Google Pixel and Pixel XL 2

Which is nice, but in my opinion the biggest issue with the display is the blue color shift which is basically impossible to fix with a software update. The sRGB color profile doesn't bother me at all.

Indeed, I used to have some higherend monitors for doing some photo editing back in the day, and going from that to my gaming rig was a big change, but I got used to it and understood why, the blue shift would bother me however. Mine has a few more days before it ships....crossing fingers it's not as bad in real life, or that it doesn't bother me enough, if it does I am not really sure what I would get, other than going back to the first gen Pixel or even an iPhone.
 
The color profile is a little bit of a shock to the system when you first see it. You're probably used to other devices with the "vivid" color profile turned on. I can imagine it's something you won't notice after a few weeks. Plus, it's fixable. I remember hating the iPhone 5 for a while because the color profile was way warmer than I prefer. Ever watch HDR gaming content on a television? It looks pretty similar to that. Colors just don't "pop" except in special circumstances.

The blue thing isn't as pronounced as some people are making it out to be. It might be if you move your phone from side to side in a darkish' room, but it's tougher to notice in normal daylight. You probably will because you know it's there, but it's not that huge of a deal. To me, that's almost like an ignorance is bliss situation.

The bigger deal for me would be motion blur and the screen constantly looking smudged. It's almost like the screen is always a little dusty. It's really noticeable on anything with lots of white...which most websites tend to be. The motion blur reminds me of the first LCD monitors from the mid 90's. Most mornings I'll quickly scroll through my news feed, really only paying attention to headers and titles. The Pixel's motion blur makes it tough to read those unless you slow down. They're still readable, but it's almost like my brain doesn't want to process it because it's too busy struggling to read it.

To me, those 3 things just shouldn't be present in a phone that cost 2x what my last one did. Especially when my last phone's screen is flat-out better. That's tough to justify.
 
The color profile is a little bit of a shock to the system when you first see it. You're probably used to other devices with the "vivid" color profile turned on. I can imagine it's something you won't notice after a few weeks. Plus, it's fixable. I remember hating the iPhone 5 for a while because the color profile was way warmer than I prefer. Ever watch HDR gaming content on a television? It looks pretty similar to that. Colors just don't "pop" except in special circumstances.

The blue thing isn't as pronounced as some people are making it out to be. It might be if you move your phone from side to side in a darkish' room, but it's tougher to notice in normal daylight. You probably will because you know it's there, but it's not that huge of a deal. To me, that's almost like an ignorance is bliss situation.

The bigger deal for me would be motion blur and the screen constantly looking smudged. It's almost like the screen is always a little dusty. It's really noticeable on anything with lots of white...which most websites tend to be. The motion blur reminds me of the first LCD monitors from the mid 90's. Most mornings I'll quickly scroll through my news feed, really only paying attention to headers and titles. The Pixel's motion blur makes it tough to read those unless you slow down. They're still readable, but it's almost like my brain doesn't want to process it because it's too busy struggling to read it.

To me, those 3 things just shouldn't be present in a phone that cost 2x what my last one did. Especially when my last phone's screen is flat-out better. That's tough to justify.
Haven't really experienced the dusty screen you're referring to. My screen is pretty much flawless except for the blue tint. I loaded up some HDR videos and they looked beautiful. People say that it shows what the display is capable of and it's really nice.

I really don't want to return this phone because it's perfect to me except for the blue tint. But the more I use the phone the more annoyed I am by that single flaw. If it shifted at very wide viewing angles then I wouldn't care, but the blue tint starts setting in at probably 15 degrees or so which isn't acceptable.

EDIT: Also something I noticed is the blue tint seems less pronounced on those HDR videos I watched. I wonder if a different color profile would help alleviate the issue...
 
