Worth it: Pixel XL to Pixel 2 XL?

[preeble]

Just as title states, I'm thinking of upgrading to the new XL. I don't really use 'OK Google', so the squeeze function is not really valuable to me.

I have noticed, especially since the upgrade to Oreo that the Pixel has gotten a bit slower (less responsive), so perhaps the speed bump will help.

I have the Oreo beta on my Pixel and I see that original Pixel owners will benefit from many of the new features (sans the 'Now Playing' feature, which is one that I think I would like).

Does anyone that upgraded have new thoughts on whether or not it is worth it?

I'm going from 32GB -> 64GB, but I really don't have space issues today. I'm trading the phone into Google for $395, so my net cost will be around $600 (I purchased the Google Care option). Additionally, I also have the Google Care plan for my Pixel, so I will be walking away from that sunk expense.

Part of my really wants to upgrade because the dork in me always wants the latest and greatest, but the practical side of me tells me to wait until v3.

I have phone on order that will likely be shipping soon, so I need to make a decision within the next few days.

 

[MikeC01]

I upgraded from an OG Pixel to a Pixel 2 XL but originally I had planned on getting a Pixel 2. I love the 2. it's a noticeable upgrade from the OG Pixel. The phone runs much faster and just generally does everything better than the previous generation phone. I really like the piece of mind that the new waterproof rating brings as well.

So far, I only have two minor complaints. First, I wish the phone had wireless charging. I had it on a Samsung Galaxy S5 and it was nice to have. Second, I do miss the headphone jack a bit. I don't use headphones often enough to justify investing in a wireless pair but it's a PITA to hunt down the adapter that came with the phone every time I want to use the wired headphones I already own.

Overally, I'm very happy with my decision to upgrade and the generous trade in amount Google offered really pushed me over the edge when I was deciding.

 

[pseudoware]

The Panda look alone is worth the switch.

 

[MooMooPrincess]

I would wait, too many issues... QC is horrible and CS has been lacking.

 

[kenorian]

I am very happy with the upgrade, and I've experienced no issues.

Improved/faster hardware, better camera, bigger screen, front facing speakers, water resistance, to name a few.

I sold my OG XL for $515 a week or so ago on Swappa.

 

[bxrider117]

I would try it before you send in you OG Pixel. I really like the 2 XL. I have the black and white 128gb. I had the S8+ prior. I feel it's worth the upgrade. I do miss wireless charging, but my guess is you have to give up some things.

If you don't like it you can send it back to Google.

 

[dmxjago]

I had the original 128gb pixel XL and now I been using the pixel 2 xl panda model and it absolutely is worth the upgrade. The response is much quicker and man the games what an amazing price of hardware. Not to mention I'm loving the front facing speakers sure beats having one at the bottom. I wish the speakers had some base like the old htc phones, but they still sound way better than the OG pixel and most phones out there.

 

[Orion78]

No issues with my XL whatsoever. Are certain people experiencing problems with their phones? Yes. Is most of it overblown...hell yes.

 

[mackie8]

Im still holding on to my OG pixel 128gb...
I wanted to upgrade to panda XL2 coz i use this mainly for gaming... i like the dual front facing speakers.... Will wait till 2018 maybe... I heard so much QC issues... I dont want to join the lottery...

 

[effreyj]

I upgraded from OG Pixel XL to the Pixel 2 XL, and don't regret it. The device seems a lot faster and more touch-responsive. Also, the camera, which was already great on the O, is noticeably better on the new gen. I also think the design feels a lot more premium, and I like the always-on display. Battery life is also way better on the new gen. The only thing that is a downgrade is the screen IMO, which, is just OK.

 

[Almeuit]

Still enjoying my XL a ton .

 

[Aquila]

Short answer yes. Long answer, hell yes. It isn't a huge upgrade, but it is an upgrade. It's sort of like going from the 2nd or 3rd best phone available to the best phone available.

 

[Morty2264]

I think it would be a worthwhile upgrade, for sure! Especially if you can find one for a good deal - it's officially Christmastime, so I'm sure there will be deals out there soon!

 

[Jeremy8000]

If you want the latest and greatest Pixel... it's a good all-around upgrade. Definitely a bit quicker (notable improvement in connectivity speeds on T-Mobile, from my experience), and the dual front-firing speakers are a huge plus. Water resistance rating is a nice plus, but I've never had an issue with water damage so it wasn't the 'must-have' feature a lot of people claim it to be in general.

That said, I loved my Pixel XL and the new model, and probably would have held off another year for the '3 XL' if it weren't for the generous trade-in value (getting them to actually finish assessing my phone, which they've had for over a month now, and apply the credit, is another story...). My Pixel 2 XL has experienced exactly zero of the issues people claim (except for blue shift if I make a special effort to hold my phone at an unnatural angle for viewing).

