In the last Google event in San Francisco, the tech giant introduced a plethora of devices and one of the most-awaited is its latest iteration of Android smartphones – the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Although Google has been dominating the software end of the smartphone game with a smorgasbord of devices running on Android OS, it is a little behind when it comes to selling its hardware. However, its latest launch has created quite a buzz that this might be the tech conglomerates ticket to levelling, if not dominating, the handset field.

There is still a long way to go for Google but now, we take a look how the Pixel 2 fares against the also newly-launched Apple iPhone 8. We all know that Apple has its own set of followers, the fanboys, as we call them. However, Google might just be able to attract more followers with its latest smartphone.

We’ll show here why the Google Pixel 2 is a better smartphone of choice compared to the Apple iPhone 8.

15. Size Matters

The Apple iPhone 8 is a 4.7-inch device. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 2 is a 5-inch device. The measurement that they provide usually talks about the display size of the smartphones. From here, we can see that the Google Pixel 2 arrives with a bigger display size, which is what we usually want from a smartphone. Devices with bigger display size provide us with much more especially when we use the phone for consuming media (watching movies or browsing the internet) or playing games.

Hence, even for smartphones, it goes to show that size does matter.

14. Two-Toned Design

The Google Pixel 2 has a mostly metal rear with a glass strip running around the top quarter of the smartphone. It takes its appearance from the original Pixel. With a 5-inch display, the Pixel 2 has sizeable bezels. Meanwhile, the iPhone 8 also has significant bezels that also reduces the overall real estate. The iPhone 8 has a Home Button in front that doubles as a fingerprint scanner. Google placed the fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device for a less cluttered front design.

Moreover, the Pixel 2 comes with an iconic two-toned design, which the iPhone 8 lacks. Although it will not necessarily win awards in the design field, it is still better than the plain iPhone.

13. Different Look

The Google Pixel 2 is available in different color schemes including black, white, and blue. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone 8 is available in silver, space gray, and gold. However, the Pixel 2 offers a different look because of its two-tone metallic and glass body. Hence, if you want something that puts more emphasis on looks then the Pixel 2 is the better choice.

Both are compact devices and can easily fit on the palms of your hand. Also, they are very portable and can fit even in the pockets of your pants.

12. Less Boring

The Apple iPhone 8 has an appearance that dates back to the iPhone 6. It almost did not change ever since except for the removal of the headphone jack (which was also done on the Google Pixel 2). However, with the old design on the iPhone 8, it can get so boring. The iPhone used to be leaps and bounds when it comes to design, but now it seems to be copying what its predecessors have done. Nothing monumental about its design so far unlike the Google Pixel 2, which appears to be different from its previous models. Hence, the iPhone 8 can never compete design-wise with new Pixel 2.

11. Brighter Screen

On the get-go, the Google Pixel 2’s and Apple iPhone 8’s screens look almost the same. However, looking at the specs, the Google Pixel 2 is a 5-inch, 1920 x 1080 AMOLED, 441 ppi display. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone 8 is a 4.7-inch, 1334 x 750 LCD, 326 ppi display. This shows that the screen of the Pixel 2 is a little brighter than the iPhone 8. Moreover, it has a slightly higher pixel density, which gives it a better display output. Additionally, the Pixel 2 uses AMOLED technology that brings out more vivid colors and deeper blacks.

When it comes to the quality of the display, it shows that the Pixel 2 is also better. Still, the iPhone 8 has a bit of an edge with the Apple’s True Tone schedule that allows the device to adjust the color and brightness depending on the lighting in your environment.

10. The Pixel 2 Is A Screamer

The Google Pixel 2 and Apple iPhone 8 both feature top-of-the-line processors in their own ecosystems. The Pixel 2 runs on Snapdragon 835 while the iPhone 8 runs on Apple’s A11 Bionic processor. Both of these offer amazing power efficiency and premium performance for flagship smartphones. Moreover, both devices have optimized operating systems, which ensures that they both run buttery smooth.

When it comes to performance tests, the iPhone 8 might appear to have a bit of an edge but the Pixel 2 is a screamer so it will still definitely be at par to the Apple phone.

9. Android Power

If you are an Android lover or an Android purist then the Google Pixel 2 is the best choice for you. It comes out-of-box with the latest Android OS – Android Oreo. Thus, the device is promised to run on a slick stock Android without any bloatware that can slow it down. Also, since it is a Google-made phone, expect it to have the latest updates on Day One that they are released. Therefore, you can expect bugs to fixed almost immediately.

Knowing Android to be open to vendors, it offers lots of apps and customizations. So, if this is what you’re looking for then the Pixel 2 can never be matched by the iPhone 8.

