Google Pixel XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 7
A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel XL and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.
Head to head
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Our rating | 8/10 | 1/10 |
| Battery | 3,450 mAh | 3,500 mAh |
| Wired charging | 18W | 15W |
| RAM (max) | — | 4 GB |
| Storage (max) | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| Screen size | 5.5 in | 5.7 in |
| Main camera | 12.3 MP | 12 MP |
| Weight (lower is lighter) | 168 g | 169 g |
| Released | Oct 2016 | Aug 2016 |
Summary: Google Pixel XL is ahead on our rating, wired charging, main camera, weight (lower is lighter). Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is ahead on battery, storage (max), screen size.
★ Which should you buy? Google Pixel XL is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs.
Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.
Display
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| Size | 5.5 inches | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels (~534 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Platform
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 | — |
| CPU | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) | — |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | — |
| Chipset (International) | — | Exynos 8890 Octa (14 nm) |
| Chipset (USA/China) | — | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| CPU (International) | — | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| CPU (USA/China) | — | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| GPU (International) | — | Mali-T880 MP12 |
| GPU (USA/China) | — | Adreno 530 |
Memory
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Internal | 32GB/128GB | 64GB 4GB RAM (UFS 2.0) |
| RAM | 4GB | — |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - up to 256GB |
Main Camera
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Single | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, PDAF, Laser AF | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, dual-video rec. |
Selfie Camera
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm |
| Features | HDR | Dual video call, Auto-HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
Battery
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removable | Non-removable Li-Ion 3500 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | Fast charging 15W (Quick Charge 2.0), Qi/PMA wireless charging |
Body
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Dimensions | 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm | 153.5 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.04 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 168 g | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, glass top back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Other | — | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
Comms
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | — |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | USB Type-C 1.0 reversible connector |
| GPS | — | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
Launch
| Google Pixel XL | Samsung Galaxy Note 7 |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, October 04 | August 2, 2016 |
| Status | Released 2016, October 20 | Discontinued (October 11, 2016) |
| Release Date | — | August 19, 2016 |
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better battery, Google Pixel XL or Samsung Galaxy Note 7?
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 — 3,450 mAh for the Google Pixel XL versus 3,500 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
Which is lighter, Google Pixel XL or Samsung Galaxy Note 7?
Google Pixel XL — 168 g for the Google Pixel XL versus 169 g for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
Which is newer, Google Pixel XL or Samsung Galaxy Note 7?
Google Pixel XL — Oct 2016 for the Google Pixel XL versus Aug 2016 for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
Is the Google Pixel XL or the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 rated higher?
We rate the Google Pixel XL 8/10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 1/10.
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