Mobile Technology

Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
New Atlas compares the specs and features of the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
New Atlas compares the specs and features of the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
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Dimensions
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Dimensions
Weight
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Weight
Colors
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Colors
Water resistance
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Water resistance
Display size
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Display size
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display type
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Display type
Display edges
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Display edges
Biometrics
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Biometrics
Processor
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Processor
RAM
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RAM
Onboard storage
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Onboard storage
MicroSD
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MicroSD
Battery
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Battery
Ports
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Ports
Fast charging
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Fast charging
Wireless charging
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Wireless charging
Cameras
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Cameras
Rear camera aperture
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Rear camera aperture
Operating system
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Operating system
Assistant
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Assistant
New Atlas compares the specs and features of the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
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New Atlas compares the specs and features of the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
Mobile payments
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Mobile payments
Release date
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Release date
Price
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Price
Build
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Build
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The second generation of Google's Pixel phones is about to launch, boasting top-end specs with software smarts. But where does it fit on the 2017 flagship phone landscape? We've weighed them up against the latest iPhones, and now New Atlas compares the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL to their main Android competitors, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Dimensions

Dimensions
Dimensions

Both of Samsung's phones are a little taller and thicker than the new Pixels, but not quite as wide.

Weight

Weight
Weight

While the Galaxy S8 is substantially heavier than the base model Pixel 2, Google's phablet tips the scales slightly higher than Samsung's.

Colors

Colors
Colors

If color is important to you, there's a wider range to choose from for the Galaxies. That said, most people probably wrap their phones in cases before even taking them home nowadays.

Build

Build
Build

The Pixels keep the aluminum unibody from the first generation, while Samsung keeps its own tradition alive of glass front and back, ringed in aluminum.

Water resistance

Water resistance
Water resistance

The Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL have been rated IP67, which means they'll repel splashes of water and day-to-day dust, and can survive total immersion in water to a depth of 1 m (3.3 ft) for up to 30 minutes. A rating of IP68 means the Galaxy phones can do the same down to a depth of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). It probably pays not to take them swimming though.

Display size

Display size
Display size

Both the Galaxy S8 and S8+ outpace their counterparts from Google in the screen size department. The Galaxy S8+'s monster 6.2-in display pushes it well into phablet turf.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

Samsung has some of the sharpest displays in the phone business, with both models of the S8 boasting a resolution of 2960 x 1440. The base Pixel 2 has a relatively-low 1080p resolution, while the 2 XL closes in on – but falls just short of – the resolution of Samsung's devices.

Display type

Display type
Display type

The displays in all four phones are built on the same technology – organic light-emitting diodes, or OLED. That means individual pixels can be switched on or off, leading to brighter colors and darker blacks than LCD. Samsung calls its Galaxy screens "Super AMOLED" because they're apparently brighter, consume less power and reflect more sunlight than vanilla AMOLED. The Pixel 2 XL puts the P in POLED with a plastic substrate, which makes the screen more flexible. In extreme cases, plastic OLED allows for displays that can be rolled up, but here it's most likely to allow for the sides of the phone to be squeezed without breaking the screen.

Display edges

Display edges
Display edges

Although Samsung has been banishing bezels since the Galaxy S6 Edge, 2017 is the year that all the other phone-makers decided bezels weren't cool. As a result, the Pixel 2 is the only phone here with sizeable bars around the screen, while the displays on the Galaxy S8 and S8+ curve around the sides.

Biometrics

Biometrics
Biometrics

All four phones can be unlocked with fingerprint scans, while the Galaxy S8 line can scan a user's face or eyes.

Processor

Processor
Processor

Qualcomm's latest processor, the Snapdragon 835, is powering all four phones.

RAM

RAM
RAM

When it comes to RAM, 4 GB is about standard for most phones nowadays.

Onboard storage

Onboard storage
Onboard storage

For most people, 64 GB of built-in storage is plenty, but Google offers the option to double that.

MicroSD

MicroSD
MicroSD

That said, for Galaxy users who later realize 64 GB isn't enough for them, that storage can be expanded by up to an extra 256 GB with a MicroSD card. Pixel owners will have to make do with what they're given.

Battery

Battery
Battery

In terms of capacity, the Google Pixel 2 XL leads the battery pack with 3,520 mAh, with the Galaxy S8+ so close behind the difference is negligible. In practice, you'll still probably get a solid day's operation out of all of these phones.

Ports

Ports
Ports

Both Samsung and Google have embraced USB-C for charging, but Google has followed Apple's divisive lead and dropped the industry-standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. Speakers and headphones will need to be connected to the Pixel phones via Bluetooth or the included USB-C adapter.

Fast charging

Fast charging
Fast charging

All four phones can be fast-charged out of the box, which is great for getting some juice in a hurry before heading out.

Wireless charging

Wireless charging
Wireless charging

The glass-backed Galaxies can be wirelessly charged courtesy of a separately-purchased accessory, but the Google Pixels lack that functionality. It's up to you how much of a loss that is, though: wireless charging still doesn't have the range to be particularly useful yet.

Cameras

Cameras
Cameras

In terms of sheer megapixel numbers, both sets of phones have virtually identical cameras. On the software side of things, Google Lens lets the Pixel 2 and 2 XL recognize objects in frame and even perform a kind of real-world Google image search.

Rear camera aperture

Rear camera aperture
Rear camera aperture

The Samsung phones have the minor upper hand here, with a slightly-wider aperture on the main camera providing better low-light shots and shallower depth of field, to highlight your subjects.

Operating system

Operating system
Operating system

All four phones run the Android operating system, and although the Pixel 2 and 2 XL come preloaded with the latest version, Android 8 Oreo, it's still being rolled out to the Galaxy S8 line. Google phones run a clean, minimalist version of the OS, while Samsung has its own tweaked version called Samsung Touchwiz.

Assistant

Assistant
Assistant

The Pixels make use of the Google Assistant, which is activated by giving the phone a little squeeze. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ were springboards for Samsung's own personal assistant, Bixby, earlier this year, and it's triggered by pressing a dedicated button on the side of the phone.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments
Mobile payments

All four phones can be tapped to a terminal to make payments. The Pixels use Android Pay, which works through an NFC chip. Samsung Pay, on the other hand, allows the Galaxy S8 and S8+ to use both NFC and magnetic secure transmission, meaning it should work with some older card readers as well.

Release date

Release date
Release date

Samsung released both the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in April this year, while Google is launching the Pixel 2 later this month and the 2 XL in November.

Price

Price
Price

The Pixel 2 is the least expensive phone on the list, by a wide margin. A Pixel 2 XL with 64 GB of storage will leave a hole in your bank account about the same size as that of the Galaxy S8+.

View gallery - 26 images
1 comment
1 comment
mweinbach
The Galaxy S8 is running Android 7.0 with Samsung Experience, they renamed touchwiz to Samsung Experience. The S8 also has Google Assistant and Bixby. The Pixel 2's also have an Aluminium and Glass build. That area at the top.