14 DAY TRIAL // Google has just introduced its new-generation Pixel smartphones which come to compete against the iPhone 8 (and the iPhone X) and Samsung’s S series of flagship models.
Called Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, the two new models are upgraded iterations of the 2016 smartphones, coming with more or less substantial design overhauls and better hardware.
In terms of looks, the two Pixel phones don’t go for an approach that’s as dramatic as the one of the iPhone X or the Samsung Galaxy S8, and they clearly stick with the design language that Google introduced with the 2016 generation.
The small Pixel 2 comes with a 5-inch OLED display and lacks a headphone jack, just like the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8 – this is a decision that has attracted lots of criticism lately, especially given that Google was one of the most vocal companies when it comes to badmouthing Apple for removing the 3.5mm audio connector last year.
The Pixel 2 is manufactured by HTC and will be available with almost the same bezels as the previous model, with Google to offer it in black, white, and blue. It features stereo speakers and Google promises a truly unique audio experience.
The Google Pixel 2 XL is the one that’s bringing bigger changes in terms of design, and just like it happens with the iPhone model where the Plus model is getting exclusive features, it comes with goodies that aren’t available on the smaller sibling.
Instead of a 5.5-inch screen, the Google Pixel 2 XL features a 6-inch panel with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The phone, however, has nearly the same dimensions as the Google Pixel XL, and this is possible thanks to substantially reduced bezels at the top and bottom. The phone will be offered in black and a combination of black and white that features an orange power button.
Hardware specs
In addition to what we detailed above, the Pixel 2 lineup is powered by the Snapdragon 835 processor paired with 4GB RAM. There are 64GB and 128GB storage versions for the two models and stereo speakers available on both of them.
The Google Pixel 2’s 5-inch display has 1920x1080 px resolution, while the Pixel 2 XL’s 6-inch panel boasts 2880x1400 pixel resolution with 538 ppi. The smaller model will come with a 2700 mAh battery, while the XL will be upgraded to 3520 mAh. Neither feature a headphone jack or microSD card support.
The Pixel 2 lineup also borrows squeezable edges from the HTC U11, now called Active Edge, which allows users to launch a certain feature by simply squeezing the two edge of the lower body. By default, this feature will launch Google Assistant.
We’ve kept the cameras for last. Google has improved the 12-megapixel camera to provide absolutely the best performance at the moment, and the company says that it manages to beat both the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus by 4 points in DxO testings with a score of 98 points.
The Google Pixel 2 will become available on October 19 and pricing will start at $649 for the 64GB version and $749 for the $128 GB model. The Pixel 2 XL will be even more expensive, as it’ll cost $849 with 64GB storage and $949 with 128GB storage. Shipping will start on November 15, but pre-orders kick off today.
