Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL – The Ultimate Challenge for Apple

Google has launched its brand new smartphones, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, and they will be a boom in the tech industry. With the latest Snapdragon 835 processor from Qualcomm, 64GB of storage, machine learning supported 12-megapixel cameras, front-facing speakers, and applied AI, Pixel 2 is the ultimate Android challenge for Apple’s iPhone.

This new line of high-end smartphones will employ the Android Oreo operating system, and it is set to reaffirm Google’s masterful ability to combine hardware and software. It will use exclusive features that will go one step further than its main competitors, including Apple.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL – Same Phone, Different Screen Size

One thing that Google was intent on doing was developing a smartphone that would offer the same features in both the standard and the XL versions. No longer do users have to choose between screen size and specialized features.

“You get all the goodness with both phones, so the only choice you have to make is what size you want.”, said Mario Queiroz, Vice President Product Manager at Google. This was specifically targeted at Apple, whose iPhones have always made users notice the difference between screen sizes.

The Pixel 2 has a traditional 5-in screen size and comes bearing large bezels, while the Pixel 2 XL boasts a 6-in screen with small bezels, which is similar in design to the Samsung Galaxy 8. The price difference between the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL will be specifically determined by the 1-inch difference in screen size because both phones will use the same technology and offer the same tools and features.

Design and build quality of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Pixel 2

With the combination of glass and metal, the original Pixel smartphones made something surprising. The Pixel 2 continues with this design choice, but holding it feels like a plastic cell phone due to its lighter weight. Nevertheless, it is outstanding compared to the past as it is a premium smartphone with lightweight. 

On the back of the device is a partition between the camera’s top and the body, which can be easily felt and seen. Their black model has a dark black top section; the white model has a gray top, while the blue model has a dark top section. The position of the volume button is in the middle compared to the normal position and may take time to get used to.

Pixel 2 XL

Google’s new smartphone feels blunt to me when it comes to design. What attracted me the most was the unique design of the Pixel 1st generation and the contrast of the back glass window with the smartphone’s metal body. Also, it was definitely a pro with no zoom(protruding) camera. However, in the case of the Pixel 2 XL, Google seems to have taken a step back by shrinking the glass area and smoothing the smartphone’s edges. 

One thing to appreciate is the aluminum unibody that prevented Google from including wireless charging. Also, aluminum coating with paint gives a plastic feel. The smartphone feels solid in hand, and the build is excellent, but we’re a long way from the “bare” aluminum and golden age HTC devices of yesteryear.

I fell in love with her front-in-first site. The reflection of light from the screen and the curved edges of the front glass is amazing, in my opinion. The position of the black and white stereo speakers at the beginning of the curve and their contrast with the black glass in front and white aluminum is stunning.

So Long, “Ok, Google”?

But it’s not all about screen size when it comes to Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The state-of-the-art smartphones also have pressure-sensitive sides that launch the Google Assistant upon being pressed. This actually came as an improvement to the company’s AI assistant wake phrase. “Ok, Google” may have sounded terrific in the plans, but as it turned out, people were not all that excited about repeatedly saying the phrase in public.

Aside from the silent Google Assistant launch, the new generation of Pixel phones also comes with a 10% longer battery life. Moreover, Google has actually focused on developing an extra-fast charging system, which has been implemented in the Pixel 2 phones. According to Christiaan Prins, Google’s Product Manager, charging the phones for as little as 15 minutes can supply up to seven hours of use. So, procrastinators, be advised that based on this feature alone, the Pixel 2 is the best possible smartphone out there.

The Outstanding Camera in the Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL

If what you know so far is not worthy of a pre-order, then let us tell you about the spectacular camera on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Google calls it “the best smartphone camera, again” because it uses the optimized version of its HDR+ computational photography technique. This means that the new Pixels can take several images and produce one single shot based on them that will be far superior to simple shots.

And wait! There’s more you need to know about this spectacular camera. It also has optical image stabilization, which is available not only for pictures but also for video. This is one of the features that will set the new Pixels apart from most smartphones on the market. And if all of this were not enough, the camera on the Pixel 2 will use the new dual pixel sensor system, which, together with the HDR+, can lead to images of impeccable quality.

It remains to be seen whether Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL can finally surpass the iron popularity of Apple’s iPhone. But what is certain is that with its superior camera, smooth AI implementation, and stellar charging system, Google’s new smartphones will take the tech world by force.