It's Google's smartest smartphone yet, but don't expect mind-blowing design

Well made handset now with water resistance; Brilliant camera with smart features; Active Edge works well with the Google Assistant

Outdated 2016-era design; Overly large bezels; Expensive for a minor upgrade over the Pixel

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are the latest two smartphones to bear Google's name, following the release of last year's well-received Pixel and Pixel XL , as well as the scuttling of the company's popular - and affordable - Nexus line of smartphones.

The Pixel 2 XL is a great looking device; and a step above the Pixel XL; Melding of hardware and software makes for a more sophisticated user experience overall; Both devices are IP67 water resistant

Neither phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack; Pixel 2's Bezels are large (Pixel 2 XL also still has substantial bezels; Pixel 2's display is lacklustre

Last year's inaugural Pixel was such a slam dunk, I expected this year's Google Pixel 2 -- and larger Pixel 2 XL -- to carry Google's phone even further. In the most important ways, it has.

Google's Pixel 2 has a superb camera with OIS and excellent low-light shooting; It's water-resistant and Google Lens calls up a trove of information to help you explore your surroundings

The phone's battery doesn't keep pace with the Pixel's competitors and its Portrait Mode isn't as smooth on dual-camera phones; Its design feels dated and it doesn't have wireless charging or a headphone jack

There's a smooth set of stair steps up the Android flagship price ladder. The OnePlus 5 costs $479. The Pixel 2 is $649. The Galaxy S8 clocks in around $720, the Pixel 2 XL is $849, and the Galaxy Note 8 is in the $900 zone.

Promising camera; Fast processor; Nice build; Exclusive Assistant features

Small screen and big bezels for the size; No headphone jack

A super-fast software powerhouse with the best camera on any phone

Takes amazing photos, Really fast, Packed with clever software touches

Design feels dated, Screen isn’t quite flagship-worthy, Stingy with storage

Google wanted to announce more than just a boatload of products at its event the other week. The company hoped to foster a new conversation around consumer hardware, moving from a narrative about specs to one about artificial intelligence and machine learning.

When Google released the Pixel last year, it was taking a stand. No longer would Google hardware be tainted with the brands and logos of other companies, even if behind the scenes, Google still needed help from those same companies to actually build its phones.

Google's Pixel phones are among the very few Android handsets out there to offer a clean, unfettered version of the OS, packed inside some premium hardware. You might not get much in the way of frills, yet the Pixel is a well-constructed smartphone that delivers dependable performance and solid...

Solid camera tech; Sharp screen with deep blacks; Strong performance

Google hits back at Apple and Samsung with a second-generation Pixel phone that excels in software and photography

The Pixel 2 is a great phone with excellent hardware and performance, a relatively boring design, respectable (but not amazing) battery life, and the best camera available in a smartphone today (if you don't need dual cameras).