That's a little steep, Google.

One of the things that I always appreciated about "Google Phones" (Nexus 5, 5x, 6, 6p, etc) was that they tended to be marketed as an incredibly good value proposition - near-flagship specs for a very mid-range price.

Looks like Google's giving up on that idea.

Google's new phone, the "Pixel" has a starting price of $649. 

Nope.

Optioned up, it tops out at $860.

Double-nope.

...and they're marketing it as a Verizon exclusive*.

Triple-nope.  

...and they took away the headphone jack.

Triple-nope with a scoop of vanilla on top.  This is not a phone that I'm interested in cross-shopping at those prices.  The 32GB on the stock phone isn't sufficient for a decent music collection (no, I don't stream) and a decent set of apps at the same time.  The 128GB upgrade jumps right to "overkill" and costs another $120 (which just ain't gonna fly).

Sorry, Google.  I think you lost your touch on this one.  I'm sure the hardware is wonderful, but I'm not dumb enough to drop that kind of dough on a phone.

*Yes, you can buy them unlocked online through Google, but marketing it as being tied to VZW is a major turnoff to anybody with a lick of sense in them.