When comparing Google Pixel 2 XL vs Razer Phone, the Slant community recommends Razer Phone for most people. In the question“What are the best high-end Android phones?” Razer Phone is ranked 4th while Google Pixel 2 XL is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Razer Phone is:
Razer built this phone for people who want to use it primarily for gaming and great gaming performance usually translates to excellent general performance as well. The 8GB of RAM, the Snapdragon 835, and especially the 120Hz display make this phone a joy to use.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro The software is always up to date
Since it's a Google phone and since it runs stock Android, it's the first device to get an update once a new Android version hits.
Pro The screen displays colorful and bright pictures
The 1440p pOLED display does not disappoint and is probably one of the best hardware-related features for this phone. The colours are warm and true to life. The blacks are also very inky and quite nice.
Pro Some of the best audio coming out of a smartphone
The Pixel 2 XL is one of the last flagship phones not to go with a completely bezel-less design. Instead, the top and bottom bezels are home to two front-facing speakers that produce excellent audio (for a smartphone).
Pro Durable body without being too bulky
The Pixel 2 XL has a sturdy aluminium body that adds a lot of durability while still keeping the phone thin and comfortable to hold.
Pro Takes some of the best pictures on a smartphone
The camera on the Pixel 2 is one of the best cameras on the market. It takes amazing pictures both on low and well-lit conditions.
The camera software is where it truly shines though. It's able to automatically adjust the focus and lighting so you never end up with photos that are too lit or too dark. It also manages to find out where the edges of an object are and blur them accordingly.
Pro The Android ecosystem is perfectly integrated with this phone
Google uses the Pixel line as a platform to show off their operating system instead of treating the software as a second-class citizen and it shows. The Android ecosystem, starting from Google Assistant is perfectly integrated with the hardware. By using the same technology as HTC which lets users squeeze the sides of their device, you can bring up the smart assistant at any point, even with a locked screen (of course, you have to unlock the phone to give the assistant any commands). This is a welcome change for people who disliked the "Ok Google" command.
Pro Extremely good performance
Razer built this phone for people who want to use it primarily for gaming and great gaming performance usually translates to excellent general performance as well. The 8GB of RAM, the Snapdragon 835, and especially the 120Hz display make this phone a joy to use.
Pro Extremely durable
The body is made of durable anodized aluminium and can certainly take a beating. Even though it might be easier to scratch than some flagships, especially against sharp surfaces, it's extremely hard to bend this phone even when trying.
Pro Produces the highest quality audio out of any smartphone
The two loud speakers on the front produce loud and clear sound. It's widely regarded as the phone with the best audio currently in the market and even rivals most laptops as far as audio goes.
Pro The battery can easily last a full day under very heavy use
The 4000mAh battery can last a full day even on full brightness, several hours of gaming, and using the screen at 120Hz.
Pro Feels smoother than any flagship phone currently on the market
The Razer Phone is equipped with a 120Hz screen, making it the first smartphone to have such a high refresh rate (most current flagships have screens with less than half of that). The high refresh rate makes the experience of actually using the phone extremely smooth; much smoother than even other phones with the same or even slightly better hardware.
Scrolling, for example becomes almost an enjoyable experience since you won't be swiping down blurry text or icons but instead they will be crystal-clear.
Cons
Con Not much of an upgrade from the first Pixel
The Pixel 2 XL is not much of an upgrade from the first Pixel; the hardware is almost the same and the new software updates will be available for the new model soon enough. Outside of a few gimmicks and the removal of the headphone jack it's virtually the same phone.
Con Too expensive
Starting at $849 it's one of the most expensive Android flagships on the market, especially when you consider the fact that it costs $200 more than the Pixel 2 while being the same phone with a slightly larger screen.
Con Battery life might not last a full day of heavy use
Even though the Pixel 2 XL has a slightly larger battery than the Pixel 2, it has a larger screen which draws more power.
Tests show that this phone's battery lasts an average of seven hours of relatively heavy use (using mobile data, sending messages, browsing the web and watching videos).
Con Can't use wired headphones without a dongle
Since it doesn't have a headphone jack, you are forced to use bluetooth headphones or use a lightning-to-3.5mm jack adapter.
Con A bit uncomfortable to carry around because of the large size
The front-facing speakers add a lot of bulk to the already large phone, making it one of the largest smartphones on the market with a size close to the iPhone 8+. Because of this it can be a bit annoying to keep in your pocket.
Con Disappointing camera performance
The camera is not good enough for a $700 phone. Especially in low-lighting conditions, the camera is very disappointing. Blues and greens are too blue and green to the point that pictures seem over-saturated by an Instagram filter. The camera app itself is also very laggy and slow to respond.
Con No support for VR
Doesn't have support for neither Gear VR nor Daydream. This is especially disappointing since the Razer Phone is built primarily for gaming.
