Will google really wait till October 2018 to replace the screen?

[Mike Dee]

All screens have a polarising filter - but none of them (that I've seen) have had colour shifting to the extent the Pixel 2 XL has. Without a polarising filter, you won't see screens out in day light with polarised sunglasses. Samsung have polarising filters on their screens and don't have close to the shift that the P2XL has.

And I disagree with the article where it says sRGB was the right thing to do - I don't believe it was. I'm guessing if I were to take the P2XL screen and show it to the general public side by side with the Note 8 screen, I'd wager the vast majority would prefer the punchier colours of the Note 8.

Having sRGB is great, but imo, it should be an option in the display settings for people to turn on for those who really care about having 'accurate' colours - not turned on by default. Yes it's less accurate, but I believe it's more aesthetically pleasing to most consumers.

Not all screens have a polarizing filter

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

Black smearing and grain are unnaceptable. Not sure how widespread of an issue it is.

As far as colors if you don't want the cartoon-level of the most vibrant Samsung setting then what exactly are you missing? I keep my phone on natural and the colors are fantastic. I can respect the saturated level as well for others. What exactly is missing color-wise?

I suspect every Pixel 2 XL screen has black smear. On a low brightness, go to Youtube and where there's a list of videos, swipe the screen up and down - you'll see the blacks 'smear' and look like they're lagging behind the rest of the image. I think it's something inherent to the LG OLED display - similar to what Samsung had years ago.

As far as the colours go, I think the natural and boosted settings (is there even a difference) didn't look that good and do look washed out and dull when you're used to something more vivid.

You complained about the vivid colours, that's fine - Samsung offer a plethora of options to adjust the screen to how you'd like. Google has either extremely saturated with the 'saturated' mode or imo, extremely dull with 'boosted' and 'natural' options. I'd like something probably in the middle, but too bad, I have to choose one of the three options. So that's what is missing colour-wise.

 

[briareos4]

Alot of phone junkies on these boards... people who hop phones every 6 months. For that kind of person (which seems to be the one's with the most negative comments), they fully know that the Pixel 2XL is not a step up from the OG Pixel XL. It's merely a new version with a higher price tag. Still a great camera which was a carry-over from the OG Pixel, but now it's lacking a headphone jack. Still no wireless charging which Samsung and Apple offer on their latest phones.

It's a fine, workable phone for sure, but my issue is that it should NEVER had this premium price attached. With the lack of features and sub-standard display, the 2 XL should have been priced from $600-$700. If Google's goal truly is to get as many people sucked into their AI/Advertising driven world, then a lower price tag would have been sufficient. It just makes me laugh that so many of you quickly jump to defend Google's design decision. This isn't a startup like 'Essential'. Google is a 1-ton gorilla, as big as Apple and Samsung. They shouldn't be given an automatic pass like a startup. They should know what a flagship phone entails and deliver on it for the price, or lower the price if it doesn't live up to flagship status.

 

[Almeuit]

Alot of phone junkies on these boards... people who hop phones every 6 months. For that kind of person (which seems to be the one's with the most negative comments), they fully know that the Pixel 2XL is not a step up from the OG Pixel XL. It's merely a new version with a higher price tag. Still a great camera which was a carry-over from the OG Pixel, but now it's lacking a headphone jack. Still no wireless charging which Samsung and Apple offer on their latest phones.

It's a fine, workable phone for sure, but my issue is that it should NEVER had this premium price attached. With the lack of features and sub-standard display, the 2 XL should have been priced from $600-$700. If Google's goal truly is to get as many people sucked into their AI/Advertising driven world, then a lower price tag would have been sufficient. It just makes me laugh that so many of you quickly jump to defend Google's design decision. This isn't a startup like 'Essential'. Google is a 1-ton gorilla, as big as Apple and Samsung. They shouldn't be given an automatic pass like a startup. They should know what a flagship phone entails and deliver on it for the price, or lower the price if it doesn't live up to flagship status.

