Or is it an option? "You’ll see the option to use eSIM to connect to the Project Fi network on all Pixel 2s purchased through the Google Store or Project Fi"
It has both an eSIM and also a NanoSIM slot. The eSIM will only work with Project Fi to start. For all other carriers, you will have to use a NanoSIM card.
Which matters to the ten people on earth (iOS or Android) who care about bezel dimensions... Seriously, nothing says "I know nothing about real technology, but I want to sound smart" than an obsession with bezel size.
Personally I'm not going to pay $800 to $1000 for anybody's phone regardless of manufacturer or operating system. Things have gotten totally out of hand with the flagship phones. In the android world, the guts of them are pretty much all the same...i.e OK, here is yet another Snapdragon 835 based phone. For me, my next phone is probably going to be more in the $300 range as the mid range phones have now hit the more than "good enough" performance for me.
I'm pretty happy with my Moto z2 Play. Snapdragon 626 is good enough. Decent metal design. Great battery life, easily the whole day. 1080p OLED screen. Mostly stock android. Headphone jack. Fingerprint sensor in the correct place. And I also use the JBL soundboost mod. I got it used for 360, but they're even more reasonable now. When the moto z2 force drops in price enough I might pick up one of those.
On top of that they don't have the decency to pack in USB-C headphones and an adapter like Apple did when they dropped the headphone jack for Lightning only.
It literally is not a big deal, most people are using blu tooth headphones anyways now. I been using them even before i got my Nexus 6p. They are just easier to use in all situations. Sound is fine for %99 of people.
Not to mention they made fun of others for havinging a camera hump and guess who has one now?
The pixel has always put a bad taste in my mouth. There is this air of superiority about because it was designed by google but in terms of features they are not offering anything unique that others don’t already have. There only claim to fame is stick android and quick updates.
You can tell by how much Google's attention is paid to the Pixel's marginally better camera over the competition, that they got no other real selling point versus iPhone X and the monster A11 SoC or Samsung's much better featured phones that people actually want to buy.
Google knows their influence on mobile is slipping, and the Pixel basically is a last-ditch but half-baked effort to keep their mindshare relevant.
Right, they must be terrified weigh their 80-85% marketshare.
Seriously, with the iPhone X failing to really do anything interesting, Apple risks further sliding in market share. And if they drop too far below 10-15% like in Spain and Italy (even Germany it is just 20%) local vendors might stop or delay creating apps, like local municipalities offering services in apps, local transport companies, and so on. A strenght is the unifird ecosystem with every phone nearly running the latest iOS and a healthy second hand market but dip below 5% and even that isn't enough.
The camera bump I don't see as a problem (in any phone) because normal people use a case, and the case "flattens out" the bump. But advertising that mocks the bump --- that was pretty pathetic.
Google has found itself six months out of sync with most other mobile phone launches -- and at the back of the pack too. I wonder if they were six months with the original Pixel, or if it's a delight positioning. The latter would be odd; I can't think of any advantages of being the last handset to launch with that year's SoC and other specs.
It reminds me of when Samsung ran their "Don't be a wall-hugger" ad touting their removable battery advantage with the S5, and then the S6 went all sealed glass back on us the very next year AND dropped microSD on top of that.
Gotta love that hypocrisy, and we the end users suffer for it when nobody on the market makes what we want.
It is a"norm", that when one touts about something, then it means the one feels endangered, caught short without a real answer to opponent and touting is all the one can do.
Microsoft was king of that tactic lately. Called FUD in past.
I have a Nexus 5X. Looks like I won't be replacing it with anything else from Google. $649 is just too much for what you get and more than I'd spend on a phone, period.
Yeah, I was shocked by original Pixel prices, Pixel 2 pricing confirms this is how things are going to be from now on. They did good overall and fixed some of my major concerns regarding the original pixels like splash resistance, dual front facing speakers, OIS on the camera (finally!), but then got rid of the headphone jack.
I'm still on my Nexus 6 and will ride it until it falls apart and I can't resurrect it anymore, but I'm looking hard at those new Nokias, if the Nokia 8 or 9 make it to the US it might be a better deal. Oneplus also has me intrigued. Lastly, they do have a decent Android One option, albeit more expensive than I expected.
i will now resight everyone who hated the pixel...... "two different tones in the back EWWWWWWW" why didnt they listen to litterally everyone who hated the pixel??
