After Google’s Event this morning, we’re now neck-deep in new smartphones so what better thing to do then pit flagship against flagship against flagship in a battle for consumer hearts? How does Apple’s, Samsung’s and Google’s number one smartphones stack up against each other? Let’s take a look at the specs.
The Specs
| Pixel 2 XL | iPhone X | Samsung Note 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo) | iOS 11 | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Dimensions | 157.9mm x 76.7mm x 7.9 mm | 143.6mm x 70.9mm x 7.7mm | 162.5mm x 74.8mm x 8.6mm |
| Weight | 175g | 174g | 195g |
| CPU | Octa-core (2.45GHz Quad + 1.9GHz Quad) | A11 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture | Octa-core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64bit, 10nm processor |
| Storage/Memory | 64/128 GB | 64/256 GB | 64 GB |
| Display | 6.0-inch P-OLED | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD | 6.3-inch WQHD+ AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1440 (~538 ppi) | 2436 x 1125 (458 ppi) | 2960 x 1440 (521 ppi) |
| Battery | 3520mAh | 2716mAh | 3300mAh |
| microSD support | No | No | Yes, up to 256GB |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | No | No | Yes |
| Camera | Single 12.2MP rear (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), 8MP (f/2.4) front | Dual vertical 12MP rear (f/1.8, 28mm and f/2.4, 56mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS), 7MP (f/2.2) front | Dual 12MP rear (wide-angle f/1.7, telephoto f/2.4, OIS), 8MP front |
| Colours | Just Black and Black & White | Silver and Space Grey | Midnight Black and Maple Gold |
| Price (64GB model) | $1399 | $1499 | $1579 |
What Are The Major Differences Between The Note 8, iPhone X and Pixel 2 XL?
Pixel 2 is playing catch up with the two big smartphone players but it includes everything, from a specifications point of view, that a new smartphone needs to have.
Samsung and Apple’s entries include fantastic dual camera options that are really pushing the envelope of what smartphone cameras are capable of – but Google has not opted to run with the same thinking, instead going for one rear camera. Whether or not this will be a big issue, we will have to wait and see, but the Pixel did deliver some fantastic photos with a similar set of specifications and Google are marketing the Pixel 2 range as having the best smartphone camera you can find.
The iPhone X benefits from a beefy A11 Bionic CPU that should make for a zippier experience. Both the Note 8 and the Pixel 2 XL are running Snapdragon 835’s with powerful octa-core CPU’s themselves, so you won’t be left wanting for power on any device. Until I get them in my hands, it will be hard for me to comment on the phone displays but it is safe to say they’ve all got incredibly powerful, high-PPI displays that make the most of the available real estate in the phones frame.
One thing the Pixel 2 XL has going for it that its competitors don’t is the ‘Active Edge’ feature, which allows you to squeeze the sides of the phone to perform certain functions, like activating Google Assistant. It’s a neat addition on the software side that aims to improve the user experience. On the flipside, you have phone-specific features like Note 8’s Live Message features and Apple’s Face ID that look to offer something different for buyers.
Battery life an issue? The Pixel 2 XL has the largest battery of the lot, but Apple are putting big numbers on battery life due to the iPhone X’s efficiency.
Samsung’s Note 8 is championing the endangered species that we call a ‘headphone jack’. The iPhone X and the Pixel 2 XL use one port for all purposes, so get ready to purchase dongles and adapters if you’re looking at Apple or Google’s flagship.
I don’t know that there are too many game changers in the Pixel 2 XL, but it’s a respectable entry into the Game of Smartphones. For me, the iPhone X and Note 8 certainly win out purely on design, dropping the bezels just gives the phone a futuristic tone that makes you feel like you’re looking at the newest thing. Google have opted to retain a similar design to the original Pixel and although the bezels are lessened, they’re still obvious. This is largely due to including front-facing speakers, but it’s jarring when you compare it to Apple and Samsung’s latest.
For a lot of prospective buyers, it will come down to price too. Apple will certainly have the most expensive phone on the market when the iPhone X launches and it makes the 64GB Pixel 2 XL seem like a real value buy in this context. Getting up over the $1500 mark may put a lot of people off – but this is the world we live in now.
Which phone gets your hard-earneds? Let us know in the comments!