Google's Nexus smartphones have been replaced by the Pixel series with a very stylish design, top-end hardware and a powerful camera. The Google Pixel 2 has a standard 5-inch display, while the Google Pixel 2 XL has a 6-inch 18:9 curved display.
Design of updated smartphones
The original Pixel stood out thanks to its two-tone back panel with a glass top and metal bottom. New smartphones from Google also use different materials, but the glass is not so pronounced and only covers the upper area where the cameras are.
The aluminum body of the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL has a hybrid coating that looks like plastic but feels like ceramic. The brushed metal contrasts interestingly with the glossy glass of the display.
At the top there is a microphone hole, on the left side there is a SIM card tray, at the bottom there is another microphone and a USB Type-C port. Analog jack 3.5 mm. There is no headphone connection. On the right side you will find the power button, below it is the volume rocker. This arrangement causes confusion; usually the volume key is located higher.
The IP67 rating means that the new Google smartphones are completely resistant to dust and will survive short-term immersion in water. Although some of their competitors boast IP68 protection.
The Google Pixel 2 has wider top and bottom bezels than the Pixel 2 XL, but both smartphones accommodate front-facing stereo speakers.
Thanks to the curved design, the Google Pixel 2 XL has much thinner edges, although the overall thickness is the same. Pixel 2 is smaller in width, making it easier to hold in your hand. Another difference is that on the XL, the “G” logo on the back is shiny and reflects light.
Google Pixel 2 Size Comparison Chart
| Smartphone | Dimensions (mm.) | Weight (g) |
| Google Pixel 2 | 145.7? 69.7? 7.8 mm. | 143 gr. |
| Google Pixel | 143.84? 69.54? 8.58 mm. | 143 gr. |
| Samsung Galaxy S8 | 148.9? 68.1? 8.0 mm. | 152 gr. |
| Apple iPhone 8 | 138.4? 67.3? 7.3 mm. | 148 gr. |
Google Pixel 2 XL size comparison table
| Smartphone | Dimensions (mm.) | Weight (g) |
| Google Pixel 2 XL | 157.9? 76.7? 7.9 mm. | 175 gr. |
| Google Pixel XL | 154.72? 75.74? 8.6 mm. | 168 gr. |
| Samsung Galaxy S8+ | 159.5? 73.4? 8.1 mm. | 173 gr. |
| Apple iPhone 8 Plus | 158.4? 78.1? 7.5 mm. | 202 gr. |
Autonomy
The Pixel 2 XL has a 3520 mAh battery, which, together with an energy-efficient processor and an optimized operating system, gave good results. The smartphone lasts on average 1.5 days on a single charge, providing a day of work even with very intensive use. In the PCMark battery life test with a display brightness of 200 cd/m2, the Pixel 2 XL worked for almost 9 hours under load, which is an excellent result.
The smartphone supports fast charging according to the Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 standard; from a standard charge from 0 to 20%, the smartphone charges in just 10 minutes, but then it slows down and charges up to 50% in 45 minutes, and up to 100% in 2.5 hours.
4
ITC.UA rating
Pros: water and dust protection, performance, excellent camera, stereo speakers, battery life
Cons: display and high cost
Conclusion: Google Pixel 2 XL can be called one of the most controversial flagships of this year for a reason. On the one hand, this smartphone is built on pure Android, it works quickly, takes excellent photographs and holds a good battery charge. But on the other hand, it really doesn't have a very good display. It's not terrible, you can get used to it, but it's inferior to the screens of other top models. We don’t often list the price as a disadvantage of flagships, because it’s always high, but here it’s really justified. At this price, the Pixel 2 XL shouldn't have any screen issues. The company could not have been unaware of its quality, but apparently they were in a hurry to release a “frameless” smartphone in order to compete with other flagships. And this ultimately resulted in negative reviews for Google from the first owners of the Pixel 2 XL, which will undoubtedly affect sales. The company could take its time and use the first-generation Pixel design for both flagships this year, but at the same time make the price more palatable for buyers. After all, last year’s models were good in terms of workmanship and were mainly criticized because of their high prices. But be that as it may, if you still have your sights set on buying a Pixel 2 XL, then you should at least wait for software updates, and at most, new batches of the smartphone, which may have better displays. It's also possible that Google will eventually lower the price of the new Pixels, as it recently did with the Essential after weak sales.
