Hands-on review...

[a.demarco]

To preface this, here comes a wall of text.

I have evolved from not knowing how to even use a Galaxy S3, to being able to unlock/root/flash/repair my previous Nexus 6, all thanks to the members here, so thanks for all the help, and for reading this!

I am a construction worker by trade, so my phones need to be able to hold up to water, dust, and drops, which means I always have a case on it, and most of the time a screen protector. I do my best to keep them safe, but it doesn't always work out that way. My S4 broke 2 days after I bought it because it dropped on a concrete floor, and my first Nexus 6 fell out of my pocket from 30 stories up when I was in a safety harness hanging off the side of a highrise skeleton. This phone seems to be built pretty well, and feels good in my catcher's mitt-sized hands. I am having a little trouble typing in portait mode, but I am just attributing that to a different size screen and keyboard location relative to the way I hold the phone. I put an Otterbox Defender on it, but haven't decided whether I want a screen protector or not.

Speaking of that, the screen is decent. It isn't great by any means in my opinion, and toggling the Vivid Color setting on and off makes it go from meh to ok. I am not looking for Samsung-esque saturation, but I will echo what has been said about the colors seeming washed out. I am also having a bit of touch response issues, where I have to tap on the same thing multiple times to get it to respond and do what I am asking. Hopefully it is just me not being dexterous enough with my inputs, and not the phone itself. This is why I am unsure about the screen protector, since I think that might make things worse. Also, I have noticed that when backing out from a settings menu, my weather app opens, even though I haven't tapped on the weather.

I turned off the squeeze for Google Assistant already, and the always-on display since this phone will spend a lot of time in my pocket and I am extremely active all day, so I don't want them constantly turning on and wasting battery, or activating and me not knowing it.

I watched some YT videos of music/soundtracks I like, to see if the dual speakers really made a difference, and while it does sound good, to my untrained ears it didn't really sound all too different.

I took a few pictures of my kids and my dog, and they do look fantastic for sure. That is definitely an improvement over my Nexus 6.

To be honest, I am a little disappointed.

Maybe some of you more knowledgable members can shed some light on how I can fix these issues, if it is at all possible?

Thanks!

 

[Pain-N-Panic]

My previous phones include the Nexus 5, Nexus 6p and now the Pixel XL (I will not be getting the pixel 2 XL.)

I can't comment much on the screen response as I've never experienced the issue on any of the aforementioned devices.

As far as a screen protector, I don't use them. The glass technology used on premium smartphones has come a long way. They're pretty difficult to scratch. However, taking into consideration your line of work, it may not be a bad idea.

In my honest opinion, all previous Nexus/pixel devices have had washed out displays. Especially coming from a Samsung Galaxy which is notorious for saturated and vibrant colors, you're definitely going to notice it.

To combat the color issue on the 6p, I flashed ElementalX kernel and used the EX kernel manager to turn up the color saturation by about 15%. It made a world of difference and the display was much more pleasurable to view. Maybe give a custom kernel with optimized saturation/hue settings a try.

 

[jj3699]

Thank you for the review!

I went into a Verizon store two days ago as was extremely underwhelmed by the Just Black Pixel 2 XL, particularly due to hardware. I was kind of expecting Nexus 6P or HTC level build quality/ in hand feel.
I have been doing my best to talk myself back into liking and wanting a 2 XL; basically repeating to myself what Dieter from the Verge said in his Pixel 2 review " The Pixel 2 and 2 XL are not the nice dining room table where you lay out the fancy silverware for your guests, they are the kitchen counter where you actually eat."

"A lot of phones are designed for one thing above all else, to give you a dazzling first impression. The Pixel 2 does not go in for all that. In fact the first hardware impression is not going to blow your hair back, but then you start to use it and you notice those little things and the software is fast and helps you be more productive."

In my mind he is saying "the hardware is average, but the software makes up for that and makes the Pixel 2 XL a great device in-spite of it lackluster hardware."


So your comment of "To be honest, I am a little disappointed."
Really hit home for me! Being brutally honest with us; what exactly is causing you to be a bit disappointed with your new Pixel?

 

[a.demarco]

Thank you for the review!

I went into a Verizon store two days ago as was extremely underwhelmed by the Just Black Pixel 2 XL, particularly due to hardware. I was kind of expecting Nexus 6P or HTC level build quality/ in hand feel.
I have been doing my best to talk myself back into liking and wanting a 2 XL; basically repeating to myself what Dieter from the Verge said in his Pixel 2 review " The Pixel 2 and 2 XL are not the nice dining room table where you lay out the fancy silverware for your guests, they are the kitchen counter where you actually eat."

"A lot of phones are designed for one thing above all else, to give you a dazzling first impression. The Pixel 2 does not go in for all that. In fact the first hardware impression is not going to blow your hair back, but then you start to use it and you notice those little things and the software is fast and helps you be more productive."

In my mind he is saying "the hardware is average, but the software makes up for that and makes the Pixel 2 XL a great device in-spite of it lackluster hardware."


So your comment of "To be honest, I am a little disappointed."
Really hit home for me! Being brutally honest with us; what exactly is causing you to be a bit disappointed with your new Pixel?

I got to use it a good amount last night and this morning, and I would say the thing that bothers me most is that it isn't leaps and bounds better in every way than my 3-year old Nexus 6, aside from the camera.

I am still having the touch response issues, and the constant opening of the weather is bothering me. It seems like there are software bugs that need to be worked out for sure.

The screen is bothering me more and more. It looks like there is a film over it that you just can't get off.

It might be going back, which sucks, because I don't know what else to get.

 

[jj3699]

a.demarco, did you get your 2 XL from a Verizon store or from Google?
It might be that you just got a bad phone and hopefully they can switch it out for you.

I am in similar boat, as to I am unsure what else to get.
I feel like the 2 XL is one of best options out there, but I do not really want that option lol.

I am going to head to Verizon store later today to see if I like the LG V30 hardware and if I do I might end up getting that and running the Pixel launcher on it.
Very similar to what was done on this video.

https://youtu.be/cDC2amW1vlU

 

[a.demarco]

a.demarco, did you get your 2 XL from a Verizon store or from Google?
It might be that you just got a bad phone and hopefully they can switch it out for you.

I am in similar boat, as to I am unsure what else to get.
I feel like the 2 XL is one of best options out there, but I do not really want that option lol.

I am going to head to Verizon store later today to see if I like the LG V30 hardware and if I do I might end up getting that and running the Pixel launcher on it.
Very similar to what was done on this video.

https://youtu.be/cDC2amW1vlU

Preorder from Verizon... The software glitches are driving me nuts. Every time I leave the Settings menu by pressing the back button, it opens up the weather. I am still having to tap on something multiple times to get it to respond as well. Have done 2 factory resets already, and nothing has changed.

I really don't want the S8+ or the Note8...

 

[jj3699]

Preorder from Verizon... The software glitches are driving me nuts. Every time I leave the Settings menu by pressing the back button, it opens up the weather. I am still having to tap on something multiple times to get it to respond as well. Have done 2 factory resets already, and nothing has changed.

I really don't want the S8+ or the Note8...

Yes, I would definitely be talking that bad boy right back to the Verizon store and asking them if they can swap it out!

Same, I can definitely do without any Samsung products lol!
So I am thinking V30 or Essential phone; but at the same time I really do not want those either haha... man I wish HTC had their stuff together and was making phones like they did back in Droid Incredible days!