Google Pixel 2 Review
Google released her second-generation pixel phones on the 4th of October 2017, the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. But we’ve got our eyes on the Pixel 2 due to its portability compared to the XL. This beauty comes in a 5.00-inch screen size, which is the standard size now for modern smartphones. If the 5-inch is too small for you then you have to go for the Pixel 2 XL because of its massive 6.00-inch.
The Pixel 2 also comes in three different colours, there’s black, white and blue. Unlike the Pixel 2 XL which comes in only black and white. But generally, I think its disappointing Google didn’t include more colours in the Pixel 2, the three colours are a little bit boring to me.
In addition, the second generation pixel phones (Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL) comes with a totally new feature called Active Edge, it also allows you to squeeze the sides of the Pixel 2 phone to easily launch the Google Assistant. Furthermore, it also features a mostly-aluminum chassis, complete with the glass panel towards the top of the device.
Design
At first glance, I bet you would think its the original Google Pixel because of its design, especially with the Pixel looking really identical to the last year release. That’s a bummer for me because I was really looking forward to a new outlook design. It runs on the latest Android OS, the 8.0 Oreo OS with clean UI. Weighing 143g, the Pixel 2 is lighter than the Pixel 2 XL and measures 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm in dimension.
Although it still has the “G” logo sitting at the back, the power and volume button at the right side and the rear-facing fingerprint sensor, which Google in their own words says it “unlocks faster than any other smartphone”.
Display
The Google Pixel 2 also comes in a 5-inch with 1080×1920 pixels OLED display and a 16:9 aspect ratio. There is also a noticeable amount of bezel on the top and bottom of the Pixel 2, compared to the Pixel 2 XL which has very slim bezels around its screen. In addition, it has a 145.70 x 69.70 x 7.80 mm dimension.
To knock the ball out of the park, the second generation Pixel phones comes with a new feature, the Always-On Display. This feature enables you to continue listening to audio playing around you. All you need to do is tap on the title of the song from the Always-On Display, and Google Assistant will do the rest by bringing up the appropriate information relating to that song.
Hardware
Honestly, I think Google has no limits. Soon enough they will give other smartphone manufacturers a run for their money. We all know Google dominates in any field they lay their hands on, and we can see that in the Pixel 2, as it runs smoothly with an octa-core 2.35 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor make, Adreno 430GPU, and a massive 4GB of RAM. In addition, there is a 32GB storage space for all your files, which you can’t upgrade because there’s no microSD card slot.
Camera
The Google Pixel 2 has the same camera configuration just like the Pixel 2 XL, it is equipped with a 1/2.6-inch 12.2 MP sensor at the back with flash, phone critics are saying the camera on the Pixel 2 smartphones is in a league of their own with a camera score of 98 on DxOMark, which is far better than the iPhone 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which received a 94 score. And with an 8MP front camera for selfies, the Pixel 2 camera is going to be extremely hard to beat.
Connectivity
It has Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC and the latest Bluetooth version (v 5.00). You will be a little bit disappointed if you like dual sim phone, as you can only use one sim at a time on the Pixel 2 (Nano-SIM), 3G and 4G/LTE available. It has 2700mAh battery with support for fast charging.
Sensors
Sensors on the phone are Barometer, Compass, Magnetometer, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer. Unfortunately, there’s no Temperature sensor.
Water Resistant
Yes, the Pixel 2 smartphones are water resistant. Google fans were a little disappointed when last year Pixel smartphones didn’t come with the feature. This means Google does listen to their fans as the Pixel 2 come with water and dust resistance ratings of IP67. This means the Pixel 2 can survive in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.
Full Specification of Google Pixel 2
NETWORK
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
・2G bands: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / CDMA 800 / 1900
・3G bands: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100/ CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
・4G bands: LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 20(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 28(700), 29(700), 30(2300), 32(1500), 38(2600), 40(2300), 41(2500), 66(1700/2100)
・Speed: HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (3CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps
・GPRS: Yes
・EDGE: Yes
DESIGN
・Dimensions: 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm
・Weight: 143g
・SIM: Nano-SIM card & eSIM
– IP67 certified – dust and water resistant
– Water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes
DISPLAY
・Type: AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours
・Size: 5.0 inches (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio)
・Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (~441 PPI pixel density)
・Multitouch: Yes
・Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
– Always-on display
– 95% DCI-P3 coverage
HARDWARE
・CPU: Octa-core (4×2.35 GHz Kryo & 4×1.9 GHz Kryo)
・GPU: Adreno 540
・Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
・RAM: 4 GB
・Internal Memory: 64 GB
・External MicroSD: No
・Sensors: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
SOFTWARE
・OS Version: Android 8.0 Oreo
CAMERA
・Primary: 12.2 MP, f/1.8, OIS, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
・Features: 1/2.6″ sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size, geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
・Video: 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps
・Secondary: 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2″ sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size, 1080p
CONNECTIVITY
・WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
・Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
・GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
・NFC: Yes
・Radio: No
・USB: 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector (PowerDelivery 2.0)
AUDIO
・Alert types: Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
・Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
・3.5mm jack: No
– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
– Type-C to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter
BATTERY
・Battery Type: Non-removable 2700mAh Capacity
・Fast Charging: Yes
MISCELLANEOUS
・ MP4/H.264 player
・ MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
・ Photo/video editor
・Document editor
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Google Pixel 2 is now available for pre-order for just $649, that’s about N230,000 – N250,000
