Phones Google Pixel 2 / Google Pixel 2 XL

[5105973]

As an iphone user, considering switching, the recent "throttle" issue has me thinking the same way about switching to a pixel. Will my IPX turn into a clunker in a year+?

I need to pull my SE out of mothballs (okay I just need to charge it) and update it to the latest iOS version and see what happens to it now. I’ve noticed so far with my SE and my 7 Plus that as soon as I upgraded from the iOS that came with it, everything went from smooth and wonderful to wonky and the phones slowed down and apps crashed. iOS 10 made my SE unpleasant to use and it’s been stuck on 10 for awhile now.

The iPhone X is probably the best iPhone I’ve ever owned. Despite all the talk about Qualcomm modems being better than Intel modems, I finally have very good call quality on iPhone again and so does my husband. Our Qualcomm 7 Pluses are terrible as phones.

But the display makes it hard to focus on print. That damned PWM flicker. If my family had not bought me so many cases for Christmas and I hadn’t bought myself two Otterbox Defenders (on sale!) I’d return it and wait to see what the rumored LCD model is like. There. I said it. It makes me sad. To be this close to smartphone Nirvana and have such a weird sticking point is so frustrating.

I found the Pixel 2 friendly and inviting but it did drive me nuts that notifications would barge in loud and proud when I was recording videos. I would hope there is a way to turn that off, but in the time that I had the phone I didn’t figure that one out. Nevertheless I still want one because I like the plain design of it and yes, squeezing it was fun. It was a fun phone. Android is a fun OS and Google made this phone a fun phone that can give us Porgs!

Like so many of you on this thread, I realize I need an addicts program for smart phones. Because I do miss and want the Pixel 2. Spending so much on the X does make getting one now very awkward, though, even if I use my own funds. I’m actually a very frugal person and compared to the other moms/wives in our circle I am very circumspect with my purchases. My lunches are always leftovers. No spa days, I buy new clothes once every few years and a lot is from Target and Costco and Kohl’s. Even my husband gets his hair professionally cut and spends more on clothes than I do. I do the cut and coloring for myself and the rest of the family. I drove the same car 24 years, took the hand me down used truck so hubby could buy his dream truck new. Etc etc. lol...so why do I feel like such a spoiled brat?

On top of that, my 13 year old let me know she still loves American Girl dolls and hasn’t outgrown them and wants to do our annual visit and purchase of the new Girl of the Year doll when I’m better. I think my money is going to end up going to that. My kid takes precedence over my addiction.

I don’t know really know what I will do. At least it’s not something I need to rush to decide.

 

[Aneres11]

We are all here for each other as we battle our addiction. .

After me:

"My name is Aneres11. I'm a smartphone addict".

Ahhh. Feel better?

I don't...! .

 

[co.ag.2005]

We are all here for each other as we battle our addiction. .

After me:

"My name is Aneres11. I'm a smartphone addict".

Ahhh. Feel better?

I don't...! .

naw, I'm not an addict... I can quit anytime!

 

[noobinator]

But the display makes it hard to focus on print. That damned PWM flicker. If my family had not bought me so many cases for Christmas and I hadn’t bought myself two Otterbox Defenders (on sale!) I’d return it and wait to see what the rumored LCD model is like. There. I said it. It makes me sad. To be this close to smartphone Nirvana and have such a weird sticking point is so frustrating.

Regarding the PWM flicker, I did a ton of research on this and the X and Pixel 2 / 2 XL and the PWM flicker is apparently the same/just as bad on the Pixel 2s as the iPhone X.

 

[Tig Bitties]

 

[michael9891]

After experiencing great customer service from Google for returns, they've been quite shocking in refunding me for one I sent back. They received it over 2 weeks ago and all I got was an email saying I'm being refunded £0 for shipping.

First contacted them 10 days ago and they told me there was an error when trying to refund me. And since then after lots of time on chat, all I get is "you'll get an email in 1-2 days confirming it's been processed" Heard that 4 times now. How hard is to pay someone back.

 

[TheBigKing]

I left iOS when s8 plus get released now i have a pixel love it no more iOS for me

 

[5105973]

Regarding the PWM flicker, I did a ton of research on this and the X and Pixel 2 / 2 XL and the PWM flicker is apparently the same/just as bad on the Pixel 2s as the iPhone X.

