When comparing GeeksPhone vs Google Pixel, the Slant community recommends GeeksPhone for most people. In the question“What are the most innovative smartphones of today? ” GeeksPhone is ranked 4th while Google Pixel is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose GeeksPhone is:
When buying a phone you typically buy into an OS, then only upgrade that OS to a new versions; never switch to a different OS. GeeksPhone was built to help open up the ecosystem, allowing for entry of other OSes without committing users to the investment & risk of getting a new phone with an OS with which they're not yet familiar. To make this possible there are options to "install another OS" or "install zip from external SD" easily accessible from the phone.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Can switch operating systems easily
When buying a phone you typically buy into an OS, then only upgrade that OS to a new versions; never switch to a different OS. GeeksPhone was built to help open up the ecosystem, allowing for entry of other OSes without committing users to the investment & risk of getting a new phone with an OS with which they're not yet familiar.
To make this possible there are options to "install another OS" or "install zip from external SD" easily accessible from the phone.
Pro Comes with a pre-rooted Android
GeeksPhone comes with a pre-rooted Android operating system that doesn't even includ the default Google apps.
Pro First device to activelly support FireFox OS
FireFox OS, also known as Boot to Gecko or B2G, is a new operating system from Mozilla, that aims at creating an affordable smartphone solution for the emerging market.
To help Mozilla achieve this goal, GeeksPhone offers FireFox OS build as self-contained downloads for flashing the phone.
Pro Software remains up to date
Given it's a Google phone, new updates will roll out rather frequently and for a long time on this phone. So you'll get the latest Android.
Pro Likely the best smartphone camera from 2016
Compared to other smartphones, the Pixel camera currently (October 2016) holds the highest score from DXO mark (in terms of color depth, saturation, etc). Many reviews also praise it as the smartphone camera which takes the best pictures out there. Also the camera really launches fast, allowing you to capture sudden moments. Although there is no hardware OIS (optical image stabilization), the software stabilization does a great job.
You can see a comparison video here of the Pixel against the iPhone 7, Galaxy S7, HTC 10, Sony Xperia XZ and LG G5.
Pro Unlimited original size Google Photos backup
With this phone (only at the moment), you can back up on Google Photos the original version of your photos (full resolution) at no cost. Other phones can upload unlimited photos to Google Photos as well, although they will be compressed image files.
Pro One of the fastest CPUs (in 2016)
The Google Pixel is using the new Snapdragon 821 processor. Other phones from earlier in the year have used the Snapdragon 820. The 821 only has minor differences to the 820.
Pro Integrated Google Assistant
Google Assistant is a more refined Google Now. It's more conversational, and can do different things instead of being limited to a single app. Google Assistant can bring up relevant information in more places than Google Now could, such as conversations within the Duo app.
Pro Fingerprint sensor can be used to trigger other actions
You can double tap the power button to start the camera, swipe the fingerprint sensor in various directions to trigger predefined actions like showing/hiding the notifications, which is pretty handy given it's on the back on the phone.
Pro USB-C charger
USB Type-C port, the future of USB (much more resistant than micro-USB and allows charging either way...). If you have other modern devices you're likely having one of those already, and if not you have a standard short USB-A cord in the package (also micro-USB to USB-C adapter for charging are very cheap).
Pro Daydream VR ready
The Pixel supports Google's VR standard (Daydream) with very rapid refresh rate, and all the required highly sensitive sensors.
Pro Exists in small and larger form factor
The spec are the same for both sizes, except the battery (2700mAh on the 5" Pixel, and 3450mAh on the Pixel XL) and screen resolution (1080p on the 5" Pixel, 1440p on the Pixel XL).
Pro Best Android based UI
Google Assistant, Pixel Launcher, Google Camera, and other google services are available only for pixel devices.
Pro Icons provides shortcuts to functions of that app without opening that app
For example, if you want to send a message, a long press on Messenger opens up options to start a new conversation or continue a recent conversation.
Pro Unofficially waterproof
Officially it's not waterproof (spill and splashes proof). However one guy already tried to immerse the phone in water for an hour and found it had no effect on the phone except distorting the speakers sound (while still wet, similar to officially waterproof phones).
Of course it is not recommended that anyone try this as it will most likely void the warranty and could potentially damage the phone.
Cons
Con Can't dual boot
Whichever OS you choose to install, it will overwrite the previous one.
Con Not worth the price
The cost is bit higher than the related specs.
Con Camera may have lens flare issues
Some consumers have reported issue with lens flare in their pictures. It is not widely reported, but does seem to cause some people problems.
There is also a similar issue on the HTC 10, which is a close hardware design to the Pixel.
Con Not officially rated as waterproof
The Pixel (and Pixel XL) is not officially rated as waterproof, at all. It's only IP53 certified (5 for dust, 3 for water), which means it's pretty dust resistant, but would only survive a light rain or splashes, as opposed to the Galaxy S7 which is IP68 and iPhone 7 which is IP67.