More Reading

Post navigation

203 Comments

  • So, finally a 5″ phone that I might want but it doesn’t have something I need to have. Great…

  • If dropping the headphone jack means gaining stereo speakers, I’m all for it. I’m tired of barely being able to hear my Pixel XL with the volume turned all the way up. I imagine stereo speakers would be louder, as they were on my Moto X Pure. I never use wired headphones and I don’t even use my Bluetooth headphones very often. I don’t exercise and I don’t travel often, so I have little need for it.

  • Let me get my galoshes, the tears in here over the lack of jack is flooding this article lol. Using the U11 without the jack for about 3 weeks now, I haven’t missed the jack once, it’s a non-issue. I’m also coming from the 10 with great plugged in audio. I use the headphones sometimes for a few hours during the day and the battery doesn’t even care. So y’all saying you can’t charge and listen at the same time are just whining about nothin. I’m pretty sure if you’ve somehow killed the battery to 5% during the day and you’re using the headphones, you’ll pull up your big boy pants and do without listening for a short while so your phone can recharge, so i really don’t understand the whining. Besides, the 5″ Pixel will have a 1080p display, so I really can’t see an issue.
    There are a few folks here that get it and can see the technology wheel turning and the audio jack is on the way out, I’m somewhat surprised that more of these “tech” folks here aren’t more savvy to that. Pretty much like the sealed batteries, nobody liked it at first but by now those that were opposed stopped whining because now it’s the norm. What are those guys using that said, I’m not using anything if I can’t replace my battery…they’re either using an old ass phone (not likely) or a nice modern one (most likely 🙂

  • Accidents happen! I’d gladly trade a headphone jack for a waterproof Pixel. They will surely release a splitter that will allow us to plug in our headphones– a small price to pay for waterproofing a $700 device.

  • I’ve said it and I’ll say it again. The only way I will be okay with Google ditching the headphone jack, is if they have dual USB C ports. I want to be able to listen to music and charge my phone.

  • I really don’t get Google’s plan or design aesthetics on the Pixel. Google needs to realize that there is still plenty of innovation left on the hardware side. Recycling a dated pixel design. Google seems to be copying Apple from last year instead of innovating themselves. Samsung, LG and supposedly even Apple with the iphone 8 will have near bezel-less displays. If they remove the headphone jack, what am I getting in return, smaller bezels?, no! Bigger battery, No! Innovative design? NO! Forward facing speakers? Yes, but I have those now and still have a headphone jack. There is no point other than saying they removed the headphone jack.

  • Another note on screen-size:

    5.99″ at 16:9 (or even 16:10) is totally different from 6.2″ in that god-awful super-narrow/super-tall aspect ratio that the latest Samsung devices use….

    It does not matter that you have ‘less bezels’ if they are replaced by black-bars on either side of the screen whenever you watch anything (Unless Hollywood & the TV studios start shooting stuff in ‘King Size Candybar’ really-long/really narrow format, this isn’t changing either)….

    Also, when reading text (with the phone in landscape mode, of course), the extra width is similarly useless.

  • If the second gen Pixel is the same screen, bezel ratio I will pass, as mine works great, so no need to upgrade. If the XL is more water resistant than current, has wireless charging, larger base storage, and a better camera, then I will just get that one. Or keep the Andy Rubin phone and switch to ATTGo for a year.

    Really hope this is incorrect. I really want Google to bring out something special. These are just meh really, but was hoping for a smaller Pixel with more screen.

  • I pre-ordered and paid $1000 for my 128gb pixel XL when it first came out. No way I am running out and getting the next gen with meh specs. It currently does everything i want it to do and more with great specs. No need to get the next gen pixel IMO. Pixel XL 3 is on my radar LOL

    People still have a hard time getting the current Pixel and Pixel XL!

  • I love great audio and the omission of the 3.5mm makes no difference to me at all – especially if the phone comes with a quality DAC. The HTC U 11 that I tested had incredible sound and the included Type-C to 3.5mm worked great. I don’t understand the backlash. I am certain that there’ll be more and more great Type-C headphones in the near future.

    • It’s mostly because, for some reason, people charge their phone while listening to music.

      • Really? Whether the phone needs charging or not? Try BT or Chromecast Audio as a nice alternative while you juice the mobile. You’re welcome.