The only issue I agree with is they should have done better with the screen. No headphone jack is the new thing for phones (not just Google) and wireless charging wasn't done due to the building materials.

Just because you see zero reason to defend Google doesn't mean others are wrong. You just simply don't agree with it and that is fine.. Buy another phone that you believe is worth your cash. I still stand by the issue with the screen for me isn't an issue. I do hope they fix it in the future since this has been talked about a ton since launch and it isn't going to change until the new phone (or so we hope). It has been documented so anyone buying a 2 XL should understand the issue it is going to have due to the hardware.

Other then that they are still excellent phones with excellent cameras.

 

[Mike Dee]

Alot of phone junkies on these boards... people who hop phones every 6 months. For that kind of person (which seems to be the one's with the most negative comments), they fully know that the Pixel 2XL is not a step up from the OG Pixel XL. It's merely a new version with a higher price tag. Still a great camera which was a carry-over from the OG Pixel, but now it's lacking a headphone jack. Still no wireless charging which Samsung and Apple offer on their latest phones.

It's a fine, workable phone for sure, but my issue is that it should NEVER had this premium price attached. With the lack of features and sub-standard display, the 2 XL should have been priced from $600-$700. If Google's goal truly is to get as many people sucked into their AI/Advertising driven world, then a lower price tag would have been sufficient. It just makes me laugh that so many of you quickly jump to defend Google's design decision. This isn't a startup like 'Essential'. Google is a 1-ton gorilla, as big as Apple and Samsung. They shouldn't be given an automatic pass like a startup. They should know what a flagship phone entails and deliver on it for the price, or lower the price if it doesn't live up to flagship status.

I'm not defending Google or giving them a pass. I do my research before I buy anything carefully and I know I made the right choice for the dollars I spent. I'm more than happy with choice.

 

[briareos4]

The only issue I agree with is they should have done better with the screen. No headphone jack is the new thing for phones (not just Google) and wireless charging wasn't done due to the building materials.

Just because you see zero reason to defend Google doesn't mean others are wrong. You just simply don't agree with it and that is fine.. Buy another phone that you believe is worth your cash. I still stand by the issue with the screen for me isn't an issue. I do hope they fix it in the future since this has been talked about a ton since launch and it isn't going to change until the new phone (or so we hope). It has been documented so anyone buying a 2 XL should understand the issue it is going to have due to the hardware.

Other then that they are still excellent phones with excellent cameras.

I believe you agree with me (concerning the value), but you're dancing around my main point. Let's forget about the screen debate for now. With what you know now about the 2 XL, do you agree that the phone's base price is too high? ($849/$949)

I purchased my 64GB Panda 2XL right before the Black Friday Verizon promotions hit, so I got $549 OFF the base $849 with the trade-in of an LG6. If you know the value of a used LG6, you'd agree that it was a slamming good deal. So yes, with that promotion, the 2XL is definitely worth it. But I'm not letting this fact cloud my opinion that $849/$949 is still way too high. The various promotions won't last forever.

 

[Almeuit]

I believe you agree with me (concerning the value), but you're dancing around my main point. Let's forget about the screen debate for now. With what you know now about the 2 XL, do you agree that the phone's base price is too high? ($849/$949)

I purchased my 64GB Panda 2XL right before the Black Friday Verizon promotions hit, so I got $549 OFF the base $849 with the trade-in of an LG6. If you know the value of a used LG6, you'd agree that it was a slamming good deal. So yes, with that promotion, the 2XL is definitely worth it. But I'm not letting this fact cloud my opinion that $849/$949 is still way too high. The various promotions won't last forever.

Do I agree it is too high? No. I see it as a flagship just like the $850 Note and $1k iPhone. Honestly I wish most phones would come down but they seem to be going the other way.