Last edited:
I went ahead and ordered a smaller one. Not a fan of the bezels, but the size is actually closer to what I want. Obviously neither is perfect, but I can deal. I'll get $200 back, too. At the very least, I can always trade it in for the Pixel 3 down the road.
If only some other OEMs made a flagship that ran straight Android this wouldn't even be necessary.
 
Pics at 10 paces.

If I lose, you pick my title. ANYTHING!

Can I play? :D

pixel 2 xl.jpg
 
Mine showed up about 15 minutes ago. Screen definitely is a let down. For $1015.46, we should get damn-nigh perfect screen quality. I'm going to watch some videos on YouTube before loading all my apps, data and media.
 
Mine showed up about 15 minutes ago. Screen definitely is a let down. For $1015.46, we should get damn-nigh perfect screen quality. I'm going to watch some videos on YouTube before loading all my apps, data and media.
I can tell the new screen has better resolution which given how close these are I was not expecting that. Default color is more muted but sitting here side by side, I doubt this is not something that can be adjusted for easily.

And that is with my brightness turned down to about 20% on the slider.
 
I'm a big Nexus / Pixel fan, but this is pretty low from Google to do this;

http://phandroid.com/2017/10/19/pixel-2-pop-up-store-premium/

Google is drumming up interest in its latest Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL devices with a handful of pop-up stores in New York and Los Angeles. The Verge went hands-on with the pop-up store in Manhattan and discovered that every single model of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were jacked up by $30 bucks.

What’s worse is Google is selling the locked Verizon version of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL at these events.
 
I just finished setting up my Pixel 2. All I will say for now is that I cannot imagine a better phone.
 
Well, I'm re-boxing mine. RMA approved. If I have to try to talk myself into liking it, then it's not right for me. :(

If later versions solve the screen heebee-jeebees, I easily would buy it again.

At least I got a bitchin' new title from no less than Kyle, the Duke, the A Number 1, out of this whole exercise!! (y)
 
To say the pixel screen is rubbish is a monumental understatement. A $1,000 phone shouldn't have compromises.... especially something like the screen


Wow, the Note 8 is nipping at the Pixel 2 XL's heels in all but that initial Datawing load test. Prior Samsung flagships wouldn't even be close.

The commenters keep going on about that screen quality, some go "Pixel sRGB calibration is superior!", and I just want to point out to all of them that Samsung has sRGB, AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 modes too, only they're not called that.

Besides, Android color calibration is a joke as long as people can't use ICC profiles system-wide and each app doesn't set its color space accordingly (sRGB for Web browsers, AdobeRGB for photo galleries, DCI-P3 for HDR video). Need I point out that ICC profiles were a thing in the '90s, particularly with ColorSync? Android should have had that baked into AOSP years ago.

Also, the Pixel 2 XL has bigger issues at hand than even the off-axis blue shift that looks like a bad LCD...

Pixel 2 definitely looks to be having issues. My V30 passes that gradient check in that Reddit thread with flying colors.
Wow, that black crush is horrible, completely unacceptable.

Looks like what happens when you try to calibrate a crappy monitor with a colorimeter and the ICC profile makes the LUT all whacked with banding and crush, or it's artificially oversaturated or crushed at the driver or monitor level.

I would never tolerate that for such an egregious price premium, especially when black depth and detail is precisely where OLED excels.
 
I guess I have until November 16 before getting mine. I wonder if there will be any fixes for the panda version.
 




A couple of videos that look great on the Pixel 2 XL despite some of these complaints. Make sure to watch at 1440p HDR. Also, you can full screen by using the pinch screen method.
 
I checked out the phone at Verizon store and the blue tint is there and only noticeable with white background/color. For the darker objects, there is also a slight shift in tone but they are minor at best. The rounded edge of the screen is useless since the actual viewing area is a rectangle with black bar on top and bottom. It's no where near the godly screen of the Note 8 for sure. If only they used Samsung AMOLOD instead of LG inferior pOLED...
 