Oh no, really? Poooop. I didn’t notice it during my time with the Pixel 2. But I got it at a time I was a bit busy and harried and didn’t try reading on it. I was so busy with the camera, mostly.

One of my Samsungs had a display that strained my eyes a lot. I don’t remember which one it was. It might not even be one I still have. My S8+ display is fine for reading on, thank goodness.

Ah, still wouldn’t be a deal breaker. The flicker doesn’t seem to impact gaming, video watching or bits of texting. It just annoys me for ebooks. My trusty 7 Plus can therefore still have a job.

Though truth be told, my 7plus gets plenty of use anyway, because I run my battery on the X down playing Animal Crossing Pocket Camp. I’m obsessed with that game. I’ll run my X battery down and throw it on the charging puck and keep my 7 Plus and S8+ on me. I like Animal Crossing Pocket Camp so much I even downloaded a kana chart so I can read the names of all my Japanese friends.

I used to be able to read and write Japanese and some Chinese, but that was 25 years ago from when I struggled through Asian studies in college. I’m rusty on the basic kana characters and can’t read the Chinese characters at all. I feel bad referring to these people as “Squiggle” and “He Who Cannot Be Named”.

Ah, most of the time I’m quite happy to be me, but there are times I look at my effortlessly multilingual math whiz beauty queen mother and wonder why I took after my dad so much.
[doublepost=1514517983][/doublepost]

After experiencing great customer service from Google for returns, they've been quite shocking in refunding me for one I sent back. They received it over 2 weeks ago and all I got was an email saying I'm being refunded £0 for shipping.

First contacted them 10 days ago and they told me there was an error when trying to refund me. And since then after lots of time on chat, all I get is "you'll get an email in 1-2 days confirming it's been processed" Heard that 4 times now. How hard is to pay someone back.

Oh my goodness. Well they did take about 2 days to get the money back into my account once the rep initiated the process. I think it was that much for my husband, too. I wonder if the holidays have slowed them down any with staff taking time off. That is quite odd. Keep us posted.

 

[Michael Goff]

And I can’t decide on a one true phone between the iPhone X and Pixel 2XL.

 

[noobinator]

And I can’t decide on a one true phone between the iPhone X and Pixel 2XL.

We are holding a smart phone decision meeting next Tuesday if you’d like to join. The topic is X vs 2XL.

 

[Michael Goff]

We are holding a smart phone decision meeting next Tuesday if you’d like to join. The topic is X vs 2XL.

I assume we’ll leave with no decision, but I’ll go anyway.

 

[5105973]

For me it’s “to buy Pixel 2, or not to buy Pixel 2?” Oddly enough my husband is interested in what’s going on with them. He’s still following Pixel 2 news. I think he had way too much fun shopping for Chromebooks for Christmas. We had a kid start middle school this year who needed one. He did consider the Pixel Chromebook but the price was too high for the purpose and intended recipient.

 

[michael9891]

[doublepost=1514517983][/doublepost]
Oh my goodness. Well they did take about 2 days to get the money back into my account once the rep initiated the process. I think it was that much for my husband, too. I wonder if the holidays have slowed them down any with staff taking time off. That is quite odd. Keep us posted.

Apparently they have specialists looking into why the error occurred and no refund will be processed until then. I asked for it to be paid into my bank which they refused. I’ve heard every excuse from them and if they fail to respond within 24 hours like they assured me they would, I’ll be going beyond Google.

 

[Aneres11]

Welp. I think I've made my decision.

Gonna stick with the Pixel 2 and sell my iPhone X. I could happily live with either of these great phones but ultimately it comes down to a few things .

Firstly, having my Pixelbook means the Pixel 2 talks to that much better. Photo sharing, notes, pushbullet, Google drive, and unlocking the Pixelbook with the phones fingerprint reader are all very ideal things .

Secondly, price. Gone over it before,but the extra money will really come in handy that I'll bag from selling the X. Still can't believe the Pixel 2 is essentially half the price almost .

