6 ANDROID ADVISOR • ISSUE 46
REVIEW
turquoise power button that helps it stand out. The
Google logo on the back is barely visible on the
black model.
The rear metal and glass design of the first Pixel
has been carried over but altered slightly. The glass
section is now shallower, housing a camera with the
smallest of bumps, a dual LED flash and light sensors
hidden by the black designs, but visible on the blue
and white. The fingerprint sensor is not the fastest
I’ve ever used, but is exactly where it should be on
the rear of a phone: in the middle.
I think the white version of the Pixel 2 is the best
looking, but not as lovely as the black and white 2 XL
that has a bright orange power button. Swoon.
The aluminium body is slightly more textured
than the original Pixel and so feels more grippy
and premium in the hand. HTC made both of these
phones for Google, but they are surprisingly different
from one another.
The Pixel 2 is not wedge shaped like its predecessor
so cannot hide its camera bump, and the volume
rocker and power button on the right edge are similar,
except the power button is no longer textured.
The design is boxy but it hides its aerial lines well
in the thin body. The design is oddly reminiscent of
the Microsoft Lumia 950 and personally I don’t think
it’s overly exciting despite its premium build. From
the front it’s a bit ugly and cheap-looking.
It’s not going to stand out on a shelf next to the
Galaxy S8 or iPhone X, and if it weren’t for all the
redeeming features of the software experience, I’d
pass on the Pixel 2. In case you’re choosing between