  • While I am super happy with my Pixel, I was giving Google a pass with no IP67/68, large bezels, uninspired design, etc. With a full year under their belt, I was hoping for much more than a recycled design and minimal spec boosts. We shall see I suppose.

  • My biggest suggestion would be for Google to make the phone body out of Titanium to make the phone shock (drop) resident and then use Gorilla Glass to make scratch proof/resistant and and last but not least, make the phone Water Proof (like the Galaxy) If they did all that along with the slim bezel there would be no need for a case for your $800 XL phone, who would care about if it had a earphone plug or not.

  • I still don’t understand why companies are removing the headphone jack. There is no reason to remove it. There is plenty of room for it and removing it doesn’t really save any money.

    • I have a feeling with these “bezel-less” phones, there is more of a legitimate reason to remove it. I never use the jack myself so I am a statistic there that they quote for justification to remove it. That said, I’m still a big fan of not removing it just because I know a lot of people who use it and I’m not presumptuous enough to think “my way” is the right way for everybody else.

  • Loving the lack of headphone jack. I’m ready for Pixel 2 (not the XL)!

    • Yep, 1 less penetration through the body makes it easier to make water resistance since that’s what everyone cries about lately 🙂

  • Single speaker is why I stayed with Nexus.
    No headphone jack is why I won’t be getting a pixel2. Thank god win10.arm is coming…

  • No headphone jack..no buying for me..it’s reall
    y that simple, I’ll finally buy a Samsung phone

    • It’s a ridiculous trend but the phone comes with the adapter so its really a non issues.

  • I was afraid of this but if this is true I am not upgrading from my pixel this year. Next phone I get will be the extended 18×9 display

  • I love how Tim is already crapping on the phones and calling them boring when all we’ve got is a few specs. Does the same thing every year.

  • Small one sounds good for a small device (if it’s OLED), but ruined by removing the headphone jack.

    Big one sounds good for a big device, but they’ll ruin it by not including a big enough battery, or wireless charging, or any of the usual laundry list of missing features.

    Half way they 2017 and I’m still waiting for pretty much the same basic list of specs for half a decade now. Makes ya think it’s intentional.

  • I play music, podcasts, and videos on my phone both with and without headphones. Why the hell can’t we have both front-facing stereo speakers AND a headphone jack? Why does that seem to be so difficult since 2015 (Nexus 5X and 6P both had them)?

    • Front facing speakers require large bezels. Large bezels make the phone taller and therefore less likely to be usable with one hand. A phone that can’t be used with one hand sucks.

      • I’m with you 100% on one-handed use but disagree that front speakers necessarily mean bezels have to be huge. Sure they’ll be bigger than the S8 or G6, but phones like the Nexus 6 and Moto X Pure prove that front-facing stereo speakers can be done with small bezels. Those were both made by the same company of course, but I wonder why other manufacturers can’t seem to get it right…

        • If the bezels can be smaller by removing front facing speakers then I’m in favor of not having front facing speakers.

          It’s not that I’m opposed to front facing speakers. I just want a more compact phone and I hardly ever use the speaker on my phone anyways.

          • I hear ya. Honestly I think the best setup is to put a speaker in the earpiece and then the bottom bezel can be smaller.

  • I don’t think google will do something like that this year. That’s just retrogressing.

  • Honestly not sure if the headphone jack on my Pixel works. Never used it. ????

  • Ugh. Stupid. There’s no need to get rid of the headphone jack now.

    Wait a couple of years, FFS.

  • Seeing as the industry didn’t come crashing down on the likes of Apple or Motorola when they made this switch, I’m not too shook by it, and I’m pretty sure a majority of people will be A-OK too so long as an adapter is included. For me, so long as it makes room for the addition of stereo speakers I’m down. I listen to music through my speakers more than wired headphones, and when I do listen to music through headphones it’s through Bluetooth. Overall, nbd.

    • If I’m being honest with myself I ‘could’ live without the headphone jack most of the time, but I do plug my phone to the aux input of my car stereo as soon as I get in my car for my drive to work. It would be annoying and seems a bit ridiculous in general, but suppose I’d live if I only had to have an adapter at the end of aux cord in my car. However, occasionally I also want to plug in my headphones at work, home or working out, which means its getting to the point where I’d have to buy an adapter for everywhere I leave headphones or carry one with me all time, and that gets to be ridiculous just to want to plug in what is already a standardized connector.

