Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL hands-on

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Introduction

Google acquired the HTC team that built the new Pixel 2 - let's see what the search giant bought for a billion dollars. Strangely enough, the smaller of the two devices hasn't changed much, but the larger Pixel 2 XL is much more in step with modern flagships.

First things first, let's check what's new. Google upgraded to the flagship-standard Snapdragon 835 chipset, and the phones run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. The screens are AMOLEDs with pixel densities identical to their predecessors, but there are stereo speakers above and below now. The headphone jack is dead, however.

The new Pixels do not feature dual cameras - Google believes it can keep its edge with just one (it was always about that HDR+ processing anyway). Optical Image Stabilization is a nice addition to the feature set (the old EIS lives on too).

We're glad to see  stereo speakers back, but other old Nexus features remain absent - wireless charging and high-grade water resistance.

Google Pixel 2: Just Black • Clearly White • Kinda Blue

Google Pixel 2

So that's the Google Pixel 2 for you. It has a 5" 1080p AMOLED, a new chipset and not a great deal more. Well, outside of HTC's squeezable feature, this time tied to Google Assistant.

Google Pixel 2 at a glance:

• Body: metal and glass; IP67 dust and water resistant
• Screen: 5" AMOLED, 1080p resolution (441ppi); Always On Display; Gorilla Glass
• Camera: 12MP 1/2.6" sensor; f/1.8 aperture; OIS and Dual Pixel AF
• Video: 4K recording
• OS: Android 8.0 Oreo
• Platform: Snapdragon 835 chipset; octa-core CPU (Kryo 280); Adreno 540 GPU
• Memory: 4GB of RAM; 64GB or 128GB storage (non-expandable)
• Battery: 2,700mAh (sealed); USB Power Delivery
• Misc: Active Edge, stereo speakers, fingerprint reader
• Price: $650 / €800 / £630 (available October 17)

Google Pixel 2 XL: Just Black • Black & White

Google Pixel 2 XL

The Google Pixel 2 XL did see a redesign - those heavy top and bottom bezels have been shaved down to more manageable levels. Not quite bezel-less, but the new XL is part of the 18:9 screen crew. This handset was built by LG, perhaps it reminds you of a certain other Fall flagship?

Google Pixel 2 XL at a glance:

• Body: metal and glass; IP67 dust and water resistant
• Screen: 6" AMOLED 18:9, QHD+ resolution (537ppi); Always On Display; Gorilla Glass
• Camera: 12MP 1/2.6" sensor; f/1.8 aperture; OIS and Dual Pixel AF
• Video: 4K recording
• OS: Android 8.0 Oreo
• Platform: Snapdragon 835 chipset; octa-core CPU (Kryo 280); Adreno 540 GPU
• Memory: 4GB of RAM; 64GB or 128GB storage (non-expandable)
• Battery: 3,520mAh (sealed); USB Power Delivery
• Misc: Active Edge, stereo speakers, fingerprint reader
• Price: $850 / €940 / £800 (available in mid November)

How's that for a year of progress? Perhaps fans won't sing songs glorifying the new Pixels, but they do seem like solid devices. We got some alone time with those two, starting with the Pixel 2 XL, which we think is the more interesting device. Here are our thoughts on the matter.

Google Pixel 2 XL hands-on

Google is a software company that rarely dabbles in hardware. Perhaps that is why its apprehensive about using cutting-edge hardware - why use a dual camera when you have dozens of PhDs who can write amazing software like HDR+?

Google Pixel 2 XL

The Pixel 2 XL has the more modern design of the two. Bezels have been the enemy for a while, but it wasn't until wider-than-16:9 screens came around that the current flagship look was perfected - the screen expands vertically, eating up bezels as it goes and ending with rounded corners.

A two-tone design is not new (HTC was doing it in 2015 as a special finish for the One M9), but we have to say we like the stormtrooper look of the black and white 2 XL. The glass window on the back is smaller now, but just as useless. Glass back = wireless charging isn't a rule, but we think it should be.

We do love the finish on the aluminum. It's matte with a sort of rough texture that's very grippy and pleasant to touch. While they weigh the same as their predecessors, the new thinner bodies make the 2017 Pixels feel more svelte.

We love the finish on the aluminum back

But let's keep our focus on the front, it's the side of this Pixel that has changed the most. Despite the wider screen, the engineers found room to fit front-facing stereo speakers - always a boon for heavy media consumers (music and video alike).

