I have written about the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones before and whey they are some of the best phones for world travelers. While you can get a better price with a contract, this is one of the best prices I have seen for buying the Google Pixel 2 XL outright – without any coupons.
Deal on Google Pixel 2 XL
Link: Google Pixel 2 XL – $499
The Google Pixel 2 XL rings up at $849 brand new for the 64GB variety. There have been plenty of deals for getting it cheaper when you sign up for a contract or you use discounts available with things like eBay, etc. But, while I might have missed it, this is one of the best deals I have seen on the Pixel 2 XL outright.
Refurb?
Yes, it is a “certified refurbished” phone by the Best Buy “Geek Squad.” Personally, I have bought many things under that classification before and would not hesitate to buy this phone if I was interested in it (I have the Google Pixel 2). So, do what you feel comfortable with but I have had good success with their refurbished products in the past.
The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are slated to be unveiled in October so the price on these may go lower but not sure if it will reach this price. Plus, plenty of tech reviewers are saying that the Pixel 2 XL is still a great phone to get in 2018 no matter if the Pixel 3 is coming out (because Google did such a great job with it in the first place).
This deal is great if you want to use it for Google Fi and you don’t want to deal with activating it with Verizon or getting bill credits, etc.
Here are some of the things that are incredible about the Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL (except for the larger battery and larger screen, they are essentially the same phone on the inside):
Google Pixel 2 is Google Fi Ready
Link: Google Fi
Google Fi is one of my all-time favorite tools for international travel and communication. And, yes, I use it on my iPhone. But, it only has complete functionality for native calling and the hybrid switching technology for use in the US if you have it with a Fi-certified phone.
Not only is the Google Pixel 2 a Fi-certified phone, it is also the first phone to come with an eSIM for automatic setup without needing a SIM card. Not bad at all! I am sure I am not the only one to have misplaced a SIM card so this comes in handy!
You can put another SIM in later if you want but you cannot use both the eSIM and SIM at the same time – it is one or the other.
Google Pixel 2 Has An Incredible Camera
The original Pixel was lauded for its camera abilities and the Google Pixel 2 takes that up a notch. According to many sources, including DxO Mark (people have varied opinions of their testing as well so take that for what its worth), the Pixel 2 has an incredible camera.
Yes, it is a single camera (the , S9+, Note 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus and X have dual cameras) but Google is really putting their software and learning capabilities to work by creating their own portrait mode with software putting areas out of focus. It should learn more as the software improves to make even those photos better.
Language Translation
Use the new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel Buds for translation
I suggest you read this post for more details but the language translation skills of the Google Pixel 2 when coupled with the Pixel Buds is just amazing! I tried it with a variety of languages and it handled them pretty seamlessly! For any traveler visiting different countries, this would be a huge asset.
Better Deal?
Don’t forget to go through the shopping portals to get some miles back for this! If you go through United, you will earn the 1 mile per dollar (if you have a United card), plus it will put you closer to the $600 threshold where you will earn 3,000 bonus miles (this threshold can be met with any retailers). This would give you a total of 3,500 United miles – not a bad bonus!
Worth It?
If you are a Google Fi user or want to be, you cannot buy a better Google phone than this. Yes, it will become an older model in just a few months but the phone was so well designed in the first place that it should be a great phone for a while.
By the way, it is worth noting as well that it is the Verizon model. This means you could activate it on Verizon or Google Fi – a nice deal for either user!
I have the Google Pixel 2 (the XL’s baby brother) and it is my travel phone/backup phone. I love it! If it wasn’t for iMessage, it would be my everyday phone for sure (I am actually transitioning to it more and more because of how much I like it).
It is up to you but I at least wanted to bring this lower price to your attention as I always get questions about this phone and Google Fi.
