Google Pixel 2: Plans | Pricing | Specs

Alex Kidman

Last updated: Aug 20, 2018

Google's Pixel 2 offers an improved interface and high-quality camera, alongside Google's latest Android OS.

5 inches

Display size

1080 x 1920px

64GB, 128GB

Internal storage

12.2 MP

Rear camera

2,700 mAh

Battery size

Finder rated as Good vs similar phones

Display

Display Size

5 inches

Resolution

1080 x 1920px

Pixels per inch (PPI)

441 ppi

Camera

Rear camera megapixels

12.2MP

Rear camera aperture size

f/1.8

Video recording

Front camera megapixels

8MP

Front camera aperture size

f/2.4

Physical Dimensions

Dimensions

145.7mm x 69.7mm x 7.9mm

Weight

143g

Connectivity

NFC

Yes

Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Network category speed

Category 15

Power, storage and battery

Processor

Snapdragon 835

RAM

4GB

Operating system

Android 8

Internal storage

64GB, 128GB

Battery capacity

2,700mAh

Device features

Headphone jack

Fingerprint sensor

Yes

Water resistance rating

IP67

Wireless charging

Launch price (RRP)	$1,079
Launch date	2017-10

Alex Kidman

Alex Kidman was the tech and telco editor at Finder and is now a freelance technology writer. He's been a technology writer with experience spanning more than 20 years, writing and editing at Gizmodo, CNET, PC Magazine, Kotaku and many more. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England and a serious passion for retro gaming.

Where to buy

What's in this guide?

Design
Camera
Performance
Battery
Pricing and availability
Compare SIM-only plans for the Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 specs

The Google Pixel 2 is the smaller of Google's second generation of phones under the Pixel branding, having switched away from its previous Nexus stylings for its own in-house handsets with last year's Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL.

Design

Features a 5-inch, 1080p display
No headphone jack, but it does feature stereo speakers

While the larger Google Pixel 2 XL is produced by LG, the regular Pixel 2 is an HTC-built device. That's quite significant, both because the original Pixel phones were both HTC creations, but also because of Google's recent acquisition of HTC engineers and IP to boost its Pixel division.
The HTC linkup also extends to the same squeezable sides feature as found in the HTC U11. Like the U11, you'll be able to use a squeeze on the sides of the device to take photos as well as engage Google Assistant.
Squeezable sides are something of a gimmick, as we discussed in our review of the HTC U11, but it's also a point of differentiation from the rest of the smartphone pack.
The Pixel XL 2 features a larger screen, but the Pixel 2 features a more pocket-friendly 5 inch 1080p display.
In line with its own commitment to its ARCore platform, the Pixel 2 is AR-ready as well as compatible with the updated Google Daydream VR headsets. It features stereo front-firing speakers, but no headphone jack at all. Google is also launching its own "Pixel Buds" headphones, but those will cost extra above the Pixel 2's asking price.
One of the major pain points for the original Pixel phones were that they weren't notably water resistant in any tested way. That changes with the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2, both of which feature an IP67 water resistance rating.

Camera

12.2MP rear-facing camera with software-based depth-of-field capabilities

Google made a particular point of pitching the camera in the original Pixel phones as the best you could get at the time, especially for low-light photography. It recognises the heavy importance that users put on mobile photography, and for the Pixel 2, it stayed the course with a single 12.2MP rear camera. One key innovation here is that the Pixel 2 will offer a "portrait" mode as found on many dual-lens cameras, utilising Google's own proprietary machine learning to provide what it claims will be best in class bokeh effects.
2017 has been a hyper-competitive year for smartphone cameras, with many stellar options pushing the boundaries of what's feasible with smaller lenses and sensors, but the Pixel 2 should offer good, if not great camera experiences.

Performance

Google went down the same basic smartphone route as other devices including the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium and the OnePlus 5 by utilising Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 SoC alongside 4GB of RAM.
That puts the Pixel 2 in an interesting position. The Snapdragon 835 is a powerful processor without a doubt, but at the Pixel 2's asking price, it's possible to score a Snapdragon 835-touting handset for less. Google's own optimisations within Android and the clean Pixel interface may give it an edge here. Ultimately, however, the Pixel 2 will still be a powerful phone that should at least work at parity with other Android handsets in 2017.
Back to top

Battery

Features a 2,700mAh battery
Charges via USB-C

Pricing and availability

Price: RRP $429
Where to buy: Amazon Australia | eBay

Compare SIM-only plans for the Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2 specs

Display

Display Size

5 inches

Resolution

1080 x 1920px

Pixels per inch (PPI)

441 ppi

Camera

Rear camera megapixels

12.2MP

Rear camera aperture size

f/1.8

Video recording

Front camera megapixels

8MP

Front camera aperture size

f/2.4

Physical Dimensions

Dimensions

145.7mm x 69.7mm x 7.9mm

Weight

143g

Connectivity

NFC

Yes

Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Network category speed

Category 15

Power, storage and battery

Processor

Snapdragon 835

RAM

4GB

Operating system

Android 8

Internal storage

64GB, 128GB

Battery capacity

2,700mAh

Device features

Headphone jack

Fingerprint sensor

Yes

Water resistance rating

IP67

Wireless charging

Latest Google phone news

Optus and Vodafone now offering the Google Pixel 4 at half price

We compare the two offerings and which plans they're available on. Read more…

Google Pixel 4a: Rumours, Features, Specifications

Can Google score a hit with its second "affordable" Pixel phone? Read more…

Google Pixel 4 XL review: Plans | Pricing | Specs

The Google Pixel 4 XL offers a clean Android experience and very good camera capabilities, but it lacks that critical spark that would make it a must-buy flagship phone. Read more…

Image: Shutterstock

Ask an expert

To ask a question simply log in via your email or Facebook or create an account.

Click here to cancel reply.

Display Name

Your Email (will not be published)

Your Question

Subscribe to the Finder newsletter for the latest money tips and tricks

Notify me via email when there is a reply

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Ask a question

Find a better energy deal right now.

Choose from our selection of the best mobile plans on offer.

Choose from our selection of the best broadband plans on offer.

Check out the 10 top budget phones you can buy right now

Find a better NBN plan to suit your needs

Discover your next favourite show

Smartphones

Best Phones

Mobile Phone Brands

Guides

Google Pixel 2: Plans | Pricing | Specs