Second Opinion Reviews

Ian R Buck is joined by his tech twin, Betsy Dadabo to talk about the phone they both just bought, the Pixel 2! Is this a phone that will stand the test of time?

Episode Summary 00:00 | Intro 01:07 | Pricing

• Start at $650
• Add storage for $100
• Get XL for $200 more

• Snapdragon 835
• 4GB RAM
  • Apps stay in RAM forever, it’s great!
• 64GB or 128GB storage
• 2700 mAh (3520 mAh on XL)
• USB 3.1 Type-C

• Rear
  • 12MP
  • f/1.8
  • 4K video, or lower resolution at higher framerate
  • OIS
• Front
  • 8MP
  • f/2.4
• REALLY good video stabilization!
  Ian R Buck on Twitter: “Best moment of the show: we all sang Sweet Caroline without the “Buh-buh-buh” or “So good!” #TurtlesAllTheWayDown #BookTour https://t.co/PYUBQkNpX4″
• It’s great having a phone that opens its camera quickly!
• Google Lens
• Motion photos

• I haven’t used my external battery since I got this phone
• Typically end the day with ~20% charge
• USB-PD
• No wireless charging

• 5” 1080p AMOLED (6” 1440p P-OLED on XL)
• Always-on display
  • No problems with it doing stuff in my pocket

• Gorgeous, really good feeling phone; I feel bad about putting a case on it
  • Glass is now “upper fifth” instead of “upper third”
  • Love the material they covered the metal body in
• Colors
  • Pixel 2
    • Just Black
    • Clearly White
    • Kinda Blue (bright blue power button!)
  • Pixel 2 XL
    • Just Black
    • Black & White (red power button!)
• Antenna bands slightly visible from the front; a little distracting when you notice them from the corner of your eye
• Dimensions feel very familiar coming from the Nexus 5X
• People hating on the bezels

• Power, volume buttons on the right
• Fingerprint sensor on the back
  • Really picky when your finger is damp
  • Swipe for notifications feature has been improved: orientation rotates to match the screen
  • Before I put a case on it, I activated the notifications by accident a lot
• Active Edge
  • Very effective at getting me to use the Google Assistant more

• Great speakers!
• No headphone jack. It’s a real bummer when your adapter breaks in mere weeks.

• Haven’t noticed any problems, similar reception to Nexus 5X
• eSIM
  • Convenient for setup
  • How will I quickly switch my service to another phone if I want to?

• Stock Android 8.0 Oreo!

  Second Opinion #30: Android 8.0 Oreo Review › The Nexus

• Google promises software support for 3 years
• KRACK Attack patch is coming in December
  PodKit #33: Prototypical Fun Stuff › The Nexus
  
  Android security update fixes KRACK, slaps Band-Aid on Pixel 2 XL screen | Ars Technica

• Google Home Mini

• Free Music Archive: Beat Doctor – Organic (electric edit)

This episode of Second Opinion has a Fringe episode. You should really listen to The Fringe #451: SO #31 — Pretty Chill Morning!

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