Before the year is out the smartphone marketplace will witness a major battle, namely Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy Note 8. These three premium contenders will vie for supremacy at the head of the phablet niche, with Apple looking to mark the tenth anniversary of the iPhone range, Samsung seeking to reinvigorate the Galaxy Note brand after the disastrous exploding Galaxy Note 7, and Google hoping to establish itself as a major player in mobile technology.
This promises three particularly exciting releases, and so without further ado let us compare the specs and features delivered by these three smartphone contenders.
Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy Note 8 pre-launch comparison
Screen size
There is no doubt that the physical display of smartphones is absolutely critical in the contemporary marketplace, and therefore the three manufacturers of these devices will particularly focus on display technology in the forthcoming generation. We can thus expect all three to deliver wraparound designs in which the bezels of the mobiles are seriously slimmed down.
Although the iPhone 8 will feature the largest display ever included in an iPhone release, it will not be the biggest of the smartphones compared here. The Galaxy Note 8 will have a mammoth 6.3-inch display, which will be larger than the 5.8-inch screen being linked with the iPhone 8. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 2 will sport a five-inch display, although the Google Pixel XL 2 will have a six-inch screen.
Resolution
So how does Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy Note 8 war shape up in resolution terms? Certainly the gap is closing in comparison to previous generations. There have been reports that Samsung will consider 4K resolution for the Galaxy Note 8, but if this is not the case then we can expect the resolution from the Galaxy S8 generation to be retained.
Apple is expected to introduce quad HD resolution for the first time when the iPhone 8 hits the stores, while the smartphone version of the Google Pixel range will only have a full HD screen. It is worth noting that the Google Pixel XL 2 is expected to embrace Quad HD.
Camera
Camera technology is also a critical aspect of the smartphone landscape, with consumers increasingly utilizing their phones in order to capture high-quality photographs. And each of these devices will certainly deliver in this department.
The camera in the Pixel 2 will certainly be impressive, with a 12.3-megapixel dual-camera and 7-megapixel selfie capturing snapper being linked with the Google handset. There have been conflicting reports on whether the Google Pixel 2 will embrace the dual-camera technology that is expected to appear in both the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8.
Both of these handsets will feature similar megapixel ratings to the Google Pixel 2, but are likely to deliver better shooting in low-light conditions.
Processor
Processors will undoubtedly be a key battleground in the Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy Note 8 war. Apple will have a new A11 chip for the iPhone 8, while Samsung is expected to include an upgraded Snapdragon 835 in the Galaxy Note 8 in the Western marketplace, while relying on its proprietary Exynos technology in East Asia.
The Galaxy Note 8 should feature an octa-core unit, while Apple will include a quad-core processor in the iPhone 8.
Although the processor for the Google Pixel 2 has yet to be settled, most observers believe that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 will also feature. While there is a new generation 836 unit also in the pipeline, Google is not expected to include this technology in the forthcoming Pixel 2 release, with price considerations foremost in this consideration.
Memory
Apple has never placed a huge emphasis on delivering massive specifications, instead choosing to deliver excellent performance via its unique combination of proprietary hardware and software. So the 3GB expected in the iPhone 8 is merely half that of the 6GB linked with the Galaxy Note 8 and Google Pixel 2.
Storage
This is one area in which Apple has had an edge over competitors in recent releases, with the consumer electronics giant particularly concentrating on delivering outstanding storage quantity. And the iPhone 8 is set to have an advantage here as well, with the premium 256GB version of the smartphone offering a superior quantity to the 128GB offered by its two competitors.
Battery
Although the iPhone is unquestionably an iconic device, and the Apple branding is probably unequalled among all consumer electronics devices, it has still been criticized for delivering a rather paltry battery life. So the battery in the iPhone 8 may touch 3,000 mAh, which combined with new power-saving functionality should ensure that the smartphone is competitive.
However, both of the Google Pixel 2 and Galaxy Note 8 will probably feature larger batteries, with the former being linked with a 3,500 mAh cell and the latter with a 3,300 mAh unit.
Other features
The Apple iPhone 8 is expected to focus on augmented reality technology in the forthcoming generation, while the smartphone will also deliver a unique wireless charging system that enables this process to take place at a distance of 15 feet.
Samsung is rumored to be considering a 4K resolution display for the Galaxy Note 8, in order to particularly support its own Gear VR headset.
And Google will include USB Type-C in the Google Pixel 2, making this the standard connector for the series going forward.
Price
So how does the Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy Note 8 battle shape up in the key area of pricing? Recent reports have suggested that both the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8 will retail at price of points in excess of $1,000. This may seem excessive, but both smartphones are expected to deliver particularly attractive packages, plus Apple and Samsung have the advantage of currently being the dominant players in the smartphone niche.
Google cannot really afford to place the base unit of the Pixel 2 at such an exalted price tag, and thus we can more reasonably expect this phablet to receive an RRP of $700.
