Second Opinion Reviews

Second Opinion #31: Pixel 2 Review

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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
    • 02:44 | Specs
    • 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
        • 04:08 | Camera
        • 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
              • 12:46 | Battery Life, Charging
              • I haven’t used my external battery since I got this phone
              • Typically end the day with ~20% charge
              • USB-PD
              • No wireless charging
                • 16:42 | Display
                • 5” 1080p AMOLED (6” 1440p P-OLED on XL)
                • Always-on display
                  • No problems with it doing stuff in my pocket
                    • 19:48 | Body
                    • 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
                              • 28:41 | Buttons
                              • 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
                                    • 34:29 | Sound
                                    • Great speakers!
                                    • No headphone jack. It’s a real bummer when your adapter breaks in mere weeks.
                                      • 39:48 | Radios
                                      • 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?
                                          • 42:20 | Software
                                          • 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
                                            46:18 | Freebie
                                            • Google Home Mini
                                              • 47:23 | Update: USB-C Implementation
                                              53:35 | Final Thoughts
                                              55:05 | Outro
                                              Attributions
                                              • 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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