Specifications
| Google Pixel 2 XL 64GB Just Black 7,109 − 18,098 UAH Compare prices | |
| Type | Smartphone |
| Pre-installed OS | Android 8.0 |
| RAM, GB | 4 |
| Built-in memory, GB | 64 |
| Expansion slot | — |
| SIM card type | Nano-SIM |
| Number of SIM cards | 1 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 + Adreno 540 GPU |
| Number of Cores | 8 |
| Frequency, GHz | 2,35 |
| Battery | 3520 mAh (non-removable) |
| Diagonal, inches | 6 |
| Permission | 2880×1440 |
| Matrix type | P-OLED |
| PPI | 538 |
| Dimming sensor | + |
| Display Features | 2.5D glass, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Main camera, MP | 12 (f/1.8) |
| Video shooting | + |
| Flash | + |
| Front camera, MP | 8 (f/2.4) |
| Camera Features | optical image stabilization |
| WiFi | 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth | + (5.0) |
| GPS | + |
| IrDA | — |
| FM radio | — |
| Audio jack | — |
| NFC | + |
| Interface connector | USB Type-C |
| Height, mm | 157,9 |
| Width, mm | 76,7 |
| Thickness, mm | 7,9 |
| Weight, g | 175 |
| Protection from dust and moisture | + |
| Type of shell | monoblock (non-separable) |
| Housing material | aluminum |
| Keyboard type | screen input |
| More | fast charging support, fingerprint scanner |
Pixel 2 and 2 XL screen
The Pixel 2, like the original Pixel, offers a 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920? 1080. Pixel 2 XL received a widescreen 6-inch screen with 2880? 1440 pixels.
The colorful colors on both displays can be made more natural by turning on Standard mode. Color accuracy is fine, although reds seem a little dull and the screen brightness is lower than the competition - turning on Auto mode doesn't help.
| Smartphone | Maximum Brightness (nits) | Minimum brightness (nits) | Contrast | Color temperature (Kelvin) | Gamma |
| Google Pixel 2 | 408 | 2 | immeasurable | 6879 | 2,18 |
| Google Pixel 2 XL | 460 | 2 | immeasurable | 6863 | 2,3 |
| Apple iPhone 8 | 663 | 3 | 1: 1461 | 7026 | 2,14 |
| Samsung Galaxy S8 | 570 | 1 | immeasurable | 6784 | 2,11 |
| LG G6 | 506 | 4 | 1: 2164 | 8639 | 2,12 |
| OnePlus 5 | 435 | 2 | immeasurable | 8014 | 2,13 |
Interface and functionality
Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL are equipped with the latest version of Google's OS - Android 8.0 Oreo. The system will be familiar to all pure Android users. Among the innovations here, it is worth noting the icons on applications that indicate unread notifications.
The interface is very convenient and informative, the icons are not too large. If you are not satisfied with something, you can change the scaling of interface elements in the settings.
Touch edges allow you to use the gesture of squeezing your smartphone in your hand to launch Google Assistant. It seems to me unnecessary that in addition to the phrase “OK Google” and long pressing the Home button, a third option has appeared for calling the voice assistant. The flagship HTC U11 has touch edges that can launch applications - this is much more useful.
What I really liked
Exactly two things: the operation of the operating system and the camera.
I already spoke in great detail about cameras when I compared them with the market leader (before the announcement of Huawei P20 Pro), namely, with the Samsung Galaxy S9+. Be sure to read that material - the results of my tests are surprising.
Here I will say only one thing -
the cameras of the Google Pixel 2 XL are gorgeous.
If you want a smartphone with top quality pictures and especially excellent video recording, but your heart is not set on the iPhone X, then the choice is clear - this is the Pixel 2 XL.