      • They sell Bluetooth to aux adapters. That way you can leave it plugged in and not deal with cables.

        • yes they do & they are absolutely terrible for sound quality to stream over into a stock car head unit.

          • Depends on your stereo and the quality of the content playing. I download high quality from Google Play, some songs you can tell could be louder but…I have one in 2 vehicles and it absolutely sounds fine. In the car, I have it in the glove box (where the aux port is) and plugged into a portable charger so it doesn’t get any feedback from the power from the car. Less cables is nice and so easy when I get in I just drop the device in the dock and it connects right away so it’s one less thing I do because I used to always plug my 10 in to get the best sound. I gladly dismiss the cord for a tiny drop in sound quality.

          • I totally agree on that but I’m very picky on sound quality. and seeing as the car has a crappy head unit which most do I’ve wired my own portable DAC player to it & route my device to it using OTG. Call me old school tho, I just prefer anything wired over wireless. heck i don’t even use anything wireless in my house. Every pc of hardware from comps to my entertainment center is all hard wired including web connections. Only 2 item in the house wireless are the tablets as i have no option otherwise…..lol.

  • If they get rid of the headphone jack, they can kiss my purchase goodbye. I was holding out for the Pixel 2 also.

    No I don’t want to use crappy bluetooth headphones, and no, I don’t want to have to carry around another adapter. I like my audiophile quality headphones, thanks.

    • Exactly. I haven’t bought a new phone because I have been waiting on the Pixel 2. If it has no headphone jack, that wait will be for naught.

    • What phones have audiophile-quality DACs in them? This is an aspect that is almost never covered in reviews.

      I’m asking legitimately ignorantly as somebody who is satisfied with bluetooth-quality audio, even for all-day listening.

  • I’m not as down on the XL as you are. I almost exclusively use Bluetooth headphones (although, ironically, for the first time in months, I used wired earbuds for the gym today). I’m excited for the new XL because I was excited for the old XL that I couldn’t get my hands on until I decided to wait it out for the 2017 release. I’ve got a 6P now and if this new one brings improvements over the old, I’m happy. Improve the design (read: less bezel), improve the camera and battery even further, throw in some water resistance if possible and I’ll be a happy camper. Oh, and the front-facing speaker, too.

  • Well I guess I can start looking at other android OEMs. I am not going to put up with the constant aggravation of batteries and Bluetooth. The executive who decided this needs to be fired. Imitating even the most hated of Apple’s “innovations” is pathetic.

  • Needs Samsung S8-like INFINITY DISPLAY. It sounds like I’ll stick with my launch day Nexus 6P for yet another year.

  • Thought it was suppose to be the new htc’s design with 2 different sizes. Rumors have changed alot. Looks like oled supply has changed so many phone makers plans.

  • Finally a worthy successor to the Nexus 6. This will definitely be on my list along with the Note 8.

  • good. not only does the jack make it harder to waterproof and require a certain width, it also takes up space not only for the jack itself but the digital to analog converter as well. you cant sit there and call yourself an audiophile and in the same breath whine about companies giving up analog audio for digital. you should be pressing the makers of your overpriced headphones to make the switch to USB type-c instead of 3.5mm plugs….not crying about having to buy adapters so you can still use antiquated technology while you say asinine things like “earbuds?!? how do you even listen to music that way?”

    • let me explain this. nobody will NOT buy a phone because it HAS a headphone jack. but many will NOT buy a phone because it DOES NOT have a headphond jack. ok, genius what would you do if you were a phone manufacturer?

      • let me explain this. people DONT CARE!! i would argue that most smartphone users dont use their phones for music often and even less use the headphone jack when they do, instead opting for bluetooth. talking about it here is a different story because you have the teeny tiny minority that do care. just like not having android pay is a deal breaker or opting for a car that with android auto. dont confuse your feelings, and maybe the feeling of a lot of people on these forums with any type of phone-buying majority. id wager that the majority of phone buyers will buy a phone headphone jack or not. some probably wont even notice.

        now you could argue that the pixel is a niche phone aimed at the small niche market on these forums that would, in fact, care. but i still dont think there are enough audiophiles to make a dent. you can run headphones off a type C port or use bluetooth. maybe 17 people will be crying into their sennheiser’s but i dont see it putting a dent in sales.

