8 Things You Should Know About the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL - Augustman
Augustman Logo
Style
Culture
Gear
Food & Drink
Travel
Wellness
AM Select
E-Magazine
Most Trending
8 Things You Should Know About the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Most Recent
8 Things You Should Know About the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Most Trending
Hermès Doesn’t Call The H08 A Sports Watch But It Kind Of Is One
Most Recent
New Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 is Edward Cullen, In a Good Way
  • Fashion
  • Watches
  • Grooming
Most Trending
Getting His Justice: Zack Snyder Is In A League Of His Own
Most Recent
Some Of The Most Striking Art Deco Buildings Around The World
  • Design
  • Events
  • Art
  • Music
  • Film & TV
Most Trending
How To Use Remix, The New Instagram Reels Feature
Most Recent
The OPPO Find X3 Pro Is Its Most Expensive Offering To Date
  • Tech
  • Motoring
Most Trending
#AMReviews: Hoshun Sushi Kaiseki At Damansara Heights
Most Recent
8 Hotels Around KL To Buka Puasa At This Ramadhan 2021
  • Dining
  • Drinks
Most Trending
These Are Some Of Asia’s Most Stunning Mangrove Forests
Most Recent
The Super Mario Theme Park In Japan Finally Opens
  • Travel Guides
  • Hotels & Resorts
Most Trending
How Eating Fruit Can Be Good For Your Mental Health
Most Recent
Some Famous Athletes Who Also Run Successful Lifestyle Brands
  • Fitness
  • Health
Most Trending
The A-List 2020 Finale, As The Campaign Comes To A Close
Most Recent
A To Z Of Prince Philip, The Faithful Consort Of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Men of the Year
  • MVMT
  • August Mentors
  • A-Listers
  • Hit List
  • my
    • MY
    • SG
  • Search
8 Things You Should Know About the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Sort & Filter
Close Filter
Sort By
Date
Relevance
Filter By Category
All Categories
All
Style
Culture
Gear
Food & Drink
Travel
Wellness
AM Select
Apply
Filter By Location
malaysia
All Countries
Gear
The OPPO Find X3 Pro Is Its Most Expensive Offering To Date
Gear
How To Use Remix, The New Instagram Reels Feature
Gear
An Android Fan Gets Acquainted With The Apple iPhone 12
Augustman Logo
my
8 Things You Should Know About the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Back
All  Style
  • Fashion
  • Watches
  • Grooming
Back
All  Culture
  • Design
  • Events
  • Art
  • Music
  • Film & TV
Back
All  Gear
  • Tech
  • Motoring
Back
All  Food & Drink
  • Dining
  • Drinks
Back
All  Travel
  • Travel Guides
  • Hotels & Resorts
Back
All  Wellness
  • Fitness
  • Health
Back
All  AM Select
  • Men of the Year
  • MVMT
  • August Mentors
  • A-Listers
  • Hit List
E-Magazine
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Sort & Filter
Close Filter
Sort By
Date
Relevance
Filter By Category
All Categories
All
Style
Culture
Gear
Food & Drink
Travel
Wellness
AM Select
Apply
Filter By Location
malaysia
All Countries
Gear

8 Things You Should Know About the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Justin Ng
05 Oct 2017
Article Hero Image
Trending Now
A To Z Of Prince Philip, The Faithful Consort Of Queen Elizabeth II
AM SelectRead More
New Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 is Edward Cullen, In a Good Way
StyleRead More
8 Hotels Around KL To Buka Puasa At This Ramadhan 2021
Food & DrinkRead More
Hermès Doesn’t Call The H08 A Sports Watch But It Kind Of Is One
StyleRead More
Want the low-down on the latest rides and gadgets? We have it all. Sign up to receive it.