8. Longer Battery Life

The Google Pixel 2 has a bigger battery capacity of 2,700 mAh compared to the Apple iPhone 8 with only 1,821 mAh. Hence, you can expect it to have more juice to power it longer than the iPhone 8. This may mean it can run longer while allowing you to call, browse the internet, and play games on it compared to the iPhone 8.

On paper, Apple claims the iPhone 8 to have the power that lasts 14 hours of talk time and 12 hours using the internet. However, Google has not provided any information about this yet. Still, the new Pixel 2 comes with the same battery size as the previous one so you can expect it to offer impressive all-day power.

7. Fast-Charging Is The Trend

According to Google, the Pixel 2 to can already get up to 7 hours of power by just charging it for 15 minutes. That is how fast this smartphone can load up the juice with just a few minutes of charging. Can you just imagine how much power it can load up if you charge it for an hour or so? Hence, you don’t have to wait a long time for it to have the power to be able to use it again.

On the other, the iPhone 8 can get half of its battery capacity in only 30 minutes. However, the iPhone 8 has a smaller battery capacity than the Pixel 2 so that pretty much makes sense.

6. Smarter AI

The Google Pixel is expected to be street smart, thanks to the Google Assistant. Although the Apple iPhone 8 has Siri, it might not be as intelligent as what comes with the Pixel 2. Google’s new flagship smartphone also has Google Lens, which is a feature on the camera that allows it to learn what is happening around you. Moreover, it has the Active Edge, which is a feature that lets you just squeeze on the phone to initiate Google Assistant. Additionally, Pixel 2 comes with various actions to make it easier for you to control the phone. If that’s not enough, it also comes with voice controls as well.

Apparently, there are a lot of things that the Pixel 2’s artificial intelligence can do that Siri can’t.

5. Take Photos Like A Pro

The Google Pixel 2 and Apple iPhone 8 both have the best cameras in the smartphone market. Apparently, based on the DxO text, the Pixel 2 scored 98 while the iPhone 8 scored 94. To support these scores, these two smartphones come with impressive hardware. The Pixel 2 has a 12-megapixel camera with f/1.8, laser autofocus, dual pixel phase detection, and optical image stabilization. On the other hand, the iPhone 8 has 2-megapixel shooter with f/1.8, autofocus with focus Pixels and optical image stabilization.

Although neither smartphones have dual-camera set-up, the Pixel 2 has a Portrait Mode that the iPhone 8 lacks. Apple may be able to replicate bokeh effects but Google was able to do it with just a single camera. The front camera on the Pixel 2 has Portrait Mode as well.

4. Capture Moments Better

When it comes to videos, the Google Pixel 2 does a great job too, knowing that it has a more impressive camera set-up. The Pixel 2 records videos in 30 fps compared to the Apple iPhone 8 that records in 60 fps. Both smartphones record in 4K and has slo-mo video recording support at 240 fps.

Hence, if you are into photography and videography, the Google Pixel 2 is a reliable buddy that easily fits your pocket. Although it has a slightly bigger display size than the iPhone 8, it will still comfortable fit in your pocket and carrying it around won’t be a problem.

3. Unlimited Storage

The Google Pixel 2 and Apple iPhone 8 both ditched the 32 GB options. Therefore, the base model for either smartphone is 64 GB. The biggest capacity for the Pixel 2 is 128 GB while the iPhone 8 is 264 GB. Both phones don’t offer expandable memory. Although it appears that the iPhone 8 has the bigger storage between the two devices, the Pixel 2 comes with a Google offer of unlimited cloud photo storage for free. When it comes to the Apple smartphone, you will need to spend a few hundred dollars for a storage space in the cloud. Essentially, it seems that storage-wise, the Pixel 2 offers a better option especially if you’ll be needing more memory for your photos and videos.

2. Underwater Use

With the Google Pixel 2, you don’t have to worry about getting your phone wet. To be fair, that is also the case with the Apple iPhone 8. Both flagship smartphones come with IP67 accreditation. This means that both phones can survive getting submerged to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

So, if you plan to get wet or to take photos underwater (in a swimming pool because saltwater like the beach is a different case), then the Pixel 2 can do this. Now, gather up your friends and take a selfie while going swimming!

1. The Cheaper Flagship

The Google Pixel 2 comes with a price tag of $649 for the base model of 64 GB and $749 for the 128 GB model. Meanwhile, the Apple iPhone 8 arrives with an SRP of $699 for the base model of 64 GB and $849 for the 264 GB model. Neither seems to be really cheap but the base model of the Pixel 2 has a cheaper price tag.

So, if budget is a constraint, the Pixel 2 is a practical choice. It comes with a lot of nice new features from its predecessor and can perform at par the muscular iPhone 8 but with a lower price tag to boot.