Google Pixel and Pixel XL 2

So learned some interesting things. Because my first phone was lost/stolen in the mail and I had to re-order not only was the delivery delayed but I was no longer eligible for the free home mini (despite having ordered at the beginning of last month). However, because I caught that today I might get a promo code for one anyways. So I have to wait a couple more days to see if I get approved for that. Then I can return my phone and re-order with preferred care, and still get the free home mini. But there's no guarantee I will get the replacement before I have to send this one back.

There's a thread about a screen panel lottery on XDA, seems some of them have a very minor blue shift while others blue shift pretty bad.

I think mine falls into the pretty bad category, so it might be best I send it back anyways in hopes to win the lottery the next time.
 
Last edited:
Justintoxicated said:
So learned some interesting things. Because my first phone was lost/stolen in the mail and I had to re-order not only was the delivery delayed but I was no longer eligible for the free home mini (despite having ordered at the beginning of last month). However, because I caught that today I might get a promo code for one anyways. So I have to wait a couple more days to see if I get approved for that. Then I can return my phone and re-order with preferred care, and still get the free home mini. But there's no guarantee I will get the replacement before I have to send this one back.
Click to expand...
Lemme know if you get screwed again, I will send you mine if you pay shipping. (If I ever get it.)
 
I just got an email with a promo code for the Google Home Mini and I sent mine back for a refund over a week ago...
 
So I side loaded the new update. In saturation mode the colors are too overblown I'm not seeing this as an improvement. just looks bad in a different way. Boosted still looks best to my eyes but I can't compare to before and after.

Screen wasn't that bad to begin with though although I'm curious what it would look like if i got one without the blue shift. Apparently it's a bit of a lottery.
.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20171107-230316.png
    Screenshot_20171107-230316.png
    45.6 KB · Views: 22
So apparently the new Pixel updates are rolling out and fix things like the ticking noise and the low saturation.
Yet my phone keeps saying no updates are available.
Is there an easy way to force an update via a manual download and the boot menu (like you could with the Moto X) or do I just have to wait around? Pulling my Verizon SIM didn't do anything.
 
Domingo said:
So apparently the new Pixel updates are rolling out and fix things like the ticking noise and the low saturation.
Yet my phone keeps saying no updates are available.
Is there an easy way to force an update via a manual download and the boot menu (like you could with the Moto X) or do I just have to wait around? Pulling my Verizon SIM didn't do anything.
Click to expand...

yes you can side load it like i did. Download the update from Google, enable usb debugging, plug into computer, run a couple adb commands to install the update.

https://developers.google.com/android/ota
 
Domingo said:
So apparently the new Pixel updates are rolling out and fix things like the ticking noise and the low saturation.
Yet my phone keeps saying no updates are available.
Is there an easy way to force an update via a manual download and the boot menu (like you could with the Moto X) or do I just have to wait around? Pulling my Verizon SIM didn't do anything.
Click to expand...

Did you try clicking the "check for updates" button manually, twice in a row?

AFAIK, anyone with a Verizon SIM can do this with no issue. I know people with T-Mobile SIM's for some reason aren't getting the OTA
 
bigblueshock said:
Did you try clicking the "check for updates" button manually, twice in a row?

AFAIK, anyone with a Verizon SIM can do this with no issue. I know people with T-Mobile SIM's for some reason aren't getting the OTA
Click to expand...
i have a Verizon SIM and could not get the update so I *side-loaded it rather than wait for my turn.
 
Last edited:
bigblueshock said:
Did you try clicking the "check for updates" button manually, twice in a row?

AFAIK, anyone with a Verizon SIM can do this with no issue. I know people with T-Mobile SIM's for some reason aren't getting the OTA
Click to expand...

Nada. I've tried it more like 20 times in a row manually. I'm going to side-load it when I get home.
 
shansoft said:
I will take the fade on the left than the obvious artifacts on the right.

My guess is Apple prefer smooth image over sharpness with artifacts glitches.

Both still looks like shit compare to my old ancient DSLR with cheap 1.8f lens...
Click to expand...
Your DSLR has a selfie camera? You're nuts if you think the picture on the left is better.
 
Got my pixel 2 today (non XL). Upgraded from the pixel 1 XL. So far loving the smaller phone, much easier to work with. Bezel size is definitely overstated and not that big of an issue to me. Speakers are loud and clear, don't think I'll ever go to a phone with only one speaker ever again. Screen is fantastic. Made a couple phone calls already, very clear and no ticking noise (some users reported a ticking noise during calls). I also got a Google fabric case for the phone. It's fantastic and very minimalist but I can see it protecting the phone during a drop.
 
exlink said:
Same. Mine was pretty much like the worst of the two phones there. I might try and play the lottery because I honestly am missing Android...
Click to expand...
I miss Android every time I use my iPhone X. Am seriously considering returning it and going with a 5T or (my preference) getting a U11 Plus if I can find one on eBay, Swappa, or maybe a Canadian reseller.
 