Thirdly, that damn camera. I can't believe how Google have managed to do what they've done with this camera using only a single lens. I mean, props to them for that. The X camera is very good and probably comparable in a lot of situations. But it's the real life low light snapping photos of the dog indoors where the Pixel 2 comes into its own.

Fourthly, and not that importantly, the level of customisation is pretty immense for the Pixel. Not just due to Android either. I was checking out the official cases you can get on Google and the fact you can choose from a wealth of designs is very cool. Add to that the fact you can upload your own image and get a DIY case direct from Google rather than one of these dodgy case sites that I never trust and you're set. Really cool.

I've cemented my decision by ordering a Ringke clear case as well as a tempered glass screen protector so no going back now.

 

[deany]

Welp. I think I've made my decision.

Gonna stick with the Pixel 2 and sell my iPhone X. I could happily live with either of these great phones but ultimately it comes down to a few things .

Firstly, having my Pixelbook means the Pixel 2 talks to that much better. Photo sharing, notes, pushbullet, Google drive, and unlocking the Pixelbook with the phones fingerprint reader are all very ideal things .

Secondly, price. Gone over it before,but the extra money will really come in handy that I'll bag from selling the X. Still can't believe the Pixel 2 is essentially half the price almost .

Thirdly, that damn camera. I can't believe how Google have managed to do what they've done with this camera using only a single lens. I mean, props to them for that. The X camera is very good and probably comparable in a lot of situations. But it's the real life low light snapping photos of the dog indoors where the Pixel 2 comes into its own.

Fourthly, and not that importantly, the level of customisation is pretty immense for the Pixel. Not just due to Android either. I was checking out the official cases you can get on Google and the fact you can choose from a wealth of designs is very cool. Add to that the fact you can upload your own image and get a DIY case direct from Google rather than one of these dodgy case sites that I never trust and you're set. Really cool.

I've cemented my decision by ordering a Ringke clear case as well as a tempered glass screen protector so no going back now.

Pixel 2 is now £500 in the UK, bargain compared to X.
I bought a Xiaomi Mi A1 for £174 six weeks ago and I'm very very happy with it. (From iPhone 6, 10 year iPhone owner).
I think I may stay loyal to the Mi A1 due to androidOne and its duel sim, Work/Personal.
Fantastic smartphone and it has given me the chance to make the switch without taking a financial gamble.
I'm now 100% pure android and certainly won't be returning to iPhone especially after the recent bombshell.
If Pixel 2 was duel sim, I almost certainly would look again Spring 2018. But this little fella (Mi A1) is doing so well I'd feel bad to part with it!
Anyhow Pixel 2, inspired choice and my smartphone of 2017, 'flagship' smartphone that is!!

Ps
Mi A1 clearly not in same league as Pixel 2, camera! Etc however as a second or 'spare phone' for you lucky Pixel 2 owners it would be perfect.

 

[fr4c]

Welp. I think I've made my decision.

Gonna stick with the Pixel 2 and sell my iPhone X. I could happily live with either of these great phones but ultimately it comes down to a few things .

Firstly, having my Pixelbook means the Pixel 2 talks to that much better. Photo sharing, notes, pushbullet, Google drive, and unlocking the Pixelbook with the phones fingerprint reader are all very ideal things .

Secondly, price. Gone over it before,but the extra money will really come in handy that I'll bag from selling the X. Still can't believe the Pixel 2 is essentially half the price almost .

Thirdly, that damn camera. I can't believe how Google have managed to do what they've done with this camera using only a single lens. I mean, props to them for that. The X camera is very good and probably comparable in a lot of situations. But it's the real life low light snapping photos of the dog indoors where the Pixel 2 comes into its own.

Fourthly, and not that importantly, the level of customisation is pretty immense for the Pixel. Not just due to Android either. I was checking out the official cases you can get on Google and the fact you can choose from a wealth of designs is very cool. Add to that the fact you can upload your own image and get a DIY case direct from Google rather than one of these dodgy case sites that I never trust and you're set. Really cool.

I've cemented my decision by ordering a Ringke clear case as well as a tempered glass screen protector so no going back now.

I think we were separated at birth. Purchased the X-Level case that was recommended a few pages back, and managed to find a nice deal on a set of Bose QC35 II's for my upcoming trip for work. The crazy thing is that this combination is still less than just a iPhone X by itself.

