GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

2.0m
150k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENT
GSMArena team, 06 November 2017

Google Pixel 2 review

  • Comments (72)
  • User reviews
  • Pixel 2
  • 4.0

1. Introduction
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Unboxing, 360-degree spin, hardware overview
  3. 3. Display, connectivity, battery life
  4. 4. User Interface, Active Edge, and Google Lens
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Telephony, text input, pre-installed apps
  7. 7. Multimedia apps, audio quality
  8. 8. Camera: Architecture and software
  9. 9. Camera: Stills and video quality
  10. 10. Final thoughts, key test findings, alternatives, verdict
  11.  
  12. Google Pixel 2 specification
  13. User opinions and reviews
  14. Review comments (72)

Google Android

Introduction

One pixel two, two pixel twos, large pixel two, small pixel two, pixels twos everywhere. Except in Google online stores, but that's a whole different matter. The true Pixel experience in a (slightly) smaller package and minus the display issues - this is the Google Pixel 2 in size Medium and not Extra Large.

You get the same everything with the Pixel 2 that you get with the XL - or mostly everything. That includes the top-end Qualcomm chipset, the industry-leading camera, and the stereo speakers, but leaves out the taller 18:9 display and with it some of the battery capacity.

With yesterday's 16:9 5-incher on the front guarded by sizeable chin and forehead, the Pixel 2 looks decidedly out of touch with current trends for bezellessness. A classic, you can call it. Leading them trends, however, is the camera - what others do with two, the Pixel 2 does with one - computational photography for the win.

If you've already read our Pixel 2 XL review, you're probably familiar with most of the specs, but you can always go over the following list for a refresher and a quick round of spot the difference.

Google Pixel 2 key features

  • Body: Metal body with matte Premium Hybrid Coating; "2.5D" Gorilla Glass 5 on front; IP67 water resistance
  • Display: 5.0" AMOLED, 1,080 x 1,920px resolution, 441ppi
  • Rear camera: 12.2MP, 1/2.6" sensor size with 1.4µm pixel size, f/1.8, OIS, dual LED flash and Google's HDR+ algorithm
  • Front camera: 8MP, 1/3.2" sensor size, f/2.4, 1.4µm pixel size
  • Video: 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720@240fps; front camera:1080p @ 30fps
  • OS/Software: Android 8.0 Oreo with updates directly from Google
  • Chipset: 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 CPU - Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo); Adreno 540 GPU; dedicated image processing chip to be enabled via OTA Android 8.1
  • Memory: 4GB of RAM; 64/128GB of internal storage (non-expandable)
  • Battery: 2,700 mAh Li-ion (sealed); USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 (5V @ 3A or 9V @ 2A with included 18W adapter)
  • Connectivity: nanoSIM; eSIM for Project Fi (US); Cat 15 LTE 800/75 Mbps; Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP, aptx HD; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi-Direct, DLNA; NFC; USB-C 3.1
  • Misc: Fingerprint scanner, dual stereo speakers, Always-on/Ambient display, Active Edge squeeze detection.

Main shortcomings

  • No 3.5mm headphone jack (ships with an adapter).
  • No microSD card slot.
  • Video camera records mono audio only.
  • You can't assign the Active Edge squeeze detection any other feature but Google Assistant.
  • We know you have to fit the innards somewhere, but still - bezels.

With so much being the same between the two Pixel 2s, there's no escaping the fact that they share the same weak points. You wouldn't expect Google to stick a microSD slot or a headphone jack in the small Pixel 2 and not the big one, right?

Google Pixel 2 press images - Google Pixel 2 review Google Pixel 2 press images - Google Pixel 2 review Google Pixel 2 press images - Google Pixel 2 review Google Pixel 2 press images - Google Pixel 2 review Google Pixel 2 press images - Google Pixel 2 review Google Pixel 2 press images - Google Pixel 2 review
Google Pixel 2 press images

Here, however, we'll be adding bezels to the list of shortcomings - for the reduction in display area you're not getting all that much savings in terms of actual size. Don't read that the wrong way - we like battery, and speakers, and all, it's just that the display diagonal makes a promise the physical dimensions can't keep.

One thing's for sure, though - the Pixel 2 non-XL is smaller enough to be more easily squeezable. We'll touch on that on the next page when we go over the hardware.

Next Page » 2. Unboxing, 360-degree spin, hardware overview
1. Introduction
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Unboxing, 360-degree spin, hardware overview
  3. 3. Display, connectivity, battery life
  4. 4. User Interface, Active Edge, and Google Lens
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Telephony, text input, pre-installed apps
  7. 7. Multimedia apps, audio quality
  8. 8. Camera: Architecture and software
  9. 9. Camera: Stills and video quality
  10. 10. Final thoughts, key test findings, alternatives, verdict
  11.  
  12. Google Pixel 2 specification
  13. User opinions and reviews
  14. Review comments (72)

Reviews Google Pixel 2 review
  • Comments (72)
  • User reviews
  • Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2 review - Reader comments

?
  • Anonymous
  • srr
  • 31 Oct 2021

I dont know what you are smoking but pass that to me as well :)

  • Reply
P
  • Phazenine
  • na1
  • 12 Aug 2020

The pixel 2 isn't that bad. Well that's considering I get a Pixel 2 reburb. For $100. I paid $900 when it first came out but returned it because I couldn't justify the cost for a flagship with a6 month lifespan. But for$100 I'll l...

  • Reply
J
  • Józsi Vok
  • gQ}
  • 26 Oct 2019

The only thing I found awkward were the bezels. Everything else was great... IP68 is sometimes a good amount better, but I think IP67 is good enough. I overprotect my phone so much sometimes I forget it is water resistant. I feel like only a weak spr...

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 72

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • Nothing
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Umidigi
  • Coolpad
  • Oscal
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • Doogee
  • Blackview
  • Cubot
  • Oukitel
  • Itel
  • TCL

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular reviews

Honor 400 Pro review
Honor 400 Pro review
OnePlus 13s hands-on review
OnePlus 13s hands-on review
Sony Xperia 1 VII review
Sony Xperia 1 VII review
ADVERTISEMENT

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

IM Motors updates the LS7 SUV with new motors and features IM Motors updates the LS7 SUV with new motors and features Stellantis reveals pricing will match the premium EV experience of the new DS N°8Xiaomi accelerates launch of YU7 electric SUV amid high expectations
ADVERTISEMENT

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS Youtube Instagram TikTok Facebook Twitter

© 2000-2025 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data