Update: We're live at Google's event and are updating this article with information as it's coming in. Stay tuned.
The Google Pixel 2 XL release date and price has been revealed at the company’s big autumn event, and if you were hoping to pick it up today, you’ll be a bit disappointed that it might ship on November 15. But you shouldn’t wait too long to start saving: Google’s phablet will reportedly set you back $849 (about £630, AU$1079), a jump in price of $80 over the original Pixel XL.
Touching more on the Pixel 2 XL, it’s the larger version of Google’s flagship smartphone, the Google Pixel 2, and the direct sequel to last year’s 5.5-inch Google Pixel XL.
While we anticipated that these two models would be rather similar, they’re anything but in some respects. We’ll get into the specifics down below, but it’s best that you know that this year’s Pixel 2 XL boasts some big differences and, some would say, improvements over the smaller device in the family.
There’s plenty to say, so here’s everything we know about the Google Pixel 2 XL, including all of the recently confirmed details.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? Google's next plus-sized smartphone
- How much will it cost? Said to cost $849 (about £630, AU$1079)
- When will it release? Rumored to be November 15
Google Pixel 2 XL price and release date
Like its predecessor, the Pixel 2 XL won’t be a cheap phone. Google has confirmed that the new phone is said to launch for $849 (about £630, AU$1079). Looking back at last year’s pricing structure, which saw the 2016 Pixel XL go for $769 (£719, AU$1,269), the new phone is now a $200 jump above the base cost of the Google Pixel 2, instead of last year’s $100 price difference between the two sizes. Want that extra battery and souped-up screen resolution? It’s going to cost you.
And that’s just for the 64GB model, which to be fair, is double the capacity of last year’s 32GB base model Pixel XL – a good move. But if you want 128GB, the price will go up another $100 to $949, bringing you ever so close to the cost of a iPhone X.
As far as when you’ll be able to have your very own Pixel 2 XL, it will release on November 15 around the globe. Google has surprisingly staggered the release of the smaller and larger phones. You’re free to pre-order the Pixel 2 at this moment, which will release on October 19, but you’ll have to wait a little longer for the pre-order date for the larger phone to arrive.
Google Pixel 2 XL screen
As was the case when comparing the original Pixel devices, the screen resolution of the Pixel 2 XL sticks out as one of the biggest advantages to going grande. Both will feature a vibrant AMOLED display, though only the larger 6-inch model will feature a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, a spec that lends brilliantly to virtual reality games applications enjoyed via the Google Daydream View headset. But these aren’t the only differences between them.
The Pixel 2 XL has joined the bezel-light party alongside the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, LG V30 and LG G6, though it’s not nearly as borderless (read: impressive) as the iPhone X or Essential Phone. Still, it’s the same idea here that’s put into effect: a tall 18:9 aspect ratio that makes the screen twice as tall as it is wide. The result is a large-screened phone that’s still easy to operate single-handed.
Google Pixel 2 XL design
Staying on the front of the device for a bit longer, its duo of front-firing speakers come into view. At our first look of the Pixel 2 XL, it definitely seemed louder and more direct than your average phone speaker performance, though the demo was shown in a loud, crowded demo room. You’ll likely want to keep a set of wireless headphones handy.
Now on our way to the back of the phone, the divisive split of glass and aluminum is still here (and you’ll still either love or hate it), though the melding of materials is more confidently executed this year. Otherwise, the button layout looks similar to last year’s model, with a grooved power button and a volume rocker making taking their place on the right side.
For those interested in picking up with the Pixel 2 XL in a wacky color (raises hand), the batch of colors available might disappoint – there are only two. It will be available in “Just Black”, a melding of black aluminum with charcoal-colored glass, or “Black & White”. While the latter is exactly how it sounds (the top being black, bottom being white) this color’s power button is a bold orange. Some have described this as the “panda” look, but I’m settling on penguin given the orange power button. Finally, both options will have black bezels around the front.
Unfortunately, the Google Pixel 2 seems to be the only model that’s getting a cool color option. Have you seen “Kinda Blue”? It’s colorful in a subtle, yet brilliant way.
Coming back to that comment made about wireless headphones, cutting the cord is almost mandatory here because this phone (along with the smaller Pixel 2) has removed the 3.5mm headphone jack – the first Google-made phones to ditch the legacy port. Whether this is an effort to strut the high-quality wireless codec smarts built into Android Oreo or just a means of ensuring a waterproof device, this exclusion is almost guaranteed to be more controversial than its two-toned design.
Google Pixel 2 XL camera and battery
The camera performance is one of the original Pixel’s strongest suits and in our limited time using the Pixel 2 XL, Google looks to build upon that success in the Pixel 2 XL.
The rear-facing camera, which is nearly the same size as the fingerprint reader, contains a 12MP sensor that’s capable of shooting video in 4K at 60 frames per second – one of the big selling points of the iPhone X. On the front, you’ll find a 7MP front-facing camera, which is indeed a slight drop in megapixel count year over year. We’re still hopeful to see some improvements here and this is something we’ll be testing in-depth in our full review.
(Keep in mind that we’re not certain if the camera specs on the Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL will match or differ. Given the fact that the rear-camera’s location seems to be slightly adjusted between the two models, it’s always possible that the Pixel 2 XL’s higher price will bring along some souped-up camera abilities. Of course, Google Lens will certainly make this phone more capable than most.)
The original Pixel XL featured a 3,450mAh battery and Google has only shifted it slightly for the Pixel 2 XL. Thankfully, the amount is boosted to 3,550mAh, not reduced, like we saw with the Moto Z2 Force and Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
Google Pixel 2 XL specs and OS
The Google Pixel 2 XL features the Snapdragon 835, a celebrated spec that is plenty fast and efficient even as we move closer into 2018. Paired alongside this powerful, ubiquitous system-on-a-chip is 4GB of RAM – the same RAM count as last year’s model. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and OnePlus 5 have powered ahead with 6GB of RAM, though the gains won’t be noticeable to most using today’s applications. Heck, the iPhone X will ship with 3GB of RM, so until apps becoming even more demanding (which might happen pretty quickly thanks to the introduction of ARCore) 4GB will continue being a viable offering for real-world use.
Moving onto software, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be the true showcases for Android Oreo, even though several other phones already have the software. Sure, you can experience just about everything else that Google’s latest operating system update has to offer on the Google Pixel, Google Nexus 6P and Sony Xperia XZ1, and soon many Moto phones, but the latest has some special treats in store.
One of which includes the HTC U11’s most interesting feature: its squeeze-friendly sides. Google has rebranded it to be called “Active Edge” and it will give users a new way of interacting with Android oreo, which could be a super handy feature given this particular phone’s larger size in the hand. While stock Android offers a few shortcuts, like double tapping the power button to launch the camera, Active Edge offers many more options due to its customization.
We’ve spent plenty of time combined with this feature with the U11 and Pixel 2 XL and whether it will become a de-facto method for executing shortcuts remains to be seen. Being able to squeeze to do things like trigger the camera app or call up Google Assistant without the need for a dedicated hardware button (ahem, Bixby) is certainly neat, but your real-world mileage may vary.
We’ve recently spent time with the Pixel XL 2 and if you want some more information, including hands-on photos and impressions, click here. Stay tuned for the full review, which we’re excited to bring you a bit closer to its November 15 launch.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/pixel-2-xl
No comments:
Post a Comment