The Google Pixel 2 and larger 2 XL, as seen here, were announced as the "best smartphone cameras" available. The 2 XL features a 6inch 18:9 aspect ratio screen, and an almost borderless design, but doesn't quite match other borderless phones like the S8 and S9+ or the iPhone X. Lets see if Google's Pixel 2 XL can beat these other smartphones with the camera quality, thanks to Google's image processing. Google promise impressive bokeh (and background blur) with only one camera. The smartphone is available for £629 sim-free, or £559 for the smaller Pixel 2.
Google Pixel 2 XL Features
The main camera in the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is the same, with the difference between the two models being the screen size and memory options, with the 2 XL featuring a larger 6inch screen. Both cameras have a 12mp f/1.8 camera featuring optical image stabilisation (OIS), dual-pixel autofocus, and 1.4um pixels.
There is a dual LED flash on the back, but no LED flash for the front selfie camera (however, there is an option to use the screen as a flash). The front selfie camera is an 8mp f/2.4 camera, with 1.4um pixels. The camera uses dual pixel auto-focus to take portrait photos with blurred backgrounds. The HDR+ / HDR Enhanced photo modes produce sharper images with more dynamic range and less noise.
4K UHD video is recorded at 30fps, and you can record slow-motion at 120fps (FullHD resolution) or 240fps (1280x720 resolution).
There is a large 6inch 18:9 aspect screen, with curved corners, and QuadHD+ 2880x2440 resolution. The camera screen fills a large area of the phone and is almost borderless, but not as borderless as others. There's Gorilla Glass 5 coating to protect against scratches, however, a screen protector is still a good idea.
The smartphone comes with unlimited online storage until the year 2020, so that you can store all your original full-size images online. After 2020 you can only backup smaller images.
There are squeezable sides, like the HTC U11, so that if you can squeeze the phone, it will bring up Google Assistant, and you can ask the assistant to "Take a Selfie" or "Take a photo".
The fingerprint sensor can unlock the phone and is found on the back of the phone. There are front stereo speakers.
The phone comes with a generous 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage, which should be plenty, and if you want more, there is a 128GB version.
The phone is running Android 8.0 and an update to 8.1 is available. Google says that the phone is guaranteed to get updates for 3 years, and comes with a 2-year warranty. There's USB-C on the bottom, a sim slot, but no MicroSD slot, and no headphone socket.
Whilst the smartphone is waterproof (IP67) down to 1m, for 30 minutes, you'll still need to take care around water, as the USB port is exposed. The Samsung Galaxy S8 has an IP68 rating, which means it's waterproof down to 1.5m for 30 minutes, but it will still complain about the USB port being wet if you don't dry it properly.
Key Features
- 12mp f/1.8 camera, 1.4um pixels, OIS
- Dual pixel autofocus
- Dual LED flash
- 8mp f/2.4 front camera (Selfie), 1.4um pixels
- 6inch (5.98inch) 18:9 QuadHD+ 2880x1440 screen
- HDR+ shooting
- 4GB/64GB (128GB option)
- 4K / FullHD video
- Fingerprint sensor
- Aluminium Unibody
- 3520mAh battery
- Water and dust resistant (IP67)
- Available in black, black and white
Google Pixel 2 XL Handling
The Google Pixel 2 XL features a mostly metal back, with a glass section surrounding the camera lens and LED. As this is glass you'll need to protect it in much the same way as you'd protect any other glass on a smartphone, either with a case or just by being extremely careful with it.
The screen is large and clear, and it doesn't take too long to get used to a larger screen if you're coming from a smaller one. The screen is bright, but viewing angles aren't as good as other premium smartphones, as it quickly takes on a blue colour cast if you're not viewing it directly. You can also split the screen between two apps.
The fingerprint sensor is in a good place on the back of the phone and is easy to find with your finger and the camera lenses are in the far corner, away from the fingerprint sensor, so it is easy to avoid smudging the lenses with your finger.
On the side is the usual unlock / power buttons, and volume controls. Double press the power button to quickly open the camera app, and use the volume control to take photos or the on-screen button.
The default camera app has a number of different shooting modes, including: Slow motion, Panorama, Photo sphere, Portrait, AR Stickers, Normal photo and Video.
There is no "pro" or "Professional" mode. But there are options for self-timer, HDR+/Enhanced (if HDR control is on in advanced settings), Motion picture, Grid display, White balance, and flash. You can also switch video stabilisation on or off. If you want more controls, for example, to change the ISO speed or shoot raw, then you'll need a third-party app.
Google Pixel 2 XL Black Lens Close Up
The Pixel 2 XL has an AnTuTu Benchmark score of 204308 (v7.0.4), and a Geekbench score of: 1897 (single-core), and 6365 (multi-core) - giving it some of the highest scores we've seen, only beaten by the iPhone X, and Samsung Galaxy S8 (for Geekbench).
Battery Life – Battery management is good, and the battery seemed to last a good length of time, without us having to switch on the power saving mode. However, as the battery can’t be removed, you’ll need to take a USB charger if you think you're going to run out of power. In the box is a USB Type C to USB Type C cable, so it isn't possible to plug the phone into a PC's standard USB socket without a USB Type C to USB cable.
