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Google

Google

Good7/10

Search and Android company that also sells Pixel phones and Nest smart-home devices.

Founded
1998
From
United States
HQ
Mountain View, United States
Owned by
Alphabet Inc. (2015)
Made in
Asia (contract manufacturers)
Also sold as
Google Nest, Nest, Pixel, Google Pixel, Fitbit
store.google.com

Mobile phone

Good8/10Mid-range

Pixels are reviewers' favourite 'pure Android' phones, praised for cameras, clean software and seven-year updates. Long-term owner reports are more mixed, with recurring hardware faults across generations and support that relies heavily on mail-in repairs.

Good at

  • 7 years of OS and security updates (Pixel 8 and newer)
  • First to get new Android versions and features
  • Excellent point-and-shoot photo processing
  • Clean software with useful call-screening and AI tools
  • Pixel a-series offers flagship-style software cheaply

Weak at

  • History of hardware issues (modems, batteries, screens)
  • Tensor chips run warmer and less efficiently than rivals
  • Sold officially in far fewer countries than Samsung
  • Warranty handling can be slow and mail-in based
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty

In New Zealand: Not officially sold in NZ; parallel imports lack local warranty — check VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling support with your carrier.

PixelPixel Pro / Pro XLPixel Pro FoldPixel a-series

Best for: Android fans who want the newest software and great cameras without fuss

nz (not sold)auukushk (not sold)

Smartwatch

Good7/10Mid-range

The Pixel Watch has matured into a solid Wear OS watch with good Fitbit tracking, though battery life and past durability worries trail Samsung. Fitbit's role is shrinking to simple trackers, and subscription upsells annoy some owners.

Good at

  • Clean Wear OS with Gemini and Google apps
  • Fitbit health and sleep tracking built in
  • Pixel Watch 4 is designed to be repairable
  • Fitbit trackers are cheap and simple

Weak at

  • Android only; no iPhone support
  • Some Fitbit insights need a Premium subscription
  • Forced Fitbit-to-Google account migration upset owners
  • Fitbit smartwatch range largely wound down
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty

In New Zealand: Pixel Watch not officially sold; some Fitbit trackers may be found at retailers.

Pixel WatchFitbit ChargeFitbit Inspire

Best for: Pixel phone owners who want Google's software on their wrist

nz (not sold)auukushk (not sold)

Router / Wi-Fi

Mixed6/10Mid-range

Nest Wifi Pro is dependable and easy, but it is ageing and offers little control. Google hasn't announced a successor, so rivals like eero or TP-Link Deco are better long-term buys.

Good at

  • Simple setup and management in the Google Home app
  • Nest Wifi Pro adds Wi-Fi 6E and a Thread border router
  • Tidy, low-profile design

Weak at

  • No Wi-Fi 7 model; line hasn't been refreshed since 2022
  • Very limited advanced settings; no web interface
  • Nest Wifi Pro has gigabit-only Ethernet ports, no multi-gig
  • Older Nest Wifi / Google Wifi dropped from Google Store
Reliability
Value
Features
Service & warranty
Nest Wifi ProNest Wifi (legacy)Google Wifi (legacy)

Best for: Google Home households wanting simple Wi-Fi 6E mesh

nzauukushk (not sold)

Researched September 2026 from public reviews, consumer groups and retailer listings, and summarised by hand — ratings are a judgement, not a lab score. Check current reviews and local retailers before you buy.