Why I AM getting the Pixel 2 XL (coming from a 6P)

[bigblueshock]

I understand we all have our reasoning's for and against. Figured I'd get the ball rolling on the "for" party.

-Camera. We don't have many hands-on reviews yet, but dxomark was a good start. Good to hear the camera quality overall is great. It's amazing what Google's software processing and HDR+ is capable of.
-No headphones jack. I'm actually a fan of this trade off for IP67 certification. Less I have to worry about when my phone gets splashed with water.
-Dual speakers are back. Love my stereo speakers on my 6P
-Snapdragon 835 - Would have liked a newer iteration (possibly an 836 or something) to differentiate our chips compared to the S8 which came out in April (6 months ago). It is what it is though.
-Bluetooth 5.0 - Was a must have for me. I do not own a Smart Watch yet, but I'm hoping this resolves a lot of battery life qualms when BT5.0 compatible watches come out.

The price obviously sucks, but that's what happens when you bring a carrier launching partner into play (Verizon). Google has to give Verizon some sort of incentive to sell the phone. Who knows how much profit Verizon makes off each phone.
I also thought Google would have learned to do a multi-carrier launch. That would have been their best form of advertising. I am on Verizon, but I am still getting the phone through the Google website due to their protection plan being cheaper than going through Verizon+Extended Service Plan.

Why are you getting the Pixel 2 XL?

 

[dmb219]

Your reasons sum up my feelings pretty well. I had a Pixel XL and sold it recently in anticipation of upgrading. I got over half the purchase price back, a fair deal I think. The phone was nice, I liked it a lot. The camera was awesome, without a doubt the best I've used on a phone, better than the last couple digital cameras I've had. Unlimited uploading of full res pics speaks for itself. Bluetooth issues seem to have been resolved recently, had some stuttering early on but fixed now. The speakers will be a big upgrade. The battery life was great, I'm expecting the same with the new model. The monthly updates are obviously a bonus. Development is lacking because of the partitioning but the stock firmware is hard to beat especially with the need for more security and pretty much all your personal info on your phone. For years I've been wondering why it is so hard to make a phone that checks all the boxes. This one won't check all the boxes for everyone, but I think it comes close for me.

 

[83097markcynt]

I need a good phone camera for work, love front facing speakers, stock android with fast updates. Those are my reasons, plus if the squeezable frame works as advertised, will be a bonus.

 

[jt3]

LIke you, I'm upgrading from my 6P. While I was interested in the original Pixel, there just wasn't enough to justify upgrading. It wasn't the price either. Had they offered the PXL for $399, I still doubt I'd have bought it. There simply wasn't enough to draw me from my 6P, which has been my favorite Android phone of all time. The P2XL, however, did (at least IMO). I'm not a huge phone camera guy, (If I really need good pictures, I tend to grab my SLR.) but having a good camera that doesn't require a lot of thought, but still takes great pictures and videos is no brainer. OIS+EIS on the P2XL is a huge plus in my book.

But really, the things that sold me are the IP67 rating, the squeezable frame (I use Google Assistant constantly -- and a quicker/easier way to activate it has me all giddy), the always-on display, and fast-charging (even faster than the 6P). In fact, if it had been rumored to have wireless charging, I'd have been mashing the F5 button on the website, so that I could get the pre-order in sooner. As for the headphone jack... Well, to be honest, my 6P's headphone jack has never been used. Not even once. Good riddance, I say... especially if it helps with the IP rating. Having said that, I look forward to BT5.0, and hope that, in the future, it will lead to better-sounding audio. I know that there are no (or at least, practically no) BT5.0 headphones out there, but they'll surely come. I also know that initially, BT5.0 doesn't really do anything to improve audio, but again, I'm sure that will come.

Lastly, the bezels. Am I the only one that already has accidental side-activation issues on my 6P? Moving the touch-sensitive portion of the screen closer to the edges actually sounds like a bad idea to me. Edge to edge sure looks nice, but I've always thought it comes with its share of hassles, which I simply don't need. I rather think the bezels on the P2XL are perfect. The P2, on the other hand... **shudder**.

 

[jtwlbz]

One thing i wished was wirelss charging


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[bfederspill]

One thing i wished was wirelss charging


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Same here with the wireless charging. That needs to be a mandatory feature on all phones these days.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[dramake]

I'm also so tempted to get this phone, coming from the 6P. But the price... expensive. I still have to make the decision.

