10 Google Pixel 2 Features You’ll Love & 1 You’ll Hate

Here is what’s new with the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Now that both of Google’s phones are official, buyers are looking to see what’s new and if they’re worth buying. That’s why we’re showing you some of the best Pixel 2 features you’ll use daily and absolutely love.

While not a lot changed from what Google delivered last year, they do have a lot to offer. Google paired excellent hardware with software that’s faster, smarter, and just works. Then, added in machine learning to create some truly unique features.

Read: Pixel 2 Pre-Orders, Price & Shipping Info

The original Pixel had the best camera of any smartphone. This year they stepped things up a notch in that category, and everywhere else. From a better screen, dual front-facing speakers, the Google Lens and Assistant apps built-in and much more. All of this combines for an experience you can only get from Google.

With the new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL there are plenty of brand new features or controls that you will love. That said, here are the most exciting Pixel 2 features you’ll get when they start shipping on October 17th.

• Bigger 6-inch edge-to-edge Display (on the bigger XL)
• Dual Front-Facing Stereo Speakers
• IP67 Dust & Water-Resistance
• Always-On Display
• Now Playing Instant Song Recognition even when phone is off
• Google Lens Built-In
• Active Edge (squeezable frame) to launch Google Assistant and more
• Amazing Camera Experiences
• Augmented Reality Features
• Better Battery Life & Fast Charging

Those are just a few of many things that make the new Pixel 2 a great smartphone. They run the latest version of Android, there’s a new security chip inside to keep our phones safe, and they’ll get updates ahead of any other Android phone on the market. However, there is one feature you’ll hate.

• No 3.5mm headphone jack

While Google made a point to mention they had a 3.5mm headphone jack last year, that’s no longer an option on the new Pixel 2 lineup. Just like Apple, Motorola and many other manufacturers, they removed the headphone jack. That said, these phones both have dual stereo front-facing speakers, which should make up for it a little bit.

In closing, our slideshow below goes into more detail about each one of the 10 features listed above. We’ll explain everything that makes the camera great, how water-resistant the Pixel really is, and what you can do with Google Lens. Additionally, these phones run the latest Android 8.0 Oreo, and it’s loaded with neat new features too.

Bigger Beautiful Display

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The first thing you'll notice and love about the bigger Pixel 2 XL is the screen. Google ditched the huge bezels in favor of a 6-inch edge-to-edge display. This is also the first Pixel with a Quad-HD AMOLED display, which offers better colors and a higher contrast ratio. Basically, the screen is gorgeous. Sadly the smaller Pixel has big bezels, but it's still a great screen with a 1080p Full HD resolution. And while the bezels on the Pixel 2 XL are a little bigger than the Galaxy S8 or iPhone X, there's a good reason for it. Google added dual front-facing speakers, for a better user experience.  Google's new 6-inch screen is using an 18:9 aspect ratio too. Meaning it's a little taller and skinnier than older phones, making this big screen easy to use and enjoy. It's an approach we've seen from Samsung, LG and now Apple. Basically, the taller body and small bezels let them deliver a big 6-inch screen in a phone that's easy to hold. It's no bigger than the 5.5-inch Pixel XL from 2016.  You'll love the bigger, brighter, beautiful 6-inch OLED screen on the new Pixel 2 XL.

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