It has one of the best cameras on the market. That alone makes it worth it for me to take pics of my nephew and such. For some they may not want to stomach it but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it. Just like some grabbed an iPhone 8 versus the iPhone X whereas some instantly bought the iPhone X without even thinking about it.

 

[idiotekniques]

I believe you agree with me (concerning the value), but you're dancing around my main point. Let's forget about the screen debate for now. With what you know now about the 2 XL, do you agree that the phone's base price is too high? ($849/$949)

I purchased my 64GB Panda 2XL right before the Black Friday Verizon promotions hit, so I got $549 OFF the base $849 with the trade-in of an LG6. If you know the value of a used LG6, you'd agree that it was a slamming good deal. So yes, with that promotion, the 2XL is definitely worth it. But I'm not letting this fact cloud my opinion that $849/$949 is still way too high. The various promotions won't last forever.

The entry level XL is $850, the iPhone X with the same amount of internal memory is $1000.

That makes this phone worth it to me. Expensive? Yes. But worth it.

I want nothing to do with an iPhoneX or iPhonE anything for that matter - and I am in no hurry to go back to Samsung either. I fail to see anything that Samsung does that makes the Note 8 worth my $950 more so than the Pixel 2 XL. A stylus I'll never use? Option to go cartoon color mode? Not for me either

What makes those phones worth their price to you?

 

[josepmanel1983]

I've had these phone for a week and I can't notice any blue shift anymore. I suppose I've got used to it but I wouldn't trade it for any other phone.

 

[briareos4]

The entry level XL is $850, the iPhone X with the same amount of internal memory is $1000.

That makes this phone worth it to me. Expensive? Yes. But worth it.

I want nothing to do with an iPhoneX or iPhonE anything for that matter - and I am in no hurry to go back to Samsung either. I fail to see anything that Samsung does that makes the Note 8 worth my $950 more so than the Pixel 2 XL. A stylus I'll never use? Option to go cartoon color mode? Not for me either

What makes those phones worth their price to you?

If you were to give me $850/$950 for a phone (with no promotional discounts), I would expect the following features:

1) A screen indicative of the current top-of-the-line phones. No debate on LCD vs OLED. It just can't be comparable to a screen you'd see 3-4 years ago.

2) Waterproof - IP67 minimum, IP68 preferred

3) SD Card Storage Expandability - please don't respond with 'I don't need it'. Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei, Motorola, etc... all include it as a key feature whether you use it or not.

4) Wireless Charging - It's been around forever, and Apple has even seen fit to include it. Once you've gotten a couple of charging pads spread around, you'll never want to go back to cables again.

5) Good Battery Life - A no brainer. It has to last a full day with moderate to heavy use. I'm more OCD about it - in my typical day-to-day usage pattern if I go to bed with less than 50% battery, then I think the battery life stinks (I consider myself a moderate to light user). I suppose with the current state of Android, it has to have a minimum of 3300mah to make this happen with a bigger phone.

6) Camera - I'm not a professional photographer. The camera just needs to be good enough to catch decent auto-focus shots when I need it sporadically. For me, all of this year's 'flagship' phones would have cameras sufficient for my needs.

7) A promise of at least ONE major Android update along with occasional security updates. Let's be totally real here. None of you phone jumpers will be on the Pixel 2XL around this time next year. Same if you were rocking an iPhone 8, Note 8, Mate 10, etc... you'll have gone through that 1 major OS update, and then the phone would be history; traded in or Swappa'd so you could get the next big thing. Security updates are more carrier dependent. I know on my corporate S8+ on Verizon, I seem to get security updates at least every other month. (Currently on the December update).

8) Fast - With the current crop of SD 835's and the future 845, 855, etc... the processor is overkill in my eyes. The last generation 820's were fast as hell. Even the SD835 on the heavy handed skin of my S8+ can now power through pretty much everything. I've never seen the historical Samsung lag on the S8+. Then again, I just browse, listen, to music, read emails, send text. I don't quick swipe between screens as fast as humanly possible hoping to catch a phone stuttering.

