Internet and software giant Google surprised tech industry insiders and Android lovers alike with its pair of flagship phones about a month ago and most people still haven’t figured out what to do with the new ones. Pixel and Pixel XL phones. Both phones mark a complete departure from Google’s previous way of doing things. In the past, Google has sold a variety of Nexus devices for many years. These devices have always been mid-range devices with very attractive specifications for the amount of money they cost. Nexus devices often had a number of shortcomings, but it was worth it for Android lovers because they shipped with the latest version of Android, with no third-party skins. They also got the latest Android releases as soon as Google released them. All of this was enough for fans to overlook pesky issues that were endemic to the Nexus brand, like poor cameras and not-so-great build quality.

Everything changes with the Pixel

However, all that changes with the new Pixel. The Pixel is the first time Google has claimed to have designed the hardware itself, and while the results are somewhat generic, the build quality of the new Pixel phones can’t be faulted. To say that they’re as well built as the new iPhones is high praise, but it’s appropriate. Since most people who use one of the new Pixels will be wearing Google Pixel cases and covers, just like with any other flagship phone, the fact that the phones look generic doesn’t really matter anyway. Once the phones are available to buy online worldwide, most people will be looking for cool Pixel design cases as soon as they place their order for the new phones, so they can stand out from the crowd.

Almost all flagship features

In fact, the Google Pixel is the first time in history that even the most hardcore Android fanatic can honestly say that the company has released a phone without compromise. Go to the specs list and the Pixel trades blows with the iPhone 7 and gives very little ground. It’s true that it doesn’t have optical image stabilization, but if early reviews are to be believed, the camera is as good or even better than the new iPhones. The Google Pixel may not be waterproof like the newer iPhones, but it does have one cool feature, the headphone jack that Apple scratched at the altar of water resistance. Since most buyers will be investing in Google Pixel cases anyway, water resistance is of questionable value.