 

[5105973]

Pixel 2 is now £500 in the UK, bargain compared to X.
I bought a Xiaomi Mi A1 for £174 six weeks ago and I'm very very happy with it. (From iPhone 6, 10 year iPhone owner).
I think I may stay loyal to the Mi A1 due to androidOne and its duel sim, Work/Personal.
Fantastic smartphone and it has given me the chance to make the switch without taking a financial gamble.
I'm now 100% pure android and certainly won't be returning to iPhone especially after the recent bombshell.
If Pixel 2 was duel sim, I almost certainly would look again Spring 2018. But this little fella (Mi A1) is doing so well I'd feel bad to part with it!
Anyhow Pixel 2, inspired choice and my smartphone of 2017, 'flagship' smartphone that is!!

Ps
Mi A1 clearly not in same league as Pixel 2, camera! Etc however as a second or 'spare phone' for you lucky Pixel 2 owners it would be perfect.

I saw great reviews on Amazon and the picture samples were impressive. It does the bokeh effect as well as my X does. I’m a bit stunned. I definitely feel we’ve overpaid for these X’s now. The only consolation I have is that X’s make videos of the quality and uninterrupted length I need them to be. And they work with Apple watches. Lol, that’s all I’ve got at the moment.

That’s seriously impressive phone for the price. Thanks for sharing your find with us. I’m actually going to look into it a bit. I’m definitely intrigued now.

 

[co.ag.2005]

Take a read through the linked XDA thread (via Reddit). Looks like some are able to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon Pixel 2 (not 2 XL). Food for thought if there's anyone on here who wants root but have a Verizon Pixel 2.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/7ms5ke/verizon_pixel_2_bootloader_unlock/
[doublepost=1514560078][/doublepost]Also, a good article at XDA about the screen calibration of the Pixel 2 XL

https://www.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl-xda-display-analysis/

 

[noobinator]

Welp. I think I've made my decision.

Gonna stick with the Pixel 2 and sell my iPhone X. I could happily live with either of these great phones but ultimately it comes down to a few things .

Firstly, having my Pixelbook means the Pixel 2 talks to that much better. Photo sharing, notes, pushbullet, Google drive, and unlocking the Pixelbook with the phones fingerprint reader are all very ideal things .

Secondly, price. Gone over it before,but the extra money will really come in handy that I'll bag from selling the X. Still can't believe the Pixel 2 is essentially half the price almost .

Thirdly, that damn camera. I can't believe how Google have managed to do what they've done with this camera using only a single lens. I mean, props to them for that. The X camera is very good and probably comparable in a lot of situations. But it's the real life low light snapping photos of the dog indoors where the Pixel 2 comes into its own.

Fourthly, and not that importantly, the level of customisation is pretty immense for the Pixel. Not just due to Android either. I was checking out the official cases you can get on Google and the fact you can choose from a wealth of designs is very cool. Add to that the fact you can upload your own image and get a DIY case direct from Google rather than one of these dodgy case sites that I never trust and you're set. Really cool.

I've cemented my decision by ordering a Ringke clear case as well as a tempered glass screen protector so no going back now.

And I've made my decision as well. After just a short time exclusively using the Pixel 2 XL. Keep in mind I'm on my 3rd one. I used it exclusively at work yesterday and I have my phone on my desk in front of me quite often and the blue shift is just too much. I had it laying right next to my X and it was night and day. My X has a color shift but it's more of a shift to look darker. My 2 XL is flat out obnoxious blue to the point of it killed my experience. I did compare it with my friends 2 XL and the display models and mine did have more than average blue shift. Also, I was looking over the phone back yesterday in more detail and the top part of my panda (black part) had some bubbles in it just like the screen on my last one did. Very small and hard to see, but now that I know they are there I can't unsee it.

Combine the fact that this phone would have only saved me maybe $150-$200 over the X, and the QC issues I keep encountering I decided to stay with my trusty X. It's an amazing piece of technology. I greatly prefer things about the 2 XL but it seems I kept losing the panel and qc lottery so I'm done trying. I'll be back for Pixel 3 XL I'm sure. I will keep reading this thread though because I enjoy hearing people's thoughts.