I checked out the phone at Verizon store and the blue tint is there and only noticeable with white background/color. For the darker objects, there is also a slight shift in tone but they are minor at best. The rounded edge of the screen is useless since the actual viewing area is a rectangle with black bar on top and bottom. It's no where near the godly screen of the Note 8 for sure. If only they used Samsung AMOLOD instead of LG inferior pOLED...

A lot of people have been blowing the screen issues out of proportion and make it sound like they're looking at 480p panels made in some dude's basement. The panel is not THAT bad. My only gripe is that for a $1000 phone I expect a solid display without any issues. For me, if this display just didn't have the blue tint then I would be completely satisfied.
 
A lot of people have been blowing the screen issues out of proportion and make it sound like they're looking at 480p panels made in some dude's basement. The panel is not THAT bad. My only gripe is that for a $1000 phone I expect a solid display without any issues. For me, if this display just didn't have the blue tint then I would be completely satisfied.
Exactly! I like everything else about my 2 XL. Had it cost less than $600, I'd be more than satisfied. For $1000? Not so much.
 
How bad is the viewing angle issue? Would I be able to set this on a airplane tray table and watch a movie, or will the screen just look terrible causing me to hold the phone the entire flight?

Did you pick out a case yet? I'm tempted to get the UAG, but didn't really want to spend that much. I want to put it in something right away though. I'm also going to need a screen protector because I tend to toss it in the same pocket as my keys on accident after many beers.

You gotta turn the damn phone like 45 degrees away from you to see it. I think this is a made up problem. Screen looks fantastic. The colors at default do not pop as much as those do on my pixel if I sit those side by side. For what little I have used it, I like it better so far. Put on two cases, like this one the best. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RVL499/

I am not sure I am finding anything to be upset about unless I put on a really bright screen and look at it "sideways."

Damn thing is lightning fast too.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
A lot of people have been blowing the screen issues out of proportion and make it sound like they're looking at 480p panels made in some dude's basement. The panel is not THAT bad. My only gripe is that for a $1000 phone I expect a solid display without any issues. For me, if this display just didn't have the blue tint then I would be completely satisfied.

If I had to pay the full amount of $950+tax then it's a sounding NO for me. However, with the $410 credit for trading in Pixel XL and the free google home mini, the price drops to $610 and I can accept the less than stellar screen quality.
 
Maybe it varies significantly from phone to phone?

Mine, and I showed it to the people in my office, if I used it anything other than dead on was a terrible blue tint. Sitting in my lap..blue tint, turning it slightly to show other people...blue tint.

Everyone thought it looked like a projection big screen tv when viewed from the side
 
Yup that exact scene I also was thoroughly impressed! Not sure if get HDR outside of the Youtube app though?

EDIT: It doesn't appear like you get HDR viewing it in the browser. Make sure you open it in the Youtube app.
Yep. Just the browser.
 
Decided on this case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RTNXRW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2R61ADP3X9T44&psc=1
It's like the one Kyle ordered (kinda) except it does not look as cool, but it should be slightly more rigid and has raised corners on the back to help prevent griding up the case itself. I'll probably pick up a Supcase later when they are released, but maybe not if this one works out well enough. I want someone ready when I get the phone or I will drop it for sure.

Now, who makes a nice glass screen protector that can deal with the curved glass? I love having a protector on my 6p and have gone through a few of them.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I am considering going without a screen protector this time around.
 
Maybe I'll just get a pack of those second skin style protectors then. I need something I know I will damage the screen within a week otherwise. Curved glass is certainly a downgrade when it comes to protecting your device!

I just saw that mine will ship on the 24th.... But according to the google store, If i were to cancel my order and buy the same device configuration (all black 128gb XL unlocked) it would ship by the 22nd instead.

Should I cancel my order then re-order the same phone to get it sooner?

https://www.zagg.com/us/en_us/invis...creen-protector/glass-curve-google-pixel-2-xl
expensive, but if it works it might be worth it

N/M I read this is junk.