Because the people who buy such phones, aka. your average consumer, are a little moronic. They buy it on a plan and "pay it off" so they don't truly appreciate the immense cost of the phone, hence manufacturers can keep making ever more ridiculously overpriced phones, and the average consumer just sees it costing an extra $5 more a month. These are also the same people who regularly break their phone screens and then can't afford to replace them. I've never spent more than $500 AUD (~$350 USD) on a phone, and have never broken a screen ironically.
I've spent close to $700 - 900 on phones in the past. Including the Nexus 6P and the iPhone 7 256gb, however these ever increasing prices are going up. I'll just stick with my current phones as long as possible, although my 6p is showing its age and is getting sluggish before its 2nd purchase anniversary, which is pathetic for a $700 product. And yes I had to factory reset it when it's screen shattered and I had to return it for a warranty repair.
Uh, WAT? You do realize that Apple claims the GPU in the iPhone 8 was designed by Apple, and IMG's press release earlier this year pretty much confirms that.
And you do realise that if your run the script on iPhone 8 the GL extension are IMG, PWR just like the previous one? IMG has confirmed nothing regarding this specific thing.
Even the bezel on the XL is more pronounced than any of the 2017 flagship phones (excluding the iPhone 8). At 76.4% Screen to Body ratio, it has more bezel than the Samsung S8/S8+ and Note 8 (83-84%). iPhone X (83%) and the LG V30 (82%). At 158mm, it's also one of the tallest:
Why is everyone rounding the screens?! I hope that past 2017 we'll still be able to buy premium phones without rounded screens. (Don't do it OnePlus 6!!)
Seriously, if a few hundred dollars is a big deal to your budget when looking at a device used for hours daily... There are things you should be doing other than looking at forums.
I had my note 7 forcibly removed from my use and Samsung did nothing for me, so they get no business for the rest of my life. After owning an original iPhone and it's three successors I don't like the closed ecosystem.
Given all that, this phone looks great. I wish it didn't abandon the headphone jack but what are you going to do. Good device overall.
Almost a grand for the phones? Why not ? This is salespeople and other middlemen world. It stands on inherent flaw if human psychology, kind of a vulnerability to the greed virus and stupidity. Sammy and Apple show all that they can sell $200 bill-of-materials soapbox at 4-5x that price. Intel shows all that they can sell $50 to build processors for $2000. Oil people show how to sell $9/barrel in 1998 oil for $130 few years later. Refrigerator builders sell $300 old principle device for 10x price.
Realtors where Apple, Google and Intel headquarters are show how to sell $50k to build houses for $3M so why they can't sell phones for 50x price???
USB 3.0 = USB 3.1 gen 1 These standards define the protocol and data rate (5 Gbps).
Type-C defines the reversible connector and is a separate standard not associated with any particular USB line rate. Type-C connectors have been used with USB 3.1 gen 2, USB 3.1 gen 1(USB 3.0), USB 2.0, and even Thunderbolt and DisplayPort cables.
Given the speed of USB 3.0 vs the speed of the storage in the phone, I see no reason why Google or consumers should spend the extra money for USB 3.1 gen 2 hardware in the device.
"No doubt removing the jack helps with that IP67 waterproofing, but officially Google hasn’t said why the jack has been removed"
Both are wrong - Note 8 retains IP rating even underwater with S-Pen removed from the silo, V30, G6 both are MIL Spec and retain the 3.5mm port.
Apple did for MFi, Google did for MFG (See the accessories page at google, they show the USB C - USB C+ 3.5mm for $40, and USB C - 3.5mm for $20 while Apple sells them at $10 for the Lightning to 3.5mm and $35 for Lightning to Lightning+3.5mm)
And Google told techcrunch what was the reason - Google Buds and Bezel free phone, and they thought to do it first rather than later, what a stupid PR statement, above phones both rekt the Pixels to Oblivion.
Article title: Hands on with Google’s Pixel 2 XL Quote from article: “I didn’t get any hands-on time with this phone...”
This isn’t tech journalism, it’s the same regurgitated bull***t from google’s promotional material by someone who went to the keynote and took photos of someone else holding the phone.
Will never ever buy a phone without a 3.5 mm jack. Was waiting quite eagerly for the new Pixels as I was looking for a second phone to go with with my 2 year old G Flex 2. Didnt mind spending the insanely high amount they are charging for it in my country, but the lack of the 3.5 mm jack killed it for me.
1.4 pixels, huh? They don't even use 1/2.3" from old point-and-shoot cameras anymore, now their sensors are even smaller (no, children, it is not a good thing when talking about sensors, you know, little things like light gathering capacity, full well capacity and diffraction).
