Just confirming every leak that’s around the web till now, Google has finally and officially launched the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL android smartphones. The smaller and larger combination phones have striking hardware and software resemblance, but with a slight difference in its display and front design.
Both the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have a aluminium unibody with a hybrid coating that’s also IP67 rated for water and dust resistant. There is a squeezable frame around the mobile, just like the HTC U11 and Google calls it Active Edge. While holding the phone, you can squeeze on the sides to launch Google Assistant.
For those loving a small phone, the Pixel 2 flaunts a 5-inch cinematic full HD AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display with an aspect ratio of 16:9, 441ppi and covered in 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The bigger Google Pixel 2 XL, flaunts a 6-inch ultra vivid QHD+ pOLED (2880 x 1440) display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. It’s almost the same display you could find in the recently launched LG V30 or LG G6. It has a pixel density of 538ppi and is covered in 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Under the hood, both Pixel 2 smartphones are powered by a 2.35 GHz + 1.9 GHz 64 Bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and Adreno 540. To store your photos, videos and other media content, it carries either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. As always there is no expandable storage option available with the Pixel phones.
Pixel phones run on the latest Android operating system and that’s currently Android Oreo. Google guarantees security updates and OS updates for up to three years. It also packs some exclusive features like the new Google launcher and Google Lens – the AI-powered object recognition service. Both phones are also DayDream ready and support Google’s Daydream View VR headset.
No Dual Camera, but Single Camera + Machine Learning
When everyone is adopting a dual camera on their mobiles, Google is using its power in machine learning to achieve the incredible photography skills. The smart Google cameras on the new Pixel smartphones have apparently resulted in a DxOMark score of 98. That’s way more than the score received by Apple’s newest iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.
Both Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL packs a 12.2-megapixel rear camera. It features autofocus with laser and dual pixel phase detection, f/1.8 aperture and both optical and electronic image stabilisation. Thanks to the HDR+ processing, you can shoot some stunning photos like you do with a DSLR camera. For portraits, it can blur background like in a DSLR shot portraits. On the low light, it can add more detail in the dark with HDR+.
For selfie lovers, there is an 8-megapixel front-facing fixed focus camera in Pixel 2 phones. It features f/2.4 aperture and can shoot full HD videos at 30fps.
One interesting feature that Google packs with the Pixel 2 camera is the augmented reality (AR) stickers. Using this you can add interactive characters and animated emojis to live scenes. As always, for a Pixel owner, you get unlimited storage space for your photos and videos in the highest quality ever in Google Photos.
Connectivity and Audio
As for connectivity, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL comes with 4G LTE that will support every Indian telcos 4G band. In addition, the mobiles also support VoLTE for making HD voice and video calls. Other connectivity option includes 3G and 2G network support, Wi-Fi 2.4G + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC and USB Type-C.
For audiophiles, Pixel 2 phones come with a dual stereo front-facing speakers. Google has ditched the 3.5mm headphone port in favour of the USB-C port. However, the retail pack will include a headphone adaptor to connect your 3.5mm jack to the Pixel.
For added security, there is a fingerprint scanner at the back of the device. There is also a built-in security chip to reinforce your lock screen against malware and hardware attacks. The Pixel 2 is fuelled by a 2700 mAh battery, whereas the Pixel 2 XL get’s its power from a 3520 mAh battery. It also get’s quick charging support, as you can get up to 7 hours of battery life from just a 15-minute charge.
Pricing and Availability
Lastly to the pricing, Pixel 2 will retail at a price tag starting Rs 61,000 for the 64GB storage variant. Whereas the 128GB storage variant will retail for Rs 70,000. The bigger Pixel 2 XL get’s a price tag of Rs 73,000 for the 64GB storage variant. If you want more storage, then the 128GB variant of Pixel 2 XL will cost you Rs 82,000.
Pre-orders for the Pixel 2 phones starts from 26th October 2017. You can actually get hands-on the device when it goes on sale in India from 15th November 2017. The device will be available exclusively via Flipkart.