Short version: 2016 Pixel XL is still a fantastic phone that will capably handle anything you want to throw at it, and it will feel somewhat refreshed with Oreo and some of the newer features initially put out with the 2's coming to it as well, so if the additional cost is a stretch, you won't feel 'pain' by not upgrading, but will enjoy a a boost in performance in just about every aspect if you do.

 

[preeble]

To close the loop here, I received the Panda 2XL and used it for a couple of days and returned it. Reasons:
- blue tint - it was noticeable for me and I never had this issue on any other phone.
- my Bluetooth issues persisted in my Honda (I get random drops in my OG XL and also in 2XL, but never any drops in iPhone 7 or X).
- not a huge difference in usability from OG XL, also wasn’t noticeably faster
- now playing for me wasn’t consistent in how it worked
-

Lastly, I really loved my Blue OG XL, so I would have missed it. I also have the iPhone X and absolutely love the wireless charging feature. Totally bummed that the 2XL dorsnt have that as it would have changed my decision.

 

[mackie8]

To close the loop here, I received the Panda 2XL and used it for a couple of days and returned it. Reasons:
- blue tint - it was noticeable for me and I never had this issue on any other phone.
- my Bluetooth issues persisted in my Honda (I get random drops in my OG XL and also in 2XL, but never any drops in iPhone 7 or X).
- not a huge difference in usability from OG XL, also wasn’t noticeably faster
- now playing for me wasn’t consistent in how it worked
-

Lastly, I really loved my Blue OG XL, so I would have missed it. I also have the iPhone X and absolutely love the wireless charging feature. Totally bummed that the 2XL dorsnt have that as it would have changed my decision.

We are on the same situation

Decided to keep OG pixel XL . I still love pixel camera....
I have iphone X also for my bluetooth needs...
OG pixel XL bluetooth is horrible...

 

[OUGrad05]

I would keep the OG XL. I went from XL to 2XL and honestly have somewhat regretted it. Signal strength is worse, it loses LTE coverage regularly despite being in a moderate to strong LTE area, athough I've heard this is due to OREO and that it's fixed with the OREO update coming out, I am not 100% sold that its an OREO issue. I still don't have the update showing so I haven't run it yet.

The screen does a weird color shift when in the middle of typing an email, sending a text, etc...the color temperature randomly gets much cooler all at once so it's very noticeable.

The camera app crashes about 50% of the time either after taking a picture or when trying to edit the photo.

There's numerous sound inconsistencies. For example, if you put a call on speaker phone and then press a button to navigate a menu, the number press volume does NOT change and its always at MAX volume.

Really annoying bluetooth inconsistencies, I've again been told this is an OREO issue but can't prove it's fixed because I don't have the update.

I took a month to get my trade credit and customer service has been iffy, offering a myriad of excuses for my problems and refused to let me have my original XL back despite being within a 30 day period of receiving the phone (perhaps that's a problem with mfg trade programs?)

Significant text messaging issues sending photos, memes, gifs, etc

My third call to Google and they volunteered to send me out a brand new phone (not a refurb) and I may go that route if the 8.1 doesn't fix my problems.

On the plus side? This phone is extremely fast and the battery life is excellent.

All in all this is a very frustrating experience and Google has thus far seemed very indifferent to me, which as a long-time android user and Google fan (I jumped on the first gen pixels and this second gen for my wife and I) is very disappointing.

 

[Mike Dee]

I would keep the OG XL. I went from XL to 2XL and honestly have somewhat regretted it. Signal strength is worse, it loses LTE coverage regularly despite being in a moderate to strong LTE area, athough I've heard this is due to OREO and that it's fixed with the OREO update coming out, I am not 100% sold that its an OREO issue. I still don't have the update showing so I haven't run it yet.

The screen does a weird color shift when in the middle of typing an email, sending a text, etc...the color temperature randomly gets much cooler all at once so it's very noticeable.

The camera app crashes about 50% of the time either after taking a picture or when trying to edit the photo.

There's numerous sound inconsistencies. For example, if you put a call on speaker phone and then press a button to navigate a menu, the number press volume does NOT change and its always at MAX volume.

Really annoying bluetooth inconsistencies, I've again been told this is an OREO issue but can't prove it's fixed because I don't have the update.

I took a month to get my trade credit and customer service has been iffy, offering a myriad of excuses for my problems and refused to let me have my original XL back despite being within a 30 day period of receiving the phone (perhaps that's a problem with mfg trade programs?)

Significant text messaging issues sending photos, memes, gifs, etc

My third call to Google and they volunteered to send me out a brand new phone (not a refurb) and I may go that route if the 8.1 doesn't fix my problems.

On the plus side? This phone is extremely fast and the battery life is excellent.

All in all this is a very frustrating experience and Google has thus far seemed very indifferent to me, which as a long-time android user and Google fan (I jumped on the first gen pixels and this second gen for my wife and I) is very disappointing.

With the amount of issues you describe I would take the replacement that was offered you. I don't think the update will solve your issues.