Google Pixel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Google Pixel

Developer	Google
Manufacturer	Various
Type	Smartphones tablets laptops
Release date	February 21, 2013; 12 years ago (2013-02-21)
Operating system	Laptops: ChromeOS Portables: Android Wearables: WearOS
Online services	Google Play (2015–present) Chrome Web Store (2013–present)
Predecessor	Google Nexus

The Google Pixel is a brand of cool electronic gadgets made by Google. These devices run special versions of the Android operating system. The most popular Pixel products are smartphones, which Google started making in October 2016. They took over from the older Nexus phones. The newest Pixel phones are the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The Pixel family also includes laptops, tablets, and other accessories. The very first Pixel device was the Chromebook Pixel, released in February 2013.

Pixel Phones: A Quick Look

Google Pixel phones are known for their great cameras and smart features. Each year, Google releases new models with updated technology. Here's a look at some of the main Pixel phone series:

Pixel and Pixel XL: The First Ones

Google introduced its first Pixel smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, on October 4, 2016. Google really focused on the camera, which was considered one of the best smartphone cameras at the time. These phones also offered unlimited cloud storage for photos on Google Photos.

• Screen: The Pixel had a 5.0-inch screen, and the Pixel XL had a larger 5.5-inch screen.
• Camera: Both had a 12.3-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera.
• Colors: They came in "Very Silver," "Quite Black," and a limited edition "Really Blue."

Pixel 2 and 2 XL: Smarter and Stronger

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were announced on October 4, 2017. These phones improved on the first generation with better water and dust resistance.

• Screen: The Pixel 2 had a 5.0-inch screen, and the Pixel 2 XL had a 6-inch screen. Both used strong Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
• Camera: They featured a 12.2-megapixel rear camera with improved image stabilization.
• Colors: Options included "Just Black," "Clearly White," and "Kinda Blue."

Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Dual Front Cameras

Google launched the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL on October 9, 2018. A cool new feature was the addition of a second front camera, allowing for wider group selfies. They also supported wireless charging.

• Screen: The Pixel 3 had a 5.5-inch OLED screen, and the Pixel 3 XL had a 6.3-inch OLED screen.
• Cameras: They kept the 12.2-megapixel rear camera and added two 8-megapixel front cameras.
• Colors: Available in "Just Black," "Clearly White," and "Not Pink."

Pixel 3a and 3a XL: Budget-Friendly Options

On May 7, 2019, Google introduced the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. These were more affordable versions of the Pixel 3 phones, making Pixel features available to more people. They even brought back the headphone jack!

• Screen: The Pixel 3a had a 5.6-inch OLED screen, and the 3a XL had a 6-inch OLED screen.
• Camera: They had a 12.2-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera.
• Materials: These phones had a polycarbonate (plastic) body.

Pixel 4 and 4 XL: Motion Sense and Telephoto Camera

The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL were announced on October 15, 2019. These phones introduced a new "Motion Sense" feature, allowing users to control some functions with hand gestures. They also added a telephoto lens to the rear camera for better zoom.

• Screen: The Pixel 4 had a 5.7-inch OLED screen, and the 4 XL had a 6.3-inch OLED screen, both with a smoother 90Hz refresh rate.
• Cameras: They featured a 12.2-megapixel main camera and a 16-megapixel telephoto camera on the back.
• Colors: "Just Black," "Clearly White," and "Oh So Orange."

Pixel 4a and 4a (5G): More Affordable 5G

Google released the Pixel 4a on August 3, 2020, and the Pixel 4a (5G) on September 30, 2020. These were budget-friendly options that brought 5G connectivity to a wider audience with the 4a (5G) model.

• Screen: The 4a had a 5.8-inch OLED screen, and the 4a (5G) had a 6.2-inch OLED screen.
• Camera: Both had a 12.2-megapixel main camera. The 4a (5G) also included a 16-megapixel ultrawide camera.
• Features: They kept the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pixel 5: Premium and Compact

The Pixel 5 was announced on September 30, 2020. It was a premium phone with 5G, but in a more compact size. It also introduced "Battery Share," allowing it to wirelessly charge other devices.

• Screen: A 6.0-inch OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate.
• Camera: It had a 12.2-megapixel main camera and a 16-megapixel ultrawide camera.
• Materials: It featured a brushed aluminum body.

Pixel 5a: Long-Lasting Battery

Google announced the Pixel 5a on August 17, 2021. This phone was known for its large battery, offering excellent battery life.

• Screen: A 6.34-inch OLED screen.
• Battery: A large 4,680 mAh battery for all-day use.
• Water Resistance: It had IP67 water and dust resistance.

