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

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

Announced at a San Francisco event on October 4th, the Pixel and Pixel XL are the two new smartphones from Google for 2016. The pair of phones are the first to offer the Google Assistant software technology and look to head further down the path already started by the nexus line.

Google’s brand new Pixel XL is the most refined Android smartphone we’ve ever used. It’s that good. Everything from the polished metal hardware to the smooth, fast and efficient software. It’s Google’s vision for Android perfected and available to all.

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.