Let’s outline what are the differences to help you make a decision on which Google phone to buy. For more in-depth reading see our Pixel 2 review and Pixel 2 XL review.
What’s the difference between Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL?
1. Price and availability
Most obviously, there is a huge difference in price between the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel 2 costs £629 with 64GB of storage, and £729 with 128GB. The Google Pixel 2 XL costs £799 with 64GB storage, and £899 for 128GB. If you’re buying it on an EE contract (EE is the exclusive network partner at launch) the Pixel 2 is £9.99 on a £47.99/month 4GEE Max plan, which offers unlimited minutes and texts, and 8GB data. The same plan costs £57.99 per month for the Google Pixel 2 XL. As of 15 November, the Pixel 2 XL is available to buy now via Google or EE.
2. Colours
Both phones come in Just Black, but while the Pixel 2 XL is also available in Black & White, the Pixel 2 comes in plain white (Clearly White) and Kinda Blue.
3. Display
This is the big one. Google talked of a gorgeous high-res FullVision display. It is gorgeous, and it is high-resolution, but the 18:9 pOLED display is only on the Pixel 2 XL. Google’s new Pixel 2 XL has a 6in plastic OLED screen with a Quad-HD+ resolution of 2880×1440 pixels. It has an aspect ratio of 18:9, just like that seen on recent Samsung and LG flagships. The Pixel 2 still has a great screen, but it’s a smaller AMOLED panel that measures 5in on the diagonal and has a full-HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. This has a very sharp pixel density of 441ppi, but it’s not the 538ppi of the Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel 2 has an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is the standard for Android phones. The result is a phone that looks good, but does not have the same futuristic appeal of the larger Pixel 2 XL. Both phones support the new always-on display and feature tough Gorilla Glass 5.
4. Size and weight
If the screen is bigger on the Pixel 2 XL, it follows that the body is going to be larger too. This is certainly the case, although the minimal screen bezels means perhaps not as much as you might expect. Both phones are roughly the same thickness – there’s just 0.1mm in it with 7.8mm on the Pixel 2 and 7.9mm on the Pixel 2 XL. But the Pixel 2 XL is a little taller and wider at 76.7x157.9mm against 69.7x145.7mm. It’s also heavier, weighing in at 175g while the Pixel 2 is just 143g.
5. Battery capacity
So why the extra weight? Obviously some of this is due to the larger body and screen, but Google also packs in a higher-capacity battery. Despite this, Google suggests the pair have similar battery life. That’s because the screen is the primary power drain in a flagship smartphone, and it’s bigger on the Pixel 2 XL. So while the Pixel 2 has a 2700mAh battery and the Pixel 2 XL a 3520mAh battery, both offer all-day battery life. They each support fast-charging, meaning you’ll be able to get around 7 hours of usage from a 15-minute charge.
Summary
Marie is Editor in Chief of Tech Advisor and Macworld. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our English language, French and Spanish consumer editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