There’s simply nothing to talk about, close this “non-review” and look for advertisements for the sale of Google Pixel 2 XL . All.
Okay, let's move on.
The second is software. The latest official build of Android is installed here - 8.1.0. From the point of view of chips and goodies, the second pixel will receive all the latest updates for a very long time - about 2.5 years. So buy the Pixel 2 XL now and you can relax for the next couple of years.
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The speed of work here is off the charts. After the pixel, all smartphones seem slow.
Of course, when compared with flagships (with the same Galaxy S9+), there is no difference. Both monsters work very quickly. However, regarding Samsung, I am not sure that it will work as quickly in six months. Owners of all generations of Samsung flagships will support me. But the Google Pixel 2 XL will always work perfectly.
In addition, these features with live wallpapers, when the sea is splashing on your screen... Damn it, I love this smartphone!
There is no need to worry about performance. At least another two years, and then we'll see.
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Processor and memory
The hardware here is standard for the top - a Snapdragon 835 processor and 4 GB of RAM. Some already offer more RAM storage, but for almost everyone 4GB will be enough.
In the benchmark test, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL demonstrated results at the level of other flagships. The first one is slightly faster due to its smaller screen size and resolution.
There are models with 64 and 128 GB of internal storage memory to choose from; MicroSD cards are not supported here. Cloud services are available for memory expansion, although using a MicroSD card would be easier.
Performance tests
| Test | Google Pixel 2 | Google Pixel 2 XL | Apple iPhone 8 | Samsung Galaxy S8 | LG G6 | OnePlus 5 |
| AnTuTu | 167,168 | 169,541 | 215,075 | 166,647 | 157,208 | 178,968 |
| JetStream | 63,433 | 63,163 | 225,79 | 55,503 | 57,368 | 69,78 |
| GFXBench T-Rex HD | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
| GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 | 42 | 21 | 60 | 41 | 14 | 40 |
| Basemark OS II | 3345 | 3340 | 4226 | 3201,66 | 2122 | 3500 |
| Geekbench 4 single-core mode | 1913 | 1917 | 4239 | 2008,33 | 1797 | 1941 |
| Geekbench 4 multi-core mode | 6333 | 6315 | 10 405 | 6575 | 4285 | 6678 |
Fresh design
The appearance of the Pixel and Pixel XL is good - despite all the similarities with the iPhone, these smartphones cannot be confused with anything, and all thanks to the massive glass insert on the back of the case. Honestly, this is a questionable decision and perhaps Google should differentiate its smartphones from its competitors in some other way? You can draw inspiration from science fiction series, there are a lot of fresh ideas there.
Connections and sockets
The presence of a USB Type-C connector on modern smartphones is no longer surprising. So Google went ahead and placed the port directly on the charger, allowing you to use any Type-C cable to charge your phone.
For older devices with USB Type-A, there is no separate cable included - only the appropriate adapter and Type-C cable.
Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL cameras
The two new phones feature a 12.2MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, OIS and Dual Pixel/Laser autofocus combo. The front camera of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is an 8MP sensor with 1.4nm pixels. The parameters are almost the same as on the previous model, but stabilization has been added, the pixels have become smaller, and the aperture has become wider.
Beautiful photos are obtained even with minimal effort, the updated software of the Pixel 2 cameras is very simple, fast and responsive. Tap the subject to set exposure and focus, then tap the shutter button and your photo is ready.
With sufficient lighting, the main camera demonstrates consistently high quality. If there is not enough light, there is slight noise in the darkest areas of the frame, although illuminated objects are highlighted perfectly. Even the front camera does not disappoint at night.
Contrast and saturation are not too high; in the pictures you will see the same thing as you see with your own eyes. Like their dual-camera competitors, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL offer background blur mode, powered by the Dual Pixel system. Blurring does not always work perfectly; sometimes the camera captures unnecessary areas in focus. Thanks to the facial recognition feature, the front camera is also able to detect objects and separate them from the background.
Only 4K, 1080p and 720p formats are available for video recording - 2K, MMS and 1:1 are not enough. In any resolution (except 4K) you can adjust the frame rate. The quality is high, and sharpness is maintained when stabilization is turned on, although reducing the shaking in the video does not make it too smooth.
