Google Pixel 2 XL (4GB + 64GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Financial Post review by Ted Kritsonis positions the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL as superior Android devices that, through a seamless marriage of software and hardware, offer a compelling alternative to iOS. The Pixel 2 XL is highlighted for its top-tier camera, which achieves excellent portrait shots and depth effects via software, despite lacking a dual-lens setup. However, the review notes the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, wireless charging, and expandable storage as significant drawbacks compared to competitors. Despite these omissions, the optimized performance makes it a standout choice for those seeking a premium, functional smartphone experience.

The TechRadar review describes the Google Pixel 2 XL as a cohesive, top-tier flagship that successfully balances advanced hardware with a superior, pure Android experience. Key pros include an industry-leading 12.2MP camera with exceptional Portrait Mode, robust battery life, and useful features like water resistance and Active Edge. However, the device is held back by a polarizing, high-priced design with large bezels and the omission of a headphone jack and wireless charging. The most critical con identified is the LG-made P-OLED display, which exhibits a noticeable blue tint at off-angles, poor viewing angles, and reports of early screen burn-in. While the software experience on Android Oreo is fast and clean, these hardware compromises, combined with a premium $849/£799 starting price, make it a significant investment compared to contemporary, more bezel-less competitors.

The Google Pixel 2 XL is praised for its exceptional 12.2MP camera, featuring a top-tier portrait mode, alongside a "super slick" user experience driven by the Snapdragon 835 processor and pure Android. While offering IP67 water resistance and the innovative Active Edge squeeze feature, the device faces significant drawbacks, including the removal of the headphone jack and a lack of wireless charging. Key criticisms focus on the 6-inch pOLED display, which suffers from poor viewing angles and a noticeable blue tint. Despite these, Tech Advisor considers the phone a strong contender for its camera and software capabilities, particularly at a reduced price point.

Gordon Kelly’s long-term review deems the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL the best Android devices for blending hardware and software, with the Pixel Visual Core hinting at future potential. While the 2 XL is considered the better model, both deliver exceptional performance and a top-tier camera, despite the smaller model's dated, large-bezeled design. The 12.2MP camera remains a standout feature, outperforming rivals, backed by IP67 water resistance and excellent software optimization. Key drawbacks include the absence of a headphone jack and wireless charging, alongside the lack of a dual-lens system for optical zoom. The P-OLED display on the 2 XL, while improved over time, still falls short of competitor brightness levels.

The ITPro review hails the Google Pixel 2 XL as a top-tier Android device, highlighting its "buttery-smooth" performance, 4GB of RAM, and Snapdragon 835 chipset. Key features praised include the innovative Active Edge for Google Assistant, the debuting Google Lens, and a durable, comfortable design. Additionally, the 12.2MP camera is ranked among the best for its portrait mode, while battery life and fast charging are noted as strong, long-lasting pros. Conversely, the review heavily critiques the LG-made P-OLED display as a "nasty disappointment" due to muted colors, poor viewing angles, and a distinct blue tint. Other drawbacks highlighted include the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and wireless charging. Despite these flaws, the device is considered a compelling, though flawed, flagship for its time.

Here is a three-paragraph summary of the Google Pixel 2 XL review: The Google Pixel 2 XL is highlighted as an excellent smartphone that offers a top-tier Android experience, even if its hardware feels slightly less premium than its predecessor. While the device is constructed from glass and aluminum, the reviewer noted that it has a plastic-like feel that lacks the high-end touch of competitors like the iPhone X or Galaxy Note8. Despite this, the phone is solidly built, features IP67 water and dust resistance, and includes front-facing stereo speakers. It is powered by a Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of RAM, providing super-quick performance. A standout feature is the 12.2-megapixel camera, which was the highest-rated on the market at the time of the review. It utilizes software to deliver an impressive Portrait mode on both front and rear cameras, and it excels in low-light photography. On the software side, the phone runs a clean, "stock" version of Android 8.0 Oreo, featuring exclusive tools like Google Lens for visual searching and Active Edge squeezable sides to trigger Google Assistant. The...

In his review for Thurrott.com, Paul Thurrott describes the Google Pixel 2 XL as a high-quality, "future-proof" flagship with a superior camera, a clean Android experience, and excellent Google Fi integration. While he personally found the screen quality acceptable and the performance fast, he highlights the alarming volume of public complaints regarding hardware, specifically the display's blue tint and muted colors. Key pros include the exceptional camera, modern form factor, and smooth user interface, while major cons involve the lackluster display, missing headphone jack, and lack of wireless charging. Despite enjoying the device, Thurrott delivers a paradoxical verdict, refusing to recommend the $1,000 phone to others due to high-profile manufacturing issues like potential screen burn-in. He argues that these risks, paired with the premium price, make the device hard to justify when compared to more reliable alternatives from Apple or Samsung.

The GearBrain review of the Google Pixel 2 XL highlights a "function over form" design, focusing on an improved 6-inch P-OLED display, a comfortable, textured body, and the "squeeze" feature for launching Google Assistant. Key advantages, or pros, include a superb single-lens camera utilizing advanced machine learning, a fast fingerprint reader, reliable all-day battery life, and a pure Android experience. Conversely, the review identifies significant, or cons, regarding the display's sub-par quality, specifically noting a blue tint when viewed at an angle and potential screen burn-in. Furthermore, the device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, wireless charging, and has a less premium aesthetic compared to rivals.