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
61 Comments
Back to Article
Tigran - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
Do Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL really have NanoSIM?Tigran - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
NanoSIM is mentioned is specs (https://store.google.com/us/product/pixel_2_specs?... but what about this: https://www.blog.google/products/project-fi/device...Or is it an option? "You’ll see the option to use eSIM to connect to the Project Fi network on all Pixel 2s purchased through the Google Store or Project Fi"
oRAirwolf - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
It has both an eSIM and also a NanoSIM slot. The eSIM will only work with Project Fi to start. For all other carriers, you will have to use a NanoSIM card.osxandwindows - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
So they make fun of apple for removing the headphone jack, and than go and remove it themselves a year later?This, to me, shows a lack of confidence in their own product, Which isn't likely to attract me as a consumer.
And look at the price for those adapters.
But apart from that, this is playing catch up to most flagship android phones in terms of features.
StrangerGuy - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
The logic of "People will buy Android iPhone clones at iPhone prices instead of the real thing" is baffling in a funny way.As Samsung painfully found that out by dismal S6 sales.
Jumangi - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
They actually are trying to charge more $850 pixel 2 xl vs $800 iPhone 8 Plus.Really Google?
unrulycow - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Except the Pixel 2XL has the small bezels, making it more akin to the $1000 iPhone Xname99 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Which matters to the ten people on earth (iOS or Android) who care about bezel dimensions...Seriously, nothing says "I know nothing about real technology, but I want to sound smart" than an obsession with bezel size.
Ratman6161 - Monday, October 9, 2017 - link
Personally I'm not going to pay $800 to $1000 for anybody's phone regardless of manufacturer or operating system. Things have gotten totally out of hand with the flagship phones. In the android world, the guts of them are pretty much all the same...i.e OK, here is yet another Snapdragon 835 based phone. For me, my next phone is probably going to be more in the $300 range as the mid range phones have now hit the more than "good enough" performance for me.darjen - Monday, October 9, 2017 - link
I'm pretty happy with my Moto z2 Play. Snapdragon 626 is good enough. Decent metal design. Great battery life, easily the whole day. 1080p OLED screen. Mostly stock android. Headphone jack. Fingerprint sensor in the correct place. And I also use the JBL soundboost mod. I got it used for 360, but they're even more reasonable now. When the moto z2 force drops in price enough I might pick up one of those.peevee - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - link
Nope.BillBear - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
The Pixel 2 XL with 128 Gigs of storage actually costs the same as the iPhone 8 Plus with 256 Gigs of storage.Google's line used to be about meh specs at a value price. Now they are about meh specs at a premium flagship price.
peevee - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - link
Yep. Something is rotten in Google kingdom.KoolAidMan1 - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
On top of that they don't have the decency to pack in USB-C headphones and an adapter like Apple did when they dropped the headphone jack for Lightning only.Absurd.
MattMe - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Pretty sure during the event they said the adapter was included.imaheadcase - Friday, October 6, 2017 - link
It literally is not a big deal, most people are using blu tooth headphones anyways now. I been using them even before i got my Nexus 6p. They are just easier to use in all situations. Sound is fine for %99 of people.peevee - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - link
"most people are using blu tooth headphones anyways now"97.9% of all statistics is invented on the spot.
Ziich - Saturday, October 7, 2017 - link
I think it does have a usb-c adapter. I don't think the original pixel came with headphones.Zeratul56 - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
Not to mention they made fun of others for havinging a camera hump and guess who has one now?The pixel has always put a bad taste in my mouth. There is this air of superiority about because it was designed by google but in terms of features they are not offering anything unique that others don’t already have. There only claim to fame is stick android and quick updates.
StrangerGuy - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
You can tell by how much Google's attention is paid to the Pixel's marginally better camera over the competition, that they got no other real selling point versus iPhone X and the monster A11 SoC or Samsung's much better featured phones that people actually want to buy.Google knows their influence on mobile is slipping, and the Pixel basically is a last-ditch but half-baked effort to keep their mindshare relevant.
BillyONeal - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
The biggest selling point of the Pixel is the Bixby button.jospoortvliet - Sunday, October 8, 2017 - link
Right, they must be terrified weigh their 80-85% marketshare.Seriously, with the iPhone X failing to really do anything interesting, Apple risks further sliding in market share. And if they drop too far below 10-15% like in Spain and Italy (even Germany it is just 20%) local vendors might stop or delay creating apps, like local municipalities offering services in apps, local transport companies, and so on. A strenght is the unifird ecosystem with every phone nearly running the latest iOS and a healthy second hand market but dip below 5% and even that isn't enough.
name99 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
The camera bump I don't see as a problem (in any phone) because normal people use a case, and the case "flattens out" the bump.But advertising that mocks the bump --- that was pretty pathetic.
cknobman - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Heck IMO they did not even fully catch up to the other flagships!No headphone jack, no removable storage, no wireless charging, reduced water resistance (vs others).
