Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review (Updated: addressing some issues)

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In many respects, Google’s first-generation Pixel phones were a really good first try at appealing to the masses. They were simple, fast, and had wonderful cameras. If you could get past the somewhat uninspired design, they were some of the best Android phones released in 2016.

Read Next: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus vs Google Pixel 2 XL: Camera comparison

Now Google is back with a follow-up pair of phones, and it definitely spent more time on these. They’re faster, they look unique, and they have Google’s AI built in to help make sure your phone is always one step ahead of you. This is how Google thinks phones should work.

This is our Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review.

 About this review: Joshua Vergara has been testing both the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL for 13 days, while I’ve been using the Pixel 2 for seven days. Both devices are running Android 8.0 Oreo with build number OPD1.170816.010 with the September 5, 2017 security patch.

Both devices used in this review were provided to Android Authority by Google.

Pixel 2 & 2 XL problems, warranty, and update (added Nov 2017)

 

 

 A month after the initial release of our Google Pixel 2 review (October 2017), more and more problems regarding the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL came to light. Before reading the rest of the review, you might want to read through this section. Here we go over some of the biggest problems reportedly affecting the Pixel 2 family, as well as recent changes Google has made to help address some of these problems.

 Since the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL started shipping to its first customers in late October, many of them have reported issues with the phones. Some of the biggest complaints have centered on the display for the larger Pixel 2 XL, with many owners claiming online that they have encountered issues with muted or undersaturated colors. Others have reported seeing a blue tint on the Pixel 2 XL screen.

 n response to the muted/understated color complaints, Google stated that it has “added an option to boost colors by 10% for a more saturated display.” In an update for the phone that rolled out in early November, Google said it added new options for both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL that added a “saturated” color mode in its display settings, which users can toggle to make the screen appear more vibrant. Google says that the blue tint “issue” is in fact normal for the phones.

 

 Perhaps a more serious issue that’s been reported with the Pixel 2 XL is that its pOLED screen suffers from burn-in issues; namely that the phone’s navigation bar across the bottom of the screen can burn into the display with as little as one week of use. Google has since rolled out an update that will let the on-screen the navigation buttons fade out, while also “updating” the maximum screen brightness. However, at least one law firm is considering launching a class action lawsuit against Google on the Pixel 2 XL screen issues.

 Some Pixel 2 owners also reported hearing high-pitched and clicking noises from the phone when it’s next to a person’s ear. Turning off the phone’s NFC fuctions served as a workaround for that problem, at least for some owners, and Google’s early November software update apparently fixed this issue for others. Other Pixel 2 owners have reported that the phone’s microphone stops working during calls. However, the fix for this issue is pretty simple; just blow on the microphone.

 Finally, the most recent (as of this writing) problem deals with the Pixel 2 XL again, as some users have reported that the screen will occasionally flash when the display is turned on or off, or if it switches automatically. So far, there’s no word on if an update will be released for this issue, although some people think this “bug” is actually sort of cool.

 Because of all of these problems with the new Pixel 2 phones, Google has revealed that will offer a free two year warranty worldwide for both devices. This means that people who get the Pixel 2 models in the US will get one extra year under the normal warranty; other markets where the phone is sold already have two years worth of warranty. The premium Preferred Care plan with the Pixel 2 or 2 XL is currently unchanged. Preferred Care subscribers pay $129 to get their phones replaced in case of accidental damage or device breakdown; that plan lasts for two years as well.

Design

 

 

Google has taken the generic design of the 2016 Pixels and refined it.
Both Pixels feature an aluminum unibody design, but Google says it’s covered them in a “hybrid coating”. Some will complain it makes the phones feel more plasticky, but I find it to be a real treat to hold. It does make the phones feel more plasticky than other aluminum phones, but definitely not in a bad way.

It’s amazing how long a little bit of texture goes with these phones. Comparing the Pixel XL and the Pixel 2 XL, the sizes aren’t too different, but the material on the back of the newer phone makes all the difference in terms of handling.




 From the back, they’re nearly identical. The camera sensors are in different places, but, though they stick out ever so slightly, it’s not all that noticeable.

Surrounding that camera sensor is a glass visor— basically the Pixel’s trademark at this point. I’m not sure why, but I like the visor on the Pixel 2 much more than on the original Pixels. Maybe I didn’t find the fingerprint-sensor-surrounded-in-glass look all that appealing.

