Google Pixel: A Complete History (2016-2023)

Pixel is the phone by Google... but there's more to Google and phones than you might think. This is the story of the Google Pixel series -- how the Google phones we have today came to be, and how it's taken the past seven generations of development to really figure out what a Google phone should be -- with a fair few missteps and false starts along the way. Over six years we've gone from Pixel being defined by stock Android and a great camera -- to one built around semi-magical AI-powered features.
In this video, Alex takes a look at how #TeamPixel's fortunes have transformed over time, from Pixel 1 all the way through to #Pixel7Pro and also look at some of the unseen Pixels that didn't make the cut.
00:00 Intro
01:03 The Nexus Era (2009-2015)
03:35 Pixel, Phone by Google (2016)
06:59 Growing Pains (2017, Pixel 2)
12:16 AI In Your Pocket (2018, Pixel 3)
17:17 One Step 4wards... (2019, Pixel 4)
21:17 Simple Phones, Complicated Times (2020, Pixel 5/4a/5a)
25:02 Peak Pixel (2021-2022, Pixel 6-7)
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[@ProudiPhoneOwner]

Just got my first Pixel device ever, a Pixel 6a. This was a really cool historical view of how my Pixel 6a came to be. Back from its Nexus roots :)

[@GaryCimsRN]

I like the long format for the historical video like this. If you're just reviewing, a device under 15 minutes is good. You can do another 10 or 15 specifically on cameras if you want to go deeper. production on the videos have always been good. I've been following the Android Central crew since inception coming off of crackberry with Phil Nickinson and Jerry Hildebrand. Keep it going brother.

[@zacharylee7811]

Woah those are two names I haven't thought of since 2010 when I thought the Blackberry Tour was the pinnacle of technology and enticing design. 😅

[@zacharylee7811]

This "longer form content" style of video was just what I was hoping to find to catch me up on the history of the Pixel Series. I've just gotten a Pixel 2 XL as a backup/spare second line and despite being stuck with android 11 and security updates no longer provided I think it's a great looking phone that feels slick paired up with Google's original Android software. Definitely considering upgrading my main line to a more current model. Thanks for the info!

[@drshardoolbandhu]

Awesome video, I was intrigued 😊

[@RaizenFenix]

Love the long format. Subscribed!

[@thandiwewoodard1129]

Yes. The long form informational videos are great. This was great!

[@acegerodias9147]

my first pixel phone was the Pixel 2, and now am rocking the Pixel 5. Still enjoying using the phone.

[@shahrukhmasoodhashmi7387]

You make this long video worth watching Alex kudos to you..

[@thetechboyorg]

Nice clean well edited video.

[@dakshkumarsingh909]

Thanks for putting this together.

[@matthewaves3821]

Really enjoyed this video. Thank you!

[@thecoryguy]

I loved my Nexus 7. Was so open ended for testing ROMS, rooted apps, etc... I'm not a developer, but really enjoyed tinkering and trying to optimize kernals and performance. You could root your Google device very easily and have fun with it.

[@anthonywilliams9415]

Same with the Legendary Nexus 5

[@katinasoutherland7693]

I just want to say Thank you so very much for making this I cannot tell you how much I truly enjoyed it!!

[@sachinbhoite29]

Awesome video Really enjoyed 😍

[@kevinwalter5083]

Terrific Video. Loved the deep history.

[@a1e20]

I absolutely LOVED the Nexus One, Nexus 6, Pixel 3, and Pixel 5. I kinda liked the Pixel 3a XL and the PIxel 4 XL. I tried to give the Galaxy Nexus a chance, but I just couldn't fall in love with it. I have a Pixel 6 Pro and I'm gonna switch to the 7 Pro mainly because of the modem update. I thoroughly enjoyed this long form video. It definitely works with historical topics. You should do more of these.

