Google introduced the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones at the company’s big hardware event today. The company’s new Pixel 2 device is manufactured by HTC, while the bigger XL variant is manufactured by LG. Both the devices are quite different in terms of design, and they certainly look quite interesting.
In terms of the specs, the Pixel 2 comes with a five-inch 1080p display. It’s not edge-to-edge, and the top/bottom bezels are also quite huge for a flagship phone in 2017. The bigger Pixel 2 XL comes with a 6-inch QHD+ display, 18:9 aspect ratio and the bezels are much thinner here, although the front doesn’t look as gorgeous as the Samsung Galaxy S8. For the processor, you are getting the Snapdragon 835 on both of the devices which isn’t as powerful as Apple’s latest A11 Bionic but due to the Snapdragon 836 being delayed, Google didn’t have any other options. Both the devices also pack 4GB of RAM and are available with 64GB and 128GB of storage.
Google has also updated the 12-megapixel camera on the device to include OIS and it now has the highest rated smartphone camera, which isn’t too much of a big deal anymore. There’s also a new portrait mode similar to the iPhone, although Google is using software and machine learning to take pictures in the portrait mode which means it works both for the rear and the front camera. But a big upgrade from last year’s Pixel smartphones are the new front-facing stereo speakers, but they also contribute to the bigger top/bottom bezels on the phones which looks especially weird on the smaller Pixel 2.
Another interesting new addition in the newest Pixel smartphones are the squeeze-able sides. You will effectively be “squeeze” certain actions, like opening up the camera or opening up Google Assistant. It’s a big gimmick, to say the latest. But hey, at least both of these devices are water-resistant now.
Google’s latest phones are quite expensive too. The regular Pixel 2’s 64GB variant will sell for $649, and the 128GB variant will sell for $749. It starts shipping on October 19. The Pixel 2 XL’s 64GB variant will sell for $849 and the 128GB variant will cost $949. Both It will start shipping much later: November 15. Pre-orders for both the devices open up today.