Reviews of the Pixel 2 XL, Google's newest flagship smartphone, were pretty positive across the board. There were several standout features, of course, including the speed of the software and the abilities of the single camera system on the back of the phone, and for many reviewers it looks like the Pixel 2 XL is a worthwhile handset.
But many reviewers also pointed out that some owners could have an issue, or even issues, with the POLED display built into the handset. Some reviews pointed out muddy colors, at least as far as they look compared to other top-tier OLED displays out there, and grainy textures. Both of those could be issues indeed, but it will also come down to individual use cases. Some folks won't mind. Others will.
You just have to try it out yourself to see how you feel about it.
Google has already replied to those concerns, saying that they chose the more natural colors on purpose, and that there is a vivid color option that owners can turn on to get more robust colors. They also said they might offer more color options down the road, too, which is certainly good news for folks who love options.
I know two people who have a Pixel 2 XL. Well, one now, because the other returned their unit. The person who kept their phone actually prefers the more natural colors that Google was apparently going for with its POLED display, and hasn't really noticed any grainy textures in every day use. The other person, well, they weren't a fan of the display at all. Even turning on the "Vivid" color option for the display wasn't good enough. They had a Galaxy S8 before the Pixel 2 XL, and they actually went back to that phone, citing the display quality as their only reason for the switch.
I've been going back and forth with the idea of purchasing a Pixel 2 XL. Even after using one in a store for a short time, and deciding I'm not a huge fan of the display, I've still been considering it. Mainly because of that camera. But the latest reports over the weekend, where many reviewers are starting to see what looks like screen burn-in after only a couple of weeks of usage, now has me leaning quite hard into the "no way" category.
At least for now, anyway.
I don't know what Google could do to fix the issues people are seeing right now. If there is anything, the company still has to determine if they deem it a big enough deal to fix in the first place, which they are currently doing right now. It will be interesting to see what happens next, to say the least. And I think I'm okay waiting.
What about you, though? If you haven't picked up your Google Pixel 2 XL just yet, are you waiting specifically because of these issues with the display? Or, if you have already picked up your Pixel 2 XL, are you happy with the display? Let me know!