be replacing my Nexus 5X in the foreseeable future.)
DHBRUCE1 - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
Even T-MOBILE is paying Google Pixel Owners to come to them. I think $325 don't quote me. Corner of sixth and could be Smith. In CORONA CALIFORNIA. FYI! DHBRUCE2 is me!ApplePandertech - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
Hey Matt, this will be the last time you site earns a farthing from my clicks. It's so evident this site (and you) have such a rock solid banana hammock for Apple that it seeps into every review. There was a time when Anandtech let their review speak for themselves, now it all boils down to a broken record of "Apple did it, does it,always will do better than X competitor."I have flagships from all the top manufacturers. You sir, and your company, and Appletards. Goodday.
fanofanand - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
I don't fully agree with your comment but if that isn't a fantastic username I don't know what is.Impulses - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - link
I'm disappointed in Google's display accuracy, it's not like it'll impact my use a ton but coming from a Nexus 5 & 7 (and often importing photos from my M4/3 camera into them) it's something I'll probably notice... And knowing they can and have done better in this regard bugs me.Personally I still find the phone appealing, the smaller version at least... Ironically I think Android offers a lot more choices at 5.5", even after the Note debacle. If I was going that large I'd probably be picking between a OnePlus 3 and a Moto Z Play, both offer unquestionable value and light skins.
At 5" tho, if I don't wanna mess with Samsung's heavy handed software approach but still want near-flagship specs, the only other appealing choice is the HTC 10... I'm more comfortable with the Pixel's tradeoffs, and the difference is like $100-150~. I actually prefer the rear finger scanner too.
Standards compliant Type C PD charging (something Anandtech could've discussed tbh) and timely software updates do matter a lot to me tho, but I recognize that might not carry mass market appeal so I can see why the review takes the angle it does.
I think they review could've been more explicit in it's value/feature comparisons but on the level it seems fine, it's a shame 7.0 broke so much of the trading platform but it is what it is, the review is still relatively timely considering that tight stock supply.
If the HTC 10 was <$500 and/or had wireless charging I probably wouldn't have even considered the Pixel after seeing the price. My Nexus 5 is getting plenty long in the tooth tho... I liked reading the internal organisation logic that explains how Google ended up with it's bezels (they weren't much different on the N5 btw, just slimmer up top).
I don't think most other reviews bothered talking about the why and how of it. Personally I don't care a lot about it (given my preference for a rear reader), but I would love a bottom headphone jack. Every other phone I've had has it atop which messes with the direction I prefer slipping it in pocket.