Pixel 2 XL "builds"

[ulnek]

i recently read a review that mentioned the person doing the review has had 3 "builds" of the pixel 2 xl since launch since he didn't like the way the screen was. said that the new "build" starting jan 2018 was so much better. what does that mean? is it a physical build or a software build? it was never clarified? does that mean new pixels built after jan 2018 have different screens? i just want to know if it's an actual physical build cause i'm trying to decide if i want to buy one off verizon or an independent seller. if there is a difference in physical build then i can't rely on independent seller to have one that was built after that date. if it's a software thing then it doesn't matter cause no matter where i get it from the update will make the screen better. thanks for any info.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Might be different variants. I'm not sure if they slightly altered the screen midway into production.

 

[Mike Dee]

I haven't noticed any difference in screens based on build dates

 

[goji26]

My screen is better than previous month builds. Built in January of 2018.

 

[Nauga]

i recently read a review that mentioned the person doing the review has had 3 "builds" of the pixel 2 xl since launch

Got a URL for the review? Name of the web site?

 

[ulnek]

here is the article. if it's true, then i can't take the chance of getting the phone from an independent seller if i want one that's been built post jan 2018

https://newsstand.google.com/articles/CAIiEIOA0ru2p4AFM2U1wtQip_AqFQgEKg0IACoGCAowrqkBMKBFMLGBAg

 

[Mike Dee]

here is the article. if it's true, then i can't take the chance of getting the phone from an independent seller if i want one that's been built post jan 2018

https://newsstand.google.com/articles/CAIiEIOA0ru2p4AFM2U1wtQip_AqFQgEKg0IACoGCAowrqkBMKBFMLGBAg

You're obviously entitled to purchase what you want, however it's no guarantee that a newer build gets you a better screen.

 

[Joltcola1234]

You're obviously entitled to purchase what you want, however it's no guarantee that a newer build gets you a better screen.

Is there evidence (for or against) that Google altered any production of the phone's screen at any point? There's some widely publicized issues with the screen on the 2 XL, so I wouldn't be surprised if Google did something to the hardware to address it, but I've never read anything to support that notion.

I bought my phone very recently, so much later then Jan 2018. I have very minimal issues with blue tint when viewed at an angle, but do have issues with black "bleed" or "wobble" on low brightness. I'm not sure how this compares to earlier versions of the phone.

 

[GSDer]

said that the new "build" starting jan 2018 was so much better. what does that mean? is it a physical build

It certainly is referring to a physical build.
Unfortunately we have no idea if there's anything different about the build process, the screens themselves, etc. One could assume that quality control is getting better as time progresses, if for no other reason than they have seen what customers are complaining about.
All that said, there's no guarantee that you'll even get a newer build if you purchase through a carrier vs an independent reseller, nor that it will be noticeable to you.

 

[Mike Dee]

Is there evidence (for or against) that Google altered any production of the phone's screen at any point? There's some widely publicized issues with the screen on the 2 XL, so I wouldn't be surprised if Google did something to the hardware to address it, but I've never read anything to support that notion.

I bought my phone very recently, so much later then Jan 2018. I have very minimal issues with blue tint when viewed at an angle, but do have issues with black "bleed" or "wobble" on low brightness. I'm not sure how this compares to earlier versions of the phone.

I haven't seen evidence for or against any changes in production. If anything they probably tightened QC.

 

[ulnek]

It certainly is referring to a physical build.
Unfortunately we have no idea if there's anything different about the build process, the screens themselves, etc. One could assume that quality control is getting better as time progresses, if for no other reason than they have seen what customers are complaining about.
All that said, there's no guarantee that you'll even get a newer build if you purchase through a carrier vs an independent reseller, nor that it will be noticeable to you.

oh there isn't? i just figured verizon would have stock of more recent builds. hm now i don't know.

 

[Nauga]

oh there isn't? i just figured verizon would have stock of more recent builds. hm now i don't know.

If you order a "panda" 2 XL, you're probably more likely to get a more recent build. Those seem to have sold out a couple times since the release last year. As for recent builds being better or different, I'd imagine that perception is related to Google & LG tightening up quality control on the display panels late last year and not to any change in component parts.

 

[Rukbat]

That build, the more vibrant colors, was a software update around the beginning of the year. It's not a new build, it's an update (which Google releases almost monthly (they missed October 2017 - I guess there was nothing to update until November). We're up to the April 2018 "build" and waiting for the May "build" on Saturday (if not sooner). The hardware hasn't changed. (The 2 XL screen has had some problems, so they've been "fixing" them [I call them kluges, not fixes] since it came out. The 2 hasn't suffered that, because it's a totally different screen.)