Google Pixel 2 XL Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Hey there! Today, we're going to take a deep dive into the Google Pixel 2 XL. Released on October 17, 2017, this smartphone boasts a range of impressive features, including a 6-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and a 12.2-megapixel camera. But how does it hold up in 2023? That's what we're here to find out. Over the next few sections, we'll be taking a close look at everything this phone has to offer, from its design and build quality to its battery life, camera, and connectivity options. We'll also compare it to similar devices on the market and give you our honest opinion on whether it's worth your money. So, without further ado, let's get started!

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design and build quality, the Google Pixel 2 XL is a sleek and stylish device that is sure to please. The phone features a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. Its dimensions of 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm and weight of 175 g make it comfortable to hold and use, even for extended periods.

The Pixel 2 XL is also IP67 certified, which means that it is dust and water-resistant, making it a great choice for those who are regularly on-the-go or who work in rugged environments. The phone's Gorilla Glass 5 protection helps to ensure that it can withstand the occasional drop or bump without sustaining any significant damage.

One of the standout features of the Pixel 2 XL's design is its 6.0-inch P-OLED display. With a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio, this display is both large and incredibly sharp, making it perfect for streaming video content or browsing the web. The always-on display feature is also a nice touch, as it allows users to quickly check the time or see notifications without having to unlock their device.

Overall, the design and build quality of the Google Pixel 2 XL are top-notch, making it a great choice for anyone who wants a high-quality, premium smartphone that looks and feels great to use.

Display

The Google Pixel 2 XL boasts a stunning 6.0-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels. With a screen-to-body ratio of 76.4%, this device offers a truly immersive viewing experience. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which provides ample resistance against scratches and other physical damage.

The colors on the Pixel 2 XL's display are vivid and accurate, thanks to its OLED technology. Blacks are deep and inky, while whites are bright and clean. The display also features an always-on mode, which displays pertinent information such as the time, date, and notifications, all while conserving battery life.

Outdoor visibility is not a problem with this device, as it offers excellent brightness levels, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the display are also top-notch, allowing for smooth and effortless navigation.

Overall, the display on the Google Pixel 2 XL is one of its standout features. It offers exceptional detail, rich colors, and excellent visibility, making it an ideal choice for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use.

Performance

The Google Pixel 2 XL is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 chipset, an octa-core processor clocking at 4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo and an Adreno 540 GPU. The phone is available in two storage options: 64GB and 128GB, with 4GB of RAM.

The Pixel 2 XL delivers a smooth and fast performance, with no noticeable lags or stutters during multitasking or app usage. The chipset and processor combination offers enough power to handle demanding tasks and run intensive applications without any issues. The phone also delivers an excellent gaming experience, with high-end games running smoothly with no frame drops.

The benchmark scores for the Pixel 2 XL are impressive, with an AnTuTu score of 206711 (v7) and a GeekBench score of 6055 (v4.4). The phone also scored a 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) on GFXBench.

In real-world usage, the Pixel 2 XL performs exceptionally well, with apps opening quickly and running smoothly. The phone also handles multitasking with ease, allowing users to switch between apps smoothly.

Overall, the Pixel 2 XL delivers a top-notch performance, which is expected from a flagship device. The phone's impressive benchmark scores, powerful chipset, and smooth app performance make it a great choice for power users and gamers alike.

Software and User Interface

The Google Pixel 2 XL runs on the Android 8.0 (Oreo) operating system, which can be upgraded to Android 11. The software is user-friendly, with a clean and simple interface that is easy to navigate. The Pixel 2 XL offers a minimalistic experience without any bloatware, giving users the freedom to customize their device as per their preferences. The device offers some unique features, such as the "Active Edge" feature, which allows users to activate Google Assistant by squeezing the sides of the phone.

The Pixel 2 XL also receives regular software updates, making it one of the most secure and up-to-date phones in the market. It also comes with a range of customization options, such as the ability to change the color scheme, icon shape, and font size.

The device also offers a range of pre-installed Google applications, including Google Maps, Google Drive, and Google Photos. These apps are seamlessly integrated into the phone's user interface, making it easy for users to access and use them.

However, some users may find the lack of customization options limiting, as the Pixel 2 XL does not offer the same level of customization as some other Android devices. Additionally, some users may find the lack of headphone jack inconvenient and may require additional accessories to use their wired headphones.

Overall, the software and user interface of the Google Pixel 2 XL offer a user-friendly and secure experience, with regular updates and minimalistic design. While it may not offer the same level of customization as some other Android devices, it is still a great option for those who value simplicity and ease of use.

