Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL hands-on

04 October 2017
Google acquired the HTC team that built the new Pixel 2 – let’s see what the search giant bought for a billion dollars. Strangely enough, the smaller of the two devices hasn’t changed much, but the larger Pixel 2 XL is much more in step with modern flagships.

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  • D
  • AnonD-633729
  • 6p$
  • 06 Oct 2017

Shame on you sony. Pixel 2 XL can have front stereo speakers but its bezel is less than half of XZ premium bezel. Even iphones have less bezels. Large bezel with sharp angles=usability nightmare.

    • A
    • Argus
    • P@Y
    • 06 Oct 2017

    Slayer, 06 Oct 2017Whine whine whine and then whinge whinge whinge.......that ... moreyou don't want to see the hate?
    try to create your own tech website. in which you are the author and you are the only reader and commenter, lets see your whine whine whine and whinge whinge whinge.

      • S
      • Slayer
      • S3x
      • 06 Oct 2017

      Whine whine whine and then whinge whinge whinge.......that is all there seems to be on this comments page. It really isn't that difficult, if you don't like it go buy something else and stop with all the hate. There are other choices out there so go figure. Personally, I am fed up with my S8 Plus and aching for stock android so having to seriously consider the Pixel 2 XL, the loss of headphone jack is my main cause for debate but that does not mean I dislike the phone, I think the 2 XL is almost the perfect modern phone but eh, that is just me. Haters will hate but there is always the iPhone X or some other Android phone out there so stop spitting your bile.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • S3x
        • 06 Oct 2017

        AnonD-684709, 05 Oct 2017Absolutely true, Google tries to pull an Apple here with th... moreDude,

        I do not see anyone forcing you to buy the phone. There is always the £1,000 iPhone X...!

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • i}3
          • 05 Oct 2017

          the camera samples look actually pretty bad :(
          overall its quite a disappointing release. Too bad the older pixel price didnt drop even more as it would be an attractive value for sure

          right now, id rather get a V30, sgs8 or xz1 or xz1c among the "more flagship" phones (but im a cheapi so i got a sgs7 for 300usd..)

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • j5$
            • 05 Oct 2017

            Sesto, 05 Oct 2017You don't know why? Just use your head to think... Have y... moreYour realize Google provided LG with $1 billion for screens earlier in the year? Those were probably for the xl, but that's enough for custom run.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • j5$
              • 05 Oct 2017

              IronHeart8, 05 Oct 2017Is it just me or the camera samples look nowhere like flags... moreWill you specify which pictures you have in mind and the details we should be looking for?

                • R
                • Rohan
                • XSA
                • 05 Oct 2017

                It's too expensive an offering! Even if it has the best camera for 2018, it's still to expensive. Is Google not aware of the fact that it barely sold a million devices last year?

                As a software company trying to make it's bones in hardware market, they should have priced the phones lower. The Pixel 2 XL will cost around Rs.73000 in Indian market!! I think iPhone 7 plus or LG V30 is a much better option both of which will cost around Rs.10000 less.

                I love Google and it's phones (Nexus, Pixels 2016 and Pixels 2017 too) but this is senseless.

                Seriously, Google needs to rethink it's strategy.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • krW
                  • 05 Oct 2017

                  They want that much money? At least they added OIS for such prices.
                  No sd slot should have more memory for that price.
                  No dual camera. I don't thunk you need dual camera. One better would be my preference. But no dual, no bigger sensor or same pixel size with higher res. Instead smaller sensor..??? Seriously!?
                  No headphone jack.

                  Phones offering less and less and wanting upwards of 800-1k!?

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • krW
                    • 05 Oct 2017

                    Oathbreaker, 05 Oct 2017Go to Best Buy and get the iPhone SE for $150 (AT&T GoP... more Or get a note 4 asst that rate. Get the exynos for that much or a unlocked Verizon one for like 100-120.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-463101
                      • Lax
                      • 05 Oct 2017

                      Man those are some damn ugly phones....

                        My mates Pixel from last year is stunning. Matter of fact i could not believe how good the images were when on Skype overseas. This year, the sensor is smaller but Google have created their own additional processor with brilliant results.

