Google launches AI-powered Pixel smartphone

The device is priced at $649 and will be available in India from October 13

With an aim to lead the world of smartphones with its artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology, Google on Tuesday launched much-awaited Pixel -- a new premium device completely designed by the tech giant -- at a special event here.

The launch also ended the Nexus branding under which the company has always released phones in partnership with other original equipment manufacturers like LG (for Google Nexus 5) and Huawei (for Google Nexus 6P).

Although HTC has manufactured the smartphones, the new devices bear Google branding.

With curved edges and a unibody made up of combination of aluminium and glass, the device comes in two sizes -- 5 and 5.5-inch with super AMOLED displays -- and is available in quite black, very silver and limited edition really blue colours.

Pixel is first smartphone with Google Assistant -- a built in AI programme that works as an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator. So now just ask questions, tell it to do things.

With the highest ever DxOMark Mobile score of 89, Pixel's 12.3MP rear camera with f/2.0 click stunning photos in any light conditions -- #Nofilter needed.

Catch action shots as they happen with Smartburst, which takes a rapid-fire sequence of shots. Use Lens Blur to achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects, making your subject pop.

Google is offering free and unlimited online storage for photos and videos -- in original quality.

Google's video calling app Google Duo comes preloaded on the devices. The device also has Pixel Imprint -- the fingerprint scanner on the back of the smartphone for quick access to all apps, texts and e-mails.

Catering to the demand of a large battery that not only charges fast but also lasts all day long, Pixel devices come with 2,770 or 3,450 mAh battery packs that can give up to 7 hours of charge in just 15 minutes.

It comes with a Type-C charging port and has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack. The device has a Bluetooth 4.2.

With powerhouse specifications, both the devices have similar hardware under the hood. Pixel smartphones are fitted with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 821 Quad core (2x 2.15 Ghz and 2x1.6 Ghz) processors, 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and run on Android Nougat 7.0 operating system that was launched in August.

The devices are available for $649 and up for pre-order in the US, Britain, Canada, Germany and Australia. The device will be available in India from October 13.