Google’s own standard bearers have been unveiled. Now a Pixel and previously a Nexus, the smartphone series is the ideal smartphone conceived by Google in a utopia unblemished by OEMs’ feeble attempts at enhancing the Android experience. Powered by Snapdragon 835 and paired with a 4GB RAM, both phones differ in size. The Google Pixel 2 packs a 5-inch FHD AMOLED panel in 16:9 ratio and is available in either 64GB or 128GB non-expendable storage. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 2 XL houses a larger 6-inch 1,440 x 2,880-pixel POLED display in 18:9 ratio, meaning the screen is wider or taller, depending on the orientation. Its storage capacity is the same as its smaller sibling’s.

Let’s take a look at what other exciting new features Google has in store.

ESIM

Also known as no SIM card needed. However, before we delve deeper into the subject, it is important for you to note that both variants of the Pixel 2 do contain Nano-SIM trays. 

Nonetheless, unlike other smartphones out there, both variants of the Pixel 2 don’t necessary require a physical SIM card. You don’t need to insert it into a tray before you turn on the phone. How do you set up the smartphone for running then? Well, the process is still in its infancy, but Google is trying to simplify the process and make it as effortless and seamless as possible for end users. By that, Google is adopting eSIM for its Project Fi carrier service—that’s the only network that you’d be able to connect to via eSIM. Think of it as connecting to a WiFi network—as easy as that and that’s the future it seems.

Portrait mode

Portrait mode is the new rage. While other handset makers utilise a dual-lens setup to gauge both the subject and the background to sense depth, Google makes use of a single lens with 12.2MP sensor and a deft algorithm to provide the same effect. The software first seeks to identify the face of the subject, followed by the body and then it will decide which part of the frame will be blurred. On top of that, there is the Dual Pixel. So called because every pixel on the sensor is split into two—left and right—to capture a left and right photo, as well as at the same time, capturing two photos at a lower exposure to map the depth, hence distinguishing the foreground from the background. All these combined to great effect. Even better is that the portrait mode extends to selfies.

Dual image stabilisation

If the above isn’t impressive enough, Google managed to fit both hardware-based optical image stabilisation and software-driven electronic image stabilisation systems into its camera. Other smartphones use one or the other. By fusing both, videos will appear smoother.

Unlimited storage…

…with a catch. Although the lifetime Google Drive storage offer is unlimited, photo quality will take a hit after 2020 as to reduce the size of stored images.

No 3.5mm headphone jack

Apple killed it and others followed. The choice now is to play it loudly through a couple of front-facing stereo speakers, akin to the HTC One, to annoy other commuters on the train, fork out for a wired pair that connects via USB-C, or the wireless Pixel Buds. The latter is equipped with Google Assistant. But no, it isn’t free. In fact, both Google’s latest smartphones won’t come with a free pair of earbuds. Bad luck.

Water resistance

Since they are IP67 certified, they can be submerged in 3ft of water for 30 minutes without damage. No information is available on whether the warranty covers the damage in the event you do put it into a test.

Squeeze when you are happy

Google’s recent acquisition of HTC also leads to transfer of technology. HTC debuted a “squeezable” function on its HTC 11 and users can pre-set what functions to be associated with the gesture. Furthermore, with both Pixel smartphones, users can set the force of each squeeze to determine which function to be brought up. Squeeze for a selfie.

Fast charging

After saving the cost by omitting a pair of earbuds from the packaging, Google redeems itself by throwing a fast charger into the box for free. You don’t get such generosity from Apple.

smartphone
Justin Ng
Talk to Me About:

Up Next For You

Cop That Ride: The Fanciest Police Cars Around The World
Mikhail Gomes
Gear
Porsche Levels Up The Electric Game With The New Taycan Cross Turismo
Richard Augustin
Gear
Sick Of Zoom Meetings? The Zoom Escaper Is One Way To Get Out Of It
AFP Relaxnews
Gear
A Round-Up Of The Iconic Helicopters In Film And Television
Richard Augustin
Gear
Want the low-down on the latest rides and gadgets? We have it all. Sign up to receive it.
×
Where are you?
Tell us so we can display what you want to see.
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
Malaysia Singapore
Advertise About Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions
© 2021 Copyright Augustman