The Pixel 2 XL is the best pure Android phone you can buy, with a gorgeous 6-inch OLED screen, easy access to Google Assistant, sharp cameras and very long battery life.

Squeezable Google Assistant; Impressive Google Lens feature; Sharp and colorful 6-inch OLED screen; Great photo quality with Portrait mode; Faster than Galaxy S8; Long battery life

Screen has some color issues; No wireless charging or headphone jack; Can't preview Portrait mode effect

Buying a Pixel 2 XL may be a little out of your comfort zone, because it isn't sold directly by most carriers. But it's worth it. Verizon sells the 64GB Pixel 2 XL directly for $849.99 or $35.41 per month. But that model has bloatware and a locked bootloader.

Excellent battery life; Terrific low-light camera performance; Elegant Google software; Great build

No headphone jack or microSD card slot; Lacks Band 71 for expanded T-Mobile coverage; Screen quality has caused drama

This is a great computer to bring in your pocket. It takes amazing pictures, great screen which is the interface to an amazing experience. It is durable and has dust and water protection. Is so incredibly pleased. The screen could have been better.

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

There was never any doubt that the second Pixel phone would arrive with anything less than an amazing camera. It's really quick, of course, and has all of Google's top software features. It was always the design that would make or break it - and in many ways, Google has delivered. By going down the same 18:9 aspect ratio and skinny bezel route as Samsung, Apple, LG et al, Google has ensured the Pixel 2 XL feels as modern as its rivals - and that split glass-and-metal rear that was so divisive a year ago has aged better than a fine wine. Sure, finding room for stereo speakers has made it a bit bulkier than the competition, but it sounds fantastic as a result. If you don’t mind the size, and spending the extra, the XL is absolutely the Pixel 2 to buy - the smaller version just feels plain in comparison. It's expensive, but then what flagship phone isn't these days? Google didn’t quite manage it last year, but with the best hardware powering the best version of Android you'll find on any phone, anywhere, the Pixel 2 XL finally feels like the full package. Is it the best Android phone around? Not quite. The Galaxy S8 - and indeed the bigger S8+ - still just about pips it based on its sheer desirability, and comes a close second with camera quality. The XL easily slots in behind it, though. Google is properly in the game now, and other manufacturers are going to have to watch out.

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;

Editors' note: This review was originally published Oct. 17, 2017 at 6 a.m. PT. It was updated on Oct. 23 detailing the Pixel 2 XL's screen burn-in issue, on Oct. 25 with further observations and Google's initial remarks, and on Oct. 26 with the company's follow-up statement detailing a software fix and extended two-year warranty.

A bigger, sharper screen and thinner bezels make the Pixel 2 XL the more desirable Google phone, but some early units have been dogged by screen issues.

The Pixel 2 XL perks up the already excellent Pixel 2 with more screen space; It has a fantastic camera, waterproofing and the Google Lens feature that helps you learn more about the world around you.

The camera's Portrait Mode doesn't work as smoothly as its competitors' dual camera; Its battery doesn't last as long as others in its caliber and the phone has no headphone jack or wireless charging; The displays on some handsets have irksome screen problems.

Amazing camera, super-fast, stock Android software, Google Assistant is consistently useful, unobtrusive

Expensive, no headphone jack, Pixel 2 looks dated, Pixel XL 2 POLED display not as good as OLED

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

It is no longer news that search engine giant, Google recently unveiled two flagship devices for the year 2017. The two devices are the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL. We have previously had a look at the Google Pixel 2 and we talked about the major highlight specs, price and where to buy.

I love the experience of using the Pixel 2 XL and the unique matt body texture. It does feel a little broad on the hand, despite having the same 6-inch 18:9 display spec as LG V30, but just stick a Popsocket behind and you should be able to handle this phablet comfortably.