Google has arrived! This is what I feel after having the first look of its flagship phones Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. For the last couple of years, Apple has ruled the smartphone arena, especially after the launch of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, Google seems to have challenged the authority of Apple with Pixel 2 and 2 XL phones. It was a herculean task for any industry expert to differentiate one phone from another as most phones look similar in materials, camera, ports, and bezels. Google has changed this perception with its first generation of Pixel phones; the second edition is more remarkable. To see the difference, you need to check Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL features and specifications.
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Features, Specifications, and Price
Basics
Both phones look similar except for the size, screen type, battery capacity, and the external design. You will find striking similarity in cameras, processors, and dual-speakers.
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL boast OLED screens, which are manufactured by different makers. According to Rick Osterloh, hardware chief of Google, “Screens have so many dimensions: brightness, colour gamut, quality, contrast ratio. We will be strong in every dimension – certainly competitive in every dimension – and leading in many.” Users can keep the screen ‘always-on’ or they can choose the time.
Google has also ditched the headphone jack in Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones; like Apple’s AirPods, Google brings Pixel Buds that directly talk to the Google Assistant. And the buds are equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5 technology.
Among other not-so-surprising features, there is standard Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, OLED screens, 12-MP rear camera and 8MP front camera.
Design
Google has never tried to impress consumers with flashy designs. Only the discerning users with greater level of judgment would appreciate Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones. So you won’t find curved screens, notches for face-detecting cameras, the chrome and the glitz. The overall bling effect is missing here, but you will like the practical benefits of simple design.
By discarding shine and curves, Google has created tremendous opportunity for aluminium to speak about grip and practical option. However, Google has left some scope to impress users with noteworthy design elements. The aluminium body of XL doesn’t have any visible antenna lines. The best thing is that there is no camera bump more than just a raised edge near the lens.
One of the glaring features of Pixel XL body is the aluminium finish, which looks like plastic and not metal. When you hold the phone in your hands, you need to double-check if the phone is cool like metal should be. Bezels give the phone strong grip and they hide antenna lines; the aluminium finish confirms that Google doesn’t want to enter wireless charging domain.
Camera
If you check the official Google Pixel 2 page, you will be surprised to know that camera feature is given prominence. To be precise, Google itself wants to highlight Pixel 2’s camera feature on its official communication. Google has yet not accepted dual lenses feature in camera; moreover, the camera doesn’t bump out of the body like Apple’s iPhone’s camera. Instead, Google chooses to pair the camera with a lot of innovations.
Like Apple, Google has also introduced portrait mode on its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones. The low light, video stabilization, motion photos, and augmented reality stickers are other notable features added to the camera.
Software
Squeeze the sides of Pixel 2 and you can launch Google Assistant. Perhaps this is the biggest change in Google software, though people call it gimmick. The Active Edge can perform a useful function; you can silence your phone when it is ringing. With squeeze, you need some practice as it may take time to understand that a quick squeeze is better than a death grip.
Price
The phones will be available on October 19, 2017. You can place your pre-order today and it will be shipped by October 19 in the United States. In other countries, the phones will be shipped in late October.
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 Price in India
Pixel 2 64GB Price: ₹61,000
Pixel 2 128GB Price: ₹70,000
Pixel 2 XL 64GB Price: ₹73,000
Pixel 2 XL 128 GB Price: ₹82,000
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 Price in USA
Pixel 2 64GB Price: $649
Pixel 2 128GB Price: $749
Pixel 2 XL 64GB Price: $849
Pixel 2 XL 128 GB Price: $949
Full Specifications of Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
| Google Pixel 2 | Google Pixel 2 XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 8.0 with Google UI | Android 8.0 with Google UI |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5-inch 1920×1080 AMOLED Gorilla Glass 5 2.5D glass, 441ppi 95% DCI-P3 color space |
6-inch 2880×1440 pOLED Gorilla Glass 5 3D glass, 538ppi 100% DCI-P3 color space |
| Rear Camera | 12.2MP f/1.8 1.4μm pixels OIS, EIS PDAF, LDAF |
12.2MP f/1.8 1.4μm pixels OIS, EIS PDAF, LDAF |
| Front camera | 8MP, 1.4μm pixels f/2.4, fixed focus |
8MP, 1.4μm pixels f/2.4, fixed focus |
| Video capture | 4K @30fps, 1080p @120fps, 720p @240fps | 4K @30fps, 1080p @120fps, 720p @240fps |
| Battery | 2700 mAh Non-removable |
3520 mAh Non-removable |
| Charging | USB-PD, 18W rapid Charging | USB-PD, 18W rapid Charging |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0 | USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes, on rear | Yes, on rear |
| Additional features | Active Edge sides, eSIM | Active Edge sides, eSIM |
| Storage | 64 / 128GB | 64 / 128GB |
| Water resistance | Yes, IP67 | Yes, IP67 |
| Colors | Kinda Blue, Just Black, Clearly White | Black & White, Just Black |
| Security updates | 3 years | 3 years |
| Platform updates | 3 years | 3 years |
| Dimensions | 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 143 g | 175 g |
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Where to Buy the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Pre-Order Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 from Google Store
Pre-Order Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 from Best Buy
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