Google Pixel 2

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

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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 |

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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

Digital Wellbeing for Android Pie launching this fall, entering beta today for Google Pixel

Abner Li Aug 6 2018 - 10:01 am PT

Alongside Intelligence and Simplicity, Google announced Digital Wellbeing as a third tentpole for Android Pie at I/O 2018. These features that help manage device usage won’t launch until this fall, but Google is opening up a beta for the Pixel and Pixel 2 starting today.

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According to Verizon, Android 9.0 P is rolling out to Google Pixel devices today

Ben Schoon Aug 6 2018 - 8:44 am PT

Update: Android 9 Pie is officially rolling out today.

Android P has been in beta for a while now, and as we approach the end of the year, we’re excited to see when exactly Google plans to drop the final version. According to Verizon, though, that’s actually today…

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Pixel Visual Core support arrives for Moment Pro Camera app in beta on Pixel 2 devices [Update]

Ben Schoon Aug 1 2018 - 7:22 pm PT

One of the best parts of using Google’s Pixel 2 is the camera, and what makes it even better is the Pixel Visual Core which some third-party apps can take advantage of. Now, the Moment Pro Camera app is adding support…

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Android P DP3: Google Pixel 2’s color adjustment menu shows a new picture for reference

Ben Schoon Jun 6 2018 - 10:54 am PT

Google’s Pixel 2 smartphones are some of our favorite on the market, but display colors have not been their strong point. To remedy the muted display colors, Google introduced tuning options in the software. Now, in Android P, that option is getting a slight upgrade.

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Google surveying Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners about Motion Photos usage, defaults

Abner Li Jun 2 2018 - 5:03 pm PT

Pixel 2 Flip to Shhh

The past week saw the first substantial leaks about the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL from the display design to the manufacturer. On the camera front, the next generation Pixel devices are rumored to have dual-front facing cameras and again a single lens on the rear. Google yesterday posted a survey asking for feedback on the Pixel 2’s Motion Photos.

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Android P may bring automatic display color adjustments to Google Pixel 2

Ben Schoon May 14 2018 - 11:35 am PT

Despite all of the fantastic hardware that has hit the scene over the past few months, my number one pick for an Android smartphone right now is still the Google Pixel 2 XL. It does still have one major problem, though, and that’s the display. Updates helped a lot, but it’s looking like Google isn’t done just yet.

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Android P DP2: Google adds a new charging sound to the Pixel 2 and it’s glorious

Ben Schoon May 8 2018 - 3:42 pm PT

In Android P, Google makes quite a few big changes, but there’s a subtle new tone which has been added in this version to the Pixel 2 XL when you plug in the charger and it’s fantastic.

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How to set Amazon Alexa as the default voice assistant on the Google Pixel 2

Justin Duino May 6 2018 - 8:06 pm PT

Just like with Microsoft’s Cortana, you can now set Amazon Alexa as the default on your Google Pixel 2 and many other Android handsets. If you aren’t a fan of Google Assistant, here’s how to change your default voice assistant to Alexa on the Google Pixel 2.

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Google Pixel 2’s ‘Now Playing’ feature may soon automatically record song history

Ben Schoon Apr 25 2018 - 2:44 pm PT

Pixel 2 Now Playing

When you pick up a Google Pixel, you aren’t buying it just for the features. However, with Google’s Pixel 2, you do get a couple of handy add-ons. One of my personal favorites is the “Now Playing” song identification feature. Now, several months later, Google appears to be fixing one of that feature’s biggest problems.

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Justice Department examining possible antitrust collusion by AT&T, Verizon to limit eSIM

Abner Li Apr 20 2018 - 3:43 pm PT

One notable feature of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL announced last fall was eSIM support that allows for cellular service without the need of a physical SIM card. Very few other devices have adopted the technology, so much so that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating claims that AT&T and Verizon colluded to restrict eSIM.

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Review: Kerf’s real-wood cases for Pixel and Galaxy phones get even better over time

Justin Duino Apr 17 2018 - 5:52 pm PT

Despite there being dozens of different case companies on the market, almost every offering looks just like the one before it. If you’re looking for something other than the standard plastic and rubber options, Kerf, a company based out of Pittsburgh, hand makes wood cases for Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones…

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Android Auto Wireless now live for Pixel and Nexus phones, more devices coming soon

Abner Li Apr 13 2018 - 8:24 am PT

Due to the deluge of Assistant news at CES 2018, you might have missed that Google was demoing Android Auto between phones and car head units without a cable. Android Auto Wireless went live earlier this week for Pixel and Nexus devices, with non-Google phones coming soon.

