Introduction
The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are finally in our office and we've already spent some time getting acquainted with them. We've also been conducting our in-house review of both devices, but we're here to give you a sneak peek at Google's new Pixel devices as well as some general information surrounding the purebreds.
One thing that might need clarification is that both Pixel 2 phones support certain networks with a built-in eSIM. This does not mean the phones don't come with a standard nanoSIM slot. In fact, at this point Google's Project Fi network in the United States is the only network that will provide service using the phone's built-in eSIM.
Now that that's out of the way, if you recall last year, Google priced the Pixel and Pixel XL exactly like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in the US. This time, however, Google has undercut the iPhone 8's $699 tag with the Google Pixel 2's $649 (same as the original Pixel's launch price) while aiming higher than the iPhone 8 Plus' $799 price with the Google Pixel 2 XL, which is priced at $849.
That means that the premium for the higher res, taller, and larger display, larger battery is $200. Considering that not even the iPhone 8 Plus is going for that much, Google is very confident that its new devices are ready to fight it out with the best out there.
Verizon is still the "exclusive" carrier of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in the US, but T-Mobile has already offered to credit Pixel 2 Buyers up to $325 via statement credits like it did with the Pixel last year. FYI, the phone will be sold unlocked in the US for all carriers.
But now, let's take a closer look at the Google Pixel 2 XL. We're going to compare it to a few other devices that are already on the market.
Hardware comparison
Google sent us a Clearly White Pixel 2 and a Just Black Pixel 2 XL. We really enjoy the finish on the Just Black 2 XL, it is actually different than the white finish on the Pixel 2 - coarser and feels more "powdery" if that makes sense. Both are matte finishes and do a good job of keeping fingerprints at bay.
We enjoy the overall design of the Pixel 2 XL. It's refined over the previous model, whose camera "window" was met with mixed reactions. This time, though, the overall design has been refined and the glass lifts up past the frame, so it's got a wider appeal.
The lack of antenna lines makes it look cleaner since there are not as many seams, but unfortunately there's no wireless charging despite the use of glass.
The Google Pixel 2 XL has a display identical to the LG V30. While the Pixel 2 XL is a teeny bit wider than the V30 and somewhat taller the differences aren't major. And the larger bezels were needed to accommodate the Pixel 2 XL's loud stereo speakers, which the V30 does not have.
Google Pixel 2 XL and LG V30
Here is the Google Pixel 2 XL next to its little sibling, the Google Pixel 2. The smaller phone does not feature the same 18:9 aspect ratio display that we see on the 2 XL, which is a pity since it looks like Pixel 2's body was built for a taller display than it was outfitted with.
Google Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 2
Comparing the Pixel 2 XL to the Samsung's Galaxy Note8 we find they are very similarly sized, but the Galaxy Note8's footprint is more efficiently used up as it houses a larger 6.3-inch display. The Samsung has an even wider 18.5:9 aspect ratio, but even so, the Note8 has much slimmer side bezels because of the dual-edge display.
Google Pixel 2 XL and Galaxy Note8
When we see the Google Pixel 2 XL next to the original Pixel XL, we realize Google did a good job of fitting a larger display and dual stereo speakers into a footprint very similar to the previous model.
One major difference is that the Pixel 2 XL has a camera hump while the Pixel XL didn't have one. Then again, the Pixel 2 XL has OIS and a brighter lens.
Next up is performance, let's take a look at whether Android 8.0 Oreo affected the performance yielded out of the Snapdragon 835 chip.
Google Pixel 2 XL performance
Performance on the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is in line with other smartphone powered by the same processor. In fact, the Google Pixel devices performed right around the middle of the Snapdragon 835-powered gang, only heavily beat by the iPhone 8 duo, with the necessary disclaimer that benchmark results aren't meant to be compared across platforms.
Similar to the first Google Pixel last year, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are receiving the latest Qualcomm processor months after other phone makers have adopted it into their flagship models.
Still, Google's ultimate goal is to provide the smoothest and most consistent Android experience, centered around Google's apps and services, even if that CPU doesn't rank the phone #1 in benchmark scores.
