A new Google Pixel XL phone is displayed at the new Google pop-up shop in the SoHo neighborhood on October 20, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Spencer Platt)
iPhone 6s Plus owners who are still undecided whether to keep their Apple device or shift to Google's Pixel XL smartphone can take a look at these eight features that could help them make a choice. Some would undoubtedly end up wanting to keep their iOS phone, but others may find that it's time for a change.
Weight
A big difference can immediately be felt upon holding the new Pixel XL phone. It is lighter than the iPhone 6s Plus, 168 grams against 192 grams, according to a side-by-side comparison by Phone Arena.
Display
The Google phone also has a more vibrant display screen mainly due to the AMOLED screen with 1440p resolution at 534 ppi. This outshines Apple's Retina-equipped LCD display that offers only 1080p at 401 ppi pixel density.
The Pixel XL also offers a bigger screen-to-bezel ratio, with 71.2 percent compared to the iPhone's 67.9 percent. Although the difference is not that much, it is noticeable when comparing the two.
Battery charging
Google equipped its smartphone with USB-C fast charging technology that almost fills up the battery after only 2 hours, while the iPhone takes a little more than two hours before its battery reaches 100 percent.
Optimized battery life
Beginning with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, a Doze feature has been added. This suspends the phone's activity, hence, it conserves the Pixel phone's power. The iOS device, however, does not have this feature.
Android can be faster
The Android operating system also offers an option to cut down or totally disable animations when launching apps and performing swipes. Again, the iOS mobile operating system does not have this option.
A more versatile operating system
The Google Pixel XL, which comes preloaded with Android 7.0 Nougat, allows its users to clear the notification window with a single swipe movement, compared to the iPhone 6s Plus' two-step swipe-and-tap to clear. Android users can also gain additional information about a specific notification if they want to, but not with iOS.
Multiple accounts can also be set up on the Pixel phone but this is not possible on the iPhone, although it is allowed on the iPad.
More personalized settings
Many things can also be adjusted on the newer device, even if the user is doing something else. For example, they can adjust the screen brightness no matter what the situation is. They can also put the app drawer on the Android home screen.
This is currently not possible on the iPhone. As mentioned on Gottabemobile, Apple does not even allow its users to change some default apps.
Digital assistant
Last but not the least, the Google Assistant, which is exclusive to the Pixel smartphones, is relatively more enjoyable to use than Apple's Siri. Google's version can play games with its user, can recite poetry, and can even ask riddles. Siri, on the other hand, can find friends.
This is a very subjective comparison between the two superb smartphones. The choice between them remains with the consumer.