    • Getting rid of the 3.5mm jack doesn’t get rid of the need for a DAC. If a phone doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack it will still allow using wired headphones using the USB-C port(or Lightning port in the case of the iPhone). That will still need a DAC. A pair of Bluetooth headphones are already bulky enough to have their own DAC but a pair of earbuds won’t have the room.

      • i know. but id rather have it on the headphones than taking up space in the phone. i wouldnt mind having one in-line on a pair of earbuds? how big can it be if it previously fit inside the phone?

        • A phone is a lot bigger than a thin wire. You wouldn’t even notice it in the phone but it would be VERY noticable mid-line on a thin wire. Also, if companies weren’t so damn obsessed with super thin phones it wouldn’t even matter and there would be room for bigger batteries.

          And by the way, just because a phone doesn’t have a headphone jack doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a DAC. Just look at the iPhone 7. It doesn’t have a headphone jack but it absolutely has a DAC because the included Lightning headphones and 3.5mm adapter certainly don’t have room for a DAC of their own.

          • “but it absolutely has a DAC because the included Lightning headphones and 3.5mm adapter certainly don’t have room for a DAC of their own.”

            uhhh, yes the adapter does.
            http://ifixit.org/blog/8448/apple-audio-adapter-teardown/
            actually a DAC and amplifier but now im just being mean.

            and i think that pretty much torpedoes your comment above about not being able to hide a DAC on a thin wire.

          • Did you even read that site?

            “While the official purpose of this IC is unknown, at minimum we can guess that it contains a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and amplifier, and its counterpart, an analog-to-digital-converter (ADC).”

            It’s all speculation. The internal DAC it shows is noticeably bigger that the “unknown” chip on the adapter and, as the site mentions, that internal DAC chip doesn’t even contain the amp. And have you ever seen the Lightning earbuds? They would need a DAC and amp too and the connector on those is even SMALLER than the connector on the adapter.

            There is no way a DAC OR an amp would fit in that tiny space on the adapter and certainly not both. And no way on the Lightning earbuds.

  • With or with out the headphone, I don’t care as I prefer bluetooth but I absolutely HATE my Pixel!!!!!!!!

  • What’s the “Uh-oh” moment about? Any fool should have realized once Apple dumped the headphone jack, all the Droid manufacturers would follow slowly enough as not to appear obvious they were going to do the same thing Apple did. I don’t know why there is so much outrage over some missing standard headphone jack when the entire industry is going to remove that ancient thing. I doubt anyone is going to give up their smartphones for lacking a standard headphone jack. Some people just need to be slapped on the back of their head to wake them up in order to see that there are changes coming.

    When all the smartphones lose their headphone jacks it will be as though the 3.5mm headphone jack never existed. New consumers won’t care one way or another. Apple doesn’t care a fig about the news media and pundits’ criticism. Some company has to start the change or nothing would ever move forward. Good riddance to the standard headphone jack if the next Pixel doesn’t have it. I love to hear people saying they won’t be buying some product because such and such component is missing. Yeah, the hell they won’t. If the next Pixel doesn’t have a headphone jack you can be rest assured many more smartphones won’t be equipped with them. Eventually, the holdouts will have no choice but to accept the inevitable.

      • Only 2 people still use them. Why bother? Heck I’m a vinyl collector and enthusiast. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t buy a 2017 car if it doesn’t have a record player..

    • Just like how Google stopped having SD card support in their nexus phones and every other Android OEM followed suit…..But wait, now most OEMs have brought SD card support back because consumers were demanding it. Yep, losing the headphone jack is inevitable, up until it isn’t. There still hasn’t been a good, logical reason stated for removing the “old technology” headphone jack, and I am willing to bet that many of the OEMs will decide that maybe having the jack in their phones is a good idea after all.

  • This is dumb as hell. Why would they revert to the 5X/6P model, where the small phone is crappier?

  • LOL @ people trying to justify a bad idea.

    I use bluetooth most of the time for music, but prefer wired headphones for video. While front facing speakers can help at home, they do nothing while traveling.

    • I have stereo speakers and use them quite often. Also, my car is older so I use a tape adapter to listen to music from my phone in my car. Some things are good for some and bad for others.

      • That is my point. Android has always been about choice and options. Taking those away is a bad idea.

        Also, you can bluetooth adapters that will work with the tape adapters. Just an FYI if ever wanted to go that route.