But it really seems a nice phone specs, great software... plus after the 6P I couldn't go back to single speakers. Hard decision.

 

[blazinazn]

Google's trade in program is what did it for me. They are offering $400 back for a 32GB 1st Gen Pixel XL. I was on the fence but when I found out how much they are willing to give for the old phones, I decided get the newer version. My battery life is still great but it's definitely starting to decline. I also have a few nicks on the phone but the screen is still in tact and not shattered.

I've never used the 3.5mm jack so personally, I'm glad it's gone. I use Bluetooth headphones all the time and I'm even considering getting the new Google buds but I'm waiting to see more reviews about them.

I'm also getting more space on my phone which is a plus. I never had an issue because of High Res backups for all your photos but it's always nice to have some extra space.

 

[Prey521]

They could have kept the headphone jacks and still got the IP67 or higher certification. Aside from the lame idea to not include that, the P2 checked off every gripe I had about the original Pixel, which is why I held onto my 6p for this long.

 

[rootdisk]

I'm also replacing my Nexus 6P with the Pixel 2 XL. I am not happy about them removing the headphone jack. Otherwise this is my ideal phone. I also ordered the pixel buds, but they're on backorder and will be a few weeks before they show up.

 

[angus242]

Had a 6P with no interest in Pixel XL. Unfortunately, had a warranty issue and ended up with an XL as a replacement. It's only a few weeks but I don't really like it. The massive white forehead and chin bezels totally take away from the display. I don't like the smaller 5.5 display coming from the 5.7. And the speakers are very weak.

It seems like the 2 XL has resolved the issues I have with the XL. I would never buy a phone with white bezels either. I am very happy with the performance of the XL and especially its camera so the 2 XL should be even better.

The fact that I received the XL as a warranty replacement and the buy-back program, I'm definitely looking forward to the 2 XL. I hope (though not holding my breath) that it will be a bit easier to custom ROM than the original Pixel.

 

[krolla03]

I am coming from a Nexus 6P.

Camera: The camera on the 6p was pretty good. (except for slomo.) Looks like this one is even better. Plus OIS this time around.
Headphone Jack: I 100% dont care about this. I cant even remember the last time i used the headphone jack. I mostly only use my car (bluetooth) or my Bose Speaker (bluetooth)
Bluetooth 5.0: Since ill have this phone for 2+ years glad it has this incase something cool comes along.
Screen: My 6p has a lot of burn in. Esp the nav buttons and status bar. Its starting to drive me crazy. I hope a POLED holds up better then the AMOLED
4G of RAM: I was always coming close to using all my RAM on the N6P

 

[Az Biker]

Coming from a 6P as many here are.

I was gonna ride the 6P running Pure Nexus for another year (got mine in Dec 15), but ended up with the beginning symptoms of the BLOD, so I called Google (I purchased the 6P through them) and even though it was 8 months out of warranty, they did me a solid and sent me a refurbished one.

I started reading posts about others who received a refurb'd 6P from Google having BLOD issues on the refurbs.

So I started thinking about other devices.


Then Nate (Beanstown106) dev for PN on my 6P posts that he ordered the Pixel 2 XL, and that did it for me.

Ordered my unlocked, all black 64 gb 2 XL last week. I'm on Verizon, but I prefer unlocked, and Google got my $ since they took care of me on a way out of warranty device.

Looking forward to whatever Nate cooks up for he 2 XL!

 

[Born<ICs]

Hoping 2 XL screen and cellular connectivity are without issue.
I just received XL to replace 6P and thought I'd keep it but screen has a dead zone across top row apps. 2 XL release is good timing so I'll take advantage of the $410 trade in deal.

 

[scandalousk]

Why are dual speakers a must for you guys?

I'm also replacing my 6P with a Pixel 2 XL. I do wonder though, why do so many people care about dual speakers. What do you guys actually do with them that makes them such a must?
I'm not trying to insult anyone, just genuinely curious.

I mean, phone speakers sound terrible in general right... So, I sometimes use them to watch a quick YouTube video, or a quick audio file where audio quality doesn't really matter too much. A single speaker would have sufficed as long as you can hear it.