The above is what I'd expect for $850-$950. Everything else being gravy.

 

[idiotekniques]

If you were to give me $850/$950 for a phone (with no promotional discounts), I would expect the following features:

1) A screen indicative of the current top-of-the-line phones. No debate on LCD vs OLED. It just can't be comparable to a screen you'd see 3-4 years ago.

2) Waterproof - IP67 minimum, IP68 preferred

3) SD Card Storage Expandability - please don't respond with 'I don't need it'. Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei, Motorola, etc... all include it as a key feature whether you use it or not.

4) Wireless Charging - It's been around forever, and Apple has even seen fit to include it. Once you've gotten a couple of charging pads spread around, you'll never want to go back to cables again.

5) Good Battery Life - A no brainer. It has to last a full day with moderate to heavy use. I'm more OCD about it - in my typical day-to-day usage pattern if I go to bed with less than 50% battery, then I think the battery life stinks (I consider myself a moderate to light user). I suppose with the current state of Android, it has to have a minimum of 3300mah to make this happen with a bigger phone.

6) Camera - I'm not a professional photographer. The camera just needs to be good enough to catch decent auto-focus shots when I need it sporadically. For me, all of this year's 'flagship' phones would have cameras sufficient for my needs.

7) A promise of at least ONE major Android update along with occasional security updates. Let's be totally real here. None of you phone jumpers will be on the Pixel 2XL around this time next year. Same if you were rocking an iPhone 8, Note 8, Mate 10, etc... you'll have gone through that 1 major OS update, and then the phone would be history; traded in or Swappa'd so you could get the next big thing. Security updates are more carrier dependent. I know on my corporate S8+ on Verizon, I seem to get security updates at least every other month. (Currently on the December update).

8) Fast - With the current crop of SD 835's and the future 845, 855, etc... the processor is overkill in my eyes. The last generation 820's were fast as hell. Even the SD835 on the heavy handed skin of my S8+ can now power through pretty much everything. I've never seen the historical Samsung lag on the S8+. Then again, I just browse, listen, to music, read emails, send text. I don't quick swipe between screens as fast as humanly possible hoping to catch a phone stuttering.

The above is what I'd expect for $850-$950. Everything else being gravy.

Your needs are different than others. So are your perceptions, about things like screen quality for example.

A lot of people could care less about wireless charging. A lot of people don't care about an SD card with storage getting cheaper and the cloud more prevalent. A lot of people want more than 1 year of updates and better than occasional security ones. YOU may only take pics sporadically but others take tons of pics with their phone, but because you don't need it, it doesn't even really factor into your equation here. Etc.... Everyone is different

The point is you are just projecting your own personal wish list to fit your needs and wants and saying that's how it should be for all.

Find the phone that checks the most of YOUR needs and get that. The rest of us will enjoy what we deem to be the best phone for our needs.

 

[Mike Dee]

Your needs are different than others. So are your perceptions, about things like screen quality for example.

A lot of people could care less about wireless charging. A lot of people don't care about an SD card with storage getting cheaper and the cloud more prevalent. A lot of people want more than 1 year of updates and better than occasional security ones. YOU may only take pics sporadically but others take tons of pics with their phone, but because you don't need it, it doesn't even really factor into your equation here. Etc.... Everyone is different

The point is you are just projecting your own personal wish list to fit your needs and wants and saying that's how it should be for all.

Find the phone that checks the most of YOUR needs and get that. The rest of us will enjoy what we deem to be the best phone for our needs.

I had wireless charging when it first came out and thought I couldn't give it up.... That was until fast charging came out. I could care less about wireless charging. When they come out with wireless charging from a distance I'm all in.

 

[Almeuit]

Well see you say if you were to get that money "I would expect" as in your expectations not others....

If you were to give me $850/$950 for a phone (with no promotional discounts), I would expect the following features:

So telling others to not disagree (below) doesn't make much sense because not everyone is going to go with what you see as a "must" for features in a phone .

