Introduction
In October 2017, Google launched its second-generation Pixel smartphones – Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Among these two devices, the Pixel 2 XL was the larger one, with a 6-inch display. However, it gained more popularity due to its Panda color variant, which was only available in limited numbers. In this article, we will discuss the Pixel 2 XL Panda, its specifications, design, features, and more.
Design
The Pixel 2 XL Panda was a limited edition device that had a unique design. It had a black glass back with a white front, giving it a black and white panda look. The power button and volume rocker were placed on the right side of the phone, and the fingerprint scanner was located on the back of the device.
The Pixel 2 XL Panda had a Fullscreen 2 display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The display was protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and had a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels. The screen was also HDR certified, providing users with an immersive viewing experience.
Specifications
The Pixel 2 XL Panda was powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM. It had two storage options – 64GB and 128GB, and did not support expandable storage. The device had a 3520mAh battery that supported fast charging and wireless charging.
The Pixel 2 XL Panda had a 12.2-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear camera had an aperture of f/1.8 and supported Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). The camera was also capable of recording 4K videos at 30 frames per second.
Software
The Pixel 2 XL Panda was launched with Android 8.0 Oreo and was eligible for updates up to Android 11. The device had a stock Android experience, which meant that there were no customizations or bloatware. It also had the Google Assistant built-in and was one of the first devices to receive updates and security patches.
Features
The Pixel 2 XL Panda had many features that made it stand out from other devices. It had an Always-On Display (AOD) that displayed notifications, time, and date even when the screen was off. The device also had an Active Edge feature that allowed users to launch the Google Assistant by squeezing the sides of the phone.Another feature that was exclusive to the Pixel 2 XL Panda was the unlimited Google Photos storage. Users could upload their photos and videos to Google Photos in original quality without any restrictions. This feature was only available for Pixel devices and was a significant selling point.
Pixel 2 XL Panda’s 6-inch OLED display was one of its standout features. The screen had a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9, providing users with a crisp and clear display. The colors were vibrant, and the contrast ratio was excellent, making it suitable for multimedia consumption. The screen was also HDR certified, which meant that it could display a broader range of colors and brightness levels. However, the display had some issues with color accuracy and blue shift, which were addressed in later software updates.
Camera
The Pixel 2 XL Panda’s camera was one of the best smartphone cameras of its time. It had a single 12.2-megapixel sensor on the back, which was capable of capturing stunning photos and videos. The camera had an f/1.8 aperture, which allowed more light to enter, resulting in better low-light performance.
It also had Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), which reduced the shakiness in videos and photos. The Pixel 2 XL Panda’s camera was also known for its HDR+ mode, which captured multiple images and combined them to produce a more detailed and vibrant image.
Performance
The Pixel 2 XL Panda was powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, which was a high-end chipset at the time of its release. The device had 4GB of RAM, which was sufficient for multitasking and running demanding apps. The Pixel 2 XL Panda had two storage options – 64GB and 128GB, which provided ample storage for photos, videos, and apps. The device ran smoothly, and the stock Android experience meant that there were no lags or stutters.
Battery
The Pixel 2 XL Panda had a 3520mAh battery, which provided decent battery life. The device supported fast charging and wireless charging, which was a convenient feature. The battery life could vary depending on usage, but the device could easily last a full day with moderate usage. However, the battery life degraded over time, which is a common issue with most smartphones.
Price and Availability
The Pixel 2 XL Panda was a limited edition device and was only available in select markets. The device was priced at $849 for the 64GB variant and $949 for the 128GB variant. The device was only available in the black and white color variant, which was a significant selling point.
Pros:
Unique and attractive design
Excellent camera performance
Smooth and snappy performance
Timely software updates
Stock Android experience
Cons:
Display issues with color accuracy and blue shift
No headphone jack
Expensive pricing
Battery life degradation over time
Conclusion
The Pixel 2 XL Panda was a limited edition device that had a unique design and features. It was a flagship device with top-of-the-line specifications and provided users with an excellent Android experience. However, the device is now outdated, and Google has stopped providing software updates for it. Nevertheless, the Pixel 2 XL Panda remains a collector’s item and a piece of Google’s history.