Camera

The camera on the Google Pixel 2 XL is one of its standout features. The rear camera is a 12.2-megapixel shooter with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4-micron pixel size. It also has dual pixel phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus, as well as optical image stabilization. These features mean that the camera is able to take fantastic photos in all lighting conditions, with excellent detail and accurate colors.

The camera also has a number of features, including HDR and panorama modes, as well as a portrait mode that uses software to create a bokeh effect. Video recording is also impressive, with the ability to shoot 4K at 30fps with electronic image stabilization, or 1080p at 30/60/120fps with gyro-based electronic image stabilization. The front-facing camera is an 8-megapixel shooter with an f/2.4 aperture and 1.4-micron pixel size. It doesn't have as many features as the rear camera, but it's still capable of taking great selfies.

Overall, the camera on the Pixel 2 XL is one of the best on the market, with great hardware and software features that make it a joy to use. It's able to take fantastic photos in all lighting conditions, and the video recording capabilities are also impressive. If you're someone who values a great camera on their smartphone, the Pixel 2 XL is definitely worth considering.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Google Pixel 2 XL offers a variety of connectivity and networking options that make it a versatile device for both personal and professional use. It is compatible with a wide range of cellular networks, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, ensuring that users can stay connected regardless of their location.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Pixel 2 XL supports both Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0, providing fast and reliable connections for data transfer and media streaming. It also supports NFC technology, making it easy for users to make contactless payments and share data with other NFC-enabled devices.

For navigation and location-based services, the Pixel 2 XL features GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO, ensuring that users can accurately track their location and get directions to their destination. Additionally, the phone features a variety of sensors, including a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, making it a highly versatile device for a wide range of applications.

While the Pixel 2 XL does not feature a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, it features a USB Type-C 3.1 port that can be used for charging, data transfer, and audio output. The phone also supports fast charging and can be charged up to 50% in just 30 minutes, making it a highly convenient device for users on the go.

Overall, the Google Pixel 2 XL offers a robust set of connectivity and networking features that make it a versatile and reliable device for a wide range of applications. Whether you need to stay connected to cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, or you need to navigate to your destination or make contactless payments, the Pixel 2 XL has you covered.

Additional Features

The Google Pixel 2 XL comes packed with some impressive additional features that make it stand out from its competitors. Firstly, the phone boasts an IP67 rating, which means that it is water and dust resistant. This is a great feature for those who are often on the go, or who enjoy outdoor activities. Additionally, the phone does not have a traditional headphone jack, but it does come with a USB Type-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter, which means that you can still use your favorite wired headphones. The stereo speakers on the phone are another great addition, providing a great audio experience for music, videos, and calls.

The phone also features Active Edge technology, which allows you to perform certain actions by squeezing the sides of the phone. This can be a handy feature for those who want to quickly launch the Google Assistant or take a screenshot. The camera on the phone is also worth mentioning, as it comes with features such as HDR+ and Google Lens, which allow you to capture stunning photos and recognize objects in real-time.

Overall, the additional features on the Google Pixel 2 XL make it a well-rounded device that offers a lot of value for its price. While some may miss the traditional headphone jack, the phone makes up for it with its water-resistant design, excellent speakers, and innovative features like Active Edge and Google Lens.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Google Pixel 2 XL with other related phones, one that stands out is the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. Both devices have large OLED displays and powerful processors, but the Galaxy S9 Plus offers expandable storage and a headphone jack, which the Pixel 2 XL lacks. Another comparable device is the iPhone X, which also has a large OLED display and impressive camera capabilities. However, the Pixel 2 XL offers more customization options and the latest version of Android, while the iPhone X is limited to iOS. The OnePlus 6T is another device that is often compared to the Pixel 2 XL, with a similar price point and impressive performance. However, the Pixel 2 XL has a better camera and a more refined user interface. Ultimately, the choice between these devices will depend on individual preferences and priorities.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Google Pixel 2 XL is a well-rounded smartphone that delivers a premium user experience. Its sleek and modern design, combined with a durable build, makes it an attractive choice for those seeking a high-end device. The P-OLED display is impressive, offering excellent color accuracy and vibrancy, and the touch sensitivity is responsive and smooth. Its performance is snappy, thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB RAM, and UFS 2.1 storage.

The camera is one of the highlights of the Pixel 2 XL, with its impressive image quality and advanced features such as dual-pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, and 4K video recording. The battery life is decent and the fast charging technology is a convenient feature.

Overall, the Pixel 2 XL is an excellent smartphone that caters to a wide range of user needs. Its only downside is the lack of a headphone jack, but that can be easily offset by using the USB Type-C port or wireless headphones. Therefore, we highly recommend the Google Pixel 2 XL to anyone looking for a top-notch Android smartphone.