ChronoReverse said:
The beard seems better on the left but everything else is better on the right.
Click to expand...
The beard on the right you can see the individual hairs and the one on the left is just a blurry mess. The Pixel 2 just looks cleaner and just better in every way. I am no photo buff but that is my opinion. Either way they both good enough for me. Camera is like the bottom of the priority list for me with phones.
 
Last edited:
vegeta535 said:
The beard on the right you can see the individual hairs and the one on the left is just a blurry mess. The Pixel 2 just looks cleaner and just better in every way. I am no photo buff but that is my opinion. Either way they both good enough for me. Camera is like the bottom of the priority list for me with phones.
Click to expand...
Just in case, did you open the full sized version? In the smaller version (and the thumbnail) it's not apparent but the Pixel 2 XL version does something strange to the beard. It's weird because the Pixel 2 XL's is otherwise clearly better.
 
ChronoReverse said:
Just in case, did you open the full sized version? In the smaller version (and the thumbnail) it's not apparent but the Pixel 2 XL version does something strange to the beard. It's weird because the Pixel 2 XL's is otherwise clearly better.
Click to expand...
It does look a bit weird but still looks better then the blurry mess.
 
Don't forget the image processor isn't even enabled on the pixel 2's yet. Which will enable more processing power and machine learning. So for now the whole comparison isn't completely fair and it's still coming out ahead lol
 
https://m.androidcentral.com/lots-people-are-having-trouble-google-stores-trade-program

Reading the comments on this article, is frighting if you planned on trading in your original Pixel in for the Pixel 2. It's not handled by Google, but some obscure third party, and everyone saying it's nightmarish.

Again I love stock Android, and prefer the Nexus / Pixel phones over anything else, but man Google just sucks as a phone hardware company. Apple is ten million times better. But I know Apple have years more experience and a billion more phones sold than Google, I grant them that, but this also isn't Google's first rodeo either, they aren't the Essential company, they should be better than this.

At this point I think the Pixel 2 lineup should get a price break, to match the 2016 Pixel pricing of last year.
 
Last edited:
I've been using my Pixel 2 XL for about two weeks now. I've heard only one issue, and that was the ticking noise during voice calls. Disabling NFC fixed that, and I haven't tried re-enabling it since the latest update. I don't use NFC, so I am fine with leaving it disabled.

I'm loving the phone and how responsive it is. I'm getting almost two days between charges, and my phone gets quite a bit of use. I upgraded from a Galaxy S6, and I haven't ever regretted the switch.
 
I wish sideloading the OS updates wasn't such a pain in the ass. The rumor that the "check for updates" button now works clearly isn't true. At least not universally.
My work computer isn't an option and you can't do it without a computer for some reason. With other devices you can just run the update from within the recovery menu.
 
Couldn't hold back and ordered another Pixel 2 XL. Hoping for a good/better quality screen this time around. The blue shift I had on my first one was pretty gnarly...

Hoping the new updates with dimming nav bar buttons and reduced screen brightness reduces the chance of burn in as well.
 
exlink said:
Couldn't hold back and ordered another Pixel 2 XL. Hoping for a good/better quality screen this time around. The blue shift I had on my first one was pretty gnarly...

Hoping the new updates with dimming nav bar buttons and reduced screen brightness reduces the chance of burn in as well.
Click to expand...
I miss my Pixel 2 XL, especially after my disappointing iPhone X experience. :(

Let us know if you get a better screen. I'll definitely take another chance on the phone.
 
It's been 3 weeks now and I love the normal Pixel 2. My only legitimate complaint is the oddball wasted space with the large bezels, but I've grown used to that.
The camera is fantastic. Everything opens and reacts almost instantly. Battery life is great and it charges fast. Oreo fixes a few minor app gripes and adds some solid Google Now functionality. The calendar/weather widget replaces clunky apps I used that did similar things. Call quality is top notch and the "ticking" sound is gone now too.
Do I wish we got "Muskie" instead? Absolutely. That shouldn't take away from what this phone does well, though. It'll take a sea change for me not to stick with this line unless Google shutters it or the "Android One" lineup begins to include flagships.
 
Picked up an iPhone X to try out, can't wait to try out the pixel 2 xl! Should have one in my hands at the end of next week. Canada taking forever to get the XL :(
 
Domingo said:
It's been 3 weeks now and I love the normal Pixel 2. My only legitimate complaint is the oddball wasted space with the large bezels, but I've grown used to that.
The camera is fantastic. Everything opens and reacts almost instantly. Battery life is great and it charges fast. Oreo fixes a few minor app gripes and adds some solid Google Now functionality. The calendar/weather widget replaces clunky apps I used that did similar things. Call quality is top notch and the "ticking" sound is gone now too.
Do I wish we got "Muskie" instead? Absolutely. That shouldn't take away from what this phone does well, though. It'll take a sea change for me not to stick with this line unless Google shutters it or the "Android One" lineup begins to include flagships.
Click to expand...

