Google Pixel 2, Pixel XL Release Date Reviews: What Critics Are Saying

Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL earlier this month, and reviews for the device have now poured in.

During Google’s event, the company said the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2XL features augmented reality capabilities and a stellar camera. DxOMark gave the Pixel 2 a rating of 98, making it the highest rated smartphone camera on the market. Google’s quick search box is now at the bottom of the screen for better reachability. The devices also come with Google Lens, a feature that gives users data on objects in front of them, like book reviews and information on products.

However, there are some features the Pixel 2 did not deliver on, according to reviews.

The Verge

The Verge titled its review “Plainly Great,” saying the Pixel 2’s look does not “razzle dazzle” like other high-end smartphones. The site said Google tried to emit “naturalistic” colors on the Pixel 2 XL, but instead they’re just “plain muted.”

“When you look at all the phones side by side, it's undeniable that the Samsung phone is wildly oversaturated, the iPhone 8 looks the most natural, and the Pixel 2 XL is the most muted,” wrote Dieter Bohn from the Verge. “I find the Pixel 2's photos to be way sharper than the iPhone 8 and the Note 8.”

Bohn pointed out that the Pixel 2 devices are water and dust resistant, but that they don’t have wireless charging capabilities like Apple and Samsung smartphones. However, the review said the Google devices have pretty good batteries, and that the Pixel 2 XL usually “lasts until bedtime just fine.”

Unlike the iPhone 8, the Pixel 2 has the fingerprint scanner on the back of the device. The review said the scanner was at “an easy-to-reach spot” and is “fast and accurate.” However, the power button on the Pixel XL 2 wasn’t as easy to reach.

TechCrunch

Brian Heater from TechCrunch said the Pixel 2 lacked a “wow” factor that would push people to upgrade from last year’s model.

Heater wrote:

“The sequel to last year’s hit phone isn’t a radical upgrade. If it were an Apple product, the company would put a somewhat resigned ‘S’ after the model number as an affirmation that this is one of those in-between years. It’s an evolution of a good phone that helps the device keep pace with the market, but lacks the sort of wow factor that drives early adopters to trade in last year’s model.”

Engadget

Engadget listed the following as Pixel 2 pros : “excellent performance, truly impressive camera, it's finally water resistant, Android 8.0 is powerful and accessible, eSIM works well with Project Fi.”

The site listed the following as Pixel 2 cons: “no microSD slot or headphone jack, its design feels dated, unlimited full-res photo storage only lasts three years, middling battery life.”

CNET

CNET praised the Pixel 2’s camera, saying it made up for the lack of headphone jack. The site had an unfavorable opinion about the device’s battery and its look.

“Bottom Line: Buy the Pixel 2 for the best camera on any Android phone and fast Google updates, but skip it if you can't live without a headphone jack or a standout design,” CNET said.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Price, Release Date

The new all-aluminum body Google smartphones are currently available for preorder and will be available Oct. 19. The 5-inch Pixel 2 will start at $649 and the 6-inch Pixel 2 XL will sell at $849.