Google Pixel 2 specification and prices

Last year's Pixels were fantastic. Perhaps the first time in years that Google's "pure" line of phones had no compromises. Great screens, great build, amazing cameras, good battery life and pure Android in one proper flagship package. This year, it's a similar story, although there's not a huge amount of improvement.

The decision to make one phone 18:9 and the other 16:9 is unusual. That means the phones don't really look like they're in the same family when you're looking at them from the front.

Then there's the issue of the display being a little lack lustre, and the design being a little plain. With the Pixel, you're getting a good phone, but we're not sure it deserves its true flagship price. Although, saying that, the natural display performance combined with minimalist, clean looks and a great camera might be exactly what you're looking for in a phone.

In short: we think the Pixel will divide opinion this year. It's not as visually exciting as a lot of other phones. However, it does offer a pure Android experience like no other, in a phone that takes some of the best photos and selfies we've seen. It's a phone that won't wow you from the outset, but will grow on you as time goes on, like a good second album.

Smartphone design has taken a big step in the right direction in 2017 and 2018, but battery life hasn’t seen similar advances. I managed to get just about day of use from the Pixel off a single charge, and the same is true of the Pixel 2

Using the phone to browse the web for a couple of hours, take a series of photos and streaming some Spotify and YouTube left me looking for a charger by about 9pm. For much of the time, I was averaging just less than four hours of screen-on time. This isn’t bad, especially for a phone of this size, but it’s hardly likely to entice you to buy.

Where the phone does impress is with regards to standby times. Leave it unplugged overnight and you’ll lose only a few percent. The same is true if the device is unused in your pocket.

It does at least charge ridiculously quickly. Expect to go from 0% to full in 1hr 10mins with the supplied USB-C charger and USB-C to USB-C cable. A 15-minute charge will see you regain about 30% of the battery.

The Pixel 2 is compact, runs the best version of Android and has a stunning, class-leading camera. If only it looked slightly more modern then it would be the perfect small phone.

Once you get over the boring looks you’ll have a fantastic device, and importantly one that’ll last. Google said it will get the three next big Android updates, which can’t be said for many other phones.

If you don’t fancy switching to the iPhone 8, then the Pixel 2 is the best similarly sized alternative. But if you’re not fussed about size, then I would suggest going for the Pixel 2 XL.

The Pixel 2 clues us in on why Google called its phone series Pixel: it was building the best camera on a phone. This second-generation effort fulfills that promise with not only the best-in-class photos, but also dual front-facing speakers and water-resistance. It's a great size, but you'll need to be okay with its dated looks and the fact that there’s no headphone jack.

FOR

• Top-of-the-line photos and video
• Dual front-facing speakers
• Premium water-resistant body

AGAINST

• Bezels really stand out in 2018
• No 3.5mm headphone jack
• Camera app could be better

The camera is the best part of the Pixel 2 experience. Pictures are consistently in focus and true-to-life while still looking vibrant. Color accuracy is what Google gets right.

The Google Pixel 2 battery lasts all day with moderate use, which you may not expect given its rather small 2,700mAh battery size. It saves power in a number of important ways.

The Pixel 2 is a great choice for anyone who wants to upgrade their always-on-them camera to the best among smartphones. It doesn’t have a fancy dual-lens camera or telephoto capabilities, but it does have portrait mode on both the main and selfie camera and color accuracy we just can’t find on another device.