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.

Dual front speakers; pure Android experience No headphone jack; smaller Pixel 2 still looks clunky and has mediocre battery life

No headphone jack; smaller Pixel 2 still looks clunky and has mediocre battery life

There is no question that the Google Pixel 2 XL is the best Android experience money can buy. It is the fastest-feeling, slickest and smoothest Android has ever been, putting it well on par with the quality of iOS.

very fast; long battery life; great screen; squeezable sides; latest version of Android and rapid updates; interesting built-in AI; water resistant; fantastic camera; unlimited photo and video backup

expensive; no expandable storage or removable battery; no headphone jack; no wireless charging

Last year, Google set the tone for its smartphone ambitions. The company was going to use manufacturing partners but control the entire product experience. The first Pixel smartphones took impressive photos -- something Googles' phones were never known for -- had a new software experience, and laid...

Impressive camera; Battery life; IP67 rating; Performance

Active Edge is frustrating at times; Portrait Mode needs some work

Last year, Google set the tone for its smartphone ambitions. The company was going to use manufacturing partners but control the entire product experience. The first Pixel smartphones took impressive photos -- something Googles' phones were never known for -- had a new software experience, and laid...

Impressive camera, Battery life, IP67 rating, Performance

Active Edge is frustrating at times, Portrait Mode needs some work

Dual front speakers, pure Android experience

No headphone jack, smaller Pixel 2 still looks clunky and has mediocre battery life

Ever since the introduction of Android 7 Nougat and even more so with Android 8 Oreo now, battery life test methodology has gotten pretty tricky. Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, Google's operating system is getting more aggressive at killing tasks that are consuming significant...

Great design and build quality, Pure Android Oreo, Break-out general performance, Boots in as little as 10 seconds, Great camera performance and features, Excellent displays, IP67 dust and water resistance

Pricey, No wireless charging, No legacy headphone jack

I'm not going to pretend the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are perfect phones. The removal of the headphone jack is lame, and the smaller Pixel 2 still has too much bezel. I'd also like more control over Active Edge. If you already have always-on "OK Google" configured, the squeeze is a bit redundant.

Performance The Pixel 2 and 2 XL are consistently fast with impressively low touch latency; Build quality Solid aluminum construction with IP67 water-resistance; Battery life It's solidly above average; Software This is Google's vision of Android.

Design again The 5-inch Pixel 2 has rather large bezels; There are front-facing speakers embedded in them, but the device just looks a bit clunky, Headphone jack There isn't one on either phone, Camera again This is a minor one, but portrait mode is buggy.

While the Pixel 2 XL is certainly a solid all-round smartphone, there are a few little niggling issues here and there that drop it some vital points. We love the slick performance and fantastic battery life, while the funky design means it's certainly a desirable handset.

Premium performance; Two-day battery life; Slick design; Perfect photo capture

You'll want the Google Pixel 2 XL if you're looking for the purest, most elegant Android experience possible in a 6-inch phone. You'll want the Pixel 2 XL if you're looking for a stunning display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, amazing portrait photography, and a ton of surprise-and-delight features made...

Phenomenal camera; Beautiful display and matching audio; The best Android experience around;

Bezels still a little on the chunky side; No wireless charging or expandable storage;