Before some of the best smartphones of 2017 are officially released into the market, there is still some time to consider two of the most well-received handhelds of 2016. Apple's latest flagship, the iPhone 7 Plus, was a little controversial but still proved to be a relatively popular choice for the public. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel XL was a sweet surprise, as the search engine giant finally released a fully branded flagship.
The iPhone 7 Plus: Apple's Best Flagship To Date
The iPhone 7 Plus was released in September of last year and is just 158.20 x 77.90 x 7.30 mm all across and weighs 188 grams. The display, as NDTV Gadgets notes, is a 5.5-inch touchscreen that has a resolution of 1080x1920 and 401 PPI. It also runs straight out of the box on the latest iOS 10. The unit is available in Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Black and Jet Black.
Powering the handheld is a quad-core A10 Fusion processor and 3GB of RAM. Expandable storage is not a feature, with 32GB being the minimum for internal storage. The batter, which is the best that Apple has produced, is 2900 mAh. The front camera is 7 megapixels, while its dual lens rear camera sports 12 megapixels. But other than the camera, Apple has also changed several features in the iPhone 7 Plus.
For one thing, the unit is water and dust resistant and carries a rating of IP67, which means it can survive for one half hour dip under just one meter of water. Furthermore, the device controversially no longer has the standard 3.5mm audio jack. The Cupertino-based tech giant opted to feature the Lightning port with that capability.
Google Pixel XL: Google's Amazing Entry
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel XL was released a month later in October 2016. It is slightly smaller - but thicker - and lighter as it measures 154.70 x 75.70 x 8.50 mm all around and weighs in at 168 grams. The display is the same at 5.5 inches, though it offers a better resolution at 1440 x 2560 and 534 pixels per inch. The handheld runs on the Android 7.1 Nougat straight from the box. The device is available in Silver, Black, and Blue.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 powers the Google Pixel XL, which was the best that the company could then offer. It also runs on a notable 4GB of RAM and has at least 32GB of storage. However, there is no feature that will accommodate external storage. Its battery is also larger at 3450 mAh. Its front and rear cameras are 8 megapixels and 12 megapixels respectively.
One feature that really sets the Google Pixel XL apart from its competitors is its exclusive compatibility with Google's Daydream headset. The wearable allows users to experience virtual reality in a free and untethered experience. Currently, only the handheld and its lower-end model, the Pixel, are compatible with the same.
In Conclusion Between The Bests Of iOS and Android
Choosing between the iPhone 7 Plus and the Google Pixel XL is a choice that will boil down to the preferred operating system. This is because both the devices offer both power and functionality with ease. However, the Google flagship does have a sharper display, as noted by Pocket Lint. On the other hand, the iPhone flagbearer arguably has the best camera in the market.
