Thanks to its eye-catching appearance, the Google Pixel 2 XL Panda stands out as a top-tier smartphone. The phone has a modern design that stands out from the crowd thanks to its black and white “panda” color scheme. The Pixel 2 XL Panda is a quick and powerful gadget with cutting-edge technology and software that delivers an excellent user experience. The 12.2 megapixel dual-pixel sensor and optical image stabilization make the camera excellent. With support for Android 11 and upgrades through Android 13, it’s a great option for individuals who want the latest and greatest from Google on a device that stands out from the crowd.
Quality of Design and Construction
A special edition of the Pixel 2 XL Panda stands out due to its black front and white back, or “panda” color scheme. This phone features a sleek, high-end design and an IP67 dust and water resistance rating. The anodized metal body and Gorilla Glass 5 screen give it a high degree of durability.
Features of cameras and photography
It has a stellar reputation as a photographic tool. The phone’s 12.2 megapixel back camera has an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization, resulting in clear, detailed photos even in dim lighting. There is also an 8MP front-facing camera with an f/2.4 aperture on the phone.
There are the following features in the camera’s software:
- A portrait mode with bokeh
- High Dynamic Range Plus (HDR+)
- Automated image and text recognition with Google Lens
- 4K Video’s Promise
- Slow motion filming
Both experts and critics have praised the Pixel 2 XL Panda’s camera, calling it “one of the best smartphones available today.”
Hardware and performance specifications
The Pixel 2 XL Panda features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM. Its Adreno 540 graphics processor ensures a fluid and powerful visual experience. It has a 3520mAh battery, which may last most of the day.
There is a fixed, non-expandable storage capacity of 64 or 128 gigabytes on the phone.
| Specification | Details of Pixel 2 XL Panda |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.0 inches |
| Screen Technology | OLED |
| Screen Resolution | 2880 x 1440 at 538 PPI |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB (non-extendable) |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Rear Camera | 12.2 Megapixels |
| Rear Camera Features | HDR+ Technology, Portrait Mode, Bokeh Effects, Google Lens Integration, f/1.8 Aperture, Optical Image Stabilization |
| Front Camera | 8 Megapixels, f/2.4 aperture |
| Video Recording | High-Quality 4K Videos and Slow-Motion Videos |
| Battery Capacity | 3520 mAh |
| Charging Technology | Quick Charging, Wireless Charging |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Near Field Communication (NFC), GPS, and GLONASS |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-Mounted |
| Water Resistance | IP67 Standard |
| Operating System | Android 8.0 Oreo (Upgradable to Android 11) |
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 175 g |
Featuring a resolution of 2880 by 1440 and a pixel density of 538 pixels per inch, the Pixel 2 XL Panda phone has an OLED screen measuring 6 inches. Both the front and back of the phone are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, the latest smartphone screen technology. The display’s color accuracy, contrast, and brightness are excellent.
Besides a fingerprint reader, USB Type-C connector, and 3.5mm headphone jack, this phone also supports active edge technology, which triggers certain functions when squeezed.
Software and User Interface Design
Pixel 2 XL Panda is one of the first smartphones to receive Google’s updates directly, and it runs the most recent Android version at the time of its release. As a result, customers will always be able to access the newest features and security patches, while enjoying a consistent and pleasant experience.
Google Assistant is the phone’s virtual assistant, which can be instructed to perform a variety of tasks by speaking.
In addition to Google Lens, the Pixel 2 XL Panda also features Active Edge, which lets you activate Google Assistant or mute incoming calls by gripping the phone’s edges.
Users can access their accounts and data wherever they are using the Google apps (Gmail, Maps, and Drive).
Performance and camera quality contribute to a smooth and refined user experience. Another key selling point is the extended software support term.
The camera
As great as the original Pixel camera was, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Panda took things to a whole new level. While the Pixel 2 XL’s still images can be hit or miss at times, they are better than I originally expected.
My fairly limited experience probably won’t quite match that of most of you, but I can only speak from my own perspective. I understand that camera issues have been rampant in recent years, with shutdowns, lockups, and more plaguing aging devices. I can’t speak from a place of experience, but this isn’t a great look. Google has suggested that some of the issues are related to camera hardware failures rather than software problems, meaning that updates might not even be able to resolve lingering problems.
Although Google Camera app updates may still provide a sliver of hope to those affected, I am still impressed with the Pixel 2 XL camera when it works around 85% of the time. In light of the Sony IMX362 sensor’s age and limitations, that’s a very impressive performance.
Camera on Google Pixel 2 XL
The addition of excellent Night Sight and enhancements to Portrait Mode only elevate the post-launch camera above most, if not all, affordable Android devices released in late 2020 and early 2021. The Pixel 2 XL is one of the biggest compliments I can give at this point – it hangs in there with many devices that have far superior sensors and focal lengths.
The photos I’ve taken have been great. It’s hard to tell what’s changed, and how things have improved year over year at first glance. Android Authority has a really interesting comparison video between the OG Pixel and Pixel 5, and it shows that the difference isn’t as big as you might think. This highlights the tweaks that have been done without a major leap in camera hardware.
Video isn’t by any means a strong suit, but you can record 4K UHD video, and it’s acceptable. I would recommend coming for the stills and skipping the video unless you want just a short clip with the Pixel 2 XL since it pales in comparison to the similarly aged iPhone X.
The battery
Since my experience with a three-year-old device is unlikely to match yours — particularly on what amounts to a brand new smartphone — I don’t want to get into battery performance on a three-year-old device. I am not a fan of wireless charging, but only because I have multiple charger pads in my house. As a result of wireless charging, degradation issues arise, while the aluminum construction on the Pixel 5 has only recently been solved by some clever engineering.
You might find that disabling the Always-on display and the constant listening features for Google Assistant can help you extend the Pixel 2 XL’s lifespan. In terms of power efficiency, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is superior to many mid-range processors, and when you combine that with natural battery degradation, you might be disappointed.
It manages to last me about four hours of screen time with the 3,520 mAh battery. Not mind-blowing, but still more than enough to not have to worry about finding the 18W charge brick and cable before the end of the day. Throw in some video streaming, and that figure can decrease to around three hours. The device is four years old, so I can understand.
The worrying aspect here is that changing out and replacing the battery isn’t an easy task and can take a couple of hours if you’re inexperienced. The risk of bricking your device is high, so we strongly recommend an approved battery replacement from uBreakiFix.
In conclusion
A one-of-a-kind and aesthetically pleasing premium phone, Google’s Pixel 2 XL Panda stands out because of its “panda” color scheme. Its back camera has 12.2 megapixels, the front camera has 8 megapixels, and it has a number of cutting-edge software capabilities. This camera was among the best when it was released.
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset and with 4GB of RAM and 3520 mAh battery, this phone is a powerhouse. Upon its introduction, it was one of the first phones to receive official updates from Google, and it came with the latest version of Android.
