Google Pixel 4 XL: Soli, not Soli

Bold new design; Bigger battery than regular Pixel 4; Camera is better than ever

Battery life is still unimpressive; Lacks microSD and fingerprint sensor

The Google Pixel 4 introduces new features and a stellar camera but it struggles in other areas and dilutes a lot of the charm that previous models had.

Awesome camera; Clean software & 90Hz display; Motion Sense

Underwhelming specs; Poor battery life; Storage limits

It seems that adding innovative extras on the Pixel 4 XL has robbed it of the basics. The battery life is woeful, there's no fingerprint reader, Google Assistant keeps popping up like an annoying neighbour and there are those great big bezels making the screen look untidy.

Motion Sensor; Superb display; Great cameras

Thick bezels; Poor battery

The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are the best argument that specs don't tell you everything you need to know about a phone - because the experience of using a Pixel 4 is better than any other Android phone.

Face unlock; Smooth display; Excellent still camera; Face unlock; Smooth display; Excellent still camera

Disappointing battery life; Video quality and features don't match the stills; No ultrawide camera; Battery life only average; Video quality and features don't match the stills; No ultrawide camera

Featuring an excellent camera and a completely clean Android 10 install, Google's Pixel 4 is an excellent phone that matches – if not beats – key competitors in a number of areas. It’s not the prettiest phone around, and for the money you can get phones with better hardware, like the OnePlus 7T. But Google’s imaging wizardry and clean software more than make up for this. However, its battery life is way shorter than most competing handsets.

Compact design; Excellent camera; Clean Android 10 install;

Below average battery life;

If you absolutely need to have the newest Android features and want to be on the Pixel's bleeding edge, by all means go buy a Pixel 4 XL.

Cool new features advance Android into a new era; The camera is still great; even if competitors have caught up

Flaws and shortcomings undermine new features; Battery life is just OK; RAM; storage; and design underwhelm for a premium phone

With the big uplift in excellent camera phones at varying prices this year, it's no longer good enough for Google to simply have an "okay" phone with an "amazing" camera. And Google knows it. With the XL, Google takes many more risks.

Excellent camera for photos; Grippy body is a nice change from the usual; highly polished flagships; Smooth Display is a significant upgrade; Great software

Disappointing battery life; Lack of ultra-wide camera is a shame; Motion Sense features are currently limited; Storage options only up to 128GB

With the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, Google looks as though it's drifted further from the Pixel's original intent by producing two devices that, although capable, feel out of touch with both their Android competition and Apple's latest iOS-powered hardware

The Google Pixel 4 XL is still the best Android camera phone… ish...

Excellent point-and-shoot camera; Astrophotography mode impresses; Matte glass finish feels great

Expensive; given the hardware; Low storage capacity options; Occasional UI gremlins

The Google Pixel 4 XL is a handsome phone in its simplicity that, by the same coin, feels less impressive than its Android flagship counterparts. It doesn't help that its new standout features are inessential, and erratically functional.

Top-of-the-line cameras; Simple; no-nonsense design

Face Unlock is finicky; no fingerprint sensor; Low storage options; Battery life is barely adequate