The time has come for Google’s Pixel 4 handsets to finally hit the shops. We first caught a glimpse of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL at the Made by Google event on 15 October; whilst this was the “official” unveiling, leaks about the phone have been circulating for months. The Pixel 4 is, no doubt, the most leaked phone of the year.

This is not to say it doesn’t possess some impressive features. The headline act here is Soli, the new hands-free technology employed to make your life easier. From a swipe of the hand to skip a song to a wave that turns off your alarm, Soli can even sense when you approach your phone, and switch on the facial recognition sensor for faster unlocking.

Google has decided against upgrading the fundamental hardware of the 12-megapixel rear camera, owing to the Pixel’s emphasis on software-led photography. The inclusion of a 16-megapixel telephoto lens, however, marks Google’s first departure from a single-lens setup, and works alongside an intelligent digital zoom to produce some cracking results.

“The Pixel 4’s camera is as effortlessly versatile as it’s ever been,” our reviewer writes. “No matter the lighting conditions, you can rest assured that your pictures will be filled to the brim with intricate details.”

Other features worth mentioning are the sleek new design and newest version of Android software. Google has done away with the two-tone rear panel and fingerprint sensor of previous models, encouraging you to use a pin code or facial recognition software. You’ll find no notch, either, as the Pixel 4’s forehead is bristling with Soli sensors and facial recognition hardware.

We believe the shining star in this Pixel device is the Android 10 operating system, described by our reviewer as “the best version of Android yet”. At last, the responsiveness and general speed of the onboard software is good enough to seriously rival Apple’s iOS 13.

The Google Pixel 4 with 64GB storage will be available from £669, rising to £769 for the 128GB model. There’s only the one 64GB Pixel 4 XL model available, and it costs £829. You’ll see the usual white and black colours available alongside the punchy limited-edition Oh So Orange.