[@FaisalKhan-zs1rt]

Man you make great videos

[@Man_of_Oil]

My experience with Google products began with my Nexus 7 as a young lad lol. When I got my first smartphone I switched to iOS but man I loved that thing. Fast forward to 2021 and when I was looking to finally upgrade my smartphone, I was just gonna get the new iPhone until I saw what Google was cooking up with the 6. I got a really good price on it and I have no regrets. This year I traded it in for the 7 Pro and I'm absolutely loving the experience. It feels good to be back on Android!

[@samirstanton86]

What a superb little documentary on the pixel phones. Well done 😘

[@blasien1]

Great review 👍

[@matuzaato]

Great retrospective!

[@Sierra_mike]

Great content please do these long for at history review of other brands as well.

[@HunzaTech]

Went to a Pixel 2 from a OnePlus 3T and I've been using Pixels exclusively ever since! Hands down the best software experiences for me and I'm not interested in any other phones. Pixel 2 to Pixel 4 to 6 Pro and now 7 Pro. The Pixel 2 was practically flawless for me and now that's how the 7 Pro feels, flawless. Great video, thanks for the Pixel history!

[@i_9330]

I loved this video so much. I didn't skip a minute ,

[@michaeljacobdy]

Retired my s9+ for 5 years... And now watching on my first ever Google phone, the Pixel 7.

[@KEYBEATZ]

Very nice historical video!

[@shuklapra1eek]

Great stuff as always

[@AbhishekKumar-kw6wp]

Pixel 7 is my first Pixel and i love thisssssss

[@Read_Heat_]

Awesome video, I really enjoyed watching this mini-documentary. Just wanted to point out that the G1 wasn't made to go after apple and their iphone, but against windows mobile. They started to work on the G1 before the iphone was announced. (there is currently a thread on twitter about one of the founder of android talking about that)

[@raizo6895]

Wow, detailed, informative and impressive! good work was definitely put in this presentation, well done Alex! Google Pixel has come a long way. Definitely my favorite phone brand especially for the HTC similarities in terms of software design. I love their phone-design language, price-performance ratio, camera performance, and overall feel of the phone, no other android brand gives me this "feel". Pixel is my go-to brand whenever I think Android. Keep it coming Google!

[@ronniejaye1]

I really enjoyed this longer format and taking a deeper dive into Google and it's history of it's phones 👍

[@ishta]

Great video. Thanks for the history. I used my Google Pixel 2Xl since 2017. It is still working today and I am rough on it. I do MTB and also a horse owner, so it has been through shit literally. Been developing on Android and iOS (work provided) as well, but prefer the Pixel for day to day use. I did have the Nexus and the G phones as well. iPhone had a design vision early on.

[@petebec]

Great video. I loved the old pre-Nexus and Nexus days spending hours on XDA loading new to software on my Android phones, and when the Pixels came along, I could finally get along with stock Android. I got so frustrated by Google punishing me for my loyalty. I'm not convinced that will change. I returned my first pre-ordered Pixel 7 because the camera app crashed, the fingerprint sensor barely worked, and I missed calls when I wasn't using the phone. But the screen was great, it felt good and looked pretty good (the Pixel 6 looked much better). So I'll buy another Pixel 7 soon. I loved the trip down memory lane. Thanks!

[@_indranihil_]

This video needs to blow up, this is android history , written in gold.

[@aschlect]

This was great to watch. I've owned the Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 3 and now using the Pixel 5. I'm hoping for the rumored compact flagship Pixel (7a, Lynx, Neila?) to replace my Pixel 5 which I absolutely love.

[@casperswift]

I've had every pixel except the 1 the 5 and the A series, so 2xl, 3xl, 4xl, 6, and now the 7pro but I started with the Nexus 6p which I wish I still had such a cool phone design. I'm definitely a Pixel person but I also love what Samsung does the Fold series is just so cool 😎

[@nl101010]

Thanks Alex! Great video! I owned every Pixel and for me the 7 Pro that I have now is the very best! But also the 6a is really good! It's the best compact Pixel in my opinion!👌

[@raizo6895]

That white Pixel 7/7 pro just screams "class" Just beautiful! This is what reasonable growth looks like. Well done Google, I am without a doubt sticking with Pixels for the foreseeable future.

