Google Pixel 2 Android 9 Pie Features and Performance

The Google Pixel 2 was one of the first devices to run Android 9 Pie. This update brought a host of exciting features to the table.

One of the standout features of Android 9 Pie on the Pixel 2 is its improved performance. The device's processor is optimized to handle the new operating system, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother overall performance.

The Android 9 Pie update also introduced a new gesture navigation system, which replaces the traditional back, home, and recent apps buttons with a single, swipeable interface. This new system takes some getting used to, but it's a game-changer for those who want a more streamlined experience.

In terms of specific performance metrics, the Pixel 2 with Android 9 Pie saw a 10% boost in performance and a 10% reduction in power consumption compared to the previous Android 8 Oreo update.

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Android 9 Pie brings a lot of exciting features to the table. Let's start with the big picture: Android 9 Pie is available for download on Google Pixel and Google Pixel 2 devices.

Recommended read: Pixel 9 Pro Fold Photos Have Leaked Online.

One of the key highlights of Android 9 Pie is that you can download it directly from the Google website, specifically through the Android Pie Factory Images and Android Pie OTA Images.

Android 9 Pie offers a range of new features, but one of the most notable is the improved user interface.

Expand your knowledge: Go Back to Google Images Search Instead of Google Lens

The Google Pixel 2 XL's performance on Android 9 is a mixed bag. Synthetic benchmark loads and tests are not representative of real-life performance, but they do give us an idea of how the phone is faring.

The Pixel 2 XL's CPU scores have taken a hit with the update to Android 9, with a decrease of 273 points from 6428 to 6055. This is likely due to the OS still being in its infancy and not yet fully optimized.

The phone's performance in GeekBench 4.1 (single-core) has also seen a decline, with scores dropping from 1915 to 1807. This is a 27-point decrease, which may not be noticeable in everyday use, but could be a concern for heavy users.

Here's a comparison of the Pixel 2 XL's performance on Android 8 and 9 in various benchmarks:

Keep in mind that these results are not necessarily reflective of real-world performance, and may change as the OS is further optimized and apps are updated.

Android 9, also known as Pie, has made significant improvements under the hood. These changes are primarily aimed at developers, but they also affect the overall performance and user experience of the operating system.

Android 9 has introduced a new API for display cut-out support, allowing developers to create apps that work seamlessly with devices that have notches or other display cut-outs. This is a great feature for developers who want to create apps that work on a wide range of devices.

The autofill framework has also been improved in Android 9, with new APIs and bug fixes that enhance dataset filtering, input sanitization, and compatibility mode.

Android 9 has expanded the 8.1 Oreo neural network API with a bunch of new tools, including Pad, BatchToSpaceND, SpaceToBatchND, Transpose, Strided Slice, Mean, Div, Sub, and Squeeze. This is a significant improvement for developers who want to use machine learning in their apps.

Here's a list of some of the other under the hood improvements in Android 9:

These under the hood improvements in Android 9 are designed to make the operating system faster, more efficient, and more secure. They also provide developers with new tools and features to create better apps.

Synthetic benchmark loads and tests are not representative of real-life performance, so don't base your purchase decision on these numbers alone.

The Google Pixel 2 XL's performance on Android 9 is actually down a fair bit compared to Android 8. This is evident in the CPU scores, which have dropped from 6428 to 6055.

The improvements in Android 9 are mostly under the hood, with new native Android APIs for developers to leverage in their apps. Some of the notable additions include display cut-out support, autofill framework improvements, and native camera API enhancements.

The Pixel 2 XL's GPU results are also affected, with a noticeable gap in on-screen frame rate after the jump from Android 8 to Android 9. However, the actual GPU score remains the same at 13.

Here's a comparison of the CPU scores for the Google Pixel 2 XL on Android 8 and Android 9:

Geekbench 4 (Single-Core) results show a significant performance difference between two Android versions on the Google Pixel 2 XL. The device scored 171,348 on Android 9, which is a notable improvement over its predecessor.

Benchmark scores can be influenced by various factors, including OS and app optimization. Android Pie, in particular, may take some time to reach the same level of optimization as its predecessor.

The Google Pixel 2 XL's performance on Android 9 is 941 points higher than on Android 8. This highlights the importance of app optimization and compatibility in achieving good benchmark scores.

Here's a comparison of the Geekbench 4 single-core scores for the Google Pixel 2 XL on different Android versions:

Battery endurance is not as affected by Android 9 as you might think. The Google Pixel 2 XL's battery life remains largely the same after updating to Android 9.

Our original battery test showed a certain level of battery endurance, but the numbers didn't change much after the update. The unit was running Android 8.0 Oreo at the time.

The battery testing procedure involves using the device for an hour each of telephony, web browsing, and video playback daily. This helps us compare battery results across devices.

The Google Pixel 2 XL has AI-powered Adaptive Battery tech and battery management tweaks, but these didn't make a significant difference in our tests. The device was in its factory default state with minimal background activity.

We did notice a small improvement in standby time after the update, but it's not a major change. The new battery optimizations might shine through more in your daily usage routine.

Digital Wellbeing is making a big impact on the Google Pixel 2 with Android 9. A beta version is available now for Pixel devices, and it's accessible from the Settings menu.

The Digital Wellbeing Dashboard breaks down exactly how you use your device, including time spent in apps, number of received notifications, and how many times you unlock your phone.

You can set limits on applications with "nudges" that alert you when you're close, and launcher icons will be grayed out for the rest of the day.

The Do Not Disturb feature silences all visual interruptions, including phone calls and texts.

Wind Down mode will fade the screen into grayscale as you get ready to fall asleep, discouraging pre-slumber device usage.

You can explore usage by app with hourly and daily graphs, which also include shortcuts to adjust an app's notification settings.

Developers can integrate more detailed breakdowns with deep links into in-app settings, like YouTube's new "Time watched" stats page and "Take a break" alerts.

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