The Outline's review praises the Pixel 2 XL for its fast, clean Android software, sturdy build, and exceptional camera performance, particularly noting the quality of photos and Portrait mode. However, the device is criticized for a display with "washed out" colors, the absence of a headphone jack and wireless charging, and limitations for users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. Ultimately, the Pixel 2 XL is presented as a highly functional, intelligent device, ideal for users prioritizing software experience and daily utility over hardware aesthetics.

One year after its release, the Google Pixel 2 XL remains a consistent, high-performing device with smooth software, even compared to newer 2018 alternatives, according to Android Central. Key strengths include an industry-leading camera, long-lasting battery, and useful features like Active Edge and Now Playing. Conversely, the device is held back by a controversial P-OLED screen prone to blue tint, dated large bezels, and potential, minor hardware issues like speaker rattling.

Six months after its launch, the Google Pixel 2 XL is described as a reliable flagship prioritizing function over trends, with pros including durability and stereo speakers, and a con being the lack of wireless charging. Its performance remains strong with a clean Android software experience, praised for a snappy fingerprint sensor and Active Edge feature, though the LG-made P-OLED display's dull colors and blue tint are noted as cons. The camera continues to be a market leader due to advanced computational photography, offering fast startup and reliable image quality despite the con of lacking a headphone jack and having a display less bright in direct sunlight compared to rivals.

The Google Pixel 2 XL is described as a flagship phone that combines elegant software with high-quality hardware. Key pros include terrific low-light camera performance, excellent battery life, and a sturdy build. However, its highly debated 6-inch OLED display, featuring a blue tint at angles and lower brightness, significantly detracts from the experience. The phone also lacks a headphone jack, microSD card slot, wireless charging, and Band 71 support. Despite these flaws, its superior software and camera make it a compelling choice for a pure Android experience.

According to The Verge's Circuit Breaker review, the Google Pixel 2 XL offered several strengths, including industry-leading camera performance, exceptional battery life, and a clean, fast Android experience. However, these pros were significantly overshadowed by numerous "inexcusable" flaws in its LG-made P-OLED display, such as a harsh blue color shift, muted colors, gritty texture, black smear, and potential burn-in, preventing the phone from achieving "true greatness" at its premium price point.

Ars Technica's review describes the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL as offering the best Android experience due to superior software, despite differing hardware designs. The Pixel 2 XL features a modern, slim-bezel design and 1440p P-OLED display, while the standard Pixel 2 has criticized for its "old-school" large bezels. Key pros included the best-in-class camera, squeezable edges for Google Assistant, front-facing stereo speakers, and a clean Android OS with guaranteed updates, while cons included the lack of a headphone jack, divergent design quality between models, Pixel 2 XL display issues like blue tint, a high price point, and the absence of wireless charging or microSD expansion. Google Pixel 2 Smartphone£94.95& more prices4.6(1.5k)Google Pixel 2 XL 64GB 4G LTE Unlocked Android Smartphone£118.804.6(2k)

According to a Gizmodo review, Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL prioritize seamless software and intelligence over flashy hardware, treating the phones as "utilitarian appliances" where hardware supports proactive software assistance. Key strengths include a refined user experience, industry-leading photography with excellent HDR processing, dual front-facing speakers, and IP67 water resistance. However, weaknesses noted are the smaller Pixel 2's "neglected" and "clunky" design and battery life, the absence of a headphone jack, microSD slot, and wireless charging, struggles with very low-light photos, and the Active Edge sensor's limitation to only launching Google Assistant.

CNET reviewed the Google Pixel 2 XL, highlighting its expanded screen, modern design, excellent 12.2-megapixel camera with advanced AI, IP67 waterproofing, and Google Lens as key advantages. However, the review noted significant display problems including screen burn-in and a "blue shift" effect, a muted color appearance compared to rivals, less smooth portrait mode software than dual-camera systems, the absence of a headphone jack and wireless charging, and only average battery life.

Wired's review of the Google Pixel 2 highlights its focus on smart features and reliability despite a design described as dated, particularly due to large bezels on the smaller model, though it is waterproof. A major drawback cited is the removal of the headphone jack, necessitating an adapter or Bluetooth options. The camera is praised as the standout feature, with impressive Portrait Mode and low-light performance achieved through software. However, the device lacks wireless charging, and battery life is considered "so-so" compared to competitors. Wired ultimately recommends the Pixel 2 as the best Android phone for those prioritizing a pure, fast software experience and an industry-leading camera, despite its design flaws and the missing headphone jack.

Engadget's review hails the 2017 Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL as top Android devices, driven by a world-class 12.2-megapixel camera, smooth performance, and unique "Active Edge" features. However, the 6-inch P-OLED display on the XL model was criticized for muted colors and, significant "blue shift" issues, alongside a lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and wireless charging. While the XL offers a modern 18:9 design, the smaller Pixel 2's large bezels feel outdated, yet both devices retain excellent camera capabilities and clean software.

According to a 2017 review, The Google Pixel 2 XL prioritized utility with an aluminum unibody, textured coating for grip, front-facing stereo speakers, and IP67 water resistance, contrasting with competitors' focus on aesthetics. While lauded for its 12.2-megapixel camera using machine learning for Portrait Mode and the smooth Android 8.0 Oreo experience powered by a Snapdragon 835 processor, the device was significantly criticized for its LG-made P-OLED display, which featured muted colors, a blue tint at angles, and reported image retention issues. The review also noted the absence of a headphone jack and wireless charging as drawbacks.