[@michaelleibman5189]

I really enjoyed that historical retrospective.

[@DarthProlif]

My Pixel 7 Pro which arrived the Monday after its release is my first pixel phone. And the things that it does just blows me away. Ive had nothing but smartphones throughout the 2010s, but this is the very first smart phone that truly feels smart. A TRUE smart phone.

[@jorgealvarado93]

I still consider the Nexus 5 to be my favorite phone ever, but my 7 Pro is pretty amazing.

[@babaawawu3156]

This is such an excellent video. I really like this documentary style format I've been a Pixel user since the first one and it feels good seeing the Pixel brand finally mature. They are the best phones I've ever used despite the fact that I've briefly used other phones in between the first Pixel and the 7. But there is always something that pulls me back.

[@predictor2045]

3:29 The most ironic is, the Pixel 7 ads.😆

[@anthonywilliams9415]

The Pixel 4 was incredible

[@ManosMe]

I’m a huge Pixel fan and I’ve been upgrading yearly. My experience with them is very different than what is been described here. The Pixel 2 XL was incredible with no screen issues for me and the 4 XL had a pretty good SOT with around 5 hours. Most reviewers compare the battery life of a device, instead of just reporting it and if there is a device with better SOT, then they ditch each device! Not fair… after all how often does one use their phone more than 5 hours a day?! On vacation, maybe?

[@RideOnTimePH]

I still love using my nexus 5 with roms from XDA. I am currently using a fork of lineage 19.1 which is much snappier than the lineage 20 and it still looks modern and has an excellent battery life.

[@cjo1992]

You're pretty harsh on the Pixel 4. That was my favorite. The top bezel didn't bother me. The face unlock was great. It was just as face as FaceID. Also I loved the design. The textured aluminum side rails felt great in the hand. Also the matte back glass that the orange and white model had was great in the hand too. I wish they would do that to the new Pixels instead of the glossy slippery as hell glass back. Battery life was just average on my XL model. Although the build quality was pretty average. I had to RMA it a few times because the glue they used to attach the back glass was weak.

[@danoliver8804]

Watching on my pixel 4xl.

[@a1e20]

The Pixel 4 XL could've been better, but I am glad I did buy one when it came out. I still use it to this day, albeit only with Wi-Fi at home. I wish Google would've shrunk the Project Soli face unlock tech and embedded it under the display like they have the ambient light sensor and proximity sensor on the 5, 6 and 7, while still having the under display fingerprint sensor. It would've shut up some of my friends in the past bragging about their iPhones.

[@xyz6106]

I was in the market for a small phone and picked up the 6a over the iphone 13 mini. I do not regret it one bit. I am salty that they skipped out on some essential features of 2022 like fast charging, But with one full day of charge (even after playing pokemon go for two hours), I am really loving the "Pixel experience." Google can do more by expanding into multiple markets. Which is the main reason for their mediocre sales figures. I have been using the google assistant and other features like live translate more than I thought I would. You can bet I will be exchanging this for the 7a when it comes out.

[@PushyPawn]

Very nice comparison.

[@olumideaanu5403]

I really do not think any of the pixels phones was a failure. This is just their 7th generation, compared to other manufacturers that have over 10 years to improve their phone.

[@bonedatt]

