The Pixel 2 XL releases next month, but is Google's plus-sized flagship really better than last year's effort?

Superb camera quality; Great design

Expensive; Terrible display

The Pixel 2 XL is arguably the Google phone Android fans have been waiting for since the debut of its predecessor, the Pixel XL, some twelve months ago. Amid a strong lineup of Android handsets this year, such as Samsung's Galaxy S8, the Pixel 2 XL is available for pre-order from today (20 October...

After the success of the original Pixel, it’s easy to see why the next Google phone is so hyped up before its launch. A day in your hands and the Pixel 2 XL is so clearly the pure Google experience that fans of its Android system and online services seek.

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

Google stepped away from the Nexus family in 2016 and launched the Pixel smartphones, adopting the line of the previous Chromebook Pixel and Pixel C and presenting a Google-designed premium product. The Pixel 2 XL is the second-gen, looking to replace one of our favourite 2016 phones.

Waterproofing; solid build; good battery performance; great camera performance in most conditions; movies look great on the display

Display looks dull and lifeless in most conditions; design doesn't make best use of space; no 3.5mm headphone socket; camera white balance inconsistencies; hardware will soon be outdated

It was just a few short weeks ago that we saw Google unveil its latest products at the Made By Google event, and while Google unveiled many products at the show, the biggest interest continues to be around its own Pixel line of phones.

It’s really hard to throw shade at the Pixel 2 or Pixel XL 2, at least on paper. Display issues aside for the select few users of the Pixel XL 2, the general consensus seems to be that these phones are winners.

Under the hood there aren’t that many differences between the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. I don’t hate bezels and don’t love big screens, so I placed an order for the smaller model. But I totally get why some folks would prefer the Pixel 2 XL.

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.

Google has come a long way since the days of Nexus smartphones. This is only the second iteration of the Google Pixel and it shows how much Google's software and hardware have evolved in the past year. Both Pixel smartphones got a refined, yet simpler appearance.