The Pixel 2 XL has a P-OLED screen • Same P-OLED as the LG V30

The screen is new as well - still an AMOLED, but 6" now and with QHD+ resolution. That's  1,440 x 2,880px, extra 280 pixels vertically over last year's model. In fact, the new 6" screen is exactly as wide as the old 5.5" screen. The extra height gives you around 11% more screen surface area.

Always On Display

Google also enabled Always On Display, a feature related to the Active display of the Moto X but more refined. Also, the screen has 100% coverage over DCI-P3. We're impressed with the image quality, but there's a slight color shift at an angle (same as the V30).

You could say that the front of the Pixel 2 XL looks like the LG V30, but that's only half right. For one, the bezels are thicker, for another, they house speakers. Obviously the back is wildly different.

Pixel 2 XL next to the Galaxy S8+ and LG V30

The major omission here is the lack of a second camera of any kind. This limits the extra effects that the camera can pull off. A pricey second-generation device shouldn't be missing features the majority of its competitors have.

The camera has a brighter aperture - f/1.8 - but also a smaller sensor - 1.2/6". For comparison, pixel size went down from 1.55µm to 1.4µm. Optical Image Stabilization and Dual Pixel AF are great additions for low-light shooting, however. This in addition to the Laser AF and EIS that were present in the the original Pixels.

Google says the photo and video quality is better than iPhone 8's. Speaking of video, Google could not match Apple in frame rate - you're still getting 4K / 30fps and 1080 / 120fps tops, same as the first-gen Pixel camera. To be fair, neither can the new Galaxy Note8 or LG V30.

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Camera interface • HDR+ control toggle • A minimal camera hump

You can see some camera samples on the next page. We shot them with both phones, but since they have perfectly identical cameras, it doesn't make a huge difference.

The updated camera app offers Motion photos, which capture a 3 second clip. Google's AI smarts analyze the clip to make it loop smoother and to avoid blurry action.

The Pixel 2 XL is not an affordable device, especially in Europe. But it lacks a few things that similarly-priced phones have: wireless charging and a headphone jack. And we get no upsides for those omissions - it's not cheaper, it's not lighter, there's no extra room for a larger battery.

No headphone jacks on the new Pixels • A view from the sides

PS. a dongle to convert USB-C to 3.5mm jack is included in the retail box.

Google Pixel 2 hands-on

"No, I have the new Pixel, it has a smaller glass on the back!" We can already hear ourselves arguing with imaginary friends who think we're using the 2016 Google phone. To be fair to those fictional non-believers, not much has changed besides the chipset?

Google Pixel 2

Google bumped up the base storage to 64GB (up from 32GB), which is nice since we're never getting a microSD slot. And stereo speakers are a nice add-on, you will never hear us say "wish it had just one loudspeaker". We also appreciate the waterproofing.

The display sticks to a 5" AMOLED panel with 1080p resolution. It does add Always On Display functionality and it covers 95% of DCI-P3, but the original Pixel dropped down $100 in price so it's not obvious that the new model is the better pick.

The screen offers great contrast and good color accuracy

If we're sounding too negative, we should make it clear that we think the Pixel 2 is a solid device. But we don't think it's a mass market device, it will sell about as many units as the 2016 model. How many people you know that have one?

Three color options for the Pixel 2

The squeeze feature, Active Edge, is curious, but hardly necessary. It triggers the Google Assistant and it silences alarms. You can enable or disable it when the screen is locked. Still, we've heard what people have to say about the Bixby button, will this really be different?

What impressed us more is Google Lens. It's an exclusive feature at launch (not even the old Pixels have it), though Google will eventually do a wide release. What's Lens? It uses the camera to automatically pull up info for landmarks, objects, famous paintings or even small details like dates or emails. You can trigger Lens from the Google Photos app as well.

The updated Google Camera app

Google has committed to provide software upgrades for 3 years. But HMD said it will update the Nokias to Android P, so that's not that much of an advantage.

Camera samples

Inside photos in a poorly lit room are notoriously hard, but we snapped a few quick shots. Here are photos with the main camera:

Google Pixel 2 photos

We also tried out the improved Portrait mode, first with the main camera:

Google Pixel 2 Portrait mode photos: main camera

And then with the selfie camera:

Google Pixel 2 Portrait mode photos: selfie camera

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