Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL: Specs, pricing, problems, and more!

by Daniel Bader

Everything you need to know about the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL!

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are finally here, and there’s a lot to unpack.

While these devices resemble the original Pixel and Pixel XL, there are many changes both internally and externally that make them worth talking about.

Let’s dive in.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review!

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are incredible phones — probably the best Android phones out there right now. Despite their different sizes, they are nearly identical where it counts, in their cameras, their performance, their build quality, and their software experience. While the Pixel 2 XL has slimmer bezels and a slightly more washed-out pOLED display, the smaller Pixel 2 contends with a more dated-looking form factor and a smaller battery. Oh, and a smaller price tag to boot.

Pixel 2 XL OLED problems

Before we dive into the phones themselves, it’s worth pointing out that the Pixel 2 XL has a few display issues you should know about. The quality of the panel itself is fairly low compared to equivalent Samsung models, featuring discoloration when viewed off-center; graininess and muddiness, especially at low brightness; poor backlight uniformity (similar to the LG V30); and in some cases, burn-in.

Burn-in consists of a permanent marking on the screen after an unmoving image has been there for some time. It’s a hallmark of OLED displays, and can be found on panels of both high and low quality. Generally, the higher the quality the longer burn-in takes to show. While other aspects of the screen can be chalked up to poor quality, burn-in is a serious problem, and until Google works with manufacturing partner LG to fix the problem, we are rescinding our Pixel 2 XL recommendation.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL specs

For months, we’ve had an idea of what the Pixel 2 series would have inside, and most of those rumors have proven true: two phones of different screen sizes, screen-to-body ratios and aspect ratios, but otherwise nearly identical internal components.

Without knowing beforehand, you wouldn’t be able to tell that the Pixel 2 was made by HTC and the Pixel 2 XL by LG — they’re that similar. But when you dig a little deeper, the lineages are clear: the Pixel 2’s AMOLED display (which is actually made by Samsung) is clearly better than the washed-out, problematic LG-made pOLED display on the Pixel 2 XL.

Both phones have Snapdragon 835s, 4GB of RAM and between 64GB and 128GB storage standard, along with single rear 12MP cameras — this year with OIS. They’re waterproof (yay!) but don’t have headphone jacks (boo!). There’so no wireless charging, but the sides can be squeezed to activate Google Assistant. And though it ships with Android 8.0, not 8.1, there’s a lot new here — including an embedded eSIM to connect to Project Fi even without a SIM card.