For a long time, I swore by the Galaxy Note series (I've been using a Note since 2011), but when I got the Pixel 4XL, everything kinda changed. Oh by the way, the Pixel 4XL isn't my first Google phone. I owned a Nexus 6 during the early days of Project Fi. Anyway, the Pixel 4XL is one of the most comfortable phones that I've held in a while (I generally don't use cases). The frosted white glass back with matte black side rails gives it a unique look. When it comes to AI, Google's smarts just makes a Pixel really enjoyable to use. Whether it's the ever helpful call screening to the "at a glance" notifications, the Pixel devices leave a lasting impression on you, and you miss them once you use something else. Motion sense on the Pixel 4XL is something I'd miss when I actively stop using it. I know the Pixel 4XL didn't start off strong, but the release of Android 12 on the Pixel 4XL changed all of that. Google really did fix almost everything that was wrong with the 4XL with the release of Android 12. Battery life greatly improved, 90Hz refresh rate felt really smooth as originally intended, face unlock no longer produced errors of consistently asking me to clean my camera, and much more. If Google didn't end "guaranteed" update last month for my Pixel 4XL, I'll definitely still be using it in 2023 and beyond. For now, I'm actively using my Note20 Ultra, but like I said earlier, I miss the helpful features of my Pixel 4XL every day.

[@seanscott9973]

I have had the P7pro for about 3 weeks now. When it works it is one of the best phones I have ever had, but unfortunately it is extremely buggy and drops calls constantly after 3 or 4 seconds requiring a restart to fix. That happens multiple times a day. The camera is phenomenal though

[@RetroBerner]

I loved my Pixel 3, I just replaced it with a 7 Pro and I really miss the front facing speakers and rear facing fingerprint reader

[@robfuzz]

this was really interesting! I've had the Pixel 3,4,5 and now the 7Pro after getting bored with Apple. Plus all the services I use are Google. I LOVE the 7Pro. I've tried the S23 Ultra's cameras and they blow me away in a way that Pixel's used to but the 7Pro's is still terrific, just not as "wow" as before, although more natural which is what I prefer in the end. I'm hoping for future Pixels they ditch the curved screen though...feeling a bit dated.

[@mnemonic6047]

Today I switched from a Google Nexus 5X to a Google pixel 7 pro, I'm literally stunned by it's architecture, fluidness, and seeing all this documentary makes me want to discover more about my companion that I carry around

[@pixelking_871]

Thank you for this needed update

[@robinchowdhury8813]

I watched the video in 1.75x speed Good work✅

[@Adeus1]

Had all of these except Nexus 4 and Pixel 3 and 4

[@Saluteme10288]

been along for the ride since the T-Mobile mytouch 3g

[@breslinpt]

My first experience with Pixel phones was with the abhorrent Pixel 4 XL which got to the point where, even early on, had battery issues that I had never experienced with another brand until 9 to 15 months in to owning a device. The experience I had with it was so awful I had sworn I'd only give Pixel phones another chance were if something drastic had changed. Here I am with my Pixel 7 Pro and so far I can honestly say, that I may just stick with the Pixel Portfolio. My phone provided the connectivity features with my Pixelbook Go that were supposed to be there with my Pixel 4XL that ended up being broken promises, I'm awaiting my Pixel Buds Pro to get here and going to really see how this new attempt at an ecosystem will pan out.

[@MrJomalley123]

my first and last nexus device was the nexus 6p i was just happy to experience the peak of nexus before the pixel came around

[@TK-gz2sl]

My first smart phone was a Pixel 2, then the 4, then 6 Pro, and I've tried the 7 pro from my dad. I will never leave team Pixel. I guess if you have to narrow down what the "Pixel experience" I'd say it is simply the "smartness" of what the smart phones were supposed to do. They put the AI Assistant in everything, which makes the whole daily user experience a little bit easier. I missed these Pixel-specifics features whenever I used other phones (Call Screen, Live transcribe, Recorder Transcription, etc). Lens and the Assistant allows my elderly parents to learn and know so much more, as opposed to waiting for me to translate for them. They can simply ask the Assistant in their native language, and use Lens to easily translate a document and read it aloud to them. These AI makes the Pixel a very helpful tool in addition to making the user experience a lot more enjoyable. Google already share a taste of this to everybody by having Assistant and Lens freely available. Those 2 apps are the quintessential Pixel experience - the Eyes and Ears of Google ready to help make your day a little bit more convenient. All you have to do is ask.

