Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL share many of the same key features and specifications as previous Pixel phones. Both phones have Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 4 GB RAM. Both smartphones will be available in 64 GB and 128 GB storage. Like the original Pixel phones, the new Pixel smartphones also do not support expandable storage. Both phones come with IP67 rating which means they will be protected from water and dust particles. Stereo speakers are also provided. Both the phones are made of aluminum unibody and have a fingerprint sensor on the rear. Both phones run on Android 8 Oreo and are guaranteed to get updates for a long time. There’s also a new feature called Active Edge which is similar to the HTC U11’s ‘squeeze’ gesture and will also activate Google Assistant.
After using both phones for a short time, we found that the Pixel 2 is better designed for everyday use. While the XL variant is for those who want to show off. Because the Pixel 2 has a 16:9 aspect ratio Full HD screen while the XL variant has an 18:9 QuadHD+ panel. The Pixel 2 is easy to hold in the hand and feels light. The colors from its 5 inch Full HD OLED panel are well saturated. On the other hand, the Pixel 2 XL has a 6-inch POLED display, which allows Google to give a curved design to the edges of the device. This device also produces and saturates good colors.
Since both the devices have OLED panels, and also always-on display and now playing features. With the help of Google’s AI capability, this feature identifies the song playing in the background and for this you will not even need any internet connection. We’re told that Google stores an on-device library that contains 10,000 songs.
The buttons are well placed in both smartphones, although in the XL variant it takes some effort to reach the buttons. The phone has a USB Type-C port at the bottom and a SIM tray is provided on the left side in both the phones. The phone doesn’t have a headphone socket which is disappointing.
In the new variant, some changes have been made in the software along with the new home screen. At the top you’ll find a snippet of your daily work. Apart from this, reminders and appointments can also be seen from the calendar. The Google search box has been moved down, making it easier to access than before. You will still see Google Search by swiping between home screens.
Google Pixel and Pixel XL proved to be the best phones launched last year. And the same is true with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. These new smartphones scored 98 in DxOMark and beat iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Both these smartphones had achieved 94 points. This is a big achievement compared to the original Pixel phones. Google has given single camera in these phones. Google had informed us that the camera has a combination of hardware and AI or machine learning. Which has helped the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL achieve this feat. Both phones have a 12.2-megapixel sensor with wide aperture F/1.8 and optical image stabilization. During video recording, the phone uses a combination of OIS and EIS. While playing the phone, we saw that the phone supports 4K at 30 frames per second whereas the iPhone 8 supports 4K at 60 frames per second.
We also tried out the single-camera portrait mode, and it works for both the front and rear cameras. According to Google, machine learning has been used with the dual-pixel sensor, which creates a depth map and makes the subject stand out from its background. The results look very attractive even in the absence of a second camera. We couldn’t use the camera much but we will give our final verdict about it in the detailed review.
In India, Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones will be available for purchase from November. The price of 64 GB and 128 GB storage of Pixel 2 will start at Rs 61,000 and Rs 73,000 respectively. Whereas the price of 64 GB storage of Pixel 2 XL starts from Rs 73,000. And the price is attractive. Google can give tough competition with these new phones in a market dominated by Samsung and Apple. Especially when the first generation Pixel smartphone did not touch huge sales figures. “We’ve learned a lot with Pixel phones in India, and we’re increasing our marketing investments,” Google told Gadgets 360.
This means that Google will also consider offline channels as an option. Because in India the phone is Rs 20,000 more expensive than in America. However, how much this decision will be in favor of Google will be known only in the coming time. The new phone looks good but how it performs in comparison to the flagship smartphones of Apple and Samsung, we will tell you about it in the upcoming full review. Will tell.