The Google Pixel is the panacea of Android phones, designed to show what you can do with pure Android software, tuned to the Google-designed hardware. Its pièce de résistance is the camera, where Google's aim is to showcase what artificial intelligence (AI) can really do.

Outstanding camera performance; Android Pie is clean and fast; High quality design and build; No screen issues this time around

Battery life isn't class leading; Some software foibles

For the third year in a row, Google has released its own-brand smartphone under the PIxel label, in a choice of two sizes, to try and put into physical form its vision of what a mobile phone should be – a direct, Google-ified, Android rival to the iPhone .

Google aces the camera again; Screen is big and beautiful; Pixel Android and speedy updates

Did you notice that notch; Battery life is unspectacular; No in-screen fingerprint reader

Let's get the elephant out of the room, I am no fan of a notch, that's why I got the smaller pixel. Also because I have used a series of big phones, from Note 5 to Note 8, I miss the compactness of smaller phones.

Android is the world's most popular mobile operating system with many smartphone makers putting their own spin on things with custom overlays such as Samsung's Experience launcher and Huawei's EMUI .

Google nails it, even with the notch

The Pixel 3 XL is a mixed bag of ideas and executions. As a showcase of Google's prowess in AI, machine learning and computational photography, it's deeply impressive. Things like Call Screen, Duplex, Super Res Zoom, Top Shot and the upcoming Night Sight are Google at its finest.

Large, high resolution display, Clean software with some incredibly advanced features, Smooth UI, Powerful speakers, Excellent camera

Google's Pixel 3 XL has speed, fantastic software, an excellent camera, and unrivaled A.I. features you can't find anywhere else.

Excellent camera, Fluid software, useful A.I; features, Fast performance, Fingerprint-free rear glass design, Great screen, speakers

Mediocre battery life; The notch is really; really ugly; Photos can sometimes look too saturated

It may not be a step change in performance, but this is an excellent Android phone nonetheless

The best Android experience; Excellent OLED screen; Superb camera

Average audio quality; No 3.5mm jack

Editors' Note, May 7, 2019: CNET's Google Pixel 3A and Pixel 3A XL reviews are here. Read more about the cheaper variants of the Pixel 3 phones and why Google decided to release these budget handsets.

The Pixel 3 XL is pricey for a phone with no expandable memory, but its standout camera and premium hardware make it one of the best phones of the year.

The Pixel 3 XL has a top-of-the-line camera that includes an enhanced low-light feature and it can now take wider selfie shots; It's water resistant, has wireless charging and its Google Assistant has convenient new skills such as call screening.

The phone's onscreen notch is taller than other phones'; It doesn't have expandable memory or a headphone jack.

We've definitely taken a look at our fair share of smartphones over the past few years and have definitely noticed, along with everyone else, the trend towards bigger phones. While smartphones, in general, are slowly getting bigger, bigger isn't always better.

Outstanding camera; especially Night Sight; Feels like a solid; well built smartphone; Crisp; bright display; Great performance; Gesture navigation is quick once you get used to it; Monthly security updates; Unlimited online photo storage for two years; Decent sound quality; Includes USB-C to 3.5mm...

No microSD card slot; Average/boring design (that works; Very occasional performance hiccup; Included headphones uncomfortable and mediocre; Top speaker isn't as loud as bottom; Like other flagships; pricey; No headphone jack