                        If you watch the actual launch and the detail about what they have done, it is a further improvement. https://www.gsmarena.com/video_tunein_to_googles_pixel_2_even_right_here-news-27552.php

                        They are developing an outstanding eco system across multi platforms and applications and looks collectively classy and superb quality. Those engineers and open minded, entrepreneurial thinkers are doing a great job in my opinion. No wonder the share values are premium. what we saw yesterday on the launch was mind blowing.
                        Credit where due. well done.

                          Go to Best Buy and get the iPhone SE for $150 (AT&T GoPhone). Pay for an unlock service for $100 that guarantees an unlock and mandatory reset which forces you to update the software. You get used to the tiny keyboard like it's 2007-2013 all over again. Don't waste your money and time with these newer phones that cost $700-$1000. The best stuff come cheaper if you look hard enough.

                          My T-Mobile sim is now working on my SE and it works like a dream. Best iPhone ever made inside/out. Space gray iPhone 5s/SE is the only iPhone design I ever liked next to the original iPhone. I don't like glass rears or white fronts. Skip the X. 130M will be sold in two years. Everyone will eventually own the same iPhone as you.

                          MacBook Air = iPhone SE
                          Entry-level
                          Longest battery life
                          Still a great design

                            AnonD-684709, 05 Oct 2017Fully agree. Google wants to get the "Ugliest smartphone 20... moreYeah! The back is really weird and doesn't hold up to the Pixel 1 's back, also where is "really blue"? I don't like "fade blue"............
                            Ok my comment is a bit pointless but i had to comment to say you sir's sense of humour is good! the Pixep 2 is like 2013 all over agian (lels google is nostalgic ;))

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • Isj
                              • 05 Oct 2017

                              $1300 in Canada outright... Yes it has very good specs but $1300? No chance for me...I hope the oneplus6 is at least affordable next year...

                                Is it just me or the camera samples look nowhere like flagship? And this got 98 in DxO?, will wait for review

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-684709
                                  • gBc
                                  • 05 Oct 2017

                                  Anonymous, 05 Oct 2017Google are the new apple,putting very little upgrades to la... moreAbsolutely true, Google tries to pull an Apple here with the minimal micro updates, ludicrous pricing, and removing the headphone jack on top of that.
                                  It's just that they fail hard in trying this. Despite that horrible notch on the iPhone X, it's not half as ugly as the Pixel phones, especially from the back, which is beyond ugly on the Pixel phones.

                                  "How's that for a year of progress?"
                                  What progress? Removing the headphone jack definitely isn't progress.

                                  "we have to say we like the stormtrooper look of the black and white 2 XL"
                                  Excuse me, but have you ever seen a single stormtooper? Apparently not. Stormtroopers are entirely white. Darth Vader is entirely black. There is no ugly mix between white and black as here.
                                  If the Pixel phones resemble anything from Star Wars, it would be Jar Jar Binks.

                                  About the camera, it took a clear turn for the worse. As someone else already wrote:
                                  "Camera samples look worse than Nexus 5x (with HDR+ On) or Pixel. Especially the new lens seems to be worse and does not seem to handle harsh light very well. Also a bad decision to use a 20% smaller sensor."

                                  Google: "Hey, let's put in a cheaper camera with a smaller sensor, so we can make more profit. The pics will look clearly worse than on a Nexus 5x, but we'll just buy a good review from DxO to make up for that."

                                    • S
                                    • Sesto
                                    • m%}
                                    • 05 Oct 2017

                                    Levy, 04 Oct 2017The Pixel 2 XL is one of the better looking phones around, ... moreYou don't know why?
                                    Just use your head to think...
                                    Have you seen any manufacturer with a 5" 18:9 display?
                                    If there is none, do you think they would create a 18:9 display just for Google pixel? A device that would hardly (and I Focus HARDLY) sell 1 million devices?
                                    You have any idea how much money is needed for mass production of a screen like that?
                                    No company in the world would even think in producing something that would bring them TERRIBLE losses in investment...
                                    Once the big ones start producing such a display (Samsung, LG displays, JDI) you can expect such a device to appear (5" 18:9 displays)

                                      • H
                                      • Heskel
                                      • nWt
                                      • 05 Oct 2017

                                      its ugly AND expensive. no thanks

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • FYI
                                        • 05 Oct 2017

                                        Anonymous, 05 Oct 2017by seeing this phone ahm ahm by google i must say Samsung i... moreAbsolutely agree, and I’m ordering my s8 too.