 

[Aneres11]

And I've made my decision as well. After just a short time exclusively using the Pixel 2 XL. Keep in mind I'm on my 3rd one. I used it exclusively at work yesterday and I have my phone on my desk in front of me quite often and the blue shift is just too much. I had it laying right next to my X and it was night and day. My X has a color shift but it's more of a shift to look darker. My 2 XL is flat out obnoxious blue to the point of it killed my experience. I did compare it with my friends 2 XL and the display models and mine did have more than average blue shift. Also, I was looking over the phone back yesterday in more detail and the top part of my panda (black part) had some bubbles in it just like the screen on my last one did. Very small and hard to see, but now that I know they are there I can't unsee it.

Combine the fact that this phone would have only saved me maybe $150-$200 over the X, and the QC issues I keep encountering I decided to stay with my trusty X. It's an amazing piece of technology. I greatly prefer things about the 2 XL but it seems I kept losing the panel and qc lottery so I'm done trying. I'll be back for Pixel 3 XL I'm sure. I will keep reading this thread though because I enjoy hearing people's thoughts.

Honestly, it's all completley understandable.
I was not a fan of the blue shift on the 2 XL I had very briefly. My normal sized Pixel 2 has virtually no blueshift at all and is night and day better than the XL.
It isn't as good as the X's screen though, which is absolutely sublime to my eyes.

Just taking the photos of the X to list it for sale is sad. I don't actually want to get rid of it, but can't keep both. And I haven't actually used it for over a week now (as in used it as my daily phone) and I haven't missed anything about it. That was the tell tale sign I guess.

But nice in a weird way to have two phones that are so good you can't decide between them. Normally I'm dissatisifed with one and on the lookout for something better. Can't see that being the case now I've used these two great devices.

In Pixel 2 news - took this photo of my tea and homemade chocoalte biscuits haha.
Not sure if you guys like tea as much as us Brits, but it's a good opportunity to show off portrait mode as I sit working from home!

 

[5105973]

And I've made my decision as well. After just a short time exclusively using the Pixel 2 XL. Keep in mind I'm on my 3rd one. I used it exclusively at work yesterday and I have my phone on my desk in front of me quite often and the blue shift is just too much. I had it laying right next to my X and it was night and day. My X has a color shift but it's more of a shift to look darker. My 2 XL is flat out obnoxious blue to the point of it killed my experience. I did compare it with my friends 2 XL and the display models and mine did have more than average blue shift. Also, I was looking over the phone back yesterday in more detail and the top part of my panda (black part) had some bubbles in it just like the screen on my last one did. Very small and hard to see, but now that I know they are there I can't unsee it.

Combine the fact that this phone would have only saved me maybe $150-$200 over the X, and the QC issues I keep encountering I decided to stay with my trusty X. It's an amazing piece of technology. I greatly prefer things about the 2 XL but it seems I kept losing the panel and qc lottery so I'm done trying. I'll be back for Pixel 3 XL I'm sure. I will keep reading this thread though because I enjoy hearing people's thoughts.

Sorry to hear such sad news about the Panda, which was once THE 2017 phone choice for me.

There is quite a bit of difference between the smaller Pixel 2 and the 2XL which helps make the Pixel 2 a decent value proposition for @Aneres11 but a poor one for you.

There are currently good deals on Pixels with Verizon and Verizon Pixels at Best Buy. I wish I could switch to Verizon when I want to. I like to test these services out. Ever since I found out when I go for a walk in the neighborhood I run into a vast AT&T dead zone in my favorite place to walk, I’ve wanted to diversify and try a SIM from another provider. But I’m locked into our AT&T family plan. I can’t complain too much, though, because after they treated us so shoddy when we tried to activate my LTE Apple Watch, my husband negotiated a great deal on our account. It costs me nothing to run my second sim now.
[doublepost=1514566223][/doublepost]

Honestly, it's all completley understandable.
I was not a fan of the blue shift on the 2 XL I had very briefly. My normal sized Pixel 2 has virtually no blueshift at all and is night and day better than the XL.
It isn't as good as the X's screen though, which is absolutely sublime to my eyes.

