Google Pixel 2

296 'Google Pixel 2' stories February 2017 - March 2018

See All Stories

Google officially unveiled the Pixel 2 this morning but it was quickly overshadowed by the Pixel 2 XL. While the latter features many of the same features as the Pixel 2, this handset isn’t much of a step up compared to last year’s model. Here are the Google Pixel 2’s official specs…

Where to purchase the Google Pixel 2 |

Recommended accessories |

Learn more about the Google Pixel 2 |

Full hardware specifications for Google’s Pixel 2:

Google Pixel 2	Specification
Android version	Android 8.0 Oreo w/ Google UI
Screen size	5-inch AMOLED
Resolution	1920×1080 pixels
PPI	441 ppi
Primary camera	12.2MP, f/1.8, 1.4μm pixels, OIS, EIS, PDAF, LDAF
Front camera	8MP, f/2.4, 1.4μm pixels, fixed focus
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Storage	64GB or 128GB
Expandable storage up to	N/A
RAM	4GB
Battery	2,700mAh (nonremovable)
Ports	USB Type-C
Weight	143 g
Dimensions	145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm
Other features	IP67 water and dust resistant, rear-facing fingerprint sensor, dual front-facing speakers, Bluetooth 5.0, Hi-Fi codecs, USB-PD, 18W rapid Charging
Color options	Kinda Blue, Just Black, Clearly White
Carrier availability	Shipping October 17
Base price off-contract	~$650
In-box accessories	TBD

How to force Google Pixel’s ‘dark mode’ with any wallpaper w/ ‘LWP+’

Ben Schoon Mar 5 2018 - 11:45 am PT

While we all want a proper dark mode on Android, it doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. However, Google did implement it in a limited capacity with Android 8.1 on the Google Pixel 2 family. That was tied to the color of the wallpaper, though, forcing users who want a dark theme to stick to a select few backgrounds for their homescreen. Thanks to a new app, though, it’s possible to get that dark theme with any wallpaper…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Consumer Reports forgets the Google Pixel 2 exists in ‘best smartphone cameras’ list

Ben Schoon Mar 1 2018 - 4:26 pm PT

Most people can agree at this point that the Google Pixel 2 has the best camera in a mobile device today. The Galaxy S9+ might just give it a run for its money, but at the very least, the Pixel 2 should be in the top 5 on everyone list of best cameras. That is, unless you forget it exists, like Consumer Reports clearly did the other day…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Review: Peel’s Google Pixel 2 case sold me on super-thin cases

Justin Duino Mar 1 2018 - 1:51 pm PT

Prior to reviewing cases for the Pixel 2, I’ve always preferred to use my phone without one. This obviously meant that my device was susceptible to wear from drops and scratches, but I’ve long been fine with the risk because it’s nice to use my phones the way their respective makers intended. But with Peel, as I found, I get the best of both worlds…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung Galaxy S9+ tops Google Pixel 2’s camera score on DxOMark w/ record 99

Ben Schoon Mar 1 2018 - 5:38 am PT

The cameras on our mobile devices just keep getting better and better, to the point where for most people, dedicated cameras have nearly become obsolete. With the debut of its new Galaxy S9, Samsung is hyping up the camera over all else. Is it really going to live up to the hype? If early tests prove true, it will indeed, as a recent test has just given Samsung the crown over Google’s Pixel 2…

Expand
Expanding
Close

How to customize homescreen widgets on Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL

Justin Duino Feb 26 2018 - 6:22 pm PT

One of the best aspects of Android is its ability to place widgets from your favorite apps on your homescreens. Here’s how to customize the homescreen widgets on your Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google seeking feedback on Pixel settings and defaults for future devices

Abner Li Feb 26 2018 - 4:00 pm PT

Last year, Google publicly asked for feedback on the original Pixel’s hardware design. Now, the company is seeking data on the software-side of the Pixel experience in regards to settings and device configurations.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google updating the Pixel 2’s Visual Core algorithms through the Play Store

Abner Li Feb 26 2018 - 8:23 am PT

Earlier this month, Google enabled the Pixel Visual Core for HDR+ on third-party imaging apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. Today, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL devices are getting an update to the “Pixel Visual Core Service.”

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google is looking into battery drain bug on Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL, cause still unknown [Update]

Ben Schoon Feb 23 2018 - 3:29 pm PT

Earlier this month we reported on a bug affecting Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners that caused batteries to drain quicker than usual. The suspected cause has been this month’s security patch, but after being mostly silent on the matter, Google is looking into the problem.

Expand
Expanding
Close

The Pixel 2’s live wallpapers are displaying an annoying streak over the Earth

Abner Li Feb 19 2018 - 3:06 pm PT

For the second year in a row, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL feature exclusive wallpapers for the Made by Google devices. However, over the past few days, the live updating backgrounds of the Earth have featured an inaccurate and somewhat annoying line over the planet.

