As the days go by, we inch closer and closer to the launch of the Google Pixel 2 or "Walleye" and Pixel XL 2 or "Taimen," and along the way, more and more details are turning up here and there.
Some of the latest rumors and leaks point to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and 4 GB of RAM, revealing storage configurations, display sizes and resolutions, and other tidbits as well.
However, from the look of things, the smaller Pixel out of the two is getting the short end of the stick, particularly thicker bezels compared with the Pixel XL 2. On top of that, it seems it won't have a 3.5mm audio jack to boot.
Pixel 2 Deal Breaker 1: No 3.5mm Audio Jack
When Apple ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, it said the move was out of "courage," which spawned things like the Uncourage keychain.
As everyone may know, many users didn't like it mainly because they couldn't charge their iPhones and listen to music at the same time.
Despite that, Google is allegedly following the trend, leaving the 3.5mm audio jack out of the equation for the Pixel 2. Why? Well, it looks like it's cramming in a set of stereo speakers in its place instead.
Arguably, this decision is to pave the way for the age of the USB-C, Bluetooth headphones, and — God forbid — dongles. Still, at this point in time, it doesn't seem that everybody is ready to give up regular audio peripherals just yet.
Meanwhile, the leak doesn't mention the same fate for the Pixel XL 2, probably because it's larger and has more space for more components. At any rate, that's just one of the notable reasons why Pixel 2 might get overshadowed by its sibling.
Pixel 2 Deal Breaker 2: Same Familiar Bezels
While the Pixel XL 2 is expected to be fitted with a 5.99-inch 1440p OLED display and minimal bezels, the Pixel 2 won't get the same treatment, sporting an "almost identical" design as the original Pixel, including the large bezels.
For the record, size remains more or less the same, as it's said to have a 4.97-inch 1080p FHD display.
Put differently the Pixel XL 2 will have a significantly better screen-to-body ratio compared with the Pixel 2.
That would've been fine, of course. Having thick bezels isn't the end of the world, after all. However, what the Pixel 2 basically offers is the same phone as the 2016 Pixel, except that it'll have better components under the hood and stereo speakers too, but that's at the expense of the 3.5mm audio jack.
On the other hand, the Pixel XL 2 will bring a new design with narrow bezels and improved specs to the table, making it deserving of being considered as an upgrade from the Pixel XL, though it's worth mentioning it may not have dual cameras.
These are based on rumors, though, so it's still a good idea to take it with a grain of salt. But if it does turn out to be true, then there's little or no reason to pick the Pixel 2 over the Pixel XL 2.
