It has only been a few weeks since Apple released the much anticipated iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X in preparation for the holiday season and already Google has followed suit by releasing their flagship smartphones for the year. Named the Pixel and Pixel 2, both versions of the smartphone aim to solidify market share and improve upon it compared to their main competitors, from the likes of Apple and Samsung. With this, here is the main information you need to know about the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL with a verdict at the end to each smartphone.

Google Pixel 2

The Google Pixel 2 looks remarkably similar to the original Pixel, with the large bezels still appearing at the top and bottom. However, there have been a number of key improvements including:

• 5 inch, full HD AMOLED display with always on technology for notifications.
• Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of ram.
• 12MP rear camera with 98 DxOMark (highest rated camera on a smartphone, again).
• OIS and EIS with video recording.
• Android 8.0 Oreo stock software.
• ‘Squeeze’ sensor – this is a sensor which detects pressure exerts on the sides of the phone. Currently, Google is using it on the Pixel 2 to activate Google Assistant.

Verdict: The Pixel 2 is a good incremental upgrade to the original Pixel. For example, the squeeze sensor is a nice touch along with a better display, camera and internals. However, 2017 is the year of bezel less phones and it is rather surprisingly that the smaller of the two smartphones released by Google still has extremely large front bezels. Will this be enough to put people off the phone? Possibly, considering there are many bezel less phones that come in at much cheaper prices.

Google Pixel 2 XL

The Google Pixel 2 is pretty much identical in every way to the Pixel 2 – Google liked to make this point clear to have a dig at Apple during their press conference, considering the iPhone 8 Plus has the dual cameras as opposed to the single camera on the iPhone 8.

The main difference between the Pixel 2 and XL is with the design, for which the Pixel 2 has a 6-inch 2880×1440 pOLED, a larger battery coming in at 3,520mAh, as opposed to the Pixel 2’s 2,700mAh and a much smaller bezel at the top and bottom of the front of the phone, much in keeping with 2017 smartphones.

Verdict: Now this is the smartphone that represents the best of what a smartphone can be for 2017. Coming with the best specs as well as a design that is in keeping with 2017 smartphones, the Google Pixel 2 is one that can directly compete with most smartphones on the market, and potentially beat them too.

Ultimately, though, the release of both Pixel 2 phones has come across as a little disappointing. Google made a big thing about keeping the headphone jack last year and have decided to remove it this year. The battery capacity for each is not as big as what it is for other smartphones in similar pricing categories and with 4GB of ram, it does not really future proof the phone for years of use unlike OnePlus have done with the 5 (with 6/8GB options). Nevertheless, both are still great phones that should sell plenty with the holiday season approaching.