A strong statement of intent and a gazillion leaks later, they are finally here - the Pixel and Pixel XL are the first Google-branded smartphones. As evident from the launch event in San Francisco on Tuesday, Google is positioning the Pixel smartphones against Apple's iPhone, at the premium-end of...

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.

Nexus is dead, and Pixel is here to replace it. It's the biggest shift in Google's homegrown smartphone strategy since the first Nexus launch in 2010. Google executives have assured this will be one to remember, and the company has begun an advertising campaign bigger than anything they've done...

The best smartphone camera available; The best Android software experience yet; Snappy performance; Fantastic high-resolution display; Decent battery life

Lacks water resistance, wireless charging, and microSD card slot; Expensive; (Subjectively) ugly design

More than just another Nexus, the Pixel has what it takes to compete with other high-priced premium phones.

Fantastic camera; Super fast and responsive; Unlimited online photo and video backup

Not waterproof; Very expensive; No stereo speakers

You'd be forgiven if you were a little suspicious of Google's resolve in the smartphone game. This is, after all, the company that's used a revolving door to partner with every major player/competitor except Apple for each generation of device.

Uses new Android Nougat, Google's latest OS; usable both on Verizon and Google's Project Fi; solid construction

Price is as high as the competition's; camera functionality could be better

If you're going to switch to a Pixel phone, the Pixel XL with Google Assistant is worth the extra money

Brilliant battery life; excellent Google Assistant and lightweight

Hardware feels cheaper than it is

The Google Pixel is a very good smartphone, but it's also very expensive. It starts at ￡719 for the 32GB Pixel and runs up to ￡819 for the 128GB Pixel XL. Those are iPhone 7 and 7 Plus prices for a phone whose predecessors from the Nexus range were best known for their unbeatable bang-for-buck.

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

Google, mighty overseer of the internet, has made a smartphone. The Nexus-brand notwithstanding, this time around the firm has done the design, engineering and testing wholly in-house.

Before we jump into a discussion about the Pixel XL, we wanted to set out our review methodology. We've had the Pixel XL in our office since Friday last week, and this is going out at 12.01 am on Thursday morning.