The shots are compiled in the Google Photos album, dubbed #Nofilter needed with your new Pixel, and while the EXIF data supports that the images were shot with the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, around half of the images were edited with a mobile app, either Snapseed or VSCO.

The shots encompass a range of different scenarios from low lighting to even aerial shots that appear to be shot from a drone. The low-light shots look pretty impressive, thanks in great measure to the large pixel size that earned the Pixel DxOMark’s highest sensor rating for a smartphone camera to date. The camera’s HDR+ mode that merges several RAW files together likely also gives the camera a boost in limited light.

The sample images also include a few action shots, and while a shot of a skateboarder in midair is slightly blurred, the overall album looks pretty solid for a smartphone camera. The images do not have much blurring of the background — which is to be expected from a smartphone, though the dual lens cameras with the iPhone 7 Plus can now fake that blur to some extent.

The Google Pixel doesn’t have optical image stabilization, but uses a built-in gyroscope for shooting videos. While Google hasn’t released official Pixel footage, videographer and YouTube user Ron8it recently released a 4K sample video that he says was shot entirely with the Pixel XL and an ND filter, with some color correction and slow motion effects in post.

The spec sheet and high DxO rating alone suggested that the camera could be a big selling point for the Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones — but now the samples allow potential buyers to make their own decision on whether the photo quality is worth that $650-plus list price.

Related Posts

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro may reach 5.0GHz with Samsung heat tech

However, if recent whispers from the tech grapevine are to be believed, Qualcomm is getting ready to smash through that ceiling later this year - and they might be doing it by borrowing a trick from their biggest rival.

Meta is being sued over claims it can read your WhatsApp messages

WhatsApp implemented end-to-end encryption for all communication back in 2016, and it has since been one of the key components of the platform's pitch. The messaging app frequently reassures users that it doesn't have access to the contents of the messages shared on the platform, with a prominent notice within encrypted chats stating "only people in this chat can read, listen to, or share" the messages.

Samsung leak shows a deep feature cut finally going away on the Galaxy S26

Until now, the baseline Galaxy S25 came with 128GB of storage, while the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra shipped with 256GB of storage on the base variant. However, doubling the storage on the upcoming Galaxy S26's entry-level trim could be a welcome addition.