Does anyone still make those wet apply phone skins?
 
Last edited:
Now, who makes a nice glass screen protector that can deal with the curved glass? I love having a protector on my 6p and have gone through a few of them.
If Whitestone doesn't have a version of the Dome Glass protector for the Pixel 2 lineup, you may be able to improvise with a conventional flat TGSP, a little extra LOCA glue to fill any gaps stemming from slight curvature in the screen/digitizer glass surface, and a UV lamp to cure the glue.

Obviously, the results can be pretty messy without taking proper precautions, but I can't think of a better approach for curved screens right now. Even the "flat" S7 curves off before the screen edge, making flat TGSPs stand out too much on the sides. Would be nice if they just kept the front glass totally flat.
 
The smaller Pixel 2 doesn't seem to have a display issue, cause it's not LG... Is any of y'all returning it for the smaller version?
 
Decided to trade in my pixel 1 xl for a pixel 2 128GB. Been going back and forth as to whether or not to upgrade. Finally decided that the improved camera and front facing speakers are worth it. Also tired of dealing with Bluetooth issues on my pixel 1xl. It randomly stutters or cuts out when connected to my car audio system. Should have mine by October 25th.

Screenshot_20171020-022843.png
 
Last edited:
Has anybody ever looked at the MNML cases? I mean... it's not really drop protection, purely for scratches only because of how thin the case is (0.35mm), but the renders for the cases look nice. haha
 
My wife and I just got our phones in last night, hers is the 2 and mine the 2 XL. Yes I do see the blue shift but you have to actually be looking for it. Most of the time I'm staring straight at the screen, not at an angle, so you won't see it. The 2 also has a slight blue shift, just not as pronounced as the 2 XL. I'm going to hold on to mine for now to see if it bothers me (so far not really), and if it does then I'll just switch down to the 2.

As far as the color saturation I don't see the issues everyone is complaining about, so far it looks about the same as my GS7 in the color range.
 
I think if you don't read about other peoples' issues, you'll enjoy the phone more. If you don't actively go looking for any design flaws (which you'll only find if you read reddit and the like), you are most likely not going to even notice or pay attention.
 
For 1000$ the screen flaws are unacceptable. Mainly the blue tint at off viewing. Knowing that was there would just bug to much. I will keep using my s7 edge. I will wait to see what spring brings us. Till then I will save my money
 
I think if you don't read about other peoples' issues, you'll enjoy the phone more. If you don't actively go looking for any design flaws (which you'll only find if you read reddit and the like), you are most likely not going to even notice or pay attention.

I noted the blue tint and muted colors long before people started to constantly talk about it on the internet. It's not something I whipped my phone out and starting looking for due to predisposition. I noticed them pretty much as soon as I started playing with the phone (within 15 minutes or so). The difference is that people's sensitivities tend to vary. For some the blue tint is the end all for the phone - and while it bugs me its not something that is an immediate game over for me. The muted colors is a preference. Some people likely unnatural colors with a lot of "pop" while others will prefer more muted colors that typically are the result of sRGB calibration like the Pixel 2.

For 1000$ the screen flaws are unacceptable. Mainly the blue tint at off viewing. Knowing that was there would just bug to much. I will keep using my s7 edge. I will wait to see what spring brings us. Till then I will save my money

This is why I'm still debating on returning it. The phone put me at about $1100 with the protection plan and at that price I should expect a display with at least no issues. It doesn't have to be an amazing display like the Note 8 - I just want a good display that doesn't exhibit any obvious flaws.
 
Damn. JerryRigEverything just blasted the phone. He is very unforgiving of every phone he tests (iphone and apple products included) but he didn't have many good things to say about the Pixel 2. It will be interesting to see how well the phone holds up, especially since nobody in their right mind is going to be taking a razor blade to them or a lighter to the screen.

 
Back
Top