When Google hardware chief Rick Osterloh introduced the Pixel 3 last week, he didn't utter the word "Android" a single time. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are Google phones. They swim in a sea of Google data and promise to use Google's machine learning to make everything better: photos, annoying spam...

Larger; better screen; Beautiful design; Excellent camera and wide angle selfie cam; Radically improved screen; Loud; clear front-facing speakers; Excellent camera and wide angle selfie cam

Largish top and bottom bezels; Easily scratched rear finish; Limited availability from US carriers and internationally; Doofy notch; Easily scratched rear finish; Limited availability from US carriers and internationally

When I first reviewed the Pixel 3 and the larger 3 XL in October, I had an inkling it would be one of the best phones of the year. But I held off making a full judgement call until the OnePlus 6T and iPhone XR came out, and until Google rolled out a major camera feature it promised during launch.

The Pixel 3 takes brilliant photos, even in super low-light, with its single rear lens and it can capture wider selfie photos; It's water resistant, has wireless charging and it can screen unwanted calls

The phone doesn't have expandable memory or a headphone jack; The shot-to-shot camera delay can be sluggish in certain modes

The Pixel 3 is the ultimate expression of Android and proof that AI done right can make your life easier.

Excellent performance; Quality OLED display; Top-tier cameras; Charming design; Call Screen is a godsend

A bit expensive; Bezels could be slimmer

During its annual developers conference this year, Google announced the Pixel 3A and Pixel 3A XL -- two budget phones that kick off the company's new endeavor to make cheaper, more affordable phones. The devices are essentially reworked versions of the Pixel 3 and the larger 3 XL, which originally debuted in October 2018.

The Pixel 3's truly exceptional cameras and AI-powered call screening give it an edge on the other great phones in 2018's crowded winners' circle.

The Pixel 3 takes brilliant photos, even in super low-light, with its single rear lens and it can capture wider selfie photos. It's water resistant, has wireless charging and it can screen unwanted calls.

The phone doesn't have expandable memory or a headphone jack. The shot-to-shot camera delay can be sluggish in certain modes.

It's a testament to just how high expectations are for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL that, even after months of the Google phones leaking, interest in them remains high. Now, the pair of Android 9 Pie handsets are finally headed to shelves, promising the cutting-edge in Google's computational...

Camera technology leads the pack; Elegant; tactile glass & metal design; Wireless charging is a welcome addition; OLED screens look great

Pixel 3 XL notch is divisive; More expensive than last year's Google phones; Still no headphone jack

Update: Our Google Pixel 3 review includes Night Sight camera mode testing. It brightens low-light photos without the need for a flash and makes this already-fantastic phone even better. Hung up on price We also added details about the Google Pixel 3 Lite below.

Google's great camera got better; Much improved 5.5-inch OLED screen; Great one-hand-friendly size

Weaker battery life on the small phone; Rather muted colors this year; 4GB of RAM when others do 6GB

Google's third attempt at a Pixel phone is its most successful yet. The Google Pixel 3 is an excellent device with a nice display, truly stunning camera (now with the incredible Night Sight feature) and the best version of the Android software.

Great haptics; Google's Android is the best Android; Much-improved design; Breathtaking camera both on the front and back; Fast wireless charging and clever Pixel Stand (even if it's not included

No form of facial unlocking; Can scratch easily

For Android purists, nothing quite hits the spot like a Google Pixel phone. In years previous to the first generation, the itch was scratched by partnering with other manufacturers on the Nexus line, but in 2016, Google took it in-house.

Brilliant camera; Speedy and smooth performance; Pure Android Pie software is a joy; Rear design looks and feels great

Battery life could be better; Bug with camera killing apps in memory; Front bezel design looks quite dated

The Pixel 3 is the latest smartphone from Google, following on from the success of last year's Pixel 2. There are a number of new features, many of which are of particular interest to photographers. Like the previous versions of the phone, the camera is at the heart of much of Google's marketing.

The hounding influx of new smartphones, slipping into the market every other day, can be tiring but there are select smartphones that cut through this noise and still manage to keep you raring and interested.

Scratch-resistant glass design; IP68 rating; Striking display rated among best by DisplayMate; Mind-blowing and unbeatable camera; Wide-angle selfies; AR characters and Google Lens built into the camera app; Front-facing stereo speakers; Wireless charging and Pixel Stand support; MIMO Wi-Fi

Lacking RAM; 4K video capped to 30fps; Poor notch optimization in YouTube; Disabling the Notch is unnecessarily complicated; Inability to disable navigation gestures