Google Pixel 2 XL long-term review

03 January 2018
This long-term review is going to take a deeper dive into what it’s like to actually live with the Pixel 2 XL, as the main and only phone, for a few weeks (three, to be precise). We’ll try to answer the questions you might have about the device, regarding things that aren’t covered in our proper review. For example, can you actually get used to that screen? Learn to enjoy it even? Is the Pixel 2 XL a huge improvement over its predecessor? Does it really take such amazing pictures? (OK, so you probably know the answer to the last one). We’ll also cover how easy it is to set up and let you know about any niggles and issues we’ve encountered in day to day use. Let’s jump in and find out if the Pixel 2 XL really is worth your hard earned cash.

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Kudos for the new section. We wish to see many more.

    ...expected long-term 4K recording times. 10 minutes, 30 or hour? What about how camera takes toll on battery when taking photos/videos. Phone may looks godly if described without that info. Guess why are xperias still so popular(battery saving camera, 1hour+ of 4K).

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      • Nick
      • m2D
      • 04 Jan 2018

      That's a good idea to have long term reviews.
      Sometimes (always?) long term subjective point of view is very important even more important than initial review. I always check "opinions" section for a phone before buying it!
      Maybe it could be more "personalized", more subjective, non-official, like you did with "Best/worst phones of 2017". Or if everybody hates color shift, then you can tell that the majority of us does not like it.
      If phone scratches easy? If phone is slippery? Is it a problem? Is button placement ok?
      Again "smoothness" is very important!
      Please do more long-term videos.
      Thanks

        Nice idea but atleast wait for around 6-7 months thats when a phone usually start to degrade

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          • AnonD-368020
          • rAR
          • 04 Jan 2018

          "leave pixel alone" and he cries his heart out.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • j5$
            • 04 Jan 2018

            NoWay, 04 Jan 2018At around $1000, the blue shift is not blown out of proport... moreYes it is. This has been covered, well, by xda. The issue is one of tradeoffs.

              Wahevah, 04 Jan 2018Huawei makes good quality devices, the latest 10 series loo... moreAgreed with Huawei, it's different class to OnePlus, but they charging more...

              Mate 10 pro is more expensive than U11+ wow!

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                • handyfan
                • 0xb
                • 04 Jan 2018

                just read your article. I own this phone and have used it for a few weeks.
                1. display: I have no complaint. You can manually set it very low and save lots of battery and still see it well. No problem with blue tint or burn in. I think that this is exaggerated by the internet. The competition has become so strong and so has the fight for the market.
                2. battery life: very good. phantastic standby. Mine with moderate use lasts me up to 2 days. Definitely 1 and 1/2 days.
                Fingerprint scanner: I cannot understand the problems of hit and miss sometimes mentioned in this article. Mine works smoothless, always in first attempt..
                Using the 18:9 ratio. To use the full screen for example in youtube or pictures, use your 2 fingers to adjust screen. I am sure that google will find a better solution in the future as this screen format is relatively new and has to establish itself. I personally still like the 16:9 5.5. inch screen and hope that not every manufacturer will jump on this 18:9 bandwagon.
                Smoothness: I can confirm that this phone is very smooth but as I also own the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. I have to say in fairness that the Sony phone is just as fast and smooth and has currently the best IPS screen even beating HTC.
                I am very happy with my google pixel 2 xl . As I use a Spigen transparent back cover, I do not experience accidental touching of the screen as described here.

                  • W
                  • Wahevah
                  • rKH
                  • 04 Jan 2018

                  Rafe Firman, 04 Jan 2018I really don't understand so many people kissing chinese OP... moreHuawei makes good quality devices, the latest 10 series looks and feels pretty good actually

                    Seems like GSMArena is changing every day. I personally like this feature. It is like an experienced review of a phone when it is used everyday.

                      Anonymous, 03 Jan 2018The very fact that gsmarena had to address and acknowledge ... moreI really don't understand so many people kissing chinese OP phones.
                      Really2 don't...What's the fuss all about?!

                      Beside cheap price and fast update (Oreo has been cancelled for OP5),
                      there's nothing to write home about its quality: cheap chinese design, lacklustre audio,
                      and most crucial, crappy camera compared to Samsung, HTC or Pixel .
                      All three more expensive than OP but you get quality, instead of so called value, for money!

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • PEM
                        • 04 Jan 2018

                        Display issues blown out of proportion by internet?? really GSMARENA?? No one will complain, or learn to live with it, if they are paying as much as cheap chinese phones..If you are paying as much as a S8/Note8, iPhoneX , you expect the display is atleast half decent as the competition. I know this is your perception, but you cannot advocate mediocrity of LG and Google through this article.

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                          • NoWay
                          • 4Yj
                          • 04 Jan 2018

                          At around $1000, the blue shift is not blown out of proportion.
                          I only wish you reviewers were not so biased. You guys use a phone for a couple of weeks and then move on, why should you care specially that you do not pay for your units?

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 6ck
                            • 04 Jan 2018

                            this solidify my view on phone camera, pro control are useless. If your auto mode really great, people will just use that. lets safe pro for Pro camera

                              • Z
                              • ZXcorr
                              • PN8
                              • 04 Jan 2018

                              Three mere weeks. That's not long term.

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                                • AnonD-26314
                                • bx9
                                • 04 Jan 2018

                                Not true for the WiFi networks, I transferred via USB c from my LG g5 and it didn't remember a single WiFi point. Please don't post false information in your articles.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-80616
                                  • fsT
                                  • 04 Jan 2018

                                  I did not enjoy the format of this article. Articles like this should tell us how a device holds up after some time and I believe three weeks is a short time to subjectively use and know about a phone. I suggest it should be after six months to give us these articles.
                                  What would be really appreciated is that, you can borrow someone’s else’s phone which has been used for that long. A phone like that has amassed enough clutter to be a better gauge of its worth.
                                  A long term review shoub be that - one which lets us if a phone is really worth it to those who have held back purchasing one.

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                                    • Conan
                                    • thh
                                    • 04 Jan 2018

                                    "Reboot once a month"? Haha good luck with that!

                                      • L
                                      • Lee Lawrence
                                      • BjM
                                      • 04 Jan 2018

                                      Fantastic idea, interesting read. Note 8 next please

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-669286
                                        • YiJ
                                        • 04 Jan 2018

                                        Apple's phones are boring in my opinion. With all the icons all over the screen. Lack of customization. They are for those people who just want a status device and not a real device. Apple's phones aren't innovative by any means. They are uninspiring and thoughtless. Sure they are "faster" because Apple makes their own chips for their phones and they are optimized for their phones. Qualcomm, etc makes chips that most other manufactures use for their phones and they aren't optimized for a specific phone. Apple isn't a innovator anymore, they just crank out junk for the masses.

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