  • ug…I need something to replace my Nexus 5X and this doesn’t look like it will do the trick. Damn, why did they have to kill the nexus line?

  • If the XL is not IP68, this is hard pass. As much as I dislike the Samsung phones I will retire my 6P for a Note 8 if this is the case.

  • I don’t really care about the headphone jack, I just think it’s dumb after the Pixel commercial Google did.

  • Uh-oh another cutesy headline. Pretty sick of the headphone jack non-issue especially as click bait.

    • GTFO. DL doesn’t write click bait. Got back to your iBGR and keep trying to convince people that just because the iPhone doesn’t have a headphone jack we don’t want/need one either. I’m sure many people here still care about the headphone jack.

  • Finally, they got the screen size right on the XL.
    In a world where Galaxy Notes are well above 6″, anything branded XL needs to have at least a 6″ screen.

    As for the headphone jack… The great thing about wired headphones is they never need charging.

    • Usonic headphones barely use any power, it’s a non-issue, the U11’s battery is a beast. Since the smaller Pixel will have a 5″, 1080p display, the battery life on it will be even more beastly.

      • The issue is that far too many things need charging now as it is.

        The great thing about wired 3.5mm headphones is that you *never* have to worry about whether they are charged or not… You can pick up a set, plug them in & they will work – even if they haven’t been used for months…

        And an unusably-small display isn’t worth extra battery life…

        • Great thing about the U Sonic earbuds is that, again, it causes zero strain on the incredible battery life

          • I’m not talking about impact on phone battery life.

            I’m talking about the idiotic fad of making *everything* wireless/rechargeable, such that you have to plug in and charge all of the accessories for your phone, as well as your phone

            The great thing about 3.5mm headphones, is that they have NO battery to charge & can be used while your phone is plugged in at your desk.

            USB-C devices do not provide the simultaneous headphone-use/phone-charging capability.

            Bluetooth headphones are another goddamn battery to keep charged.

          • Well you keep on singing the Blues if you simply can’t adapt. I have wired and BT… Both work great, the wires are kind of a hassle with activities so BT is much appreciated and you know if you get a decent pair it’s not like your charging it every day like a smartwatch. Mine last about 8 hrs so it can last me all week and charge back to full in about an hour, wow big deal.

  • Now Pixel fanboys are gonna start pretending that nothing is wrong with the absence of a headphone jack.

    • I used to care until I started using Bluetooth headphones. Gave all my wired sets to my kids. I’m not defending Google, and won’t say I’ll NEVER use the headphone jack, but honestly I don’t think I’ve plugged any headphones into my Pixel XL in the six months I’ve owned it.

      I workout and run everyday and use wireless earbuds. I recently switched to the Samsung Gear IconX earbuds and love them. And I have Bluetooth in my all my vehicles and my motorcycle helmet.

      Again, Bluetooth is not for everyone, but you can’t call someone a fanboy just because the headphone jack isn’t a big deal to them.

      I’ve always been a Nexus (and now Pixel) fan, but I’ve also had several Samsung and LG phones. I’m currently using an S8+, which I love. Bootloader’s and root don’t matter much to me anymore, and neither do headphone jacks.

      If the Pixel XL 2 is IP68 and has a compelling design and another spectacular camera, I’ll be interested. Stock (ish) Android is my preference, but if it’s just a small spec bump and same design over the current phone, then I see no reason to upgrade and will just switch back and forth between my S8+ and my Pixel XL gen 1.

  • I really just want them to go back to a black front no matter what the back color is. Stereo speakers would also be nice, miss them from the 6p.

  • The headphone jack isn’t a big issue for me, as long as they include headphones with the device. I usually use Bluetooth anyway but occasionally breakout a wired set.

  • Ho-hum Nexus style specs but with exorbitant Pixel pricing. Add to that still only 2 years of guaranteed updates (90 days of which will be spent awaiting your order to be fulfilled by Google) and you have another overpriced snoozer. Not a bad device by any means, but just overpriced for what you get!

    Every year with more attractive lower-end Moto and One Plus One and similar devices it becomes harder and harder to justify flagship pricing. At least Samsung gives you enough preorder bundle goodies and differentiating software & hardware factors to make the $1k pricetag a little more palatable. Google still thinks they are Apple.

    Note 8 it is, unless Samsung blows it again but gimping the battery by erring on the side of caution.

