Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Google has the . revealed
Google Pixel 2
, the latest in its Pixel smartphone lineup. To say we were impressed with the company's first model would be an understatement, and with this latest iteration, Google has masterfully built on solid foundations.
Equipped with a Snapdragon 835 processor and an even more advanced camera - bulky bezels aside - the Pixel 2 is certainly no second wimp. But how does this latest iteration compare to?
Samsung
's flagship
Galaxy S8
?Let's take a look, with this side-by-side smartphone showdown.
specifications
Galaxy S8
pixels2
size
148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)
145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm (5.7 x 2.7 x 0.31 in)
Weight
155 grams (5.47 ounces)
143 grams (5.04 ounces)
Screen
5.8-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED
5 inch AMOLED display
resolution
2,960 x 1,440 pixels
1,920 x 1,080 pixels
operating system
Android 7.0 Nougat
Android 8.0 Oreo
storage
64GB (US) 128GB (International)
64GB, 128GB
MicroSD card slot
Yes indeed
no
NFC support
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
R.A.M.
4GB
4GB
connectivity
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
camera
Rear 12MP with OIS, front 8MP
12.2 MP rear with OIS, 8 MP HD front
Video
4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps
4K at 30fps, 1080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 5.0
fingerprint sensor
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
other sensors
Barometer, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass, Heart Rate, Proximity Sensor, Iris Scanner
Barometer, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity Sensor, Active Edge
Water repellent
Yes, IP68
Yes, IP67
battery
3,000mAh
2,700mAh
charging station
USB-C
USB-C
marketplace
Google play store
Google play store
Colours
Black, Silver, Gray, Blue, Gold
Black, Blue and White
Availability
AT&T
,
Verizon
,
T Mobile
,
sprint
,
Unlocked by Samsung
Unlocked by Google
,
Verizon
Price
$725
$650
DT review
4 out of 5 stars
Practical review
Both the Google Pixel 2 and
Samsung's Galaxy S8
pack the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of RAM. That means you should expect pretty much the same performance, although the Pixel 2 might stand out a little since the software is simple, pure Android. Samsung has its TouchWiz UI over Android, and while much improved, it can still slow down the operating system over time. Google also makes Android, and by developing its own phone, it's able to optimize the hardware and software far more as Samsung.
In terms of storage, the Pixel 2 gives you more choices, as there's a 64GB and 128GB variant. With Samsung, you're sticking with the 64GB model in the US, although there's a MicroSD card slot , which allows you to add more storage space if you want.
It's a tight round, but we're giving the Pixel 2 the edge.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Design, display and durability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Aesthetically, one of the biggest mobile trends of 2017 was the move away from thick bezels - the edges that flank the front of the screen. These two phones look very different because one is embracing this trend while the other is far from it. The Galaxy S8 features minimal bezels and looks even more stunning thanks to the curved screen. The all-glass construction gives the phone a seamless, smooth feel in hand, and the skimpy bezels offer a more immersive experience by pushing the screen practically to the edge of the device bring.
For the second Pixel iteration, Google kept large bezels. The Pixel 2 retains the unique mix of aluminum and glass on the back, which we like, but you can't help but notice the thick, almost chunky edges around the screen .The Pixel 2 looks straight out 2015.
Thin bezels aren't just an aesthetic benefit - they allow the smartphone to offer more screen in a smaller frame. If you look at the dimensions of both devices, you'll see that the S8 has almost the same dimensions as the Pixel 2, but offers a much larger 5.8-inch display than the Pixel 2's 5-inch display.
The S8's Super AMOLED display occupies 83 percent of the front panel, and the 2,960 x 1,440-pixel resolution offers pristine picture quality. The Pixel 2's AMOLED screen has a standard Full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, and although While it still looks good, the Galaxy S8's screen is just plain sharper at 570 pixels per inch. Compared to the Pixel 2's 441 ppi, it's overkill.
The Pixel 2's Full HD screen makes it more efficient from a processing and battery consumption perspective, but the HDR Premium-certified Galaxy S8 allows you to watch crisp High Dynamic Range (HDR) content - the latest trend in the cellular.
Unlike the Galaxy S8, Google has decided to ditch the Pixel 2's 3.5mm headphone jack for no particular reason. A headphone jack adapter is included, but if you lose the dongle you'll have to settle for USB Type-C or wireless earbuds leaving. This is a deal breaker for a lot of people and easily helps Samsung win this category. There's one positive aspect to the Pixel 2's audio department - you now get front-firing stereo speakers. It's certainly better to have a downward-firing speaker like the original Pixel or the S8.
