Google Pixel 2 All Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Google Pixel 2 showcases a sleek and minimalistic design that became a hallmark of the Pixel series. It features a combination of a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and an aluminum and glass back, giving it a sturdy and premium feel. The device is crafted with a focus on durability while maintaining a lightweight profile, weighing only 143 grams.

Available in three colors - Kinda Blue, Just Black, and Clearly White - the Pixel 2 offers a variety of options to suit different personal styles. The dimensions of 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm provide a comfortable grip, making it easy to handle the phone with one hand. For network flexibility, it supports both Nano-SIM and eSIM, reflecting Google's forward-thinking approach to connectivity.

Display

The Google Pixel 2 is equipped with a 5.0-inch AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep contrasts. This screen type is renowned for its superior quality and energy efficiency compared to traditional LCDs. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, it offers clear and sharp visuals.

Despite the relatively modest screen size by today's standards, the Pixel 2's display holds its own with approximately 441 pixels per inch (ppi) density, ensuring text appears sharp and images are detailed. The screen-to-body ratio is about 67.9%, which, while not edge-to-edge as more modern devices, still provides an immersive viewing experience.

Camera Performance

The Pixel 2's camera capabilities are arguably one of its strongest selling points. The main camera is a single 12.2 MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.8, which allows for excellent low-light performance. It features dual-pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF), a laser autofocus system, and optical image stabilization (OIS), ensuring that photos are captured quickly and with high clarity.

Additional features such as dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama support enhance the camera's versatility. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps, and slow-motion options at 1080p@120fps and 720p@240fps, all stabilized by gyro-EIS to reduce shake.

The front camera, an 8 MP shooter with an f/2.4 aperture, offers good quality selfies and 1080p video recording, complemented by HDR support for well-balanced exposures.

Performance and Software

The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, coupled with an octa-core CPU (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) and an Adreno 540 GPU. This combination ensures smooth performance across a range of applications, from basic tasks to more demanding processing requirements.

Initially launched with Android 8.0 (Oreo), the Pixel 2 received updates up to Android 11, highlighting Google's commitment to providing regular software support. This guarantees not just the latest features but also the latest security updates, enhancing device longevity and security.

With 4 GB of RAM and storage options of 64 GB or 128 GB (without expandable memory), the device offers ample space for apps, photos, and media, although power users may find the lack of expandable storage limiting.

Battery Life

Boasting a non-removable Li-Ion 2700 mAh battery, the Google Pixel 2 offers approximately 75 hours of endurance rating, implying decent, although not exceptional, battery life. It supports fast charging at 10.5W with Power Delivery 2.0, ensuring the phone can be topped up relatively quickly.

While the battery capacity may appear modest compared to larger phones with more immense batteries, the efficient Snapdragon 835 chipset and AMOLED display help prolong usage by conserving energy.

Additional Features

The Pixel 2 comes with IP67 dust/water resistance, offering protection from accidental splashes and shallow water immersion. Its stereo speakers deliver loud and clear audio, though it lacks a traditional 3.5mm audio jack, instead relying on USB Type-C for wired audio connectivity.

For wireless communications, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD support, ensuring fast and reliable connections. The inclusion of NFC facilitates easy mobile payments and sharing of content across devices.

Navigation is enhanced with support for multiple global positioning systems, such as GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO, improving accuracy and reliability in diverse environments.

User Experience and Reception

On release, the Google Pixel 2 was lauded for its impressive camera quality, clean Android interface, and seamless Google integration. The user experience is further enhanced by advanced features such as Google Assistant and innovative additions like Active Edge, which allows quick access to apps and functions through squeezing the sides of the device.

While some criticized the omission of a headphone jack and the lack of expandable storage, many appreciated the superior software experience and regular updates provided directly by Google. Its performance benchmarks showed strong results, making it a worthy contender in the high-end smartphone market upon release.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel 2 remains a formidable device, especially for those who value software efficiency, timely updates, and an exceptional camera experience. Despite the evolution of subsequent models, the Pixel 2 stands as a testament to Google's vision of delivering clean and user-centric Android experiences. Its hardware might show signs of age compared to current flagships, but the core DNA of user experience and software optimization makes it relevant for users looking for value in durability, seamless integration with Google services, and a solid user experience.