Note 8 or Pixel XL 2

[Joshua_Muldoon]

Ok, my S8 is ruined. I posted this in the S8 forum, so I don't have to type it out twice. I am now looking for a new phone. I'm going to post this on the Note 8 forum and the Pixel XL 2 forum (I know, Pixel 2 XL, but this sounds better .) I like both phones, yet am leaning more towards the Note 8, since having the S8 was a good experience. I like the Note 8's features, design, and software. What I don't like is the amount of time it takes to get updates (on my S8 atm anyways,) and the fingerprint sensor location, all though I have gotten fairly used to it. What I like about the Pixel XL 2 is the simplicity, the update speeds, and the front facing speakers. What I don't like about the Pixel is that it doesn't have a headphone jack, not a ton of features, and the display issues are a little concerning, though not overly. Anyways, what do you think? Thanks!

 

[chazglenn3]

I think you already have your list of pros and cons. I'm betting that here in the Note 8 forum it wins, and in the Pixel 2 XL forum it wins. I prefer the Note 8 because it has a headphone jack, S-pen and wireless charging.

 

[DarkNeo]

Note 8 since you come from the S8. Next to a Note 8 the Pixel's screen looks like ***.

 

[monkeycsk]

whichever offers a lower price...get that one.

 

[Mike Dee]

Ok, my S8 is ruined. I posted this in the S8 forum, so I don't have to type it out twice. I am now looking for a new phone. I'm going to post this on the Note 8 forum and the Pixel XL 2 forum (I know, Pixel 2 XL, but this sounds better .) I like both phones, yet am leaning more towards the Note 8, since having the S8 was a good experience. I like the Note 8's features, design, and software. What I don't like is the amount of time it takes to get updates (on my S8 atm anyways,) and the fingerprint sensor location, all though I have gotten fairly used to it. What I like about the Pixel XL 2 is the simplicity, the update speeds, and the front facing speakers. What I don't like about the Pixel is that it doesn't have a headphone jack, not a ton of features, and the display issues are a little concerning, though not overly. Anyways, what do you think? Thanks!

It depends on what you like. The answers you get here are going to lean towards Pixel the same way answers in the S8 forum are going to lean towards Note 8.
I'm not a fan of Samsung and I'll take the Pixel any day. The fact that the pixel lost the jack is kind of irrelevant to me because they provide an adapter and it's irrelevant to others because others use Bluetooth. Personally I think Samsung's going to go that route sooner or later.... probably sooner. You can't beat the pixel updates....the phone never legs, never stops working and it's just really simple. The audio may not be as good as LG's Quad DAC but it beats the Samsung audio hands down. If you're looking for a camera that takes excellent shots in auto mode go with the pixel. I find it difficult to take a bad shot and I'm used to taking bad shots with LG....trust me. That's not to say that Samsung doesn't have a decent camera.....it does. In fact the Samsung has a great camera, but there's just something the pixel does right when it comes to photography and the portrait mode is incredible especially considering it's done with one camera. As far as people comparing screens... with the new settings in the pixel, I'd say it's close, but giving the Samsung the edge. I'm quite satisfied with the pixel screen and in fact I don't like the saturated mode that they added to the pixel screen. Despite a lot of the BS that you hear out there its a damn good screen. Of course, there's always the fast Google updates. If that's really important to you and you like some of the other things I mentioned, then make the choice.. Worst case scenario you can always return it if you're not happy.

 

[Mike Dee]

Note 8 since you come from the S8. Next to a Note 8 the Pixel's screen looks like ***.

Even if we simply bought phones because of the screen that's a bit of a stretch. It's really very little wrong with the pixel screen especially after the update.

 

[Zedd]

My guess is you've never looked at them side by side. You obviously have NO idea what your typing about!
The P2XL's screen is beautiful even without using the latest enhancement feature's.

 

[Zedd]

If your a Samsung fanboy, and there is nothing wrong with that, stick with the Note 8. Stock Android is very that, stock, vanilla, mellow, fast and buttery smooth and takes a most awesome picture. That stereo speakers are the best I've listened to on a cell phone. And with the addition of the Pixel ear buds soon to be released it will be the first ever universal translator.
Enjoy your NOTE 8, better luck with it!

 

[strikeIII]

Both are great phones and can't go wrong with either one. The new saturated mode gets the Pixel screen pretty damn close to the Note 8.

 

[mwb1957]

I was a Note 3 owner for 3+ years. I looked at the Note 8 and Pixel 2 XL in various Verizon stores for a month trying to make a decision. The screen on the Note 8 is stunning. However the screen on the Pixel 2 XL is not as bad as people are trying to make it.
I felt that Samsung abandoned the Note 3 owners and stopped the updates far too early. The updates the phone did get we're slow.
I went with the Pixel 2 XL due to the extra year warranty from Google, the 3 years of guaranteed updates, and the free cloud photo storage until 2021 or some date far in the future.
I've had my 2 XL for a little less than 3 weeks. After 2 days I got the September and November security updates. Currently I am waiting for the 8.1 Oreo update which was released today. Just before I got my 2 XL I noticed the Note 8 owners were complaining in their forum that the Note 8 was still on the August security update.
This is a great phone, very fast with no bloat. I have the 128gb panda. The phone is gorgeous.

The lack of a headphone jack is still confusing. I ordered 2 extra dongles from Google. All my headphones are wired, so I figured I could get use to a phone without a headphone jack.

Although I do miss the S-pen on the Note, I have not regretted my choice to go with the 2 XL.

BTW the recent security update made the colors on 2 XL screen more adjustable.

