Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL discussion

$1399AUD for the base Pixel 2XL 64GB, lol ($1549AUD for the 128GB). That's a pretty significant amount upwards of $1000 for there to be so many issues already.

*prices from online google store

 

Aussies always get shafted with pricing, haha! In the US it's $849 ($1100AUD) for the base and $949 ($1230AUD) for the 128GB.

It cost even more than an iPhone 8 Plus GB for GB, and they royally screwed up the screen. Yes, the iPhone 8 Plus looks outdated with the 1080p screen and the huge bezels, but it's a properly P3 calibarted screen with true tone, dual pixels and whatnot. I rather have a smaller screen that's color correct than ahuge screwed up screen that color shifts with banding.

I'm bitter because Google had potential to do well but they've screwed it up all thanks to LG.

 

Lets be fair.. LG did awesome on the Nexus 5...

I think with the Pixels Google started to go away from what they were good at and became a Me too high range phone(s) with prices to match. Having to rely on other manufacturers to make their own competition for the flagship models isn't a long term model thats sustainable.

thats why they bought HTC i guess.. lets hope the next set of phones see them return to form.

 

Maybe the 2 is the one to go for, it's the one I originally intended to buy but figured the XL wasn't all that larger physically so I'd have a bigger screen in a similar sized phone. I'm also not sure why bigger phones are so much more expensive, is it we've just been conditioned to expect the bigger phones to cost more?

 

Well, they are the price they are because they think people will buy them at that price. And if they get enough sales, it'll stay at that price.

If sales don't meet with their expectations/goals, then they'll drop the price.

Witness the Essential Phone's US$200 price drop recently.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/10/the-essential-phone-gets-a-200-price-drop-now-499/

 

I'm pleased I elected to not wait and went for the S8 instead. I had high hopes for the Pixel 2.

 

Reports coming out that shipments are being delayed .. possibility to fix the issues already identified.
Hopefully, these can be fixed easily in production and the next batch will be good.
The user hands on experience has been very good if you don't get one with severe blue shift or graininess.

 

That was the last Google phone LG did well on, and that was 4 years ago. Then LG screwed up the 5X and their own phones with bootloops

Bigger phone have bigger displays and it's also the most expensive component on a phone. Doesn't take a genius to work that out

For reference, the display takes up around 20% of the total BOM cost of a phone.

 

The blue shift is apparently when off-axis on the Pixel 2 XL. So really a non issue unless the user routinely uses the phone off axis. (Shown in the MKBHD review of the Pixel 2.)

 

No need to be an arse. I found some BOM costs for the iphone 8 vs 8 plus and it seems they're quite reasonable in their price differences in terms of % increase but the pixel 2 vs 2 xl is much more significant at $320 for the 64GB models. Not sure if that can all be put down to the screen.

 

I had one of the first ones - the power-button death thing was not pretty - once Google accepted that it was a HW fault it took > 2 weeks to get a replacement phone, so my experience with that phone was pretty awful.
Having said that, a friend still has his (from a later batch), and it is only just now starting to fall apart (camera sometimes fails)... So 4 years is pretty good for a phone to last.

 

Google now offering 2 year warranties on all Pixel 2/2XLs... piece of mind and all that.

 

Well, 2x Pixel 2's have turned up at home this afternoon.
Will be interesting to see how well they do.

 

I went into Telstra the other day and looked at both phones, I expected if they had one I'd walk out with a 2 and my first impression was the XL was definitely too big but after playing around for a while I've decided to get the XL.

The 2 is very close in all dimensions to my Galaxy S6 so in some respects felt a bit like a side grade. Looking at the screens of both side by side I actually liked the XL screen more, aside from the increased size it just looked nicer, I liked the colours and overall look more (despite the blue shift issue) and it's of course significantly bigger making better use of the phones overall size. It also occurred to me if I get a Daydream the higher ppi of the XL will likely perform much better. It is bigger overall than is ideal for me but I think the bigger screen is going to be more useful and it just makes the phone feel like a much bigger upgrade over my S6.

Unfortunately they didn't have a 64GB model in stock so I've put one on order.

 

Work have ordered me my Pixel 2 (5") today. Hoping Google's delivery times are not too bad - my Xperia Z3 is becoming worse and worse (giant bits of screen that the touch is off/doesn't work at all). Looking forward to it, felt like a great phone when I had a play in Jb Hi Fi over the weekend.

 

anyone else getting the screen flashing issue? I randomly get it with the on/off screen cycle, but i have also got some screen bright/less bright even just using the phone, its not hugely noticeable, but i can see it happening.

 

XL or non XL?
Because, it appears to be one of the many issues with the XL: https://www.androidauthority.com/go...-issue-actually-looks-kind-cool-video-813530/

 

yeah that is what i was referring too. I have an XL.

 

Got my Pixel 2 today. Super duper happy with it, but that's probably as I've been using a 'Telstra' $50 Android phone for 2 months so the Pixel 2 seems like it's running at lightspeed. Still adjusting to the fingerprint on the back, but it doesn't need much to activate. Power and volume buttons are pretty stiff, but I'm sure I'll adjust. Taller than I expected. Although the screen is nicer on the XL and fills the phone I don't think I could live with the size. I would prefer smaller than the 2 TBH... especially once I put a case on it but alas gone are the days of compact phones. Apparently everyone needs a 75" LED screen on their phones for fapping to porn on the train or something.

Camera is just bullshit good. Just makes me feel older with it picking up alot more imperfections on any pics of me, opposed to the Telstra unit that was a squinty blurry mess almost every photo.

Nice bonus as I ordered (had to) through our corporate Telstra Portal and received a Google Home Mini and some Aiaiai 'Pipe' earphones for 'free' with it as well all bundled together. Assumed I'd miss out on any freebies having to order it through work. I had also spoken to Telstra who advised buying outright from a Telstra store would NOT be eligible for the free Google Home Mini (only available when putting it on a plan).

 

The cameras on Google phones have been amazing since the 6 and 6p.
I have been so tempted to check out phones like the OP5 and Essential Phone, but am so used to the quality on the Google cameras. I don't think I can go to anything else.

I think this will become their brand loyalty thing to some people and keep repeat buyers.