Expand
Expanding
Close

pixel-2-portrait-mode-drunk

Even black-out drunk, the Pixel 2 takes some great low-light portrait shots

Justin Duino Feb 19 2018 - 11:42 am PT

Over the weekend, Moya Lothian-McLean on Twitter might have had a little too much to drink before heading out to grab something to eat. During her travels, despite not remembering any of it, she (reportedly, who knows what’s true and not on the internet?) managed to take a pretty impressive looking photoshoot using her Pixel 2 XL while at a kebab restaurant…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Has your Google Pixel 2/XL experienced any issues after the February update? [Poll]

Justin Duino Feb 16 2018 - 5:51 pm PT

The February security update has been out for almost half a month now, and there are countless reports of Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL users experiencing issues since installing it.

Is your Google Pixel 2 having issues after updating to the latest security patch?

Expand
Expanding
Close

Some Google Pixel 2/XL owners reporting poor battery life and phones running warm after February security patch

Ben Schoon Feb 16 2018 - 8:52 am PT

Pixel 2 XL

Google’s Pixel 2 smartphones have seen their fair share of issues since launch, however, qualities such as excellent battery life and super fast software updates have made for tons of satisfied users. But with a recent update, some users are having some concern.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google giving some ‘loyal’ Nexus owners a 20% discount on the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL

Abner Li Feb 15 2018 - 9:28 pm PT

Several reports have emerged this evening of Google offering owners of past Nexus devices a rather notable discount on the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL. This offer is being disseminated via email though the exact criteria is not clear.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Get a free month of Project Fi service when you buy and activate a new phone

Justin Duino Feb 15 2018 - 4:06 pm PT

In its latest promotion, Project Fi is giving away a free month of service to new customers who purchase a select phone through the wireless carrier…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Pixel shipments doubled in 2017, but still only total around 4 million

Ben Schoon Feb 12 2018 - 3:21 pm PT

Google may not be entirely new to the smartphone scene, but it’s still a minor player when it comes to sales. That said, the company is quickly picking up ground with its Pixel lineup, with sales in the past year doubling.

Expand
Expanding
Close

How to customize your screen saver on Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL

Justin Duino Feb 9 2018 - 9:28 pm PT

One of Android’s lesser-known features is the built-in screen saver. In addition to just showing a clock, you can have your Pixel 2 show photos, colors, and more. Here’s how to it all works…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Pixel 2 XL

How to turn off mobile data on Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL

Justin Duino Feb 9 2018 - 2:48 pm PT

Whether you’re approaching your data limit or just want to disconnect for a bit, it’s straightforward to turn off mobile data on your Google Pixel 2. Here’s how…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Here are all of the ‘Question your lens’ ads for the Google Pixel 2 [Video]

Justin Duino Feb 9 2018 - 1:26 pm PT

Throughout the Grammy’s and the Super Bowl, we saw Google start a new ad campaign for the Pixel 2. Using the ‘Question your lens’ tagline, Google advertises its handset’s superb camera by demonstrating that not a single photo defines a person or group of people…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Pixel on sale

How to use Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL’s ‘free up space’ feature

Justin Duino Feb 8 2018 - 9:52 pm PT

As storage space on your Google Pixel 2 is limited, precious, and there’s no way to expand it, every once in a while it’s a good idea to through and clean up house. Thankfully, there’s a feature built into the handset that makes this extremely easy to do…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Pixel 2 picks up new AR Stickers themed for the 2018 Winter Olympics

Abner Li Feb 8 2018 - 10:03 am PT

AR Stickers for the Pixel and Pixel 2 were announced at the October 4th event and launched in December with Star Wars and Stranger Things content. In time for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Google is now launching a new “Winter Sports” pack and updating another.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Pixel 2

How to use split-screen mode on Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL

Justin Duino Feb 8 2018 - 3:38 am PT

Out of the box, the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL can run two applications at the same time. Unfortunately, split-screen mode can be slightly confusing to use. This Android Basics will walk you through how to split your Pixel 2’s screen and use two apps simultaneously…

Expand
Expanding
Close

How to turn on roaming mobile data on Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL

Justin Duino Feb 5 2018 - 3:34 pm PT

Whether you’re outside your mobile carrier’s service area or in another country, you’ll need to turn on mobile data roaming before being able to connect to another company’s network. Here’s how to turn on roaming on the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Pixel 2 picks up Bluetooth, Camera, & Android Auto fixes w/ February security patch

Abner Li Feb 5 2018 - 10:45 am PT

While the marquee feature of the February security patch for the Pixel 2 is third-party photo apps being able to take advantage of the Pixel Visual Core, this update contains a number of other patches for Google’s latest devices.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google expands Pixel Visual Core’s HDR+ to Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp

Abner Li Feb 5 2018 - 9:36 am PT

Among other features and fixes, Android 8.1 in December opened up the Pixel Visual Core on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Today, Google is enabling its image processing chip for third-party photos apps, starting with Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.

Expand
Expanding
Close