Google Pixel 2 XL Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Google Pixel 2 XL Sample Photos
Sample Photos - The camera gives photos with bright colours and good levels of saturation and contrast. HDR+ can be switched off if you want, and you can switch to HDR Enhanced as well. HDR+ / Enhanced combines a number of images and not only results in an image with higher dynamic range, but it also results in a sharper image, with less noise, so we'd recommend leaving this setting switched on. This also works in low-light situations to produce some impressive results, however it can also make portraits look unnatural.
Google Pixel 2 XL Lens test images
The camera produces sharp, detailed images, with detail into the corners of the photo. There's also minimal vignetting visible, and minimal levels of distortion. If you use the camera to take close up photos, the camera produces nice bokeh for macro photos, although the closest focus distance isn't as good as some smartphones.
Enabling the portrait mode zooms in noticeably, and the camera uses the dual pixel technology to create a depth map, so that it can work out what to blur in the background. The results are impressive, producing images that at first glance look like they've been taken on a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens.
The selfie camera is fixed focus, so if you're too close to the camera you will most likely be blurred, in comparison some selfie cameras, such as the one on the Samsung Galaxy S8, features autofocus. You can use the background blur portrait mode on the selfie camera, and this works reasonably well, although results aren't as impressive as those taken with the rear camera.
Google Pixel 2 XL ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - To get control over the ISO speed used, we downloaded the free Adobe Lightroom app. This also has the added advantage of letting you shoot raw images. Images look better when taken with the Google photo app, and there is more detail in the photos. If you do use another camera app to set the ISO speed manually, then noise is well controlled up to around ISO800. Because of the way the Google camera app takes multiple photos and combines them for more detail and lower noise, we'd recommend simply using the standard app in low-light situations for better results.
Google Pixel 2 XL White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) gives a warm result under tungsten lighting with a similar result using the tungsten preset. AWB performs well under fluorescent lighting, and the preset gives a colour cast if used. Results under mixed lighting are reasonably good, although quite warm. The camera gives a range of white balance options, but the white balance cannot be set manually without the use of another app.
Google Pixel 2 XL Digital filters
Digital Filters - There are no effects or filters available in the default camera app at the time of taking the photo, however, you can apply effects to images after you've taken them, or use any other app to take photos.
Video - The camera records 4K (UHD) video at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 at 30fps. Compression is reasonable with a bit rate of 46Mbps. You can use the LED light on the back during video recording. Optical image stabilisation helps keep the video steady even when using the camera handheld. The slow-motion video mode records FullHD video at 120fps, or 720p video at 240fps.
Value For Money
The Google Pixel 2 is £559, and the Pixel 2 XL is £629 sim-free, if you shop around (from Carphone Warehouse), this is a similar in price to other premium smartphones. Others to look at include the following:
Huawei Mate 10 Pro, 6inch 18:9 screen, dual f/1.6 Leica cameras (mono + colour), £589
Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, 6.2inch 18:9 screen, 12mp f/1.7 camera, £582
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, 6.2inch 18:9 screen, 12mp f/1.5-2.4 camera + telephoto camera, £869
LG G6, 5.7inch 18:9 screen, dual 13mp cameras (wide and ultra-wide), £370 (was £649)
iPhone X, 5.8inch 19.5:9 screen, dual camera (wide and telephoto), £999
HTC U11, 5.5inch 16:9 screen, 12mp f/1.7 camera, £469
Have a look at more smartphones in the Top 11 Best Camera Phones for Photography. You might want a case or bag to keep your camera phone safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Google Pixel 2 XL Verdict
The Google Pixel 2 XL is available for £629 for the 64GB version sim-free, which is in line with other large screen premium smartphones. The Pixel 2, with its 5inch screen, and £559 sim-free price seems expensive in comparison, without the "Wow" factor of a curved and almost borderless screen. However, the camera technology and processing being offered by these smartphones is the main selling feature, and Google has excelled here, producing a camera that works extremely well, in a number of different situations. For example, the camera produces particularly impressive portrait shots, despite just one camera, and copes well with low-light situations.
The smartphone ticks all the boxes for a flagship smartphone, with a large 18:9 screen, waterproof body, optical image stabilisation, and it makes up for the lack of a second camera by producing some excellent images. It's a shame there's no headphone socket, and we'd like to see more manual control in the default camera app, as settings for the ISO speed and raw shooting would be useful, without having to download other apps. For most people, this will make a great camera, being easy to use, while still getting great results. The selfie camera could be improved by featuring AF, but this is still quite rare. The biggest competition to the Pixel 2 XL, is the iPhone X, and new Galaxy S9 Plus, although the high price of these make the Pixel 2 XL appear fairly good value for money. With the S8 and S8 Plus available for less, with a slightly smarter design, a camera with similar performance, and overall a slightly better package (including better selfie camera) we'd still choose one of these over the Pixel 2 XL, however the difference is quite subtle, and they're both excellent camera phones.
| The Google Pixel 2 XL delivers impressive portrait shots and images with high levels of detail, thanks to clever technology. |