Meteor2 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Google has found itself six months out of sync with most other mobile phone launches -- and at the back of the pack too. I wonder if they were six months with the original Pixel, or if it's a delight positioning. The latter would be odd; I can't think of any advantages of being the last handset to launch with that year's SoC and other specs.Meteor2 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
*six months late with the original Pixel.NamelessPFG - Sunday, October 8, 2017 - link
It reminds me of when Samsung ran their "Don't be a wall-hugger" ad touting their removable battery advantage with the S5, and then the S6 went all sealed glass back on us the very next year AND dropped microSD on top of that.Gotta love that hypocrisy, and we the end users suffer for it when nobody on the market makes what we want.
maxijazz - Thursday, October 12, 2017 - link
It is a"norm", that when one touts about something, then it means the one feels endangered, caught short without a real answer to opponent and touting is all the one can do.Microsoft was king of that tactic lately. Called FUD in past.
mode_13h - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
I have a Nexus 5X. Looks like I won't be replacing it with anything else from Google. $649 is just too much for what you get and more than I'd spend on a phone, period.Even Lenovo's Tango phone didn't cost that much.
niva - Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - link
Yeah, I was shocked by original Pixel prices, Pixel 2 pricing confirms this is how things are going to be from now on. They did good overall and fixed some of my major concerns regarding the original pixels like splash resistance, dual front facing speakers, OIS on the camera (finally!), but then got rid of the headphone jack.I'm still on my Nexus 6 and will ride it until it falls apart and I can't resurrect it anymore, but I'm looking hard at those new Nokias, if the Nokia 8 or 9 make it to the US it might be a better deal. Oneplus also has me intrigued. Lastly, they do have a decent Android One option, albeit more expensive than I expected.
austinsguitar - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
i will now resight everyone who hated the pixel......"two different tones in the back EWWWWWWW"
why didnt they listen to litterally everyone who hated the pixel??
BillyONeal - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Because "literally everyone who hated the Pixel" isn't exactly a target market.jwcalla - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
It's interesting that the prices of these phones keep going up. I doubt that demand is driving that.Wardrop - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
Because the people who buy such phones, aka. your average consumer, are a little moronic. They buy it on a plan and "pay it off" so they don't truly appreciate the immense cost of the phone, hence manufacturers can keep making ever more ridiculously overpriced phones, and the average consumer just sees it costing an extra $5 more a month. These are also the same people who regularly break their phone screens and then can't afford to replace them. I've never spent more than $500 AUD (~$350 USD) on a phone, and have never broken a screen ironically.milkywayer - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
I've spent close to $700 - 900 on phones in the past. Including the Nexus 6P and the iPhone 7 256gb, however these ever increasing prices are going up. I'll just stick with my current phones as long as possible, although my 6p is showing its age and is getting sluggish before its 2nd purchase anniversary, which is pathetic for a $700 product. And yes I had to factory reset it when it's screen shattered and I had to return it for a warranty repair.milkywayer - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
* ever increasing prices are getting ridiculous.* factory reset nexus 6p about 8 months ago when I got the screen replaced. Pathetic that it's getting sluggish so soon.
Meteor2 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Happily my 5X is faster than ever on Android 8. But it is my second, being a warranty replacement for my first, which boot-looped...MattMe - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Ironic?Stochastic - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
I hope this trend reverses next year. Perhaps inflated NAND prices are partly to blame?lucam - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
Adreno 540 would struggle with so such high resolution...especially on gaming...Maxpower2727 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
What? Phones have been using 1440p resolution displays for several years now, and the Adreno 540 is plenty capable.lucam - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Nothing comparable to PowerVr Series 8 of iPhone 8name99 - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Uh, WAT?You do realize that Apple claims the GPU in the iPhone 8 was designed by Apple, and IMG's press release earlier this year pretty much confirms that.
lucam - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
And you do realise that if your run the script on iPhone 8 the GL extension are IMG, PWR just like the previous one?IMG has confirmed nothing regarding this specific thing.
