Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone X vs. Galaxy S8: how the phones compare

Google has officially taken the wraps off the second generation of its Pixel smartphones — the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. If the original Pixel was a chance for Google stop standing on the sidelines and show the rest of the world how to make a great smartphone, the Pixel 2 looks like what happens when you take an already great phone and put it through a year of refinement.

On the hardware front, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL look like they’ll stand up next to any of their contemporaries from Apple or Samsung. Google included a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 835 processor, better displays, and a camera that somehow improves on the already stellar one found on the original Pixel. There are, of course, a few quibbles: Google has sadly followed Apple’s lead in removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, and while the Pixel 2 XL features an edge-to-edge QHD OLED display, the regular Pixel is beset by bezels that feel particularly dated when compared to other 2017 flagship phones.

But if Google’s phone meets the competition when it comes to hardware, the company is hoping that its advantages in services and software — in particular AI and machine learning for things like Google Lens and Google Assistant — will be enough to make the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL stand out among the current crop of excellent smartphones.

While it’s too early to say which of 2017’s smartphones will reign supreme, with the announcement of the Pixel 2, it’s finally possible to see how the best phones from Apple, Google, Samsung, and more stack up head-to-head. And while specs never tell the full story, we’ve put together a handy chart to help you decide which smartphone will get the coveted place in your pocket or bag.

Google Pixel 2 spec comparison

Specification	Pixel 2 XL	Pixel 2	iPhone X	iPhone 8	iPhone 8 Plus	Galaxy Note 8	Galaxy S8	Galaxy S8 Plus	Essential Phone	LG V30	HTC U11	Pixel	Pixel XL
Specification	Pixel 2 XL	Pixel 2	iPhone X	iPhone 8	iPhone 8 Plus	Galaxy Note 8	Galaxy S8	Galaxy S8 Plus	Essential Phone	LG V30	HTC U11	Pixel	Pixel XL
Display	6.0 inches	5.0 inches	5.8 inches	4.7 inches	5.5 inches	6.3 inches	5.8 inches	6.2 inches	5.71 inches	6 inches	5.5 inches	5 inches	5.5 inches
Resolution	2880 x 1440	1920 x 1080	2436 x 1125	1334 x 750	1920 x 1080	2960 x 1440	2960 x 1440	2960 x 1440	2560 x 1312	2880 x 1440	2560 x 1440	1920 x 1080	2560 x 1440
Processor	Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz and 1.9GHz, octa-core)	Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz and 1.9GHz, octa-core)	A11 Bionic	A11 Bionic	A11 Bionic	Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz and 1.9GHz, octa-core)	Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz and 1.9GHz, octa-core)	Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz and 1.9GHz, octa-core)	Snapdragon 835 (2.45GHz and 1.9GHz, octa-core)	Snapdragon 835	Snapdragon 835 (2.45GHz, octa-core)	Snapdragon 821 (quad-core)	Snapdragon 821 (quad-core)
RAM	4GB	4GB	3GB	2GB	3GB	6GB	4GB	4GB	4GB	4GB	4GB, 6GB	4GB	4GB
Storage	64GB, 128GB	64GB, 128GB	64GB, 256GB	64GB, 256GB	64GB, 256GB	64GB, 128GB, 256GB	64GB	64GB	128GB	64GB, 128GB	64GB, 128GB	32GB, 128GB	32GB, 128GB
Rear camera	12.2 megapixel	12.2 megapixel	12 megapixel, 12 megapixel (wide)	12 megapixel	12 megapixel, 12 megapixel (wide)	12 megapixel, 12 megapixel (wide)	12 megapixel	12 megapixel	13 megapixel, 13 megapixel (monochrome)	16 megapixel, 13 megapixel (wide)	12 megapixel	12.3 megapixel	12.3 megapixel
Front camera	8 megapixel	8 megapixel	7 megapixel	7 megapixel	7 megapixel	8 megapixel	8 megapixel	8 megapixel	8 megapixel	5 megapixel	16 megapixel	8 megapixel	8 megapixel
Battery	3520mAh	2700mAh	2716mAh	1821mAh	2675mAh	3300mAh	3000mAh	3500mAh	3040mAh	3300mAh	3000mAh	2770mAH	3450mAh
Water protection	IP67	IP67	IP67	IP67	IP67	IP68	IP68	IP68	N/A	IP68	IP67	N/A	N/A
Weight	0.39 pounds	0.32 pounds	0.38 pounds	0.33 pounds	0.45 pounds	0.43 pounds	0.34 pounds	0.38 pounds	0.41 pounds	0.35 pounds	0.37 pounds	0.31 pounds	0.37 pounds
Dimensions (in.)	6.20 x 3.00 x 0.30	5.70 x 2.70 x 0.30	5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30	5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29	6.24 x 3.07 x 0.30	6.40 x 2.94 x 0.34	5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31	6.28 x 2.88 x 0.31	5.57 x 2.80 x 0.31	5.97 x 2.97 x 0.29	6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31	5.66 x 2.74 x 0.29	6.09 x 2.98 x 0.29
Starting price	$849.00	$649.00	$999.00	$699.00	$799.00	$930	$749.00	$849.00	$699.00	TBA (rumored $749.99)	$649.00	$649.00	$769.00
Misc.	Squeezable sides, no headphone jack	Squeezable sides, no headphone jack	Face ID scanner, no headphone jack	Wireless charging, no headphone jack	Wireless charging, no headphone jack	S Pen, Iris scanner, USB-C, wireless charging	Iris scanner, USB-C, wireless charging	Iris scanner, USB-C, wireless charging	Modular attachement system	Quad DAC for Hi-Fi audio	Squeezable side function	Google Assistant, fast charging	Google Assistant, fast charging
								n

Correction: Swapped Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 2 prices, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus RAM.