The second-generation Google Pixel 2 XL has finally been unveiled much to the delight of many fans, especially those rocking the 2015 Google Nexus 6P.
Unless there’s a pressing need to buy the Google Pixel 2 XL, not so many Pixel XL owners will be making the shift, rather, it’s those who have been using the now 2-year -old Nexus 6P that will be faced with the desire to make the switch – a typical upgrade timeframe for many smartphone users.
Over the recent months, we’ve seen a radical change in the approach to smartphone design. Although debuted by Xiaomi back in 2016, the near bezel-less design has been popularized by Samsung thanks to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 handsets. LG, Essential and Apple also have their own phones with no bezels at all, a design that Google has also emulated with the Pixel 2 XL.
Any person using any of the Google Nexus 6P, Pixel or Pixel XL will tell you how good these phones are when it comes to the camera. Well, the new Pixel 2 XL is no different, however, it takes the design aspect to the next level by adding more robust water protection, but the question is how does the new phone compare to the other Google phones from the previous two generations?
Before we come down here with a review of the Google Pixel 2 XL, here is a closer look at how the phone compares to the Pixel XL and Nexus 6P in terms of specs and features.
| Google Pixel 2 XL | Google Pixel XL | Google Nexus 6P | |
| Price | $849, $949 | $769, $869 | $499, $549, $649 |
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm | 154.72 x 75.75 x 7.31 mm | 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 175g | 168g | 178g |
| Display size | 6 inches | 5.5 inches | 5.7 inches |
| Display resolution | QHD+ (2880 x 1440 pixels, 538ppi) | QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels, 534ppi) | QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels, 518ppi) |
| Display type | POLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 4 | Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Battery capacity | 3520mAh | 3450mAh | 3450mAh |
| Charging port | USB-C, v3.1 | USB-C, v3.0 | USB-C, v2.0 |
| Fast charging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internal storage | 64/128GB | 32/128GB | 32/64/128GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No | No |
| Main camera | 12.2MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF, 4K | 12.3MP, f/2.0, EIS, PDAF, 4K | 12.3MP, f/2.0, EIS, laser AF, 4K |
| Front camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1080p | 8MP, f/2.4, 1080p | 8MP, f/2.4, 1080p |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 |
| Clock speed | 2.35GHz octa-core | 2.15GHz quad-core | 2.0GHz octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 530 | Adreno 430 |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 3GB |
| NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, aptX HD | 4.2, aptX | 4.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Dual band 802.11/ac | Dual band 802.11/ac | Dual band 802.11/ac |
| Software | Android 8.0 Oreo | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow |
| Waterproof | IP67 | IP53 | None |
| 3.5mm audio jack | No (Type-C to 3.5mm audio jack adapter) | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes (rear-mounted) | Yes (rear-mounted) | Yes (rear-mounted) |