Speaking of fingerprint sensors, Google has included a really fast one on the back of the Pixel 2s, and it sits right where your index finger lands when you’re holding it. This is my—and almost 50% of our readers’— preferred placement for the fingerprint sensor, and for good reason. It allows you to unlock the phone without smudging the camera, and it makes the front of the phone look cleaner.

I like the design of the Pixel 2 on the back, but the front is a different story.

Overall, I like the design of the Pixel 2 on the back, but the front is a different story. The smaller Pixel 2 doesn’t look anything like a 2017 flagship from the front. It’s got big bezels on the top and bottom of the screen. Google included a pair of very loud front-facing stereo speakers on each device, which fill up all that room. They’re the same size on both phones, which explains why the bezels on the Pixel 2 XL are so much smaller.

The bezels also serve another purpose. You can grab onto those babies while playing games and never worry about dropping it.




Reasons notwithstanding, Google’s decision to make the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL look so different on the front is still perplexing. The Pixel 2 looks like a small Nexus 6P, and the 2 XL (sort of) resembles the LG V30.

Like the 6P, the Pixel 2 is basically symmetrical, but the Pixel 2 XL isn’t. There is a little bit more to the forehead than the chin, which probably won’t bother most people. It was something we couldn’t unsee, though.

Both devices also (finally) have IP67 ratings for dust and water resistance, which means they can withstand submersion in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. Last year’s Pixels stood out from the flagship competition due to their lack of water resistance. We’re happy to see Google go the extra mile this time around.











 Oh, and if you’re looking to protect your new investment, Google has made some hot cases for these Pixels. The fabric cases are pricey at $40, but both Josh and I think they’re totally worth it. They add bulk, but they make an already grippy phone even grippier, and look good doing it. Google has done a great job of making fabric one of the best materials we’ve seen and held on a device or, in this instance, a case.

Display

As mentioned, these phones come with very different displays. The Pixel 2 sports a 5.0-inch 1080p OLED display with a respectable pixel density of 441 ppi. It has a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio— Google calls it “Cinematic”— which isn’t as eye catching as the Pixel 2 XL’s 18:9 display. Even so, if you’re in the market for a small phone, this one is more than manageable with one hand. The Pixel 2 XL features an LG-made 6.0-inch Quad HD+ pOLED display with a pixel density of 538 ppi. It also has an 18:9 aspect ratio with rounded corners, making the device much easier to manage in hand than last year’s Pixel XL.

As far as quality is concerned, the Pixel 2’s display, although “only” 1080p, is incredibly bright, crisp, and a joy to stare at day in and day out. It’s also easy to see in direct sunlight.

 The Pixel 2’s display is a joy to stare at day in and day out.

The Pixel 2 XL’s display is a different story, however, as you may have guessed. Reports from all over have claimed that the Pixel 2 XL’s display suffers from muted and undersaturated colors, grainy images when scrolling down web pages, and a blue tint that appears when the phone is tilted to even a moderate angle. In day-to-day use these display issues are barely noticeable, and even when we did see them, it wasn’t all that distracting.

 Google is aware that some users aren’t exactly happy about this, and said if it gets enough feedback, it may add in some more color options to the display settings. Unfortunately, that might not do much. While the saturation can be changed in terms of rendering, the weird viewing angle problems seem to be related to hardware rather than software, making it tougher to fix with a simple update.



In our own display tests, the Pixel 2’s OLED display scored a color temperature of 6969 Kelvin, with the Pixel 2 XL achieving an even cooler score of 7035 Kelvin. This means both displays have a slight blue tint, though they’re warmer than last year’s Pixel XL.

 

Display color temperature (adaptive display mode)

 We then tested both displays in standard mode (as opposed to adaptive mode), and the screens dropped down to 6841 and 6891 Kelvin, respectively, which is much closer to the recommended temperature of 6500 Kelvin for color accuracy. Especially compared to the Pixel XL, Google is tuning the Pixel 2 and 2 XL’s displays to produce more accurate colors.

Display color temperature (standard display mode)

 The Pixel 2’s display can also achieve a brightness of 440 nits, while the Pixel 2 XL’s display can go up to 483 nits. Both displays are brighter than the Pixel XL’s. However, last year’s flagship was able to achieve a low brightness of just 2 nits, while the Pixel 2 and 2 XL can only go down to 7 and 5 nits, respectively.

Display max brightness