Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus: Specs Comparison

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As Google pits its new smartphone up against Apple, the Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus battle begins! Google has signalled its intention to target the mainstream of the smartphone marketplace in the coming years, and the Google Pixel 2 is the first step towards this exalted aim. But it will be tough for the smartphone to take down the Apple iPhone range, which has established itself as the most iconic mobile brand in the world.

So how does the the Pixel 2 compare with the iPhone 8 Plus? Here ValueWalk examines these two new devices.

Size

The Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus comparison begins with the basic design of the two devices. And it is notable that the iPhone 8 Plus is significantly larger than the Google Pixel 2, even taking into consideration its bigger display. The iPhone 8 Plus, of course, does not benefit from the wraparound screen that dominates the front panel of its iPhone X cousin.

Thus, the Google Pixel 2 measures 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm (5.74 x 2.74 x 0.31 in), which is around 10 percent smaller than the 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5 mm (6.24 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) dimensions of the Apple phablet. This means that the Google offering can be considered somewhat more convenient and portable than the Apple release.

Weight

This size disparity is also reflected in the weight of the two devices, with the iPhone 8 Plus around 35 percent heavier than the Google device. Weighing in at over 200g, the iPhone 8 Plus is definitely one of the heftier smartphones available on the market, around 60g heavier than the Google Pixel 2, which weighs 143 grammes.

This is a level of divergence between the two devices that would actually be perceptible to the user, meaning that this is a non-trivial advantage for the Google Pixel 2.

Display

The Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus battle will obviously be at least partly waged in the display department, as this is a critical aspect of the makeup of any smartphone. And it is thus clearly an advantage for the iPhone 8 Plus that its device features a 5.5-inch screen. This display is 10 percent larger than the 5-inch screen that is included in the new Google release.

Resolution

Although the full HD screen resolution of these two devices is identical, there is some disparity in terms of pixel density. Both the devices are capable of displaying 1,080 x 1,920 pixels, but in the case of the Google Pixel 2 this transposes into a 441 pixel per inch density, with the larger display of the iPhone 8 Plus meaning that it only delivers 401 pixels per inch.

Dust and waterproofing

Both of these devices are IP67 certified, meaning that they are pretty durable, and deliver standards that are theoretically almost identical.

Processor

Another key field in the Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus comparison is the processors to be included in the two devices. Apple has upped its game in this department, providing a hexa-core processor that is superior to anything it has included in smartphones previously.

Meanwhile, the octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) unit driving the Google Pixel 2 should ensure excellent performance. Apple has been reticent about releasing the precise specs of the iPhone 8 Plus as of yet, and thus we cannot make a direct comparison. What we do know is that this should be the best performing Apple phablet ever.

Memory

Apple has been similarly reluctant to increase the memory quantity included in its smartphone range, meaning that the 3GB of RAM in the iPhone 8 Plus are frozen from the iPhone 7 generation. This means that the 4GB of RAM included in the Google Pixel 2 ensures that this smartphone is patently superior in this area.

Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus

However, Apple has always relied on its unique combination of proprietary hardware and software to drive its devices, so the performance of the two handsets will probably be rather similar.

Storage

Google has declined to release a 256GB version of the Google Pixel 2, unlike the iPhone 8 Plus, which does deliver this storage quantity. 128GB is the maximum storage quantity in the Google Pixel 2 generation, with both Apple and Google still reluctant to embrace the micro SD functionality that is favored by Samsung.

Battery

The batteries included in these two devices are almost identical, although the pedant will note that the Google Pixel 2 benefits from a 2,700 mAh cell, while the iPhone 8 Plus has a 2,691 mAh battery. Essentially, these two batteries are identical, and thus the real-world lifecycles of the two handsets should be very similar.

Camera

The Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus comparison will always be informed by the camera provisions included in the two devices, as snapping photographs has become an increasing focus of smartphone consumers. So here is a comparison between the specs of the two devices in this department.

Google Pixel 2 – 12.2 MP, f/1.8, OIS, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED flash

iPhone 8 Plus – dual 12 MP, (28mm, f/1.8, OIS & 56mm, f/2.8), phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED (dual tone) flash

So considering that the iPhone 8 Plus features a dual-camera, the phablet obviously has an advantage over the Google Pixel 2 here. Although Google has reportedly been working on new photographic features for the Pixel 2, these will have to be extremely impressive if the camera is to match the capabilities of the iPhone 8 Plus.

Price

Finally, pricing is obviously a key aspect of the Google Pixel 2 vs iPhone 8 Plus comparison, and it is not surprising to note that the Google Pixel 2 is the more affordable device. Retailing at $649, it will certainly offer excellent value for money, but the iPhone 8 Plus is actually pretty competitive at $799 for the entry-level version.

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