The Google Pixel XL is an acceptable piece of hardware buoyed by superb software and excellent performance. It's hard to call it the best overall Android smartphone when it lacks waterproofing, removable storage, and OIS, even though it definitely runs like the best Android smartphone, with a clean...

Great software; Excellent performance; Camera produces stunning pics in many shooting situations; Ships with useful adapters

Not waterproof; No expandable storage; Camera's low-light performance disappointing

Had a HTC 10 but drowned it. The Pixel XL so far is great. The finger print scanner on the back works extremely well. The camera and video quality the best yet, with the quick launch of either by long pressing the camera app is a great feature.

At $769 (or $869 if you go with the 128GB model, which you should), the Google Pixel XL is priced to compete with the highest-end phones on the market. And in most regards, it's a success.

Fast Snapdragon 821 processor; Sharp display; Latest Android 7.1 software and guaranteed updates; Excellent camera; Promising Google Assistant functionality; 24/7 live help

No waterproofing; expandable storage; or wireless charging

The software is amazing. The camera is stunning. The battery life is beyond belief. You get free storage for ALL your pictures and videos. Google offers 24/7 round the clock support, meaning any issues can be resolved right away, and Google Assistant is the smartest Personal Assistant available...

Excellent Camera; Insane Battery Performance; Brilliant Software; Great Call Quality; Zero Lag; No Bloatware; Google Assistant ROCKS

The Price; The Design Is A Tad Dull

Editors' Note: This review focuses on the Pixel XL. Read our Pixel review for a more in-depth look at Google's 5-inch phone. After watching other manufacturers attempt to deliver a pure Android experience with the Nexus for years, Google has taken total control with the Pixel.

Fantastic camera; stunning image stabilization; Superb Google Assistant; Great performance; Strong battery life; Built-in support and unlimited storage in Google Photos

Disappointing design; OK audio; No microSD card slot

The Pixel XL features 2016's top-of-the-line specs and is a fine vessel for Android Oreo. This VR-capable phone has a suitably fast processor, even by 2018 standards, and a superb camera, all sandwiched into a funky design.

One of the best phone cameras around; Streamlined Android software; Google Assistant is promising

More expensive than a Nexus phone; Peculiar design and no always-on screen; No stereo speakers or waterproofing

On first impressions, weecan't help but feel that the Pixel is a bit of a wasted opportunity. The handset has a largely boring design, doesn't offer much in the way of innovation and is expensive compared with previous Nexus smartphones.

if you are obsessed with smartphone photography I recommend it. big gorgeous AMOLED screen is great for watching movies. the phone is very fast. but, I am not satisfied with the battery life.

Google pulled the covers off its newest smartphone creations earlier this month - the Pixel and the Pixel XL . The new devices mark a departure from the Nexus line that has served the company well for so long, bringing high-end specs and prices to match.

The Google Pixel XL is a very good phone. It's camera is great, it's snappy, has the latest version of Android and will get updates first, it's powerful and lasts over a day between charges. Despite its size it's also relatively easy to use one-handed and it's well made.

Android 7.1 Nougat; rapid updates; great camera; great screen; more than a day's battery life; Google Assistant; great fingerprint scanner

not waterproof; no expandable memory; no front-facing speakers; no wireless charging; expensive; not as easy to handle as some rivals