    If THAT’s the case…then it’s all there for the taking by the V30 is LG hits it out of the park on their 3rd attempt!

  • I’m torn, taking out the headphone jack isn’t great in the short term, but if we end up in a place where the apple ecosystem is all cool digital headphones and Android is “old-school” analog only, it could go badly. Apple definitely has a headstart getting lightning headphones to market, there’s still almost no usb-c headphones, google has to kickstart that somehow, but it’ll be a pain when they do.

  • Not crazy excited for the lack of a headphone jack, but if I’m buying a Pixel 2, it’ll be the XL version. Hopefully it’s included. I’m also concerned about the lack of information regarding water resistance. There is no reason all flagship devices don’t include this nowadays. First the OP5, and now possibly the Pixel 2. It’s as if these manufacturers are trying to give us reasons to not buy their phones.

    • I won’t lie, yesterday I was out on the rocks fishing for stripers, and the dude next to me caught one. I asked if he wanted a picture and he said he didn’t have his phone with him because he was scared he’d get it wet. I smiled because I brought my S8+ along precisely because I wasn’t afraid of that. I texted him a picture of him and the fish.
      (Cropped to protect identity just because I don’t know the guy really) https://goo.gl/photos/Z9gW7b3kj2z3Qoho6

  • I’ll be riding out with my Nexus 6p as along as possible if these rumors are true. Last year’s Pixel’s did not appeal at all to me for various reasons and these specs leave so to be desired. Google will charge an astronomical price for a phone with mid tier specs. No thanks. Google’s really dropped the ball in terms of phones and tablets in recent years. It’s disappointing to see this trend.

  • After having my S8+ since launch day I can confidently say that it’ll be very difficult going back to a “old fashioned” bezeled phone. Every time I pickup an iPhone or another phone with traditional chins on it, it just feels .. well.. old fashioned.

    Not going to lie but I actually fell for a Samsung gimmick feature – and I’m in love with it.

    • Same here. I have always been a Nexus/Pixel fan, but I used an S7Edge for a few months last year and felt it was a gorgeous device, I just didn’t like TouchWiz and went back to a Nexus 6P and later the Pixel XL. My wife loved her S7E until the display went bad. So we both got S8 pluses last week, and I love it.

      My Pixel XL is sitting in a drawer now, and while I love stock Android, the hardware seems very outdated looking. The Pixel camera was even better than the S7Edge, but this S8+ blows it out of the water.

      The new Samsung UI is really nice, and I no longer care about bootloaders and root.

      • May I please have your Pixel phone? 5x cut off and I’ve been stuck without a phone ever since?

    • That doesn’t mean that people are going to change their ways. Apple can get away with it because they have incredible customer loyalty who will change their computing habits to match how Apple thinks they should be using their device. Google doesn’t have nearly that level of market loyalty when it comes to hardware.

      It’s my opinion that Google is wishcasting if they think otherwise.

  • Funny how a lot of people will buy these devices no matter what just because it’s a Google phone. And these are some of the same people who give iPhone users $#!t.

    • For what its worth, a lot of the negative reaction to the iPhone dropping the headphone jack was because they used lightning. If they had switched to USB-C people would have been less upset about it.

      • I think that the big issue was that there was no practical way to listen on headphones and charge the device at the same time.

      • Google should go no headphone jack, its an outdated technology. They need to add wireless charging or offer wireless earbuds included. I only use Bluetooth headphones and have no need for the headphone jack.

        • And some of us have no use for headphones that need to be recharged. Or that block the charging port of the phone when in use…

        • Can’t agree here. My cutting edge tech custom IEMs are not outdated. Wired sounds better. I don’t think audiophile sound will ever be “outdated.”

        • Battery life on phones is already bad enough. Bluetooth headphones kill the better even faster. Then there is the fact that the headphones have to be charged too which sucks. Also, Bluetooth headphones don’t sound as good. Especially for the cost.

    • I agree. Even Google kind of rubbed it in with their Pixel ad. I think a major issue with their point of view is it that it took ‘courage’ to drop the headphone jack.

    • If I could use a G6 or S8 on Project Fi, I probably would. Switching to a “big” carrier to use a different phone would literally double my annual mobile expenses.
      Besides, Shamu is still doing fine.

