The Google Pixel 2 XL is already a hot topic thanks to the ongoing issues with the display screen that have left many so unhappy.
The phone’s “display-gate” is not a secret anymore and as we wait for the search giant to look into the matter and possibly come up with a quick fix, our advice is that you better stay off the Google Pixel 2 XL, at least for now. But what if you have been waiting all along for this phone? Well, there are other alternatives you can turn to and maybe you’ll forget about the Pixel 2 XL and look forward to the Pixel 3 XL.
If you are in the market for a Google Pixel 2 XL alternative, here are the top 5 options you can turn to right now.
Google Pixel 2
The first and obvious alternative that any Android fan would turn to as the best Google Pixel 2 XL alternative is the smaller Pixel 2. The two were unveiled together, but they are not manufactured by the same company. Although both have OLED panels, the Google Pixel 2 doesn’t suffer from any of the issues found on the larger Pixel 2 XL so far. It gets even better knowing that the only things you’ll miss out on are the bigger, 18:9 display screen and battery, but as for the rest of the specs and features, they remain unchanged, which means you get the same performance at a cheaper price. However, you will have to deal with some funny sounds that the phone allegedly produces, although not much of a big deal.
Google Pixel XL
If size really matters to you, the Google Pixel XL is the second best Pixel 2 XL alternative after the Pixel 2. You’ll still get the same smooth performance based on the latest Android Oreo, but the 2016 model is a bit less powerful for obvious reasons. While the jump in DxOMark camera rating is huge, the quality of photography you find on the Pixel XL is still amazing while the 5.5-inch OLED screen doesn’t have any of those issues you see on the Google Pixel 2 XL.
Unlike the Pixel 2, you get a bigger battery and although slightly smaller than the Pixel 2 XL, it’ll get the job done. Even though you miss out on features such as the squeezable edges, Bluetooth 5.0, dual front-facing speakers and IP67 dust and water resistance, you’ll be getting the phone at $200 cheaper than the Pixel 2 XL. Furthermore, you also get to enjoy the 3.5mm audio jack, something many believe is a deal breaker for the Pixel 2 XL.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
We’ve seen quite a number of big phones released this year and for many, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 seems to be a realistic alternative to the Google Pixel 2 XL. Of course, if it were not for the same display screen issues, the LG V30 would have been a solid option as well, but for now, it seems the Note 8 has the upper hand.
Similar to the Google Pixel 2 XL, the Galaxy Note 8 has its own strengths and weaknesses, but unlike the former, the latter’s issues can be tolerated. In fact, the only major concern many have had with respect to the Galaxy Note 8 is the fingerprint placement, but there are alternatives to this feature such as facial recognition and iris scanning, both of which are not available on the Google Pixel 2 XL.
The hardware specs on board the Galaxy Note 8 are slightly more powerful than the Pixel 2 XL. The same Snapdragon 835 SoC is used, but the RAM is 6GB, 2GB more than the Google flagship. Even though Google is the best in terms of software optimizations, the years that Samsung has been in the smartphone business has taught the company a thing or two about how good software looks like. It’s not the best out there, but it’s the best that Samsung has ever managed – and you’ll love it. On top of that, you get a gorgeous 6.3-inch curved display, an S Pen, the older Android 7.1 Nougat, a smaller 3300mAh battery, wireless charging and a 3.5mm audio jack.
If you can afford the Google Pixel 2 XL, the Galaxy Note 8 shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, it’s now cheaper than the XL.
Samsung Galaxy S8
If the Galaxy Note 8 is too big for you, the smaller Samsung Galaxy S8 is also a great alternative. The phone has just about the same software experience as the Note 8, but it gets slightly weaker performance hardware and a smaller screen size. At 5.8 inches, the Galaxy S8 is the nearest you can get to the 6-inch Pixel 2 XL without feeling that you’ve dropped sizeable display real estate.
The Galaxy S8 shares the same hardware as the Google Pixel 2 XL, including a Snapdragon 835 SoC mated with 4GB RAM and expandable storage of 64GB, a luxury you don’t get on any Google phone. Like the Note 8, you also get a 3.5mm audio jack, wireless charging, Android Nougat out of the box and a weirdly-placed fingerprint scanner on the back. The phone also gets an iris scanner alongside facial recognition for authentication purposes.
Although initially priced at $750, you can now get your hands on the Galaxy S8 for as little as $500, but you’ll need to do some digging.
OnePlus 5
The OnePlus 5 was received with mixed reactions. Many love the phone just because of what it offers in terms of value for money. Yes, this is by far the best phone you can buy at a price below $500. Although it has had its share of issues, be it the 911 problem or secret collection of data, what OnePlus 5 brings on the table is unimaginable, especially when considering it’s price of just $479.
The company has yet to mature when it comes to software, but the specs are powerful enough to make you forget about any of those software-related deficiencies. There’s a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen with a full HD resolution, a Snapdragon 835 SoC mated with 6GB RAM and 64GB of storage on the base model and 8GB RAM alongside 128GB storage on the high-end model. There’s a dual 16MP+20MP camera on the back, a 3300mAh battery unit, a 3.5mm audio jack and Android Nougat out of the box.
Bonus: If you really want to enjoy the squeezable edges, the HTC U11 is also a great alternative. The phone has the same powerful hardware specs, a top-notch camera, a decent battery unit and Nougat out of the box. It’s also cheaper than the Pixel 2 XL, but it has a significantly smaller screen size akin to the Pixel 2.
What do you think about these Google Pixel 2 XL alternatives? Let us know in your comments below.