There are no problems with sound here, the speed of focusing on new objects is impressive. The only thing missing is support for recording in 18:9 format, so that the video fills the entire phone screen when played back.
Improved 12MP camera with bokeh effect
Like its predecessors, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL also take photos at just over 12 megapixels. But this time Google has improved the matrix and offers, among other things, a faster F1.8 lens hood (previously F2.0). Thanks to Dual Pixel technology, the camera focuses very quickly.
Photo quality in our testing was very good and, especially in dim lighting, outperforms almost all other smartphones in our respective rankings - including the Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8. Slight advantage over the Pixel 2 (XL) in poor lighting conditions only has HTC U11.
Despite the fact that the HTC mobile phone makes white surfaces a little “cool” (that is, with a slight shift to blue), it has higher detail. The hair and threads in our test "scene" thus have a bit more detail. We measured detail accuracy on the Pixel 2 (XL) at 85 percent, while the HTC U11 achieves an excellent 90 percent.
These results indicate how much of a negative impact the blur effect has on images. To summarize, we can say that the photo quality of the Pixel 2 (XL) is among the best, but when running through our test scenarios it is slightly inferior to the HTC U11.
We also find video stabilization excellent. Those who shoot video in Full-HD resolution at 60 frames per second and are moving at the same time can enjoy smooth recordings with almost no jerks. Clips filmed under the same conditions on an iPhone 8 or Galaxy Note 8 appear to jerk slightly more and sway noticeably when the smartphone user moves their feet.
Although both Pixel 2 models only have one lens, Portrait mode is available for use, which applies an artificial bokeh effect to the background, allowing you to highlight the subject in the foreground. This portrait mode performed solidly during our testing.
Although sticking out fine hairs on clothing and often even entire locks of hair on the head blended into the blurred background, the clarity of the object in the foreground was nevertheless acceptable and we can consider the pictures to be quite good. In addition, portrait mode works even on the front camera. But the quality of this mode is not ideal. Dual lens systems handle these types of tasks better.
Despite the fact that there is only one lens, the 12-megapixel camera has a portrait mode with background blur
Multimedia and sound
The sound on the Pixel 2 is louder and clearer than on the Pixel 2 XL - apparently there was enough room for better stereo speakers on the wide frames.
Google abandoned the 3.5mm headphone jack and didn't even include a wired USB headset. Those who want to listen to music will have to carry a USB adapter with them, which overheats during operation. Sometimes the adapter does not even recognize the headphones and the sound is played through the speakers.
Sound comparison table
| Smartphone | Output power (V) | Speaker volume (DB) |
| Google Pixel 2 | 0,943 | 79,7 |
| Google Pixel 2 XL | 0,397 | 76,3 |
| Apple iPhone 8 | 0,995 | 77,9 |
| Samsung Galaxy S8 | 0,75 | 78 |
| LG G6 | 0,78 | 74 |
| OnePlus 5 | 0,96 | 77 |
What's the result?
Should I buy Google Pixel 2 XL now, after the release of Samsung Galaxy S9+ and Huawei P20 Pro? Yes, buy it. The current price tag in Russia from the “go and buy” series is 47,500 rubles.
The smartphone is very, very cool, even despite having only one SIM card and the absence of any features like optical zoom. The device will delight you with top-end cameras, excellent performance and unsurpassed speed. And also, owners of the pixel will always receive the latest builds of Android, while owners of Samsung and all sorts of “Waves” wait for six months for the weather by the sea.
The only and very critical nuance! We definitely, definitely (!!!) check the screen thoroughly before purchasing. We turn on blue, red, black and, most importantly, white, and then see how the display behaves. Did anything unusual appear? We refuse to buy and look at the next copy. And yes, this implies a complete refusal to remotely purchase the Google Pixel 2 XL.
Android Google Google Pixel 2 Google Pixel 2 XL Pixel
Battery and charging
The Pixel 2 has a 2,700 mAh battery, and the Pixel 2 XL has a 3,520 mAh battery. The larger the screen, the more energy it consumes, so their battery life is about the same.
