2 reasons why Google's Pixel 2 is the best Android for Windows phone converts

Recently our Senior Editor Zac Bowden proclaimed the new OnePlus 5T every bit the best Android telephone for Windows folks who were finally moving on to another phone and some other platform. I don't deny the OnePlus 5T is a great telephone (I haven't really used one for more sixty seconds, but still) and that company is doing some bully work.

Only I disagree that it is the best. And this isn't but considering I adopt a different telephone. I've been using Android in some course since 2022. I've seen a lot of phones come, and that OS is even responsible for my employment at Mobile Nations. Until November, I was using an HP Elite x3 every day, until the drape dropped on Windows 10 Mobile and I decided I should probably buy a new phone.

There are many skillful reasons to purchase phones from Samsung, LG, and OnePlus, but there's always been one not bad reason to buy a phone with Google'due south badge on it. And now, with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 Forty, there are two really great reasons to buy a phone with Google's bluecoat on it.

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Software updates don't get whatever amend

Windows phone users are used to not just (mostly) getting updates quickly but also enjoying back up on devices for a long time. Software updates aren't just important for cool new features, they're important for security.

Google has a monthly security patch for Android which is there no matter who made your phone, but with a Google phone, yous know you're going to get them on time. I take a Razer Phone and a Galaxy S7 both yet on the October patch. And we're now in January. That's non acceptable, and information technology's i of the many frustrations with the Android ecosystem. The Pixel two, by contrast, has the January patch available and will get the February and March patch as soon every bit they're gear up.

The same applies to OS updates. The Pixel 2 is on Android 8.1 right now, well-nigh all other Android phones are non. The OnePlus 5T has a beta of Oreo out based on Android 8.0, only that's still a point version behind. Samsung hasn't updated its large 2022 phones yet, either.

As well being first, Google as well promises 3-years of software updates for the Pixel ii. That'due south a long time to have a unmarried phone, and based on previous track records it's longer than yous'll likely get from the other large players.

Google as well makes it fairly simple to update your phone yourself. OTA updates still take some time to curlicue out, merely yous don't have to look to get them that style. Google posts both factory images and OTA update images for the Pixel ii every time a new release is out. If you're mildly comfortable with some control line and willing to use the necessary Android SDK tools it'south not that difficult. Non as piece of cake equally the Windows Telephone Recovery Tool or the Insider program, but it is also not horribly difficult.

How to get the latest version of Android on your Pixel 2

The best phone camera in that location is

At some point in 2022, a telephone will come out with a camera better than the Pixel 2. We'd expect a Pixel 3 for i matter. But the Pixel 2 is widely accepted as the best all-around smartphone camera right now. Yeah, information technology just has one lens, only what Google has done in software is mindblowing.

It's fast, it takes astonishing looking pictures in good and low-light, and the portrait mode is both accurate and effective. It's all washed in software, and it's frankly astonishing. The camera app isn't the most feature-packed, merely information technology covers all the bases. I'd love a physical shutter button, but at to the lowest degree a double-press of the ability button volition quick-launch the camera, and volume up will have a picture.

You, too, tin can look this 'good' with Pixel 2 selfies in portrait mode.

For folks who clung to their high-end Lumias because of camera capabilities, the Pixel ii camera is probably the i you lot'll want. It takes hardware-related bug and solves them with software. And you get unlimited storage for a couple of years in Google Photos to automatically back up your snaps.

The lesser line on Pixel 2

I'm not reviewing the Pixel 2. Our pals at Android Central did a great job of that already. Merely these two features, in item, are ones I remember are important to the Windows converts. Sure, there are all the apps you ever want in the Play Store and it has pretty expert battery life, USB-C, and a decent screen, but when you lot're used to having the latest software and the best cameras, the Pixel 2 will not disappoint.

I'll admit, it's pretty dull to look at, but if you're tired of giant phones or don't want an 18:nine screen, you've got the smaller Pixel 2. If you desire something bigger, the aforementioned telephone can be had with that bigger screen and all the same benefits. Merely for me, the smaller version ($649) easily won out. And information technology's a hell of a lot cheaper than an iPhone X.

Become Pixel 2, Microsoft it up, and have a great time. The Pixel two lets you exercise that more effectively than the OnePlus 5T. (Sorry, Zac.)

If you fabricated the leap to the Pixel two, exist sure to drop into the comments and share what y'all call back.

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