My advice would be to go into a Verizon store and play with both phones side by side. (I got one of the Verizon store employee's to unlock the 2 XL from the display. That allowed me to compare both phones.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

[PowrDroid]

I wrestled with this problem as well. The Note 8 has the best screen, no doubt. I liked the feel of the Note 8 in the hand, but it seemed a bit tall. I figured I'd like all the hardware doo-dads on the Note 8, would be fun to play with them. I went into Verizon and Best Buy several times and looked at the Note 8 and then tried the Pixel 2 XL. I even chatted with the Samsung guy at Best Buy for a good 15 minutes. I almost pulled the trigger on the Note 8.

But...the Note 8 was slow. Now, don't get me wrong, if you are accustomed to Samsung it probably seems fast. But it seemed sluggish, seemed slower than my 3 year old Droid Turbo. The Pixel 2 XL is screaming fast. The Note 8 has layers of menus and scrolling, scrolling, scrolling to find stuff. Finally, I'm a battery and camera snob. Pixel 2 XL definitely scratches that itch better than any phone out there. I could see myself with a Note 8, but I'm glad I got the Pixel 2 XL.

 

[strikeIII]

You can't go wrong with either device. Get the one that suits your needs best. Good luck.

 

[boilerjohn94]

I just sent back a Pixel 2 XL because the display was terrible. It was so blue that I could not read it if it was sitting on a table in front of me. Adaptive display also made it look very dull and grainy. I am very disappointed because I wanted to love it, but the great software was not enough to make up for the poor hardware. I am sticking with the Note 8 for now. The screen is amazing, it is fast and fluid and feels much better in hand to me. I am very tempted to try another Pixel because I love the Google software, but I'm still debating whether to chance it or not.

 

[kj11]

Fast updates sounds like it would be something really cool except when you realize that 99% of what Google pushes out with these fast updates are features that Note users have had for years already.

To me they aren't comparable. There is literally nothing that compares to the Note for 1 simple reason, the SPen. I use mine daily, taking notes, quick lists, quick and easy screen shots to share with friends, etc.

If you don't think you'll use the SPen or it's features the Note probably isn't for you. Compare the 8+ and pixel whatever. However, if the SPen interests you in the least, well then you should compare the Note to another phone that has one.... Oh... Never mind.

 

[mike104393]

I was on the same boat. Although I like the note 8, some of the features that I thought I would be using, such as the s-pen or bixby lens, gets rarely used. Keep in mind, the battery on this phone isn't great compared to the s8 and the camera quality on this compared to the pixel; pixel wins hands down.

With that being said, I chosed the note 8 because of the design and screen quality. I use my phone a lot, and when I am using my phone, it is usually for entertainment and work. Would I like the best camera, sure, but can I settle for a very good camera, o absolutely.

The screen is brilliant, you get amazing colors, somtimes a little over saturation. I do love the slight curve compared to a skinny bazel on the pixel 2 xl.

I have heard Google customer service is imppecable. They will replace your phone hassle-free. Compared to Samsung, good luck. I've heard many horror stories with Samsung customer service, but this is all based on individual experiences.

So to sum it up, you can't go wrong with either phones. They are both wicked fast. I wouldn't judge a phone by it's update. Fequency of updates aren't always the best since it can potentially slow down your phone as well.

I would also base it off price like a few other members have pointed out. If you can get the pixel for a much lower price that might be your phone. However, side by side comparison, definitely would choose the Note 8.

 

[Lepa79]

I'll make this simple for you. I have had Nexus 6, 6P, 5x, Pixel, and Pixel XL. I have also had S7 Edge, S8 Plus and now Note 8. And my verdict is that there is NOTHING out there that can beat the Note 8. It is the most well rounded phone you will ever have. Balances so many things and does so many things right.

 

[anon(27512)]

Ok, my S8 is ruined. I posted this in the S8 forum, so I don't have to type it out twice. I am now looking for a new phone. I'm going to post this on the Note 8 forum and the Pixel XL 2 forum (I know, Pixel 2 XL, but this sounds better .) I like both phones, yet am leaning more towards the Note 8, since having the S8 was a good experience. I like the Note 8's features, design, and software. What I don't like is the amount of time it takes to get updates (on my S8 atm anyways,) and the fingerprint sensor location, all though I have gotten fairly used to it. What I like about the Pixel XL 2 is the simplicity, the update speeds, and the front facing speakers. What I don't like about the Pixel is that it doesn't have a headphone jack, not a ton of features, and the display issues are a little concerning, though not overly. Anyways, what do you think? Thanks!

I have both and like my Note 8 more. It is higher quality to me and has better features.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I went through the same choice. I'm one of those guys who just loves Qi charging and not having it was a deal breaker for me on the pixel. Also, I do use the pen A LOT. I mostly use it like s mouse pointer and swype is like a bazillion times more accurate with the pen.

This is my third Samsung phone and ask have been great.

The main downside is the silly fingerprint reader. It's also a large phone.

I do love it though.

 

[bhatech]

If I didn't care about software and up to date software then I would no doubt pick up Note 8. But software is more important for me and also I have never used a smartphone camera better than the Pixel and I pretty much had all the latest flagships including iPhone X. Pixel has the upper hand in camera and software, other areas competing phones so have the edge.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

I'm currently an owner of both phones.

I had the Note 8 and went ahead and ordered the Pixel 2 XL. I'll be selling the Note 8.

I prefer faster and cleaner experience. I like the better camera (back and front), and just felt like the Pixel 2 XL is just a blistering fast experience, whereas I felt the Note 8 would just be a touch too slow for me. Fast updates and unlimited photo/video storage at original quality is always great too.

Might not be that important to you, in which case, the Note 8 is a great pick. For me though, it's the Pixel.