3) SD Card Storage Expandability - please don't respond with 'I don't need it'.

 

[radgatt]

Or acknowledge there's a hardware issue with the screen and release v2 product with an updated screen.

Seems like they did release a version 2 of the hardware. At least that is what the video below is suggesting.

https://youtu.be/z92PiWbeDyg

 

[idiotekniques]

Well see you say if you were to get that money "I would expect" as in your expectations not others....



So telling others to not disagree (below) doesn't make much sense because not everyone is going to go with what you see as a "must" for features in a phone .

It's totally about him. Can't tell him SD card is not a must have but the camera just has to be decent for sporadic shots. That's rich, considering the camera is probably the biggest factor for a lot a lot of people out there, far more than SD cards that is for **** sure.

 

[briareos4]

It's totally about him. Can't tell him SD card is not a must have but the camera just has to be decent for sporadic shots. That's rich, considering the camera is probably the biggest factor for a lot a lot of people out there, far more than SD cards that is for **** sure.

I didn't put any of my 'features' in any particular order and weight them in any way. It was merely a list of features that I would consider specs on a flagship 'Android' phone. Fellas, you're all getting a little heated about this. Yes this is totally my opinion. But nothing I listed is far from the mind of any of the big Android phone OEM's. The latest Samsung flagships, the LG flagship (V30), the Huawei flagship (Mate 10), the latest HTC flagship (U11+), Motorola flagship (Z line).... they all have these features I listed. The list isn't just about 'me'.

 

[Almeuit]

I didn't put any of my 'features' in any particular order and weight them in any way. It was merely a list of features that I would consider specs on a flagship 'Android' phone. Fellas, you're all getting a little heated about this. Yes this is totally my opinion. But nothing I listed is far from the mind of any of the big Android phone OEM's. The latest Samsung flagships, the LG flagship (V30), the Huawei flagship (Mate 10), the latest HTC flagship (U11+), Motorola flagship (Z line).... they all have these features I listed. The list isn't just about 'me'.

I am getting heated? By stating a fact of what you said?

Haha you must not participate a lot online if you thought I was heated... I was simply having a discussion with you ^_^.

Yes you listed stuff in other phones that you think are "needed" for it to be worth the "Flagship" price. I disagree on some of the points as I don't see things like wireless charging as a "must" -- it is more of a convenience thing. Would I use it if I had it? Yeah I have in past phones. Has a phone not having it stopped me from buying it? No because it isn't a must have for me.

 

[Mike Dee]

Seems like they did release a version 2 of the hardware. At least that is what the video below is suggesting.

https://youtu.be/z92PiWbeDyg

I don't know what to believe as I've seen early builds and later builds that look the same to me side by side. Haven't seen any real bad ones.

 

[torbach1]

I don't know what to believe as I've seen early builds and later builds that look the same to me side by side. Haven't seen any real bad ones.

I replaced my October build XL 2 today with a late November (30) build one, and there are significant differences hardware wise. This isn't just true of the screen, which is leaps ahead in my view, but even items like the vibration engine are far better and feel higher quality. There is a completely different feel to this vibration engine/haptic feedback.

 

[Byrese]

The Pixel 2 XL phone display is in a different world entirely from the s4 screens. I came from the Note 4 and there is simply no comparison whatsoever. The Pixel 2 XL screen is very very good. Mine has none of the issues bandied around here, in fact it had less color shift or image darkening than the Essential it sat right next to. I have taken mine to the Verizon store and the blue shift on the demo phone is at least 4 times worse than my phone. I never even notice it, and the colors are beautiful just on boosted. I think the changes in 4.1 and probably better factory calibration (which Google did admit to) have completely removed the issue. The screen is great. Yes the Note 8 display is better but only slightly.

So it sounds like you got lucky and got a unit without the problem. Good for you!