Pixel 2 with the screen always on will last about 8.5 hours, 2 XL - almost 9 hours. Wireless charging is not available here. Fully charging the Pixel 2 will take just under two hours, the Pixel 2 XL will take two and a half. It is worth noting that the XL charges 90% in just an hour.
| Smartphone | Battery life | Charging time |
| Google Pixel 2 | 8 hours 40 minutes | 1 hour 51 minutes |
| Google Pixel 2 XL | 8 hours 57 minutes | 2 hours 32 minutes |
| Apple iPhone 8 | 8 hours 37 minutes | 2 hours 28 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy S8 | 8 hours 22 minutes | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| LG G6 | 6 hours 9 minutes | 1 hour 37 minutes |
| OnePlus 5 | 9 hours 18 minutes | 1 hour 39 minutes |
Bottom line
The new Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL take the design of the original Pixel as a basis and add features accepted for modern gadgets - including a universal USB Type-C connector instead of a headphone jack.
Pixel 2 looks nicer than the first version with its strange design. Some of the innovations are useless in my opinion, for example, calling Google Assistant by squeezing the edges - but they do not interfere too much. The second smartphone is easier to use and offers better sound, where the Pixel 2 XL doesn't make the most of its larger screen. Despite their shortcomings, both phones are worthy of consideration.
The base Pixel 2 model with 64 GB of internal memory costs $650 (RUR 38,000), Pixel 2 XL costs $850 (RUR 49,500). For 128 GB you will have to pay $100 (5800 rubles) more in both cases.
Advantages of Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
- Unique appearance
- Good camera
- Stable performance
- Stereo speakers
- Water resistance
Disadvantages of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL
- Lack of 3.5mm jack
- Clicking noises during voice calls on Pixel 2
- Overpriced 2 XL
Something else
Like HTC U11, the pixel received pressure-sensitive sides. The function seems to be useful, you can assign, for example, switching to silent mode, but I didn’t actually use it. Fortunately, she doesn’t ask for bread and doesn’t interfere in any way.
Nowadays a very fashionable topic is face unlocking using the front camera. However, the Google Pixel 2 XL doesn't do this. Whether this function will be implemented or not is an open question, however, in my opinion, it is not needed.
Firstly, unlocking with the front camera is not the most reliable method of biometrics. Every smartphone with this function warns about this. Secondly, here we have a great fingerprint scanner that works in 10 out of 10 cases. So let's just relax.
Frames around the screen. From the photos it looks like they are huge and ugly. However, in life you somehow don’t pay attention to this. I myself was confused by this moment, but as soon as I take the Google Pixel 2 XL in my hand, all doubts go away. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but it’s a fact.
There is also no need to worry about sound quality. Two speakers are responsible for the external sound: the main one at the bottom and the conversational one at the top. Unfortunately, the sound of our hero cannot be compared with either the Samsung S9+ or the iPhone X. But there is no outright crap here, so chill out again.
The headphones are also no problem. We connect normal “ears” and enjoy life.
Many people are very concerned about the issue of autonomy. I don’t share this excitement, because all modern devices work during the day, it’s time to stop waiting for miracles. If you force the Google Phone, then late in the evening you will have to charge it again. If you use a smartphone without playing games, the device will survive until the morning without any problems at 20% charge - a normal, adequate indicator.
There is fast charging, but it is not as fast as in the OnePlus 5T or Huawei Mate 10 Pro. In 30 minutes the pixel is charged by 35%, in 1 hour by 72%. The battery reaches full capacity in 1 hour and 40 minutes, which is 20-30 minutes behind the market leaders.
By the way, don’t forget that the kit does not include a standard USB <-> USB Type-C cable. There is a wire with a USB Type-C plug on both ends. That is, you won’t be able to easily connect the Pixel 2 XL to your computer right out of the box. You need either a different cable or an adapter. On the other hand, this is clearly aimed at modern laptops, each of which has already begun to receive modern connectors in the case.
