Google Pixel XL vs Apple iPhone 7 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 7: What's the difference?
Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are now available, adding another premium smartphone to the choice of big phones out there.
The Pixel XL offers flagship specs and a premium design, putting it in the same boat as the Apple iPhone 7 Plus and the now-defunct Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
Samsung has stopped production of the Note 7, but here's how those those big devices from Apple, Google and Samsung compare.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Design
- All offer premium, well-built designs
- Pixel XL is the lightest, iPhone 7 Plus is the largest but slimmest, Note 7 is the smallest
- All three have fingerprint sensors, Note 7 also offers iris scanner
Google's Pixel XL, Apple's iPhone 7 Plus and Samsung's Note 7 all have solid, premium designs. They all look different of course, but they all look great. The iPhone 7 Plus is all about metal, while the Note 7 and Pixel XL use a combination of metal and glass.
The iPhone 7 Plus and Galaxy Note 7 are both water and dust resistant with ratings of IP67 and IP68 respectively, and the Note 7 also comes with its built-in S-Pen and iris scanner. The Note 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have fingerprint sensors on the front, while the Pixel XL's is positioned on the rear.
The iPhone 7 Plus is the largest and heaviest of these three devices, but it is also the slimmest, measuring 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm and weighing 188g.
The Pixel XL is the thickest but also the lightest, measuring 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.6mm and weighing 168g.
The Galaxy Note 7 is the smallest measuring 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm and weighing 169g.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Display
- Galaxy Note 7 has largest display with dual-edge design
- Pixel XL has sharpest display
- Apple iPhone 7 Plus has pressure sensitive display for more functionality
The Google Pixel XL and Apple iPhone 7 Plus both have 5.5-inch displays. The Pixel XL has a Quad HD resolution for a pixel density of 534ppi, and it uses AMOLED technology, while the iPhone 7 Plus has a Full HD resolution for a pixel density of 401ppi across the LCD screen.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has a larger 5.7-inch display that, like the Pixel XL, features a Quad HD resolution and AMOLED technology. Its pixel density is 515ppi, meaning the Pixel XL theoretically has the sharpest display of these three devices.
The Galaxy Note 7 has a dual-edge design however, making it look more exciting than both the Pixel XL and the iPhone 7 Plus. Apple's trump card is 3D Touch, the company's version of pressure sensitive technology, meaning its display is more functional than the Note 7 and Pixel XL, with extra features available based on the force with which you press.
All three devices offer excellent, sharp and bright displays with great viewing angles. None of them will disappoint in terms of their screen.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Camera
- Pixel XL has the highest resolution front-facing camera
- iPhone 7 has a dual-lens rear camera setup
- Galaxy Note 7 has the widest aperture on both the front and rear cameras
The Google Pixel XL has a 12.3-megapixel rear camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and 1.55µm pixels. It features a dual-LED flash, phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus, along with video stabilisation. The front-facing camera is 8-megapixels with 1.4µm pixels and an aperture of f/2.4.
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-lens setup on its rear comprising two 12-megapixel sensors, one wide-angle and one telephoto. The wide-angle sensor has an aperture of f/1.8 while the telephoto has an aperture of f/2.8 and optical image stabilisation and a quad-LED flash are also on board. The front-facing camera is 7-megapixels with an aperture of f/2.2 and a Retina Flash.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has a 12-megapixel rear Dual Pixel camera with 1.4µm pixels, like the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. It offers an aperture of f/1.7 and it too has optical image stabilisation and a dual-LED flash. The front-facing camera is 5-megapixels but it has a wider aperture than both the iPhone 7 Plus and the Pixel XL at f/1.7, meaning it should perform better in low-light conditions.
Results are great and consistent across all three devices though, with all of them producing brilliant images.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Hardware
- Galaxy Note 7 only one to support microSD storage expansion
- iPhone 7 Plus has largest available storage capacity option
- Galaxy Note 7 has largest battery capacity
The Google Pixel XL features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 3450mAh battery charged via USB Type-C. It is available in 32GB and 128GB storage options and it doesn't support microSD. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack and it features bottom-firing speakers.
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus uses Apples latest A10 Fusion chip with an embedded M10 motion coprocessor. It is thought to be supported by 3GB of RAM with a 2900mAh battery running the show, charged via Lightning. The iPhone 7 Plus comes in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options, none of which have microSD expansion. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack but it has stereo speakers.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor under its hood or an octa-core Exynos chip, depending on the region. There is 4GB of RAM, a 3500mAh battery charged via USB Type-C and it comes with 64GB of internal storage and microSD support. Like the Pixel XL, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with bottom-firing speakers.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Software
- Pixel XL offers pure Android Nougat experience
- iPhone 7 Plus offers streamlined experience for Apple and Mac users
- Galaxy Note 7 has bloatware, but extra features for S-Pen
The Google Pixel XL launches on Android Nougat 7.1 and it offers a pure Android experience with no bloatware. There is a new launcher, round app icons and it is the first phone to offer Google's Assistant built-in.
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus runs on iOS 10 and it will offer a streamlined experience for Mac users, like the Pixel XL does for Google users. There is no Google Assistant obviously, but Apple has Siri instead.
The Galaxy Note 7 currently runs on Android Marshmallow with Samsung's software over the top. It will eventually get updated to Nougat but users will still get the bloatware. It does however offer a number of extra software functions for the S-Pen.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Price
- Pixel XL and iPhone 7 Plus start at £719
- Galaxy Note 7 cheaper at £699
The Google Pixel XL has a starting price of £719 for the 32GB model. It creeps up to £819 for the 128GB model.
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus also has a starting price of £719, again for the 32GB model. The 128GB model also costs £819 like the Pixel XL, while the 256GB model will set you back £919.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is £699, though it has now been withdrawn from sale.
Pixel XL vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Galaxy Note 7: Conclusion
The decision between these devices will probably come down to the design you like best and the software experience you prefer rather than the specs. For those of you who do care about the specs though, all three devices are pretty much on par.
The Pixel XL has the sharpest display, all the power you could want and a brilliant camera offering. The iPhone 7 Plus is the slimmest device and it too is an excellent device in terms of both performance and camera. The Note 7 has had its issues with the battery problem, which have now led to its withdrawal, but it was a superb device, with a brilliant camera and a design that is the most exciting of these three handsets in our opinion.
Ultimately, whichever you choose, you're unlikely to be disappointed. They are all well-built, all powerful and all flagships.
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