Google’s new Pixel smartphone in silver, blue and black
We’re going to go ahead and count this as a win.
Google on Tuesday named Verizon as the exclusive U.S. wireless carrier for its new flagship Pixel smartphone. Verizon said preorders for the device will begin at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Launched as part of a Google Event on Tuesday afternoon, the new Pixel smartphone comes in 5.5-inch and 5-inch versions and features an aluminum unibody, AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip, a quad core processor, 4 GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor, 32 GB and 128 GB memory options, an 8 mp front camera and a 12.3 mp rear camera. The device also comes with either a 2,770 mAh or 3,450 mAh battery that can achieve 7 hours of life on 15 minutes of charge time, Google said. It comes in three colors: black, blue and silver.
Google’s new artificial intelligence Assistant and compatibility with the company’s Daydream View virtual reality headset will come built in to the device. The Pixel will run on Google’s latest Android Nougat operating system, the company said.
While the device will also be offered unlocked for $649 through the Google store, Verizon will be the sole U.S. wireless provider carrying the device, Google said.
Verizon was set to begin taking preorders Tuesday afternoon and said the device will be available in stores and online on October 20. Verizon said the 32 GB 5-inch Pixel device will run customers $27.08 per month on a 24-month equipment installment plan or $649.99 full retail, while the 128GB Pixel will cost $31.24 per month for 24 months or $749.99 retail. The 5.5-inch Pixel XL will cost $32.08 per month for the 32GB model on a two-year installment plan or $769.99 retail, and the 128GB Pixel XL will cost $36.24 per month on an installment plan or $869.99 retail.
Verizon said it is offering up to $300 in guaranteed trade-in value for Pixel purchases when customers hand over their HTC One M9, iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, LG G4 or V10, or Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ or Note 5.
The carrier also said customers who pre-order the Pixel on a device payment plan between today and October 19 will receive a redemption code for a Daydream View headset.
