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The Google Pixel 2 XL helped define what Google wanted its phones to be: camera-first, closely integrated with Assistant and built around a clean Android experience. But its much-discussed OLED display also became an early Pixel quality controversy. In 2026, it is an influential legacy phone, not a sensible supported daily-driver purchase: Google no longer provides Android or security updates for it.
What the Pixel 2 XL was when it launched
Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL on October 4, 2017. The company described the XL as having a 6-inch pOLED display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, and offered it in Just Black and Black & White. Google’s regional announcement said sales of the XL began November 15, 2017.
Contemporaneous launch pricing reported by TIME put the XL at $849 and the smaller Pixel 2 at $649. Those are launch prices, not current used-device prices.
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| Phone | Reported launch price |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel 2 | $649 |
| Google Pixel 2 XL | $849 |
Google framed the camera and Assistant as defining features. In its October 4 launch announcement, the company called the Pixel 2 camera “the world’s best smartphone camera” and described the phone as the first with Google Assistant. That was Google’s promotional claim; the announcement also cited a 98 DxOMark Mobile score for Pixel 2. Neither statement by itself establishes that the camera was objectively the best under every test or use case.
#1 Best Overall
- Fullscreen 6.0 in (152 mm) display QHD+ (2880 x 1440) pOLED at 538ppi
- 12.2MP 1.4μm Autofocus with laser + dual pixel phase detection Optical + electronic image stabilization
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 2.35Ghz + 1.9Ghz, 64Bit Octa-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64GB Internal Storage
- Aluminum unibody with hybrid coating IP67 water and dust resistant1 Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Why it mattered to Google’s Pixel identity
The Pixel 2 XL leaned on computational photography and Google software rather than trying to win attention through the most conspicuous hardware design. Its single-camera approach, portrait effects, clean Android experience and squeeze-to-invoke Assistant behavior helped make the phone feel like a showcase for Google’s services as much as a piece of hardware.
Google’s 2025 account of Pixel’s history credits Pixel 2 with introducing IP67 water resistance. It places the phone in a nearly decade-long Pixel program and describes the later Pixel 6 as a turning point. That makes Pixel 2 a bridge between the line’s original 2016 experiment and its later Tensor-era identity, rather than the start of an uninterrupted success story.
Rank #2
- 12.2 megapixel camera
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835; 64-bit eight-core processor with 2.35 GHz and 1.9 GHz
- Fingerprint sensor on the back for quick access
- 64 GB memory
- 3,520 mAh battery
What reviewers liked
TIME’s contemporaneous review praised the Pixel 2 family’s camera quality, clean software and long battery life, calling it a strong choice for Android users who wanted Google’s software experience. The camera was especially central to the XL’s appeal: processing and portrait effects helped differentiate it even though its design was less visually striking than some rival 2017 flagships.
Why the Pixel 2 XL screen became controversial
Early reports and reviews raised concerns about blue shift when viewing the display at an angle, muted or inaccurate-looking colors, and image retention or burn-in. The result was an uncomfortable contrast: the phone could be praised for its camera and software while its screen was criticized as a compromise in a premium-priced device.
Rank #3
- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro XL; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
Why the screen can look blue
A blue cast that changes with the viewing angle is consistent with the blue-shift concern reported for the Pixel 2 XL’s pOLED screen. Google attributed perceived color behavior to its calibration choices and Android Oreo’s color management. It planned a more saturated color mode and software work addressing display concerns, according to TechCrunch’s coverage of the company’s response. Available information does not establish that every unit had the same appearance or that every screen complaint had the same cause.
What the burn-in reports do—and do not—show
Users and reviewers reported image retention or burn-in, but those reports are not proof that every Pixel 2 XL developed the problem. For a used phone, inspect the actual panel for persistent ghost images, uneven color and damage rather than assuming either that the screen is defective or that it is unaffected.
Rank #4
- Fullscreen 6.0-inch (152.4mm) displayFHD+ (2160 x 1080) OLED at 402 ppi18:9 aspect ratio
- Camera 12.2 MP Front Camera 8 MP
- Battery 3700mAh
- Experience HD Voice, Video Calling and Simultaneous Voice & Data. Enable Wi-Fi Calling and make calls anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 2.0GHz + 1.7GHz, 64-bit Octa-Core
Does the Pixel 2 XL still get Android or security updates?
No. Google’s current update-policy page lists both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL among devices that no longer receive Android version updates or security updates. That lack of official support is the key practical difference between appreciating the phone’s historical importance and choosing it for regular use today.
Is a Pixel 2 XL worth buying now?
Only if you specifically want a legacy device and accept its support limitations. It is not a good choice for someone who needs a currently supported phone for everyday accounts, sensitive data or long-term reliability. A listing should be treated as used or refurbished, not as a supported alternative to a current Pixel.
Best Value
- Compatible with Google Pixel 2 XL Only,,,,,(Not For Google Pixel 2 )
- High quality TPU material give your phone great protection and soft touch, more grip
- Slim thin, form-fitting,protective case body reveals the new design of the Google Pixel 2 XL mobilephone
- Precision cutouts for all ports,full access to user interface, camera lens, headphone jack, speakerphone and microphone
- LIFETIME Case WARRANTY - from KEEPCA to ensure maximum protection for the life of your Google Pixel 2 XL phone.
What to check before buying
- Battery: Look for evidence of poor battery health or swelling, and confirm whether a replacement is available through a repairer you trust.
- Screen: Test the panel at different brightness levels and viewing angles; look for image retention, burn-in, color irregularities and physical damage.
- Repair history and parts: Ask what has been replaced and whether the parts’ origin is known. A repaired phone is not automatically equivalent to an untouched one.
- Repair options: Google’s safety manual directs Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL repairs to Google or a Google-authorized service provider. Confirm local service availability and parts before buying; do not assume a third-party component is Google-approved.
- Software risk: Make the decision with the absence of official Android and security updates in mind, rather than relying on the phone’s original specifications.
Can you replace the Pixel 2 XL battery?
A battery replacement is a repair option to investigate, but the cited Google safety manual does not provide a do-it-yourself replacement procedure. It directs owners to Google or a Google-authorized service provider. Check whether an authorized repair is available in your location; if not, assess a specialist carefully and ask about parts provenance, warranty and the phone’s condition after repair. A battery replacement cannot restore Google’s ended software support.
How to compare it with another older phone
The Pixel 2 XL’s original strengths do not settle whether a particular used unit is a better buy than another older phone. Compare the camera output and processing, display quality and viewing angles, update-support duration, water resistance, battery condition, repair and parts availability, and the actual asking price. Avoid calling one model universally “best” without specifying the date, condition and test method. No authoritative model-specific Pixel 2 XL sales figure is established in the cited material, so sales volume should not be used to imply how successful it was.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