Pixel 6 and 6 Pro: Google's Own Chip

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were announced on October 19, 2021. These phones were a big step forward because they used Google's very own processor, called the Google Tensor. This chip was designed to make the phones smarter and faster, especially for AI features.

• Screen: The Pixel 6 had a 6.4-inch OLED screen, and the 6 Pro had a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen with a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
• Cameras: Both had a powerful 50-megapixel main camera. The 6 Pro also added a 48-megapixel telephoto camera.
• Design: They featured a unique camera bar design across the back.

Pixel 6a: Tensor Power for Less

Google announced the Pixel 6a on May 11, 2022. This phone brought the powerful Google Tensor chip from the Pixel 6 to a more affordable price point.

• Screen: A 6.1-inch OLED screen.
• Processor: It used the same Google Tensor chip as the Pixel 6.
• Battery: A 4,410 mAh battery.

Pixel 7 and 7 Pro: Even Smarter Tensor

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro were announced on October 6, 2022. These phones featured the next generation of Google's custom chip, the Google Tensor G2, making them even better at tasks like photo editing and voice recognition.

• Screen: The Pixel 7 had a 6.3-inch OLED screen, and the 7 Pro had a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen.
• Processor: The powerful Google Tensor G2 chip.
• Cameras: Both had a 50-megapixel main camera. The 7 Pro also included a 48-megapixel telephoto camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.

Pixel 7a: Great Features, Great Value

Google announced the Pixel 7a on May 10, 2023. This phone offered many of the great features of the Pixel 7, like the Tensor G2 chip and wireless charging, at a more budget-friendly price.

• Screen: A 6.1-inch FHD OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate.
• Camera: A 64-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera.
• Colors: Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and Coral.

Pixel Fold: Google's First Folding Phone

Google's first folding phone, the Pixel Fold, was announced on May 10, 2023. It can fold open like a book, giving you a larger screen for watching videos or multitasking.

• Screens: It has a 5.8-inch screen on the outside and a large 7.6-inch folding screen on the inside.
• Processor: It uses the Google Tensor G2 chip.
• Design: It has a strong aluminum frame and a stainless steel hinge.

Pixel 8 and 8 Pro: Seven Years of Updates

Google announced the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro on October 4, 2023. A major highlight for these phones is that Google promised 7 years of software and security updates, meaning they will stay current for a very long time.

• Screen: The Pixel 8 had a 6.2-inch OLED screen, and the 8 Pro had a 6.7-inch OLED screen, both with smooth refresh rates.
• Processor: They featured the new Google Tensor G3 chip.
• Cameras: Both had a 50-megapixel main camera. The 8 Pro also included a 48-megapixel ultrawide and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera.

Pixel 8a: Mid-Range with Long Support

The Pixel 8a was announced on May 7, 2024. It's a mid-range phone that also benefits from Google's promise of 7 years of software and security updates, just like the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

• Screen: A 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Processor: It uses the Google Tensor G3 chip.
• Camera: A 64-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera.

Pixel 9 Series: The Latest and Greatest

Google announced the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold on August 13, 2024. These are the newest Pixel phones, featuring the latest Google Tensor G4 chip and advanced camera systems.

• Processor: All models use the new Google Tensor G4 chip.
• Cameras: They feature advanced camera setups, with the Pro models having multiple powerful rear cameras.
• Updates: Like the Pixel 8 series, they also come with 7 years of software and security updates.

Pixel 9a: The New Mid-Range Option

The Pixel 9a was announced on March 19, 2025. It's the latest mid-range phone in the Pixel lineup, offering a great balance of features and price, and also comes with 7 years of updates.

• Screen: A 6.3-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Processor: It uses the Google Tensor G4 chip.
• Battery: A large 5,100 mAh battery.

Pixel Tablets

Pixel C: Google's First Android Tablet

The Pixel C was announced on September 29, 2015. It was Google's first tablet designed entirely by them, running the Android operating system. It had a USB-C port and a headphone jack. Google stopped selling it in December 2017.

• Screen: A 10.2-inch screen with a high resolution.
• Camera: An 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera.

Pixel Slate: A 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet

The Pixel Slate was announced on October 9, 2018. It was a 12.3-inch device that could be used as both a tablet and a laptop. It ran ChromeOS, Google's operating system for laptops.

• Features: It had two USB-C ports.
• Operating System: It ran ChromeOS.

Pixel Tablet: A Smart Home Hub and Tablet

The Pixel Tablet was announced in May 2022 and released on June 20, 2023. It comes with a special stand that turns it into a smart display, similar to a Google Home Hub, when you're not using it as a tablet.

