[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] tiny1055:
As a last ditch effort to stay with Verizon, been with them for like 15 years, I went to one of their stores and asked if I could test the screen before purchasing a Pixel 2 XL and they were pretty adamant about not letting me do that. Then I thought why the **** am I doing this. I absolutely love the screen on the OnePlus 5T that I've been trying out on MetroPCS for the past week (which surprisingly has a similar or better signal than my Verizon Pixel XL in most places I've tested). I've been carrying 2 phones around for the last week comparing signals before making the jump permanent. I'd also be giving up an unlocked bootloader and root which is pretty important to me. I'd also be locked into Verizon for another 2 years since that is how they do the current $300 promotion they are running which I wasn't happy about either. Btw, the only reason I went to a Verizon store for the phone was because of the $300 promotion going on (don't think the device is worth full retail with all the issues with the screen) and so I don't have to play mail tag with Google trying to get a decent screen (already returned one unit from them).

If anyone cares, here is my experience with the 5T so far:

1. Screen is gorgeous, easily better than my Pixel XL's with no color shift at all. The screen does get dimmer when viewed at Google's "extreme" angles but I wouldn't call it color shifting and it is no where near the horrid blue shift on the Pixel 2 XL. The rainbow effect also seems less than my Pixel XL when viewed at a really extreme angle but the Pixel XL may show more because of the tempered glass screen protector on it.

2. Everything on the 5T is so fast. Games load quicker than previous phones and my tablet and copying files using ES File Explorer from my PC is double the speed compared to my Pixel XL.

3. I absolutely hate the hardware alert slider because I cannot put the 5T in vibrate or do not disturb mode without using it, the function seems to be disabled in the software. I have my Pixel XL automatically go into DND mode at night. Hopefully a custom ROM fixes this.

4. I also dislike the volume button across from the power button. I am constantly hitting the button on the opposite side which is really annoying. The Pixel's button layout is definitely preferred.

5. The buttons on the 5T seem mushy, wish they were clicky like the Pixel's. I'm hoping a better case will improve this.

6. I get more fingerprint errors on the 5T as well. You also can't register the same finger twice to try to fix the errors. The registration process blocks you because it notices you are using the same finger as before. Hopefully a custom ROM fixes this or maybe even a better case which will help position my finger better.

7. The 5T's camera needs work. gcam makes improvements but there are still issues with it. Hopefully it only improves over time. This is probably the biggest drawback of the 5T but I think it has potential with the right software.

8. Switching away from Verizon would be the icing on the cake :). I actually hate them as a company but stuck with them because of the supposed better signals in my area. I've been running a signal logging program on both phones so I should have some really good data to go by.