In terms of benchmarks, there's not much to say. Phones with the same chipsets tend to score around the same and results are within tight margins. You only really see scores drift further apart when they involve Apple's A11 Bionic chip or the Exynos-powered Samsung devices.
GeekBench 4.1 (multi-core)
Higher is better
- Apple iPhone 8
10214 - Apple iPhone 8 Plus
10037 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
6784 - Samsung Galaxy S8
6656 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
6629 - OnePlus 5
6604 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
6590 - Google Pixel 2
6437 - Google Pixel 2 XL
6428 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
6301 - LG V30 (non-final)
6151 - Apple iPhone 7 Plus
5956 - Apple iPhone 7
5831
GeekBench 4.1 (single-core)
Higher is better
- Apple iPhone 8
4234 - Apple iPhone 8 Plus
4232 - Apple iPhone 7 Plus
3503 - Apple iPhone 7
3459 - Samsung Galaxy S8
1991 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
1987 - OnePlus 5
1932 - Google Pixel 2 XL
1915 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
1915 - Google Pixel 2
1912 - LG V30 (non-final)
1904 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
1862 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
1832
AnTuTu 6
Higher is better
- Apple iPhone 8
202645 - Apple iPhone 8 Plus
188766 - OnePlus 5
180331 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
178674 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
175153 - Apple iPhone 7 Plus
174987 - Apple iPhone 7
174532 - Samsung Galaxy S8
174435 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
172425 - Google Pixel 2 XL
170407 - Google Pixel 2
168648 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
168133 - OnePlus 3T
165097 - Google Pixel XL
141186 - Huawei P10 Plus
126252
GFX 3.0 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)
Higher is better
- Apple iPhone 8
85 - Apple iPhone 8 Plus
85 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
63 - Google Pixel 2 XL
61 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
61 - Apple iPhone 7
61 - Google Pixel 2
60 - OnePlus 5
60 - Apple iPhone 7 Plus
60 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
57 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
51 - Samsung Galaxy S8
50 - OnePlus 3T
49 - Google Pixel XL
47 - Huawei P10 Plus
28
GFX 3.0 Manhattan (onscreen)
Higher is better
- Apple iPhone 8
60 - Apple iPhone 7
60 - Apple iPhone 8 Plus
59 - Google Pixel 2
56 - OnePlus 5
56 - Apple iPhone 7 Plus
56 - OnePlus 3T
48 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
42 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
40 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
37 - Google Pixel 2 XL
36 - Samsung Galaxy S8
36 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
34 - Google Pixel XL
19
GFX 3.1 Car scene (1080p offscreen)
Higher is better
- Google Pixel 2 XL
25 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
25 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
25 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
25 - Samsung Galaxy S8
25 - Google Pixel 2
24 - OnePlus 5
24 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
23 - OnePlus 3T
20 - Google Pixel XL
19 - Huawei P10 Plus
12
GFX 3.1 Car scene (onscreen)
Higher is better
- Google Pixel 2
26 - OnePlus 5
24 - OnePlus 3T
20 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
15 - Google Pixel 2 XL
13 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
13 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
13 - Samsung Galaxy S8
13 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
12 - Google Pixel XL
11 - Huawei P10 Plus
9
Basemark X
Higher is better
- Samsung Galaxy S8
42370 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
40890 - Google Pixel 2 XL
39143 - OnePlus 5
38844 - Google Pixel 2
38794 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
38615 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
37211 - OnePlus 3T
36958 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
34951 - LG V30 (non-final)
33719 - Google Pixel XL
30861 - Huawei P10 Plus
30602
Basemark OS 2.0
Higher is better
- Apple iPhone 8
3934 - Apple iPhone 7 Plus
3796 - Motorola Moto Z2 Force
3609 - Apple iPhone 8 Plus
3601 - OnePlus 5
3601 - Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SD 835)
3424 - Apple iPhone 7
3416 - Google Pixel 2
3387 - Google Pixel 2 XL
3379 - Samsung Galaxy S8
3376 - Samsung Galaxy Note8
3333 - Samsung Galaxy S8+ (SD 835)
3319 - Huawei P10 Plus
2940 - OnePlus 3T
2678 - Google Pixel XL
2281
12MP camera with hardware upgrades
The Pixel 2 XL is equipped with a 12 MP sensor, just like its predecessor. However, the new camera has optical image stabilization, which was absent from the Pixel's hardware last year. The other improvement is the wider f/1.8 aperture over last year's f/2.0. On the other hand sensor size has shrunk from 1./2.3" to 1/2.6" so it's interesting to see how things balance out at the end.
