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.

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.

As the world watches an unprecedented recall and product scrapping from its biggest electronics and smartphone manufacturer, Google has been quietly readying a Trojan horse that might just be the answer to many people’s questions of where to go next.

Without a doubt, the Pixel XL and its little brother, the Pixel, are both very good smartphones in our opinion. Although the change of name from Nexus to Pixel implies dramatic changes to the smartphone, the reality is that Pixel phones hardly differ from the previous Nexus smartphones.

Brilliant display; Rapid performance; Top camera; No bloatware

Very high Price; No headphones included; Only IP53 certified

A pixel is defined as the smallest addressable element in an all points addressable display device. Essentially speaking, it is the smallest component of a much bigger picture. There's a case to be made that Google really couldn't have named their new phones better.

Fantastic camera; Extremely fast & fluid hardware; Great battery life; Fast Android updates

Price; Dull design

For years Google's former search head Amit Singhal talked about ushering in an era of computing where Google would act like the computer on the iconic science fiction TV series Star Trek.

There's no doubt that if you want the Pixel or the Pixel XL, you'll definitely be paying a premium for having access to Google's latest experience. The question you're probably asking right now is – should you buy either?

Google Assistant is fantastic Excellent camera with HDR+ and ES Lighting fast experience Above average battery life Above average speaker performance Great display Pixel Launcher is one of the best interfaces

Generic; understated design Easily chipped and dented Lack of OIS can affect videos High price tag

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

The Google Pixel phones launched to great acclaim while our reaction is more tempered. It's not about the quality of Google's (and HTC's) work, it's about the desirability of the phone.