Just taking the photos of the X to list it for sale is sad. I don't actually want to get rid of it, but can't keep both. And I haven't actually used it for over a week now (as in used it as my daily phone) and I haven't missed anything about it. That was the tell tale sign I guess.

But nice in a weird way to have two phones that are so good you can't decide between them. Normally I'm dissatisifed with one and on the lookout for something better. Can't see that being the case now I've used these two great devices.

In Pixel 2 news - took this photo of my tea and homemade chocoalte biscuits haha.
Not sure if you guys like tea as much as us Brits, but it's a good opportunity to show off portrait mode as I sit working from home!

That is beautiful! And yes, many Americans are crazy about tea and I’m one of them, though I’m also half Asian so I grew up drinking tea because of my mother’s influence. I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 30. My husband drank tea and just started drinking coffee this year at the ripe old age of 50! What you call biscuits, we call cookies. And those cookies/biscuits look amazing. You sure know how to live! You also know how to stage elements for a photograph.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Totally loving my XLevel case for my 2 XL, feels so good in hand, nice sticky feel, and it's super slim very thin.Wish they had other colors like Red or White to mix it up. I do like Black the most, but sometimes a deep red case would look cool too.

The look of the Google Fabric case is cool, but couple things I don't like. It's too thick and bulky. And it makes the phone more slippery with the case on.

I ordered the Peel brand case two weeks ago, on Dec. 14th, it is now Dec. 29th, it still hasn't shipped, i have a order # and confirmation, paid for the expedited shipping too I've emailed them three times with no replies yet. So F that company. I check the Peel order page daily, and only states this " Your order is confirmed We've accepted your order, and we're getting it ready. Come back to this page for updates on your order status." Its 15 days now.

 

[thatappleguytoday]

I’ll throw my 2 cents into this conversation with the iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL...which one to keep?

I’ve an every yr get the new iPhone type of person since 1st gen. I’ve worked for Apple and a huge enthusiast for most of the products they sell. However I’m also a fan of Android. Only the stock kind, no manufacturer skins for me. Nexus 5 still one of the best devices ever.

After about 2 weeks, my daily driver is now the Pixel 2 XL. Returned the X, still have a 8 Plus and AW series 3 LTE I need to get rid of. Here’s why I chose Pixel over X/8 Plus for this year coming up...

1. Love the hardware on the X (best in class) but for me, too small after using Plus devices. Watching video actually makes the display 4.95” which is not pleasing at all.
2. Face ID. VERY inconsistent and very frustrating. Would have to move the phone away and back to my face half the time it felt like just to get the phone to unlock. Asks for the passcode often too.
3. Battery life. While good, the X was no where near 8 plus standards.

Too bad as the X has a top notch OLED panel and came to really enjoy the gestures on the X. Tried to go back to the 8 Plus, but it’s like when I went retina MacBook Pro for the first time, couldn’t go back to the LCD panel as it truly looks dull.

Fast forward with my 2 weeks with the Pixel 2 XL..

Personally I’m a huge fan of the hardware front to back. Display while not the best, looks quite sharp to me in saturation mode and blue shift is very minor on my device. Camera (the number 1 thing I look for in a phone) beats Apples best offerings all day and night. I’m still a huge fan of customizing my phone, so love the open platform Android offers.

Both phones and platforms have pros and cons. While I feel the battery life and stereo speakers are slightly better on the 8 plus/X...the camera, hardware, a physical fingerprint sensor, and customization trumps either iPhone offering this year.

Definitely missing iMessage as sending video from the Pixel is impossible via MMS. WHY does that even exist anymore. Probably the only piece of the iPhone I’m missing as Duo looks great on the Pixel.

Now a X Plus would probably bring me back in September

Happy choosing! Really not a bad decision either way you turn.

 

[michael9891]

After another 45 mins on chat, finally got an email about the redund. About time!

Teased myself in Best Buy by looking at the Pixelbook again. I'd be struggling to get it back home because I'm up to my weight limit as it is. And the size of the box would also be awkward. Probably a blessing in disguise as I'm sure I'll see better deals in time for next trip when I really need one.

 

[thatappleguytoday]

If the Pixelbooks bezels went on a diet I’d be all over it