Google has even added a portrait mode that does not require a second camera sensor and it even works with the front-facing cameras so you can take selfie portrait shots.
The Google Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 2 both use the same camera hardware and software algorithm. So regardless of which device you go with, you'd be getting the same image quality.
We took the Google Pixel 2 XL around town this weekend to take some photos with it and we are impressed so far. Still, Google may push an update to the cameras between the time the phone goes on sale and the time we can get our full review published, so we'll reserve our final judgement until then.
For now, we can say that all photos taken with the Pixel 2 XL are very rich in detail. Colors are accurately reproduced, though not too vibrant. HDR+ does an excellent job of preserving details that would otherwise be lost in mild shadows or blown out in highlights.
Pixel 2 XL sample photos
We also took some portrait shots with the Pixel 2 XL - the feature works well on most occasions. We've also included the non-portrait photo so you can see how the edges were detected. The first setupwas challenging for the camera since our subject was sitting under a tree with a brighter backdrop, but the Pixel 2 XL pulled it off.
Portrait shot 1: with blur • without blur
Portrait shot 2: with blur • without blur
Here's a sample of the selfie portrait, as well as the full selfie shot. Just like the main camera, using portrait shot will crop the frame in a bit. We do have to wonder what's going on behind the scenes there.
There's plenty of detail in the front-facing camera. Perhaps a bit too much detail for those who like to take vanity selfies. Take a look at the portrait selfie and compare it to the one without blur. Here's an example of portrait mode not synthesizing edges well. The edges overlap parts of the hair and glasses. Regardless, the portrait still looks worthy of posting up, and you can only see the defective edges if you compare it to the original.
Selfie: Regular • Portrait • Portrait without blur
It's pretty difficult to produce realistic bokeh in software alone and harder still if you only have one camera. So we have to give kudos to Google for the portrait shot, which worked well more often than not. A general rule of thumb is to take portraits of yourself or your friends against a contrasting background.
Wrap-up and first impressions
The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are here with a faster Snapdragon 835 CPU built on a more efficient 10nm process. While RAM stays the same, storage now starts at 64GB for both models, which pairs very nicely with Google's unlimited photo and video storage via Google Photos.
We enjoy the new exterior as well. More simplistic and streamlined than last year's Pixel XL it's certainly more pleasing to look at. There are no more unsightly antenna lines around the back of the phone, although there are still traces of antenna "chips" around the display bezel of the Pixel 2.
The back reminds us of the LG-made Nexus 5 crossed with the Google Pixel's rear glass window. Actually, now that we mention it, the rough matte finish reminds us of the matte black finish of the Black Nexus 5. Alright, that's enough reminiscing.
Active Edge may feel gimmicky, but we feel it was designed to get more people to use Google Assistant. It works just as well as the HTC U11's Edge Sense feature, except without the extensive customizability - it may only be used to summon Google Assistant. Many have compared it to the Bixby button when Samsung first launched the S8 due to the lack of customizability, but the key difference here is Google offers the option to disable the feature out of the box.
We are content with the images the camera was able to capture. Even so, we're confident that if we took the same photos with last year's Google Pixel, they would have looked almost as good. We'll definitely get a hold of a first-gen Pixel XL for the full review to see how much of an improvement can be seen with the Pixel 2 XL's camera over the Pixel XL.
Android Oreo is very nice too. Version 8.0 doesn't feel as barebones as it did with the first iteration of the Pixel, which goes to show that Google's OS and the Pixel hardware line are maturing well on their own.
That maturity really matters, especially when the asking price is as steep as the Google Pixel 2 XL's is. Without a doubt, there is no shortage of smartphones that you can get for much less than $850. But we still have to put the Pixel 2 XL (and the Pixel 2) through our thorough review process before we can decide if you are getting your money's worth or if this it yet another device squarely aimed at die-hard fans and with limited appeal elsewhere.
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