Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL specs

The Pixels are back, and they're better than last year's models in every way. Manufactured by two companies this time, HTC and LG, there are substantial differences in the way the two phones look, but on the inside they're almost identical.

While Google hasn't overhauled the aesthetics of the smaller Pixel 2, it gains dual front-facing speakers (and loses a headphone jack), benefits from IP67 water and dust resistance, has an improved 1080p OLED display and an upgraded Snapdragon 835 processor, along with a 2700mAh battery.

The larger, tall-but-narrow Pixel 2 XL has a 6-inch 2880x1440 pOLED display with diminutive bezels that keep the overall chassis size to a minimum. Think LG V30 but slightly taller. Inside, there's a 3520mAh battery — bigger than the Pixel XL — along with the same CPU and RAM specs.

What could be the most interesting change from last year is the addition of optical image stabilization (OIS) to augment the existing electronic stabilization from last year. There's still a 12.2MP rear camera sensor, with 1.4μm pixels, laser and phase-detection autofocus, all with an f/1.8 aperture.

Finally, a built-in eSIM is interesting because it opens up the possibility of Google offering Project Fi to any customer who wants it, even without a carrier SIM card installed.

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CategoryGoogle Pixel 2Google Pixel 2 XL
Operating SystemAndroid 8.0 with Google UIAndroid 8.0 with Google UI
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 835Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM4GB4GB
Display5-inch 1920x1080AMOLEDGorilla Glass 52.5D glass, 441ppi95% DCI-P3 color space6-inch 2880x1440pOLEDGorilla Glass 53D glass, 538ppi100% DCI-P3 color space
Rear Camera12.2MP f/1.81.4μm pixelsOIS, EISPDAF, LDAF12.2MP f/1.81.4μm pixelsOIS, EISPDAF, LDAF
Front camera8MP, 1.4μm pixelsf/2.4, fixed focus8MP, 1.4μm pixelsf/2.4, fixed focus
Video capture4K @30fps, 1080p @120fps, 720p @240fps4K @30fps, 1080p @120fps, 720p @240fps
Battery2700 mAhNon-removable3520 mAhNon-removable
ChargingUSB-PD, 18W rapid ChargingUSB-PD, 18W rapid Charging
ConnectivityUSB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0
Fingerprint sensorYes, on rearYes, on rear
Additional featuresActive Edge sides, eSIMActive Edge sides, eSIM
Storage64 / 128GB64 / 128GB
Water resistanceYes, IP67Yes, IP67
ColorsKinda Blue, Just Black, Clearly WhiteBlack & White, Just Black
Security updates3 years3 years
Platform updates3 years3 years
Dimensions145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm
Weight143 g175 g
Daniel Bader

Daniel Bader was a former Android Central Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor for iMore and Windows Central.