[@hawjiang5349]

Pixel 4a 5G is Pixel 5XL, if you look at global market, especially Aliexpress, it showed China part supplier, we got battery model called: G025A-B (Pixel 5XL) instead of G025E-B (Pixel 4a 5G genuine battery). Pixel 5XL does not exist. I guess Google can't get premium CPU like SD865 or higher due to Pandemic in 2020; they postponed Pixel A-series announcement to October, nevertheless can't even wait for the SD870 in January 2021. They direct rename Pixel 5XL to Pixel 4a 5G, and use the same CPU as Pixel 5, by giving Pixel 5 water resistance, wireless charging, higher refresh rates, and a zero-bezel design. In fact, Pixel 4a 5G mainboard has a wireless charging port, but Google removed it. I could say, Pixel 4a 5G is the hardest battery I can grab for. I can't get anywhere for Pixel 4a 5G battery (G025E-B) around the world beside iFixit.

[@mnabutovsky]

Nexus 5 was awesome

[@RichardRatner.1972]

Thanks Alex, I always appreciate your perspective in this space. Kindest regards, Richard U.K

[@odemata87]

Galaxy Nexus... Best curved screen u ever used and want to use. Pixel 5 great finger print reader and placement even the camera I feel is better than the 6, pics don't look so overly processed. Pixel 4 best face unlock just wished they combined the innards of the 4 and 5 with tensor

[@dillonsukram9381]

15:51 pixel 3 had a 2915 mAH battery not 2800

[@charlie5901]

Is it just me or does the release of the Pixel 6 series feels like when Samsung released the Galaxy S6? It's revolutionary for the brand

[@lancergt1000]

20:50 to be honest while the Pixel 4 got a boring design it had the most inspired paint-jobs with that two-tone between the frame and back panel, I wish theres another phone with that paint job

[@yashptel]

Since the Pixel 6, Google is moving in the right direction. I hope they don't mess up again.

[@elvinsworld11]

Lovely

[@Ali__C]

hmmm i forgot that calling to book an appointment thing was an idea when it was so revolutionary, but all the hate against it for AI ruling the world lol... does this still work.. never tested on my pixel 7 pro.

[@Nelly.Jackson]

this documentary was very helpful as i now know the history of pixel

[@aryandabas4410]

Should I get a Pixel 4 XL or Galaxy S20 FE in 2022/ 2023 as a secondary phone. Please do suggest...🤡

[@adityakashyap951]

it's actually the reverse man , before 5 pixel photos were much better

[@soumyajitkarmakar8925]

But the portrait mode has deteriorated over the years in pixel phones..

[@LM77va]

After the Pixel 6 I can't blame anyone for not wanting to touch the Pixel 7. But it does look like a good device.

[@predictor2045]

Pixel 6a IMX363 but not IMX362?🤔

[@XDAVideo]

They switched to IMX363 in Pixel 3 and kept it for 4, 4a, 5, 5a and 6a. It's technically a different sensor but on paper is basically identical to IMX362

[@mdshakeel1072]

Only one thing pixel disappointed that is night time videography is noisy and grainy which is need to improve like Apple or atleast Samsung

[@iSamYTBackup]

backwards of how anything should go normally

[@rakeshpopat8188]

Still to date Google haven't managed to get it Right? All the pixel phones still suffer bug issues. WHY?

[@pixelking_871]

Great overall explanation 👏 , Pixel 8 Pro will be a killer with a frosted back I wish they bring out like a goldfish -

[@Gary0557]

Thd Pixel 4 regular was probably Googles worst Pixel. People were out of battery by midday.

[@slyd8r]

I'm looking for a reason to get rid of my Pixel 4A, but I can't find one! :)

[@XDAVideo]

Still a great phone!

[@marksouthwell4490]

I've had most of them . But for some reason I can't warm to the pixel 7. Maybe I've lost interest in their devices. I looked at one in store and thought meh 🙄 my eyes wandered to another device made by another popular manufacturer 🙊 maybe I'll think differently about the pixel 8.

