If you’re after the purest Android experience and the best camera on a smartphone, then check out the video below to see what we made of the new Google Pixel 2 XL in our review.
Google Pixel 2 XL: Verdict
In a world where there are so many Android smartphones and Google are trying to attract not only existing users but iOS users who are used to simplicity and a clean unadulterated user experience, Google has made a really sleek device here and it’s fast, smooth and delivers one of the best cameras I’ve used on any smartphone since the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the S8 plus.
- Pure Android 8.0 experience and first in line for updates
- Unrivalled camera performance
- Minimalist but premium design
- No wireless charging
- No 3.5 mm headphone jack
- P-OLED display is questionable
- Active Edge can be annoying
If there’s any Android smartphone capable of swaying iOS users and existing Android users alike, it would have to be the Google Pixel 2 XL. It’s the bigger version of the Pixel 2 range and as well as its larger display, it’s also packed with a larger battery that lasts noticeably longer than the smaller version. With a pure stock Android experience, you get a very clean, easy-to-use interface with a few changes to Android 8.0 (such as the search bar on the home screen moving to the bottom so it’s easier to access) and you’d be first in line for any future updates.
If there’s anything to shout about on the Pixel 2 XL, it would be its camera performance which puts it ahead of some of the other flagship devices out there today. If DxOMark rating is at any point of reference, then it’s also rated highly on there; whether you’re shooting in low-light or a well-lit environment, its colour accuracy and dynamic range are definitely ones to write home about. The device itself is a mixture of aluminium and glass build, keeping its signature design unique and light; its curved front edges makes it very natural and comfortable to hold in hand. That’s why we named it as “Best for photography” in our inaugural annual best smartphones round-up.
When Google releases the next iterations of the Pixel phone, I’m hoping they’d add wireless charging and maybe a wishful thinking, but bring back the 3.5 mm headphone jack, and take some notes from RazerPhone for speaker and display quality.
Check out the video above now for our real-world review and share your thoughts in the comments below or with us via social media.
Google Pixel 2 XL: Key Specs
- 6-inch QHD+ Display
- 12MP (f/1.8), 8MP front camera
- 4GB RAM
- Android 8
- Snapdragon 835
- 64GB/128B onboard storage
- 3520 mAh battery
