Still worth getting a Pixel 2XL?

[revtech]

I bought the 2xl panda at a special price but couldnt cope with not being able to set up my home screen exactly as I wanted it. The lack of choice over the home screen widgets, no sd card or headphone support and the overall clunkiness and lacklustre screen led me to return it within hours. I need my phone for more than the camera google...

I'm sure you realize that by simply downloading another launcher you can have more customization options than you'll know what to do with, right? It's android, there's no excuse for not being able to do just about anything you'd want with your home screen

 

[Eggmundo]

Don't buy a Pixel if you aren't content with minimalism. There are 1500 other Android phones.

 

[cbreze]

Don't buy a Pixel if you aren't content with minimalism. There are 1500 other Android phones.

Tongue in cheek? To me the pixel is a blank slate I can set up anyway I like and hardly minimal. I don't quite understand your post.

 

[anon(661246)]

Tongue in cheek? To me the pixel is a blank slate I can set up anyway I like and hardly minimal. I don't quite understand your post.

Well if you want to pay a premium for a phone that isn't a premium

 

[Mike Dee]

Tongue in cheek? To me the pixel is a blank slate I can set up anyway I like and hardly minimal. I don't quite understand your post.

I understood what they meant. I don't think it was meant in a negative way.

 

[Mike Dee]

Well if you want to pay a premium for a phone that isn't a premium

We should all be able to buy what we like without judgement. Feeling like you're paying a premium is relative to how much you make or willing to part with. For you the Pixel isn't premium and that's fine. Percieved value is a personal thing. There are plenty of other devices that may suit you or your budget.

 

[cbreze]

OK , minimal in a different sense, as in lacking some features. I understand the post then.
but also, one person's must have is another persons meh.

 

[Almeuit]

Well if you want to pay a premium for a phone that isn't a premium

And to you OnePlus is worth the cost. I wouldn't dare use their phone even if it was $100.

To each their own ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Mistressbrindello]

TBH .. You knew it didn't have headphone support or SD card support so the fact you bought it when that is a "must have" for you baffles me more then Google leaving it out.

Of course I knew that but I thought the other strengths were worth it until I had a good play with it. I think it has a great camera but for me that was not enough

 

[Mistressbrindello]

I'm sure you realize that by simply downloading another launcher you can have more customization options than you'll know what to do with, right? It's android, there's no excuse for not being able to do just about anything you'd want with your home screen

It's true but when a phone needs rooting or jailbreaking or re-fitting with 3rd party launchers (that are never fully satisfactory) in order to do what I want I am reminded of why I don't have an iphone

 

[revtech]

It's true but when a phone needs rooting or jailbreaking or re-fitting with 3rd party launchers (that are never fully satisfactory) in order to do what I want I am reminded of why I don't have an iphone

Sorry, don't want to keep belaboring the point, but you don't need to root or jailbreak or even sideload in order to have an excellent launcher, it's really not a big deal at all if that's what you really want

 

[mlee1999]

I'm debating the Pixel 2 XL myself. I saw today that at Best Buy I can get a 2XL 64 GB for $450 on device payments. That's a great deal. I tried a Galaxy S9 Plus all last week from there on their deal, but the battery life was crap. My wife got one as well and hers is great. I'm leaning towards a Pixel this time, but wondering if I should wait for the 3XL or jump on the 2XL for such a good deal. I have read the bad stuff about the screens on the XL, but I haven't seen one in the wild to be able to see for myself. All the demo units I've seen are the non functioning ones.

I've had several Pixel 2 XLs and only one had very slight screen burn/retention (G logo in center). All others looked great.

 

[Morty2264]

I've had several Pixel 2 XLs and only one had very slight screen burn/retention (G logo in center). All others looked great.

That's great that you had a good experience with all screens except one! The general "sample" here at Android Central seem to have good Pixel 2 XL screens.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

I bought the 2xl panda at a special price but couldnt cope with not being able to set up my home screen exactly as I wanted it. The lack of choice over the home screen widgets, no sd card or headphone support and the overall clunkiness and lacklustre screen led me to return it within hours. I need my phone for more than the camera google...

It's true but when a phone needs rooting or jailbreaking or re-fitting with 3rd party launchers (that are never fully satisfactory) in order to do what I want I am reminded of why I don't have an iphone

Don't need to root to set up your screen as you like. Can just download a 3rd party launcher from the Play Store (there are plenty on there, so you have plenty to choose from) and can set up your homescreen UI to your liking. No voiding warranty or anything, just download/install it just like any other app and off you go.

I get the headphone jack thing. A mate of mine tried to live the dongle life, couldn't and had to sell his phone for one with a headphone jack. Me personally, I don't have a need for the jack, so not having it doesn't bother me.

Agree with the screen though. Screen is quite lacklustre when compared to other similarly priced flagships imo.

But if you weren't happy with your purchase, you made the right choice in returning it.

 

[icecoolfsu]

I just got the Pixel 2 XL to switch to the new $15 Sprint plan b/c my TMo V30 was not compatible. Why did I not get the Pixel 2 MONTHS earlier!? This phone is amazing. So fast, so smooth. Great build quality, excellent battery life and the best camera I've used in a long time. The only thing I slightly miss is the wide angle lens of the V30 but it was well worth the switch.

 

[jamien230]

Definitely still worth either the 2 or 2XL if you find one at a great price (even back in December I got mine for only £529).

Can I ask where? Im trying to find one and all I've found is at Currys for £600.