Despite not following the current dual-lens camera trend, Google's brand-new Pixel 2 XL and the smaller Pixel 2 (both of which have the exact same camera specs and technology) currently hold the highest score for mobile phones on the reputable DxOMark image quality ranking, and have quickly become many tech fans' #1 objects of desire.

Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, the Pixel 2 XL flaunts an OLED screen for deeper blacks and ultra-sharp images. The smartphone boasts an inventive dual-pixel technology, which captures and duplicates each image pixel with the device's single-lens, 12.2MP rear camera; unlike it may seem, this actually keeps Google's release in tune with the market's interest in features such as the bokeh effect, which softly delivers an out-of-focus background. The dual-pixel technology promises to identify and map each feature of a photo's primary subject, allowing only the background to be blurred; for every other high-end phone, this and other user-favorite effects demand more than one lens, but Google's new flagship does it all with its seemingly simple design and complex algorithm, for both its main and front-facing (8MP) cameras.

With its new smartphone models, Google also makes photography better in low-lit environments, having expanded the main camera aperture to f/1.8 (so more light comes in). Furthermore, the Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 2 flaunt a new sensor, optical image stabilization, fast and improved dual-pixel autofocus, as well as HDR+ technology and free unlimited original-quality storage for all photos and videos taken with the devices until at least the end of 2020 (and a couple more weeks for certain territories); after that, you'll still be able to store image files taken with the Pixel at no cost, but in reduced quality.

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