[@youtubeitisisntit7333]

Apple and Samsung hardware is still significantly better although pixel has come a long way!

[@big_boy_chris]

This is what happens when people from Google are disconnected with what people actually want. They can extract from all their previous products and construct the perfect phone today. Pixel 1 Series: Unlimited Google Photos Storage Pixel 2 Series: Small form factor for non-XL/Pro model Pixel 3 Series: Double front camera w/ ultrawide + Double front speaker Pixel 4 Series: Proper IR face unlock + Aesthetics + Matte finish Pixel 5 Series: Rear fingerprint sensor Pixel 6 Series: Battery size/life + Reverse charging + Wireless charging Pixel 7 Series: Price + Rear cameras + Telephoto Combine all these features into the Pixel 8 with its new Tensor CPU and a better in-display ultra sonic finger print sensor (yes I want 3 ways to open my phone) and it will be the perfect phone.

[@modernpirate]

Good job repeating the obvious occurrences, but I could have just gone and read the Wiki page - would have been more interesting if you had dived into the less public issues such as Google's internal civil war and the firing of certain personnel responsible for the bathtub notch, poor battery, and other issues.

[@johnholman3736]

My first pixel was the og and now pixel 7 pro as I used to have a Samsung galaxy note 10 + and I hated it

[@Andesu]

Just got a Pixel 7 in lemongrass!

[@GaTeR2006]

Nexus 6P is still one of the best phones ever made

[@ronniejaye1]

I don't agree with many of Dobies opinions on Android phones but at least he's not a poser and a closet iphan like most reviewers out here with iPhones in their pockets . He actually uses what he's talking about.

[@beingbeckham]

#teampixel

[@realHGA]

I am sorry, but this does not feel like the old XDA at all. I understand Valnet’s undertaking to rebrand XDA and to move away from the Android customization niche, but removing a decade of work and pretending it never existed is not the way. I appreciate the new content, but if you want to be right to the old fans, reinstate the unlisted 1,000 or so videos. They were a part of my childhood and inspired me to follow the CS career path I am on today. Sometimes you don’t have to burn the old stuff to build something new. They can coexist in a symbiotic relationship.

[@Variable_Degree_Series]

Ya exactly, I was a huge XDA fan but now.. they feel more informal..It feels like even they have become political and now we don't talk about solutions but talk about what we get straight out of the box on a product as if we all are non techy people..XDA is for techies! I hate what they are becoming..

[@Zeesh009]

+ no bloatware + vanilla android - cheap build - sub par camera - AI features not international - no International support - expensive, features vs value compared to Galaxy and iPhone

[@GGori_99]

No one gonna deny Apple had popularized capacitive touchscreen.. just like Google had popularized "customization".. my only regret was that and is still the ability of android phone to open the back cover and easily swap out the battery is no longer here.. for GOOGLE and many other companies.. not everything Apple is doing is good..

[@Variable_Degree_Series]

Well by doing that, devices are more premium, stronger and better water resistant. Why do you want to open the battery?? Changing a phone's battery still doesn't cost too much..

[@GGori_99]

@@Variable_Degree_Series for the record galaxy s5 was able to retain its water resistant while also having a removable back cover.. if we can change the battery ourselves i think it will likely to be less harmful for the environment and a lot more convenient.. thats just my opinion aside from the "headphone jack".. well not everyone needs a jack but it wont be so wrong if TWS audio going alongside the mighty jack..

[@tonkerdog1]

I sent mine back. The always on display didn’t ALWAYS stay on and the Watch was a joke toy

[@sasi_4395]

1st view

[@ScottWeddington]

I have bought various Nexus and Pixel phones and tablets over the years and one thing they all had in common was they felt slow. Pixel 7 pro I think I finally got something that can keep up with me although I had to change the launcher to Nova have to use Edge gestures to be able to navigate around the phone, I'm looking for some software to be able to replace the notification shade I just don't like the big bloated cartoonish pixel look.

[@BDM4972]

Motorola Moto X ♥️♥️♥️