id="cnetReview" section="rvwBody" data-component="indepthReview"> Editors' Note, May 7, 2019: CNET's Google Pixel 3A and Pixel 3A XL reviews are here. Read more about the cheaper variants of the Pixel 3 phones and why Google decided to release these budget handsets.

It's one of our favorite phones of the year, but the Pixel 3 XL isn't what we usually see from big-screen phones. For instance, it costs less than $1,000 (more specifically, huawei p smart z antutu benchmark $899, £869 and huawei nova 4 antutu honor 20 pro antutu score AU$1,349), and it has only one rear camera lens. Save for its notch, higher price tag and bigger battery, which compensates for the larger screen, the phone basically serves up a nearly identical experience to its smaller 5.5-inch Pixel 3 counterpart.

And that's a good thing. As the recipient of CNET's Editor's Choice, the Pixel 3 is one of the best phones you can buy. As such, the 3 XL is one too. Its already-fantastic camera is now even better at taking low-light pictures thanks to a recent update, and it even takes better photos than the iPhone XS. Its digital voice assistant, the Google Assistant, adds handy features such as screening robocalls and the phone comes with unlimited cloud storage for photos.

View full gallery With the Pixel 3 XL, Google hops on the notch bandwagon.

Sarah Tew/CNET The Pixel's lack of expandable storage is a bummer, and it complicates its overall value. Even though the starting price for the 64GB model is cheaper than that of the iPhone XS Max and Galaxy Note 9, the gigabyte-to-price ratio is cheaper with the second-tier iPhone XS Max. And the Note 9 costs more but can add up to 512GB of external memory.

If the Pixel 3 XL is out of your budget, consider the OnePlus 6T. It also has high-end hardware, a nimble camera and a big 6.41-inch screen, but starts at only $549 (£499 or AU$774, converted) for 128GB. If you're open to iOS, the iPhone XR is $150 cheaper than the Pixel 3 XL and is worth looking into as well. (Keep in mind that all three phones don't have a 3.5mm headphone jack, but Google does include USB-C headphones and a 3.5mm adapter in the box.)   

But if you can afford it, huawei y7 prime 2018 antutu score mate 10 antutu score the Pixel 3 XL is a top Android pick. It's more expensive than the Pixel 3, huawei p smart z antutu benchmark and may not be as premium as the iPhone XS Max or samsung galaxy a50 antutu Note 9, but its ridiculously good camera and timely software updates make it a first-class phone to get.

For galaxy note 8 antutu score a more in-depth breakdown, including camera and software analysis, head over to my Pixel 3 review.

Editors' Note, Nov. 15: We've updated this review, originally published Oct. 15, with final camera testing and additional impressions.