I do love my Pixel 2 64gb Kinda Blue too :). Everything works great, is smooth. It's the first phone in a long time that I've kept the Developer Options animation times to standard. Every other phone I turn them off or put at .5x but this phone is so smooth I felt no need. Battery life is good, i wouldn't say great, but I also use known battery hogger apps so I don't blame the phone for that.

From my Nexus 6p to this, I'd never go back to non-front dual speakers. It's just so much better lol.

I had some small issues with bluetooth when I first got the phone, but since the Nov update I've yet to experience those again.

Just wish there was a good fit screen protector that would work with the spigen case I have on it! I know Gorilla Glass 5 is pretty solid, but I've always put screen protectors on my phones, I don't feel overly great about not having one on. I want this phone to last 2+ years. Even if I upgrade in 2 years it'd be a great fall-back phone (My nexus 6p would've been this! but I maybe kinda sorta dropped it on its face on concrete, no bounces. So byebye screen).

Agree the Bezels are slightly disappointing. Seems like a massive lost opportunity to rival the Samsung S8 in that department.
 
I compared the pixel phones in store today. Pixel 2 basically has the same bezel as the original, except for the 2 XL with the increased 18:9 screen size. In fluorescent lighting the Pixel, Pixel XL, and Pixel 2 (manufactured by HTC) looked like they had a slightly warmer tint than the 2 XL and reminded me of f.lux. That warmer color might be better for indoor and night use, but I wish we had more control over the color profile. Text on the Pixel 2 XL screen looked slightly clearer to me straight on, and about the same clarity at a 25° angle because of the brighter coloration. The blue shift looked like the better one in the comparison video above, and was not a problem at all. The original Pixel XL was ironically showing permanent screen burn in from the google assistant screen. While web browsing, I enjoyed the size of the XL because I could read the text on most websites with the phone sitting at desk/table height, reducing eye and neck strain, where as with the smaller phones you have to reduce the distance by 8 to 9" (where you would be holding the phone in hand) to view the same size text. With the 18:9 screen size on the Pixel 2 XL, web browsing starts to feel like an entertainment device rather than a phone. It was really enjoyable to use, encouraging you to use the phone in the moment rather than waiting to get home.
 
I'll give my two week experience/update with the Pixel 2 XL, and maybe some advice. I have the "Google Unlocked" version from the play store using Verizon Wireless. I am on Nov Security patch with all the November fixes. I prefer the "Boosted" colors.

The Blue Shift: I honestly got over it/got used to it. RMAing or exchanging within the 14 day return policy will probably yield similar results. A couple of my coworkers have the same exact tint at same angle as mine, so It's not too promising I'd get a better one once exchanging. I do have the 2 year pixel preferred care.

Android Auto Issues: Still no fix with a huge thread on the AA forums and multiple bug reports submitted weeks ago. Sometimes wont even connect in car. When I do miraculously get it to connect, it's only for about 10 minutes at the most before it crashes. This is ticking me off the most considering there's NO way I would use the phone as a GPS with the screen on (due to possible burn in)

Curved tempered glass screen protectors: Went through 3 so far from amFilm. The first one came cracked on delivery. The 2nd one had "lack of adhesive". Was put on perfectly. After about a week I got tons of dust underneath the screen (due to adhesive only covering the edges). The 3rd one I got had PERFECT adhesive, however I have a bad rainbow hue in the middle.

If anyone has advice on a better brand tempered glass, please let me know.
 
I have a buddy with the Pixel 1 and he's had issues with Android Auto since day 1. I've done no research on my end, but he claims that the car forums are littered with Android Auto (and the iPhone equivalent) issues.
 
Domingo said:
I have a buddy with the Pixel 1 and he's had issues with Android Auto since day 1. I've done no research on my end, but he claims that the car forums are littered with Android Auto (and the iPhone equivalent) issues.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm not sure..

I do know my wifes iPhone has absolutely no problem with iOS CarPlay. Also, I never had a problem once with my Nexus 6P and Android Auto. Issues could have started with Pixel.

You could tell your friend to try using the original A to C cable which came with his Pixel 1. Some people have been reporting success with that specific cable
 
Megalith said:
Still no November patch on my unlocked Pixel 2/Verizon.
Click to expand...

I got sick of waiting and side-loaded the update last week. It's a tiny bit of a pain (you have to hook your phone up to a PC and there are a bunch of steps), but it IS quick. The whole update only took 5'ish minutes once it started.

It fixed the tick-tock noise from NFC, which was my only complaint. It adds the new color schemes (and grey nav buttons) put in place for the XL model as well.
 
Well my second Google Pixel 2 XL is being shipped today and delivered tomorrow. Going to have fun the next few days directly comparing it to my iPhone X and then deciding on which one to settle with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top