peevee - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - link
Capable of doing 15fps in real world games (on screen, not the off-screen tests nobody actually needs).tipoo - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
The XL doesn't look bad, but the regular makes the iPhone 8 bezels look not old, and that's something.MykeM - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Even the bezel on the XL is more pronounced than any of the 2017 flagship phones (excluding the iPhone 8). At 76.4% Screen to Body ratio, it has more bezel than the Samsung S8/S8+ and Note 8 (83-84%). iPhone X (83%) and the LG V30 (82%). At 158mm, it's also one of the tallest:https://i.imgur.com/f8RiJNY.jpg
CedarWind - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Why is everyone rounding the screens?! I hope that past 2017 we'll still be able to buy premium phones without rounded screens. (Don't do it OnePlus 6!!)Wardrop - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Agreed. Unless the bezel is so thin that the screen needs to be rounded to fit, then it's otherwise a complete gimmick.gmkmay - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Seriously, if a few hundred dollars is a big deal to your budget when looking at a device used for hours daily... There are things you should be doing other than looking at forums.I had my note 7 forcibly removed from my use and Samsung did nothing for me, so they get no business for the rest of my life. After owning an original iPhone and it's three successors I don't like the closed ecosystem.
Given all that, this phone looks great. I wish it didn't abandon the headphone jack but what are you going to do. Good device overall.
SanX - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Almost a grand for the phones? Why not ? This is salespeople and other middlemen world. It stands on inherent flaw if human psychology, kind of a vulnerability to the greed virus and stupidity. Sammy and Apple show all that they can sell $200 bill-of-materials soapbox at 4-5x that price. Intel shows all that they can sell $50 to build processors for $2000. Oil people show how to sell $9/barrel in 1998 oil for $130 few years later. Refrigerator builders sell $300 old principle device for 10x price.Realtors where Apple, Google and Intel headquarters are show how to sell $50k to build houses for $3M so why they can't sell phones for 50x price???
maxijazz - Thursday, October 12, 2017 - link
Do you know it is norm in manufacturing world, that cost of materials is in range of 10-20% of MSRP price?wsjudd - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
"USB 3.0 Type-C"Surely this should be USB 3.1 Type-C?
BurntMyBacon - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
USB 3.0 = USB 3.1 gen 1These standards define the protocol and data rate (5 Gbps).
Type-C defines the reversible connector and is a separate standard not associated with any particular USB line rate. Type-C connectors have been used with USB 3.1 gen 2, USB 3.1 gen 1(USB 3.0), USB 2.0, and even Thunderbolt and DisplayPort cables.
Given the speed of USB 3.0 vs the speed of the storage in the phone, I see no reason why Google or consumers should spend the extra money for USB 3.1 gen 2 hardware in the device.
TidalWaveOne - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Damn... I want a headphone jack... guess the LG V30 is really looking good.Ashtrix - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
"No doubt removing the jack helps with that IP67 waterproofing, but officially Google hasn’t said why the jack has been removed"Both are wrong - Note 8 retains IP rating even underwater with S-Pen removed from the silo, V30, G6 both are MIL Spec and retain the 3.5mm port.
Apple did for MFi, Google did for MFG (See the accessories page at google, they show the USB C - USB C+ 3.5mm for $40, and USB C - 3.5mm for $20 while Apple sells them at $10 for the Lightning to 3.5mm and $35 for Lightning to Lightning+3.5mm)
And Google told techcrunch what was the reason - Google Buds and Bezel free phone, and they thought to do it first rather than later, what a stupid PR statement, above phones both rekt the Pixels to Oblivion.
https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/04/google-dropped-t...
blzd - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL come with USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box so no need to buy one unless you need a spare.blwest - Sunday, October 8, 2017 - link
Losing respect quickly for AnandTech post Anand.Article title: Hands on with Google’s Pixel 2 XL
Quote from article: “I didn’t get any hands-on time with this phone...”
This isn’t tech journalism, it’s the same regurgitated bull***t from google’s promotional material by someone who went to the keynote and took photos of someone else holding the phone.
LiverpoolFC5903 - Monday, October 9, 2017 - link
Will never ever buy a phone without a 3.5 mm jack. Was waiting quite eagerly for the new Pixels as I was looking for a second phone to go with with my 2 year old G Flex 2. Didnt mind spending the insanely high amount they are charging for it in my country, but the lack of the 3.5 mm jack killed it for me.LG or Samsung will get my money.
peevee - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - link
1.4 pixels, huh? They don't even use 1/2.3" from old point-and-shoot cameras anymore, now their sensors are even smaller (no, children, it is not a good thing when talking about sensors, you know, little things like light gathering capacity, full well capacity and diffraction).jld03e - Friday, October 20, 2017 - link
will there ever be reviews for smartphones ever again? or has the website eliminated reviews, outright?