The Galaxy S8 and Pixel 2 are both water and dust resistant, but Samsung takes it a step further with one
Degree of protection IP68
, meaning the device is said to be able to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. The Pixel 2 has an IP67 rating, which lets you similarly take the phone up to 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes be able.
It's not a competition. The Galaxy S8 has a beautiful, immersive design; packs a higher-resolution, larger screen; and has slightly better water resistance. The Pixel 2 can win in a drop test, however, since the
Galaxy S8
is covered with glass.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S8
camera
The original Google Pixel was heralded as the best camera phone available, and with the successor, the Pixel 2, Google built on that solid foundation. Indeed, camera review site
DxOMark
recently gave the Pixel 2 a score of 98 out of 100 — the highest rating ever given to a smartphone.
In our brief hands-on time with the Pixel 2, we saw virtually no shutter lag when taking photos with the 12-megapixel camera equipped with optical image stabilization. The Motion Photos feature, which is almost identical to Apple's Live Photos, lets you capture three seconds of video capture by simply tapping the shutter icon. Best of all, the Pixel 2 has a portrait mode feature without the need to set up a dual camera. Machine learning and software algorithms help capture the main subject on a identify the photo, and the background is then blurred for images that stand out. Since this is all done in software, it also works with the front-facing 8MP camera for spectacular selfies.
The Galaxy S8's 12-megapixel rear camera is pretty much the same camera as the previous Galaxy S7. When we tested the S8, our bright daylight images had excellent image quality with accurate colors, and low-light images were solid. There is a feature similar to Portrait mode called Selective Focus, but it doesn't work as well as Apple's. More experienced photographers will appreciate the Pro Mode feature, which lets you manage shutter speed, focus, and ISO. There's also a "Wide Selfie mode that allows selfie lovers to slightly pan the camera left and right for a wider field of view, making those larger group selfies less cramped.
We still have more testing to do, but from what we've seen the Pixel 2 seems to have the better camera right now.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
software
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
When Google designed the hardware and Android software for the original Pixel, the smartphone felt smoother compared to other Android devices. This seems to be the case with the Pixel 2, but the main advantage of the Pixel series is that the Phones get the latest security and version updates first. Case in point: Android 8.0 Oreo was released in August and Pixel 2 devices launch with the install installed. S8 is still running last year's Android 7.0 Nougat.
The Google Pixel 2's software is the pure Android experience. It might not be feature-packed like the Galaxy S8, but it's simple, fast and beautiful. Samsung has improved the design of TouchWiz over the years and it looks great on the S8 great looking, but we prefer the more minimal, clutter-free experience on the Pixel. You get Google Assistant on both phones, but Samsung's device comes with Bixby, an assistant that lets you control phone functions with your voice.
Regardless, the Pixel 2 has a chance to get quick version and security updates.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Battery life and charging
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
We've found that with a few tweaks, the Galaxy S8 only offers a full day of battery life based on medium to heavy usage. That's due to its 3,000mAh battery capacity. Samsung goes a step further by offering wireless charging as well as fast charging on the S8.
We weren't fans of the original Pixel's battery life, as we struggled to stay alive at 7pm on a typical workday. We regret that the battery capacity has dropped slightly from the 2016 Pixel's 2770mAh to the Pixel 2's 2700mAh became. Android 8.0 Oreo and the Snapdragon 835 processor promise battery life improvements, but we're skeptical that we'll find better battery life on the Pixel 2. We'll need to do more testing. It's capable of fast charging, but you won't find wireless charging on board. Samsung takes the cake here.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S8
Prices and Availability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The Google Pixel 2 is available for pre-order now and will set you back a cool $650. It's unlocked on the Google Store or available direct from Verizon. It's not as widely available as the Galaxy S8, but it still works with all major US -Carriers.
The Galaxy S8 costs $725 when unlocked by Samsung, but you have more choices if you want to buy it as all the major carriers sell it, as do many retailers. The Pixel 2 still wins, however, as the Price is much cheaper than other phones using the latest version
snapdragon
835.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Overall winner: Google Pixel 2
While the Google Pixel 2 is unlikely to win any design awards any time soon, the phone itself is worth every penny. Google has given the latest Pixel 2 a faster, more efficient processor and even managed to somehow upgrade the already spectacular camera. The Galaxy S8 is still one of our favorite smartphones of the year and the display is more powerful than the Pixel 2, however the Pixel 2 is our pick in this match when layered over the gauntlet. If you want a headphone jack, go for it the S8.
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