All you need to know about Google's Pixel smartphone

Google is finally going after the iPhone with a smartphone designed by the company itself. Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are priced the same as Apple's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, making it clear that the company wanted to invite comparisons. The phones stirred up a media frenzy, but it still has some high hurdles to clear. In terms of specifications, it appears that the Pixel may be able to hold its own against the likes of Apple and Samsung, but Google is creating a premium product at a time when consumers are realizing cheaper alternatives from China companies provide much more value per dollar and in some cases, perform nearly as well as the premium handsets with which they compete.

Like the iPhones, Google is offering 5 and 5.5in models. The smaller phone starts at $649 and the larger one, the Pixel XL, is at $769 for the 32GB option. Google does not offer the 64GB version but has 128GB options for the two models, costing an additional $100 each.

The Pixel runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, which is said to have a 10 percent improvement over the 820 processor that appeared in so many flagship Android phones this year. The unit also has 4GB of RAM. The 5in model has a full-HD AMOLED display with a 1080x1920-pixel (441ppi) resolution while the Pixel XL has a QHD AMOLED display with a 1440x2560-pixel (534ppi) resolution. Battery capacity is 2,770mAh for the 5in and 3,450mAh for the 5.5in handsets.

Google also supports a wide variety of bands for a global rollout, although the company has only announced a US release so far. Globally, the phone might run into trouble. Apple has done well by carving out a space for itself at the high end of the market, but that is difficult to do with an OS that runs on so many different kinds of handsets. Other phones have already beat Google to using the Snapdragon 821, including China's LeEco with its Le Pro 3, which even has an option for 6GB of RAM.

One of the highlights of the Pixel phones is supposed to be the camera. Google said it hasthe highest rated smartphone camera ever by DxOMark. The camera shoots at 12.3MP and uses large 1.55μm pixels, which is said to improve low-light photos. Many phones have decent cameras now, though. Google also decided not to go the same route as Huawei and Apple by using dual lenses, which can bring added benefits like the iPhone's 2x optical zoom.

Ultimately, Google wants users to buy into its ecosystem. By tightly tying together the hardware and software, the company is hoping to offer the best possible experience for people using features and services such as Daydream VR and Google Assistant. With all the innovation coming from third-party players these days, however, that can be a difficult fight to win. Apple has used this strategy for years and more recently Microsoft has been doing it with its Surface line. Google clearly saw this as the best way forward, but the tech giant will still face plenty of competition from other companies using its OS.