But if you listen to music, wouldn't you use a quality Bluetooth speaker or quality headphones? Same with movies right? I mean I just assume these are scenarios where quality of the audio matters.

Any insight on this?

 

[Born<ICs]

I'm also replacing my 6P with a Pixel 2 XL. I do wonder though, why do so many people care about dual speakers. What do you guys actually do with them that makes them such a must?
I'm not trying to insult anyone, just genuinely curious.

I mean, phone speakers sound terrible in general right... So, I sometimes use them to watch a quick YouTube video, or a quick audio file where audio quality doesn't really matter too much. A single speaker would have sufficed as long as you can hear it.

But if you listen to music, wouldn't you use a quality Bluetooth speaker or quality headphones? Same with movies right? I mean I just assume these are scenarios where quality of the audio matters.

Any insight on this?

.
Not about music but think for many front speakers beat down fire speakers because there is no muting when holding phone. Me, holding XL phone one handed my pinky covers at least one speaker.

 

[dvdklnr]

My story - have been on 6p for 2 years (almost exactly to the date). The past few months the phone started developing battery, uhm, issues like death at 20%, random crashes etc. Ordered 2xl the day of the announcement. Dual speakers NBD, the camera is (generally happy with 6p's but the better the better.) When listening to music I use the sony pha-1a with good headphones, via usb-c to usb adapter. Looking forward to the 2XL, hope google doesn't do the same thing they did 2 years ago when people ordering two weeks later getting their phones while we suckers wait and wait. And wait. Then drop the order, reorder and get the new phone in 2 days..

 

[83097markcynt]

I'm also replacing my 6P with a Pixel 2 XL. I do wonder though, why do so many people care about dual speakers. What do you guys actually do with them that makes them such a must?
I'm not trying to insult anyone, just genuinely curious.

I mean, phone speakers sound terrible in general right... So, I sometimes use them to watch a quick YouTube video, or a quick audio file where audio quality doesn't really matter too much. A single speaker would have sufficed as long as you can hear it.

But if you listen to music, wouldn't you use a quality Bluetooth speaker or quality headphones? Same with movies right? I mean I just assume these are scenarios where quality of the audio matters.

Any insight on this?

As long as you can hear it is key for me. Many times I'll want to hear a song or video but can't due to background noise. This is not a problem for my 6P but was for every other phone

 

[bkrickles]

November will be 2 years with my 6P and I can honestly say it's been my favorite phone to date.
I've enjoyed the dual front facing speakers when I watch youtube stuff, the camera is well above average and I've enjoyed the various custom roms that some very talented developers have put together. The whole experience has been good but it's now time to get something new, especially with the battery starting to do the whole shutdown thing at 30% or so.
The Pixel 2 XL has pretty much everything I like in a phone and while I don't love the cost, I'm doing it anyway.
I don't care about the headphone jack, as I never use it, but I do understand why a lot of people are upset. Sound is definitely better through a wired headset.
I chose the 64 gb version, as it's enough for my uses, but I would have really preferred that the phone had expandable memory. I'll deal with it as I have with my 6P. Going to the 128gb would have brought the cost to over $1000 with tax and that was my breaking point. Lmao!!
I'm pretty excited and wish I hadn't waited until the 5th to order mine as it probably cost me a couple of days. I'm still looking at delivery by 10/26 or 27 so it's all happening.
There isn't a perfect phone as everyone has different desires, but I've gotta say that Google really comes close and I'm happy with my choice.

 

[AndrasLOHF]

I'm also replacing my 6P with a Pixel 2 XL. I do wonder though, why do so many people care about dual speakers. What do you guys actually do with them that makes them such a must?
I'm not trying to insult anyone, just genuinely curious.

I mean, phone speakers sound terrible in general right... So, I sometimes use them to watch a quick YouTube video, or a quick audio file where audio quality doesn't really matter too much. A single speaker would have sufficed as long as you can hear it.

But if you listen to music, wouldn't you use a quality Bluetooth speaker or quality headphones? Same with movies right? I mean I just assume these are scenarios where quality of the audio matters.

Any insight on this?

After having stereo sound for years using a stereo mod on a Nexus 5 and having stereo speakers on the 6P, I cannot stand watching videos or playing games in landscape with a single bottom firing speaker. It's literally my only gripe about the Pixel XL I'm trading in for the 2 XL.