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AR Stickers 1.2 adds live carousel preview, unbundles Foodmoji & Text packs

Abner Li Apr 12 2018 - 9:33 am PT

For Pixel and Pixel 2 owners, the stellar camera is further complimented by whimsical features like AR Stickers. Launched in December and hitting 1.1 earler this year, version 1.2 is now rolling out with live previews for animated stickers, while more packs are getting unbundled into separate listings.

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Google’s YouTube Coachella partnership adds Home Assistant app & Pixel photo booths

Abner Li Apr 9 2018 - 8:47 am PT

Coachella and YouTube have long been partners with the latter livestreaming the concert series. This year, the rest of Google is joining with an Assistant Action for Home and phones, while the Made by Google team is continuing its advertising blitz with Pixel photo booths.

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Verizon takes 50% off Pixel 2/XL, includes Home Mini, Chromecast + YouTube TV w/ trade

Trevor Daugherty Apr 4 2018 - 11:23 am PT

From 9to5Toys:

Verizon is taking up to 50% off iPhone X, Pixel 2 and other popular smartphone devices with eligible trade-in starting this week. Those that opt for Google’s flagship device will enjoy a nice bundle that includes two months of YouTube TV, a Google Home mini and Chromecast. Additional discounts are also available on iPhone 8/Plus, Galaxy S9, and more.

There’s a lot to unpack here, so be sure to head below for full details.

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Google Pixel, Pixel 2 gain 56 fixes w/ April patch, including Wi-Fi, fingerprint latency, & battery

Abner Li Apr 2 2018 - 10:42 am PT

For the past several months, Google has broken out functional updates specific to Pixel and older Nexus devices. April’s monthly security patch features a large number of updates from general performance to battery to Wi-Fi, with 56 in total spanning the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, and Pixel 2.

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Google extends ‘Preferred Care’ for Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL by 6 months, 30 months total

Ben Schoon Apr 2 2018 - 8:21 am PT

Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL already come with 2-year warranties, which is excellent, but accidents still happen. That’s why Google also offers an optional “Preferred Care” program, and now that program is finally reaping the benefits of that extended warranty.

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Hey Google, what happened to the Pixel’s ‘image obstruction removal’ feature?

Ben Schoon Mar 29 2018 - 7:19 am PT

google pixel 2 xl

Google’s Pixel is the home of a lot of crazy camera technology that no one else in the industry has really beaten. The biggest example being Google’s incredible portrait mode, which uses software to create some of the best portraits in the industry. However, there’s one feature that was supposed to arrive, but never did — image obstruction removal.

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Add the Pixel 2’s Active Edge squeeze function to your Android phone with ‘SideSqueeze’

Justin Duino Mar 26 2018 - 1:31 pm PT

With the introduction of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, Google showed off a squeezable input method called Active Edge. Just like a feature first introduced by HTC, by squeezing the two sides of the phone, you can trigger an action. By installing the ‘SideSqueeze’ app, you can bring this functionality to almost any Android phone…

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Download the ‘Come and play’ wallpapers Google created for the Pixel 2 [Gallery]

Abner Li Mar 23 2018 - 9:04 am PT

The Pixel 2 features a number of customizations both big and small that express Google’s take on Android. One of the more minor design flourishes are wallpapers, with Google Design today making available the bold “Come and play” series of wallpapers for anyone to download.

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Google releases the deep learning model that allows for features like the Pixel 2’s Portrait Mode

Abner Li Mar 14 2018 - 3:30 pm PT

Many of Google’s machine learning efforts are open sourced so that developers can take advantage of the latest advancements. The latest release is for semantic image segmentation, or the technology behind the Pixel 2’s single lens portrait mode.

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Here’s where to download Android P system images for Pixel, Pixel 2, Android Beta Program won’t arrive until next preview

Ben Schoon Mar 7 2018 - 10:44 am PT

Android P has gone official today, and if you were hoping to try it out, there’s some good news, and some bad news…

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How to manually install Android P Developer Preview 1 on Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL

Justin Duino Mar 7 2018 - 10:10 am PT

Google just took the wraps off of the first Developer Preview build of Android P. This early build introduces a redesigned notification shade and much more. Here’s how to manually install Android P DP1…

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You can now export the Pixel 2’s Motion Photos as GIFs with Google Photos

Abner Li Mar 7 2018 - 8:08 am PT

In our teardown of Google Photos 3.15 late last month, we spotted the development of a GIF export feature. It is now live, and as we speculated is for Motion Photos on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

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