shalemail
Android Expert
I KNOW you have all been waiting with bated breath for my review of the Pixel 2 XL. In fact @lunatic59 has already called me out.
I have a Pixel (5in) review in that forum as well.
Okay here we go. I purchased the Pixel 2 XL 128 through my Fi account on payments and did get the device protection. I learned today that my warranty now extends for at least 2 years, maybe 3 depending on how you interpret it. That pleases me. Additionally, 3 years of OS and security updates guaranteed is a nice peace of mind add-on. Like many I wanted the Penguin color scheme but I wanted my phone quickly more than I wanted that color, not only because I am impatient but because my wife will be adopting the Pixel and finally joining me on Fi. Yay.
As was the case with my Pixel review, this is just my opinions based on my experience in my situation. Might not apply to some, might to others.
Okay, without further ado my review.
PROS
Screen: Amazing. It's not perfect, it's not a Samsung panel, it's not saturated. I don't mind the more muted colors (they are only really in the OS functions - not the apps) It might be Gotham's history with clowns but I am not a fan of garish colors.
Size: It's barely larger than the OG Pixel, it's smaller than the N6 and proportioned such that it fits well in my hand and pockets. I am a HUGE fan of the size of this phone.
Speakers: Wow is it nice to have front facing stereo speakers again. I didn't realize how much I missed them, I mean I MISSED them the whole time I used the Pixel, but man o man are they great. These speakers are not as loud as the N6 but seem more crisp. They sound AMAZING.
Build: It's solid as a rock, very light but solid. For those used to the curved glass of Samsung or LG and the like, you might not like this phone -out of a case- because there's a noticeable lip where the glass meets the frame. It's not unruly but it's there and if I didn't use it in a case it would bug me, might even be what I'd categorize as a big deal to me were it not cased 24/7. Check it out in person and you'll see what I mean. Otherwise I really like the refinements from series one to two. I'll again use the hot rod analogy I appreciate the build quality of this phone the same way I appreciate horsepower over chrome and paint. I don't care about wireless charging and prefer a metal chassis.
Camera: So far so good, but I need more time to have fun. I'll just say it now, it's incredible, no one can argue that.
Fingerprint scanner: Faster and more accurate than the first, which honestly I didn't think was possible.
Battery: If it ever dies I'll let you know. 6 hours of SOT yesterday - it never broke a sweat - had over 30% left when I went to bed.
Speed: See: World Land Speed Record https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_speed_record
Performance: See speed above plus ... IT NEVER EVEN GOT WARM.
UI: Vanilla Android if you want the other crap, you'll hate it, if you want REAL Android the way Google intends it to be, here it is. I'll personally NEVER go back.
Always On Display: I like it. Haven't even turned on my LED yet.
Now Playing: Haven't had a chance to try it out, going to do so tonight.
Edge Sense: It rocks, the most surprisingly pleasing "add" to this phone for me so far. Makes assistant ... more usable ... to me at least.
24/7 Assistance: Again great value add.
Vibration: Best haptic feedback and vibration motor I've ever had in a phone. Best word for it: Refined.
CONS
I struggled to think of any at this point.
It doesn't have a headphone jack (don't care)
It doesn't wirelessly charge (don't care)
It's only IP67 (don't care)
No expandable storage (don't care I'll never fill 128 GB)
Screen - I guess, I mean it's really nice to my eyes, but I am sure people out there could nit pic it. I love this phone, screen included.
I'll be posting pictures and adding more to this as I go along. This is literally my "FIRST 24 HOURS" review at this point, I opened the box at 1:30 yesterday afternoon.
I have a Pixel (5in) review in that forum as well.
Okay here we go. I purchased the Pixel 2 XL 128 through my Fi account on payments and did get the device protection. I learned today that my warranty now extends for at least 2 years, maybe 3 depending on how you interpret it. That pleases me. Additionally, 3 years of OS and security updates guaranteed is a nice peace of mind add-on. Like many I wanted the Penguin color scheme but I wanted my phone quickly more than I wanted that color, not only because I am impatient but because my wife will be adopting the Pixel and finally joining me on Fi. Yay.
As was the case with my Pixel review, this is just my opinions based on my experience in my situation. Might not apply to some, might to others.
Okay, without further ado my review.
PROS
Screen: Amazing. It's not perfect, it's not a Samsung panel, it's not saturated. I don't mind the more muted colors (they are only really in the OS functions - not the apps) It might be Gotham's history with clowns but I am not a fan of garish colors.
Size: It's barely larger than the OG Pixel, it's smaller than the N6 and proportioned such that it fits well in my hand and pockets. I am a HUGE fan of the size of this phone.
Speakers: Wow is it nice to have front facing stereo speakers again. I didn't realize how much I missed them, I mean I MISSED them the whole time I used the Pixel, but man o man are they great. These speakers are not as loud as the N6 but seem more crisp. They sound AMAZING.
Build: It's solid as a rock, very light but solid. For those used to the curved glass of Samsung or LG and the like, you might not like this phone -out of a case- because there's a noticeable lip where the glass meets the frame. It's not unruly but it's there and if I didn't use it in a case it would bug me, might even be what I'd categorize as a big deal to me were it not cased 24/7. Check it out in person and you'll see what I mean. Otherwise I really like the refinements from series one to two. I'll again use the hot rod analogy I appreciate the build quality of this phone the same way I appreciate horsepower over chrome and paint. I don't care about wireless charging and prefer a metal chassis.
Camera: So far so good, but I need more time to have fun. I'll just say it now, it's incredible, no one can argue that.
Fingerprint scanner: Faster and more accurate than the first, which honestly I didn't think was possible.
Battery: If it ever dies I'll let you know. 6 hours of SOT yesterday - it never broke a sweat - had over 30% left when I went to bed.
Speed: See: World Land Speed Record https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_speed_record
Performance: See speed above plus ... IT NEVER EVEN GOT WARM.
UI: Vanilla Android if you want the other crap, you'll hate it, if you want REAL Android the way Google intends it to be, here it is. I'll personally NEVER go back.
Always On Display: I like it. Haven't even turned on my LED yet.
Now Playing: Haven't had a chance to try it out, going to do so tonight.
Edge Sense: It rocks, the most surprisingly pleasing "add" to this phone for me so far. Makes assistant ... more usable ... to me at least.
24/7 Assistance: Again great value add.
Vibration: Best haptic feedback and vibration motor I've ever had in a phone. Best word for it: Refined.
CONS
I struggled to think of any at this point.
It doesn't have a headphone jack (don't care)
It doesn't wirelessly charge (don't care)
It's only IP67 (don't care)
No expandable storage (don't care I'll never fill 128 GB)
Screen - I guess, I mean it's really nice to my eyes, but I am sure people out there could nit pic it. I love this phone, screen included.
I'll be posting pictures and adding more to this as I go along. This is literally my "FIRST 24 HOURS" review at this point, I opened the box at 1:30 yesterday afternoon.
Last edited: