Google takes a jab at Apple while announcing Pixel 2: "We don't set aside better features for the larger device"

by Florin Troaca / Oct 04, 2017, 7:33 PM

Google takes a jab at Apple while announcing Pixel 2: "We don't set aside better features for the larger device"

Earlier today, Google officially unveiled the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, making it clear that the two Android Oreo phones offer pretty much the same features - save for the different screens, and different battery sizes (though both provide all day battery life anyway).

At some point, while being on stage talking about the new Pixel family, Mario Queiroz, VP and General Manager for Phones at Google, said the following:

"Feel free to choose whichever size Pixel you prefer. Because you'll get the same great experience on both. We don't set aside better features for the larger device."

The last sentence was met by the audience with some healthy laughs and applause, obviously being a reference to the way Apple is differentiating its 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone models. For example, the iPhone 8 Plus has a dual rear camera with optical zoom and Portrait Mode, while the smaller iPhone 8 packs a single rear camera without optical zoom and Portrait Mode. Interestingly, Google today announced its own Portrait Mode, which is, of course, available on both new Pixels, as they feature similar cameras.

Sure enough, you will see and feel a difference between the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, because the latter sports a 6-inch screen with reduced bezels and an 18:9 aspect ratio, while the former has a 5-inch screen with quite large top and bottom bezels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Nevertheless, all their capabilities are similar, so if you think the $849 Pixel 2 XL is too expensive or too big, and you end up buying the $649 Pixel 2, you won't be missing out on any features.

source: Google October 4th Event video (jump to 1:48:06 for the quote above)

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41 Comments

1. AronWunarso

Posts: 242; Member since: Feb 21, 2016

Well, that's pretty good. But, no headphone jack.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 7:37 PM 19

22. izim1

Posts: 1591; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

Bluetooth is crap audio. This is a well known fact, that shouldn't need repeating every single time a conversation about the missing jack comes up.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 9:42 PM 1

24. egainer

Posts: 11; Member since: Mar 21, 2014

I mentioned Bluetooth being quick and easy. Nowhere did I say better sounds quality. Also, I referenced using WiFi streaming, and USB direct plug in (instead of 3.5, if you prefer directly plugging into your car)

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 10:10 PM 0

28. sgodsell

Posts: 6748; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Wrong, especially since the new flagships are coming with Bluetooth 5.0 on board.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 10:49 PM 0

18. izim1

Posts: 1591; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

The jack is superior sound quality so it's more like "not having a 3.5mm jack on the latest phone is like replacing a cd player with a cassette player, then offering one of those cassette player to jack adaptors for an extra $20 so that you can connect your cd player to your car"...

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 9:02 PM 0

30. Dejavu_LT

Posts: 51; Member since: Jun 11, 2012

Can i ask you what kind of headphones are you using? Because i know many people who are really pissed off about disappeared headphone jack and they using so cheap and ugly sounding headphones, that they should be happy to move on to wireless headphones instead of moaning about that jack :)

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 11:30 PM 2

37. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

Aside from Google slating Apple for removing the 3.5mm jack a year ago, therefore being extremely hypocritical AND copying an already bad idea. One thing that is rarely mentioned in the already impractical BT headphone idea (easy to lose, what if one falls out on the subway, for example...) is the battery life. Something we ALWAYS want more of yet BT headphone use will take a big chunk out of that as well as needing to recharge said headphones. It's a lose/lose. Manufacturers are just getting more arrogant with their decisions and less bothered about what consumers actually want, if they all remove the same features there's a lot less choice to vote with your wallet and go to another brand.

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 1:26 AM 4

44. iushnt

Posts: 3055; Member since: Feb 06, 2013

Agreed

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 4:12 AM 0

46. jove39

Posts: 2137; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

And wireless headphones sound good? Not even close. I have Sony xba4 sitting on night table and useless.

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 5:55 AM 1

49. Dejavu_LT

Posts: 51; Member since: Jun 11, 2012

Before loose of 3.5 jack i was using Sennheiser Momentum over ear, now i’m using Bang&Olufsen H7 - no regrets. Now my headphones not only sounds great, but they wireless as well, so win-win :)

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 8:40 AM 0

53. HTCOE

Posts: 650; Member since: Nov 20, 2011

get a dongle.

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 11:08 AM 0

48. izim1

Posts: 1591; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

Just about any pair of $5 wired headphones gets you better sound than bluetooth, but to answer your question, i use sony mdr1000x and i cant just leave a dongle connected to them because i dont just use them on my phone and i cant just leave the dongle connected to my phone because that would be stupid.

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 7:32 AM 1

55. Deadeye37

Posts: 287; Member since: Jan 25, 2011

Aux jack on my car. It doesn't have bluetooth. I do long road trips a lot and have my phone charging and have the tunes playing through the aux jack.

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 1:03 PM 0

3. DeusExCellula

Posts: 1390; Member since: Oct 05, 2014

They set aside a better screen to body ratio xd...

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 7:45 PM 7

4. gehrig

Posts: 423; Member since: Apr 17, 2014

"We don't hold back features from the smaller phone." *smaller phone has much larger bezels*

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 7:47 PM 7

5. TechDork

Posts: 400; Member since: May 10, 2010

The no headphone jack is going forward. Deal with it.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 7:48 PM 2

6. kiko007

Posts: 7469; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Didn't they take a jab at Apple last year regarding the headphone jack? How'd that turn out?

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 7:54 PM 13

9. AVVA1

Posts: 228; Member since: Aug 01, 2017

Was thinking the same lol

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 7:59 PM 0

11. EC112987

Posts: 1213; Member since: Nov 10, 2014

I had the 7plus for a year and I hated the no headphone jack. I would want to play music at BBQs and I'd have to see if anyone had a dongle. Bluetooth headphones are cool but having options is better for the customer.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 8:09 PM 2

12. quakan

Posts: 1418; Member since: Mar 02, 2011

I’m not so sure this was a good diss to Apple. I think the average consumer would question how they could justify the $200 price difference, if the only difference is size and battery size.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 8:11 PM 3

21. g2a5b0e unregistered

That's a very good point.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 9:37 PM 1

15. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

They also have a headphone jack right.......riiiiiiiight. Remember that joke last year from them when Apple got rid of it?

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 8:36 PM 5

16. izim1

Posts: 1591; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

How about that $20 minijack to usb c dongle, google?

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 8:43 PM 0

17. kiko007

Posts: 7469; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

They have a $45 variant as well (like the Belkin version for Apple only that one is $10 cheaper) to let you charge AND play music at the same time. As an Apple fan, I can say this wholeheartedly and with conviction: Google is turning into Apple 2.0 at a staggering pace and I cannot fathom why. I expect Apple to shaft people because Apple is a shisty SoB. However, I didn't expect Google to shaft people this hard THIS EARLY in their hardware repositioning from the Nexus line. I'm honestly a little shocked at how quickly switched from "We do affordable better than anyone!" to "We are premium... buy our accessories!". Crazy shit.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 8:47 PM 2

29. sgodsell

Posts: 6748; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

The Pixel 2 is $649, and the iPhone 8 is $699. Pixels include fast charging right out of the box, where as the iPhone's you have to pay an additional $70 to Apple for the fast charging brick and cable. The Pixel 2 has 4 years of free unlimited Google photos storage. If you want something on Apple's iCloud that is close to unlimited, then you would have to pay $12.99 a month for 2 TB of iCloud storage, and that works out to $624 for 4 years. Not to mention the Pixel's are including a free Google Home mini that is worth $50. So tell everyone again who is shafting who again. Nevermind we know it's Apple.

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 11:22 PM 0

32. kiko007

Posts: 7469; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Bruh... can you read?

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 12:04 AM 2

39. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

He can literally only read the word "Apple" then his mind just falls apart, it's a pretty common illness around here.

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 1:33 AM 4

34. Whitedot

Posts: 706; Member since: Sep 26, 2017

They do turn into apple 2 indeed. Did you what they repeatedly say 2-3 times at presentation, I quote " it simply works" I nearly threw. Familiar right ? :)

posted on Oct 05, 2017, 12:38 AM 2

23. BlackhawkFlys

Posts: 900; Member since: May 07, 2014

They do actually.. What is the excuse for those huge bezels on the Pixel 2?

posted on Oct 04, 2017, 10:08 PM 1