REVIEW: If I were to buy an Android phone, it would be the Pixel 2 XL

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Google's original Pixel was one of the best Android smartphones you could buy this year, and it's a tough act to follow — even for Google itself.

The new Pixel 2 XL, is the larger version Google's new Pixel line-up, boasting a 6-inch screen compared to the Pixel 2's 5-inch screen.

The Pixel 2XL starts off with a big advantage over rival phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8, and the the LG V30: It runs Google's pure Android operating system. That means timely updates and nicer, less-cluttered feel than the modified software that other phone makers add to their devices.

But to top the competition, the Pixel 2 XL needs an excellent camera and fast performance. After putting this phone through its paces, I can tell you that the Pixel 2 XL strongly delivers, and it's the Android phone to buy.

Here's why:

The Pixel 2 XL is a solid, sturdy, good-looking phone, even if it doesn't quite match the premium feel of recent Apple or Samsung phones.

I'm happy with the overall look and feel of the Pixel 2 XL. It's undeniably a premium device on the front with its all-glass front panel and somewhat narrow bezels, and the back is minimalist and tastefully plain.

If you're looking for ultra-premium looks and feel, though, the Pixel 2 XL may disappoint. The bezels are larger on the Pixel 2XL than they are on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone X, and the back is plastic, save for the small glass section towards the top. These days, premium flagships have been clad in glass or metal, which feel decidedly more premium.

Still, I don't think the Pixel 2 XL's less-premium build is a deal-breaker by any means. It feels positively solid, and the smooth matte plastic back is actually very nice. It's relatively light, too, which makes it more comfortable to hold and use.

It has a great screen, but it's pretty much standard among premium flagship Android phones.

As far as the display is concerned, it's pretty much the same display quality and resolution you'd see on other flagship Android phones, like the Galaxy Note 8 and LG V30.

The Pixel 2 XL has a 6-inch pOLED display that's essentially the same as the original Pixels' AMOLED display. It makes for gorgeous colors and contrast between light and dark areas on the screen, especially when you compare it to the iPhone 8's LCD display.

It's a sharp 1440p resolution display that's also pretty standard among Android flagship smartphones, but it's technically sharper than both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. I say "technically" because it's hard to distinguish a difference on small smartphone screens.

Google made the Pixel 2 XL's display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, which means it's taller than the standard 16:9 screens that most smartphone had before 2016. Starting in 2016, many smartphone makers like Samsung and LG started making phone screens with similar 18:9 aspect ratios. Having a taller screen is actually quite nice, as you can see more of your apps' content on the screen.

Google also added the "always on" display feature, which constantly shows you basic-but-useful bits of information when the Pixel 2 XL is in sleep mode, like the time, or the fact that you have notifications waiting to be dealt with.

One of the Pixel 2 XL's killer features is the fact that it runs a pure Google operating system.

Nothing beats the pure Android experience from Google.

Almost every Android phone out there runs a separate layer of software on top of the Android operating system itself. This software layer is usually called a "launcher," and it helps Android phone makers differentiate themselves by adding features and changing the way Android looks.

Most of the time, the phone maker launchers fall flat. They simply don't look as good as pure Android, and their launchers can feel like they're bogging down their phone's performance. Like the original Pixel, the Pixel 2 XL runs Google's own Pixel 2 launcher on top of stock Android, and it's fantastic. It's clean, simple, fast, and responsive.

Some phones, most notably the OnePlus 5, run a near-stock version of Android, too. At the same time, only Google's Pixel phones get Android updates right when Google releases them. Non-Pixel phones are usually late to receive Android updates because phone makers have to make sure the latest Android update works with their launchers and hardware. If you buy your phone from a wireless carrier, Android updates also have to go through the carriers to make sure the latest Android update is compatible with the carrier's network and settings. All this causes significant delays when it comes to receiving Android updates.

In contrast, Pixel owners are always running on the latest version of Android, whereas third-party Android phone owner are usually lagging behind.

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