• Screen: A 10.95-inch LCD screen.
• Processor: It uses the Google Tensor G2 chip.
• Battery: A 7,020 mAh battery.

Pixel Laptops

Chromebook Pixel (2013): The First Pixel Laptop

Google announced the first Chromebook Pixel on February 21, 2013. This laptop was known for its high-resolution screen and premium design. It ran ChromeOS, which is Google's operating system built for web browsing and cloud-based tasks.

• Screen: A 12.85-inch screen with a very sharp display.
• Storage: It came with 32GB of internal storage and a lot of cloud storage on Google Drive.

Chromebook Pixel (2015): Improved and Faster

On March 11, 2015, Google released the second version of the Chromebook Pixel. It was faster and had new features like USB-C ports. Google stopped selling this model on August 29, 2016.

• Screen: It kept the same 12.85-inch high-resolution screen.
• Ports: It had two USB-C ports and two USB 3.0 ports.

Pixelbook: A Sleek Convertible Laptop

Google launched the Pixelbook on October 4, 2017. This laptop was designed to be very thin and light, and it could fold into different positions, like a tablet.

• Screen: A 12.3-inch screen that could be used as a touchscreen.
• Storage: Available with different storage options up to 512GB.

Pixelbook Go: A Lighter, More Portable Option

On October 15, 2019, Google announced the Pixelbook Go. This was a more affordable and portable version of the Pixelbook, designed for people who are always on the move.

• Screen: A 13.3-inch screen.
• Design: It was known for its lightweight design and ribbed bottom for easy gripping.

Pixel Smartwatches

Pixel Watch: Google's First Smartwatch

The Google Pixel Watch was released in October 2022. It was Google's first smartwatch, featuring a round display and many health and fitness tracking features.

Pixel Watch 2: Faster and More Features

The Pixel Watch 2 was released in October 2023. It kept a similar look to the first Pixel Watch but had improved performance and new health sensors.

Pixel Watch 3: The Latest Smartwatch

The Pixel Watch 3 was released in August 2024. It is the newest generation of Google's smartwatches, offering the latest features and improvements.

Pixel Accessories

Pixel Buds: Smart Wireless Earbuds

Google unveiled the first Pixel Buds in October 2017, alongside the Pixel 2 phones. These wireless earbuds were designed to work seamlessly with Google Assistant and could even help translate languages in real-time.

• Features: They supported translation in 40 languages and could auto-pair with Pixel phones.
• Newer Versions: A second generation was released in 2020, and the Pixel Buds A-Series (a more affordable version) came out in June 2021. The Pixel Buds Pro were released in May 2022, adding features like Active Noise Cancellation.

Pixelbook Pen: A Stylus for Your Pixelbook

The Pixelbook Pen was announced in October 2017. It's a stylus designed to be used with the Pixelbook, allowing for drawing, writing, and interacting with Google Assistant.

Pixel Stand: Wireless Charging and Smart Display

The Pixel Stand was introduced in October 2018. It's a wireless charger for Pixel phones that also turns your phone into a smart display, showing useful information and acting like a smart speaker. A second-generation Pixel Stand was released in October 2021, offering faster wireless charging speeds.

Pixel Software

Pixel UI (Pixel Launcher): The Look and Feel of Pixel Phones

Pixel Launcher

Company / developer	Google
OS family	Unix-like (modified Linux kernel)
Working state	Current
Latest stable release	Android 14 / January 3, 2024; 19 months ago (2024-01-03)
Marketing target	Smartphones and tablet computers

Pixel UI is the special version of Android that runs on Pixel phones and tablets. It includes the Pixel Launcher, which is the home screen app. Unlike older Google phones (Nexus), Pixel phones have a slightly different look and feel to their software, designed by Google to be super easy to use and smart.

Google has gradually replaced many standard Android apps with its own Google apps over the years, like Google Photos for your pictures. The Pixel UI also offers direct online support from Google's customer service.

Pixel Camera: Smart Photo Features

Pixel Camera (formerly Google Camera) is the camera app that comes with Pixel devices. It's known for its amazing features that help you take great photos, even in tough conditions.

• Features: It includes "Night Vision" for low-light photos, "Super Res Zoom" for clearer zoomed-in shots, and "Motion Photos" that capture a short video clip with your picture.
• History: The app was first released on April 16, 2014, as Google Camera. In October 2023, it was renamed Pixel Camera and became exclusive to Pixel devices.

See also

In Spanish: Google Pixel para niños

• List of Google Play edition devices
• List of Google products