After the many leaks and rumours, Google has publicly rolled out its much-anticipated Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. It wasn’t just about the smartphones as Google also spoke about other new products.
Google’s main focus this year is all about machine learning and artificial intelligence. Most notably, all this come with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, in terms of its camera and its UI.
One of the greatest features of the Pixel and Pixel XL was its camera, and Google outdoes itself yet again with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Leaning away from the dual-camera setup, both smartphones come with a 12-megapixel f/1.8 shooter at the rear with both OIS and EIS, the first of any smartphone. The front shooter features an 8-megapixel f/2.4 camera with fixed focus.
Both smartphone cameras can shoot in 4K and can comes with a host of features as well. One of those is an all new Portrait mode, that gives you stunning imagery on both the front and back camera. Its new motion photo capture will record a few seconds of video of the shot, allowing you to relive the moment before and after the shot. All this is thanks through Dual-Pixel technology. With the aid of photography algorithms, the Pixel 2 smartphones can perform just as well compared to a smartphone with two camera sensors.
Interestingly, DxOMark has given the Pixel 2 an overall rating of 98 over 100, which is a giant leap forward from last year’s 89. Much like last year, Google will be offering unlimited storage on Google Photos with every shot captured with the Pixel 2 smartphones. The rear camera will also come with a new feature: Google Lens. Similar to what Samsung has with its Bixby Vision, Google Lens can locate and find anything on the internet as long as the camera is pointed at it. Want to know more about a famous painting or landmark? Simply face the camera against the object and Google will bring up everything you need to know about it.
In terms of hardware, the Pixel 2 features a 5-inch Full HD OLED display. The larger Pixel 2 XL comes with a 6-inch pOLED panel with QHD+ (2880×1440) resolution and an 18:9 aspect ratio. Both smartphones are encased in an all-aluminium body, bar its top of the back area; that is made of gently-curved coloured glass. Both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL also features a centred fingerprint scanner along with top and bottom, front-firing speakers.
Both devices will also come with Snapdragon 835 SoC, 4GB of RAM and two storage variants: 64GB or 128GB. It will also come with Android Oreo 8.1.1 alongside Google UI. Taking a different approach from last year, Google has omitted the use of the headphone jack and now only carries the USB Type-C port along with Bluetooth 5.0. With the latest Android OS running, the Pixel and Pixel 2 will have an all-new Home Screen, active Live Wallpaper and a permanent Google Search bar (which is now on the bottom).
A notable feature of both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is the inclusion of the Always On Display, which is also found on Samsung smartphones. Another notable feature that Google included into its smartphones is the Active Edge. This requires the user to squeeze the sides of the phone to perform an action; sound familiar? The HTC U11 has the exact same feature.
While the Pixel 2 has a 2,700mAh battery, the Pixel 2 XL has a 3,520mAh battery. Both smartphones support fast charging and are water resistant with an IP67 rating.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are available for pre-order now in six countries: US, Australia, UK, India, Canada and Germany. Google is also looking to include Spain, Italy and Singapore later this year. At least it’s only a short flight over the Causeway.
The Pixel 2 comes in three colours: Just Black, Kinda Blue and Clearly White. However, the Pixel 2 XL only comes in two colours: Just Black and Black & White. Both the smartphones come with a price tag of USD$649 (approx. RM2,743.65) and USD$849 (approx. RM3,589.15) respectively.
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