Google Pixel 2 review: A compact smartphone challenging bigger flagships

Priced at Rs 61,000 for the base model with 64 GB storage and 4 GB RAM, the phone competes with the iPhone 8, iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S8 and HTC U11

 

Technology News : The Pixel 2, global technology major Google’s latest smartphone offering, is no masterpiece when it comes to design. But the smaller sibling of the duo in Pixel’s next-generation series exceeds expectations in terms of performance and imaging capabilities.

A powerful device with a compact body form, the Pixel 2 feels solid in hand and premium in aesthetics. The smartphone also boasts some clever algorithms from Google that learn the user’s usage pattern and improve the camera performance to match the results, or even exceed in some cases, of smartphones with dual cameras.

When compared with the Pixel 2 XL, this smartphone looks small and lets go of the 18:9 aspect ratio screen for a tradition 16:9 screen with fullHD resolution of 1920 x 1080. There are huge bezels on top and bottom – something reminiscent of HTC smartphones – that house powerful front-facing stereo speakers.

Just like the Pixel 2 XL, the back side of the Pixel 2 is also bland, with a higher top covered with glossy plastic and housing a 12-megapixel primary camera and LED flash. The rest of the area is covered with matte aluminium sheet which gives a premium feel.

The camera in the Pixel 2 is a delight to use. It is one the smartest cameras we have seen in a smartphone. Though a single unit, the camera takes clear pictures irrespective of lighting conditions.

The phone camera also features a portrait mode, something that so far was restricted only to dual-camera smartphones. This mode uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to create blurring effects (Bokeh) while keeping the subject in focus crisp and sharp. The addition of a live photo feature adds more substance to compete with the likes of the iPhone camera features.

Click to Know → Google Pixel 2 Price India

You can buy Google Pixel 2 in India for Rs 61,000 from November

Pixel 2 will be priced at Rs 61,000 for 64GB variant and Rs 70,000 for 128GB. Pixel 2 XL 64GB will cost Rs 73,000 and Pixel 2 XL 128GB will be available for Rs 82,000.

Betting big on the best combination of artificial intelligence (AI), software and hardware, Google on Wednesday launched Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL smartphones and refreshed Daydream View virtual reality (VR) headset for India.

 

Pixel 2 comes in just black, clearly white and kinda blue colours while Pixel 2 XL has just black and black and white variants.

Pixel 2 will be priced at Rs 61,000 for 64GB variant and Rs 70,000 for 128GB. Pixel 2 XL 64GB will cost Rs 73,000 and Pixel 2 XL 128GB will be available for Rs 82,000.

The pre-orders commence on October 26. The devices will be available in over 1,000 stores across the country and on Flipkart starting November 1 (Pixel 2) and November 15 (Pixel 2 XL).

Pixel 2 comes with a 5-inch and Google Pixel 2 XL with a 6-inch Full-HD OLED displays with Portrait Modes on both rear and selfie cameras.

Rated 98 by independent camera testers DXO, the rear camera comes with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and Electronic Video Stabilisation (EVS) technology to remove shaky photos and videos.

The camera can also click "Live Photos" by recording up to three seconds of footage.
It also has AR Stickers and Pixel users would get free unlimited storage on Google Cloud to store photos and videos in the original quality. The devices have IP67 rating making them water and dust resistant.

Both phones come with "squeeze" interaction technology called "Active Edge" that opens Google Assistant, USB-C charger and front facing stereo speakers. The company claims it has the fastest fingerprint scanner in a smartphone.

Google Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL – Images, Specs, Features and Price: Know more

On October 4, Google is expected to unveil the next iteration of Pixel smartphones along with a refreshed virtual reality headset, a laptop and possibly a mini connected speaker

Google is set to unveil the next iteration of Pixel smartphones on October 4. Along with smartphones, the search engine giant is also expected to unveil a refreshed virtual reality (VR) headset, a laptop and possibly a mini connected speaker.

Talking about the upcoming smartphones, the recent leaks from a famous technology tipster Evans Blass highlights the specifications and photo renders of next-generation Pixel devices.

According to a blog post written by Evan Blass, the next iteration of Pixel devices will see two models – Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL.

In terms of features, the Pixel 2 smartphone is expected to come with a 5-inch full HD display. The phone would likely come in 64 GB and 128 GB storage variants with 4 GB RAM.

While competitors have moved to dual-camera set-ups, the next generation Pixel 2 is expected to still sport a single 12-megapixel rear shooter, and a front camera of unknown pixel size.

Google Pixel 2 Features