      • I really liked the idea of Project Fi but Google’s decision to use T-Mobile and Sprint networks was a deal breaker for me. In my area T-Mobile isn’t very good and Sprint is terrible. If Google had partnered with AT&T and Verizon I’d be a Project Fi customer.

        • T-Mobile and Sprint coverage is fine where I am (greater OC and LA areas), but I still have some minor issues with calls dropping or failing. My data connection is more stable, so I assume it’s caused by switching to & from wifi and CDMA / GSM networks. For the price, I’m OK with it, but it has improved significantly over the past year and a half.

  • my current pixel XL is great, only thing i’d ask for is waterproofing, less bezels, and front facing speakers!

    bigger battery would be nice, snap 835 is a must…

  • I agree that neither design sounds like exciting. I do like that there maybe stereo speakers on the smaller Pixel but I don’t like that it may not have a headphone jack. Any phone that lacks a headphone jack should have wireless charging standard so you can use the usb-c for headphones while the phone is charging.

  • Why would one have a headphone jack and the other not. They’re either both going to have a jack or both won’t

  • I use Bluetooth for my Media Consumption, but just because I use Bluetooth, doesn’t mean that others do.

    I don’t think they should get rid of the HeadPhone Jack if Rumor be true.

    It still has good qualities. 🙂

      • Yeah but then you have to buy new headphones (or an adapter for each pair of headphones), and then you still can’t use headphones and charge your phone at the same time.

        • Most companies are nice enough to include an adapter if there is no headphone jack. And the need to charge at the same time I guess just depends on the person.

          • I like to be able to listen to music on my phone with good quality while it’s charging so I don’t end up with a dead battery. If I can’t do that it’s an inconvenience. What you call “whining” I call wanting to use a device I paid hundreds of dollars on the way I want to use it. Just because it’s not an inconvenience for you doesn’t mean it’s not for others.

            There is literally no benefit in not having it.

          • The U11 absolutely benefits with the extra space with cleaner sound and louder than the previous iteration. Whatever, act helpless.

  • As someone who prefers wired earbuds, this is a deal breaker for me. Bummer. I didn’t think they’d jump on that bandwagon so fast.

  • I feel much the same way. I’m actually a bit glad that I got the OG Pixel XL since I’m not 100% sure that I’m looking forward to either of the successors. The Taimen, maybe, if its footprint isn’t too much larger than what is there currently and if the display is a bit more modern (ala the G6/S8 18:9 display) but if it doesn’t include a legit IP rating and an improved bezel to screen ratio…I’d be tempted to say Google would be losing some of the momentum they gained with the launch of the Pixel line.

  • I’m surprised Google would go back to 2 different designs. I would take that piece of info cautiously.

    • My thinking is that Muskie matched the design of Walleye and it’s Taimen that’s had a different design that they liked but it was too late to apply the same design to Walleye.

    • Also, XDA found mentions that the smaller phone was being imprinted with “Nexus”. Would it be more exciting if the smaller phone got Nexus pricing?

      • That’s about the fingerprint tech… That switched to Pixel Imprint from Nexus Imprint. That just sounds like the code name hasn’t been yet… I don’t think it means much beyond that.

      • you have it backwards. Taimen (the XL) has the Nexus imprint, while Walleye (smaller) has Pixel imprint (at least according to XDA).

        to me, it sounds like Google could be thinking about putting out both a Pixel and a Nexus. last year’s Pixel and Pixel XL basically had the same specs, the same design, and were made by the same mfr. This time, though, Google has scrapped the Pixel XL (muskie), which was going to be made by the same mfr as the new Pixel. Instead, Google is going with a different mfr, LG (which also happens to have made several Nexus devices), and the Taimen will have a different design (less bezel), different screen (LG OLED 1440), a headphone jack (apparently), and no stereo speakers.

        I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see a Pixel and Nexus this year, instead of a Pixel and Pixel XL. I don’t know why Google would want to change things up so soon after the well received Pixel and XL from last year, but then again, I have a difficult time understanding many things Google does (hello, Allo?!).

        • Oh god I hope they don’t do things this way. If the larger phone is priced like a Nexus and the smaller one has “premium” pricing like the first Pixel, then the big one will sell a lot better. And google will conclude that it sold better because it’s big, possibly leading them to kill off the smaller one. The Pixel is the only decent 5″ phone right now. If they kill it, there will be nothing for people like me to use in the future.

    • They had ‘2’ the last time they made a 6-class phone.

