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Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL specs: What Google changed

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At its hardware event in San Francisco today, Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, succeeding the Pixel and Pixel XL, respectively. I’m pissed off they don’t have a headphone jack, but maybe you’re not.

Preorders begin today, and the devices will begin shipping on October 19. Before you get out your credit card, and assuming you’re not into Apple’s iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or even the iPhone X, you might want to see exactly what you’re getting with the latest Android offerings. The tables below show you what Google changed, comparing the Pixel to the Pixel 2 and the Pixel XL to the Pixel 2 XL.

Pixel Pixel 2
Price $649, $749 $649, $749
Storage 32GB, 128GB 64GB, 128GB
Display 5.0-inch, 1920×1080, 441 ppi 5.0-inch, 1920×1080, 441 ppi
CPU Snapdragon 821, 2.15GHz Snapdragon 835, 2.35GHz
RAM 4GB 4GB
Sensors Pixel Imprint Pixel Imprint, Active Edge
Rear camera 12.3MP, 1.55 μm; f/2.0 12.2MP, 1.4 μm; f/1.8
Video recording 4K at 30fps 4K at 30fps
Front camera 8MP, 1.4 μm 8MP, 1.4 μm
Connectivity Bluetooth 4.2, NFC Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
Battery 2770 mAh 2700 mAh
Resistance IP53 IP67
Height 5.6 inches (143.8 mm) 5.7 inches (145.7 mm)
Width 2.7 inches (69.5 mm) 2.7 inches (69.7 mm)
Depth 0.3 inch (8.5 mm) 0.3 inch (7.8 mm)
Weight 5.04 ounces (143 grams) 5.01 ounces (143 grams)
SIM card Nano-SIM eSIM
Project Fi Yes Yes
Connector USB Type-C USB Type-C
Colors Black, Silver, Blue Black, White, Blue

 

And now for the more interesting comparison:


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Pixel XL Pixel 2 XL
Price $769, $869 $849, $949
Storage 32GB, 128GB 64GB, 128GB
Display 5.5-inch, 2560×1440, 534 ppi 6.0-inch, 2880×1440, 538 ppi
CPU Snapdragon 821, 2.15GHz Snapdragon 835, 2.35GHz
RAM 4GB 4GB
Sensors Pixel Imprint Pixel Imprint, Active Edge
Rear camera 12.3MP, 1.55 μm; f/2.0 12.2MP, 1.4 μm; f/1.8
Video recording 4K at 30fps 4K at 30fps
Front camera 8MP, 1.4 μm 8MP, 1.4 μm
Connectivity Bluetooth 4.2, NFC Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
Battery 3450 mAh 3520 mAh
Resistance IP53 IP67
Height 6.0 inches (154.7 mm) 6.2 inches (157.9 mm)
Width 2.9 inches (75.7 mm) 3.0 inches (76.7 mm)
Depth 0.34 inch (8.5 mm) 0.3 inch (7.9 mm)
Weight 5.93 ounces (168 grams) 6.2 ounces (175 grams)
SIM card Nano-SIM eSIM
Project Fi Yes Yes
Connector USB Type-C USB Type-C
Colors Black, Silver, Blue Black, Black & White

 

If you’re going from the Pixel to the Pixel 2, you’ll get a slightly lighter phone with a slightly smaller battery. If you’re going from the Pixel XL to the Pixel 2 XL, you can expect a bigger screen, a tad larger battery, and a slightly heavier device — but you’ll be paying more for those. In both cases, you’re getting a faster processor and a better camera.

The eSIM technology is exciting until you realize it’s really only pertinent for Project Fi subscribers — they’ll be able to switch wireless services without swapping SIM cards. The IP67 dust and water resistance rating is also worth calling out, though we wish Google had just done the work and gone straight to IP68, like other Android flagships do.