Google Pixel 2 has hit the market along with the Google Pixel 2 XL. Google has really pushed itself hard to develop the Pixel 2 into a smartphone better than the iPhone 8. Yet, one word can truly define the phone: ‘disappointment.’ You can take my word for it; I am not being melodramatic here. Still, let’s start off with the positives with the Google Pixel 2, as there aren’t many.
Google admits the fact that it doesn’t put aside better features for their bigger phones as both the new arrivals have the exact same specs. Keep in mind that the Pixel 2 matches the bare minimum specs of last year’s iPhone 7, not a positive in any way especially coming from the owner of Android. Regardless, both are equipped with a 12.2MP camera, 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 835, 64/128 GB Storage and no SD card expansion. They only differ in screen size; the smaller Pixel 2 comes with the seemingly older 16:9 aspect ratio and a 5.0”, whereas the larger comes with the newer 18:9” aspect ratio and a 6.0” display. Both phones come in three colors: Kinda Blue, Clearly White and Just Black. As per its norm, Google picked funky and funny names for its gadgets.
Google is giving yearlong, unlimited cloud storage on their phones for photos of any resolution. Thus, any images taken from the Pixel’s single camera will be stored in the cloudsphere, even 4k photos and videos. Google assumed that the fact that average Pixel-users tend to take 23% more photos than their counterparts with iPhones, but that could very well be false for the iPhone 8 has one of the best cameras of 2017. The Note 8 and Google Pixel beat the iPhone 8 on paper, but their pictures tend to be over-saturated and softer, compared to the more naturally toned and accurate images from the iPhone. Regardless, the Pixel 2 got a score of 98 on DxOMark, a new world record, which is quite impressive as the phone only has a single camera compared to its competitors, which are all equipped with two.
Now for what the phone really is. The phone has a good display, notwithstanding all the poor feedback its getting, so much so that Google itself had to respond by saying that the have intentionally desaturated their displays and the saturation is only 10%. Moreover, the Pixel 2 doesn’t get nearly sufficiently bright during sunlight, while other phones like the Note 8 do an excellent job.
By removing the headphone jack and providing a dongle in the box, the Pixel 2 pleases those of you who like to over-complicate your listening experience. As for the design, it is a subjective matter that differs from person to person. The smaller Pixel 2 has a very ugly shape, dominated by oversized top and bottom bezels. Also, Google removed the camera hump last year on the original Pixel raising the expectation that it would sit flush on any surface. Well, no, it’s back. Thus, getting scratches on your camera is easier than ever.
Google is also very misleading about the plasticky material used at the back, which is called a ‘metal unibody’ on the website. It is a plain and simple lie: the back is not at all made of metal. During its keynote event, the company claimed, “The all-aluminum body with a premium hybrid coating gives it (Pixel 2) a sleek and clean profile.” It is instructive that even Google is unsure of what to call it, as deep in the website, they call it a ‘paint exterior’ and mention that it ‘may chip’ if the phone is dropped. There is a metal unibody beneath the fragile coating, which can scrape off even with a sharp object like the end of an ear-ring or the metal of a paper-clip. I sincerely recommend using a case to protect the phones shortcomings.
In an ideal world, Google should be the leader of the pack, instead being a mere competitor of Apple or Samsung. The industry watchers expect a lot more from Google than an iPhone 7 clone. Apple is known to be two to three years behind when it comes to their phones, but whatever they do, they do it right. Google has really messed up this time, and it would take a miracle for them to redeem themselves in 2018. Again, Apple is good at what they do, and Google still has to learn despite having owned Android for several years. The new Google phone is neither value for money nor a fashion or style statement.
