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It’s a true ‘smart’ phone experience that is designed around the user
Hipster (hip-ster) - noun: a usually young person who is trendy, stylish or progressive in an unconventional way; someone who is hip.
The 2010s versions of the hipster is a far cry from the beatniks or the hippies of the swinging sixties. The modern hipster is likely to be a coffee snob, shop at an organic food store, profit from his/her creative pursuits and probably make a statement with their smartphone. No, this is not the type who will flaunt their smartphone at the pub but somebody who is on the cutting edge of tech with an almost nonchalant air.
It was this sort of customer I imagined when I first got my hands on the Google Pixel a year ago. The Pixel 2 just confirmed those thoughts. In terms of design the Pixel 2 isn’t a big leap over its 2016 processor. It stubbornly sticks to an all-metal build when an all-glass form factor is in vogue. It’s almost staid in comparison with the iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8. Google adds a ‘lacklustre’ coat over the metal body to rob this device of any sheen. And yet, I loved holding this device in my hands. This coat makes it much easier to grip the device and the device’s 143 gm footprint won’t weigh that front shirt pocket down. It’s this design touch that sums up the Pixel 2. It’s not about keeping appearances but delivering a true ‘smart’ phone experience that is designed around the user. It helps that this device is powered by the robust Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM.
The Pixel 2 doesn't keep up with the all-screen trend that has seen the Samsung S8, the iPhone X and more recently the OnePlus 5T, shave off those bezels. The 5-inch AMOLED screen (1080 x 1920 pixels / 441 Pixels per inch) boasts of good not exceptional colours. If vibrant displays are your scene, then the Pixel 2’s taller sibling – the Pixel 2 XL, with a 6-inch display (and a whopping 538 PPI) might be your fix. It doesn't offer wireless charging (thanks to its metal form) either. But that’s hardly a deal breaker. It’s swim and snorkelling proof though with its IP67 certification. While this a nice touch, we wish the 2700 mAh battery fared better. It’s not likely to satisfy power users or heavy camera users.
The device rides heavily on its cam and if there’s one reason we’d totally recommend the Pixel 2, it is the solid 12.2MP primary shooter with a f/1.8 aperture. It isn’t just insanely fast but shoots better images in lowlight than almost any mobile cam out there. Along with the Samsung Note 8, it’s probably the smartphone camera of 2017. The device offers a portrait mode but it doesn't come with the iPhone X’s dual cam approach that we prefer. And of course, there’s Google Photos and unlimited cloud storage. The 7MP selfie cam is no slouch and all you need to is say - “OK Google. Take my Selfie” and its sorted. No silly waves of the hand or blinking your eyes. The Pixel 2 is after all the showpiece of everything Android.
One of the features we enjoyed checking out was Google Lens. Think of it as a desk agent in a Bond flick feeding information to James Bond on random images he sends back to HQ. Of course you’re more likely to want contextual help with food or place images that you snap. Google Lens cleverly integrates Google search to match the image you scan from your gallery and gives you more background. It’s still work-in-progress but it’s mighty impressive. Google Lens is tipped to debut on other Android phones shortly. Google Assistant is at the heart of the Pixel 2 experience and aside from the standard home key trigger you can squeeze the sides (Something we saw on the HTC U11) or just say “OK Google”.
If you’re moving from an Android smartphone masked heavily by the device manufacturer’s custom UI and Apps, the Pixel 2 is a welcome change. This is pure play Android – the latest 8.0 iteration, and Android is getting smarter and more intuitive than the competition. It’s the other reason to consider the Pixel 2; you’re guaranteed to receive all the latest Android updates ahead of all other devices. This is after all ‘the’ Google phone.
At Rs 59,900 (for the 64GB version; the 128GB version costs 69,900), the Pixel 2 is certainly not cheap and clearly not a phone for attention seekers. It’s not like that fancy car where you sink into a plush rear seat and enjoy all that attention from envious onlookers. This is about driving pleasure and getting behind the wheel.