      One for the people with tiny hands/pockets, and one for everyone else….

      • Just because someone wants a smaller phone doesn’t mean they have tiny hands or tiny pockets. I want a phone I can use one handed. I have average size hands for a 6 feet tall male. I can’t even use my Nexus 5X one handed. It also doesn’t fit comfortably is my very normal sized pockets.

        • Joke on the rediculousness of sub-5.7″ phones aside:

          I think the use-case divider is ‘do you use it as a cell phone, or a tiny computer’?

          I don’t (5 calls a month is ‘high’ usage – everything is text/email, and all of that is long-form not ‘txtspk’). Thus my phone use is mostly held 2-handed in landscape mode (unless I’m reading a simple plain-text article – which *can* be done 1-handed even on a full-on tablet) – be it 4″ or 7″ – and a small screen is just painful to use (especially when typing out a message).

          If your use-case is lots of phone calls & shortform/txtspk messaging… Then a small phone might work…

          • My use-case isn’t lots of calls or text messages. One of my very common activities while using my phone is eating on my lunch break at work. Or even just walking while also carrying something (like a drink in one hand). There are many times one hand use is very convenient and it has nothing to do with what kind of things you do with your phone.

          • You are assuming that using a phone with one hand means you only use it as a cell phone and not a “tiny computer”. Just one example, I like to use my “tiny computer” while I eat my lunch on my break at work. Also, regardless of all the “tiny computer” things it does it still spends 75% of the day in my pocket. I’d like it to be comfortable rather than a big annoying bulge in my pocket.

  • Do I really care about the headphone jack? Not really. But the thing is there is still no reason to get rid of it. Especially since they shouldn’t be making the phone thinner. Make it thicker for bigger battery, headphone jack, stereo speakers, etc. It can be done. Google will never compete with apple. Samsung has that wrapped up. But Google can deliver an ethusiast device. They just won’t.

  • I’m still very happy with my Pixel XL, so I’d be totally fine with the newer processor, larger display, and smaller bezels on the XL 2. If it’s got an IP67/68 rating, I’ll be even happier.

    • Doesn’t sound like these phones should start at $650 though when you can get a phone with the same specs right now for that price.

      • That goes for every high end phone. That’s not a real argument since half of these affordable phone OEMS are barely breaking even.

        • I’m talking about the S8 that you can get right now for the same price, don’t think it’s worth waiting for the Pixel honestly.

  • A boring 5 inch device is right up my alley. If the new base is 64GB I’ll be game… No headphone jack though? ????… I’ll need some immaculate reasoning from Google before I decide that…. My main deal breaker would be no waterproofing.

  • That would explain why with Android O they started supporting every high bit/low latency bluetooth codec. Despite a history of rejecting proprietary tech.

    • At least BT is a standard. I actually would mind the lack of headphone port less if they support high bitrate bluetooth.

      • It would be nice if they could get the BT to work in my car more than once a day.

      • anything with the 835 has bt5. The issue is, its not supported. So nothing really has bt5. Samsung is using it as pure marketing speak.

  • I’ll be getting the bigger one regardless. Don’t ever use the headphone jack so I don’t care if they ditch it

  • “Personally, it sounds like a pretty boring device, especially if Google is keeping an identical design and ditching the headphone jack. Not very cool, Google.”

    Don’t care, I’m sick of phones getting into phablet territory. I want a Nexus 5 or 5X with flagship specs, which this Pixel 2 will be.

    • Agreed. I’ll take the large bezels for the front stereo speakers. I would miss the headphone jack though.

    • True. The Pixel Bezels never bothered me. I just want a device around that size.

    • Does the 5in. Pixel have an AMOLED/OLED screen too? The resolution doesn’t make a big difference to me since it’s going to be hard to tell the difference on a 5in. screen anyway.

      • I don’t think I’ve read anything that has specified this point for the smaller 2017 Pixel yet.

        After the Moto X Pure experience (terrible all around), It’s AMOLED or bust for me.

    • Pixel XL phone size may not need to change much from last year if bezel can be shrunk to the size of other flagships. Last year screen 5.5, this year 6. Aspect ratio could be different as well following the Samsung S8 meaning more hight without much more width.

      • What exactly is the height good for?

        The bezels come back (in letterbox-bar form) as soon as you play a video…

Comments are closed.

Related Posts

back to top