Pixel 2 XL takes the best features from the Samsung Galaxy S8 and HTC U11

Google has focused on improving its design

The original Pixel was criticised for being too plain (Android Police)

The first legitimate-looking picture of Google’s highly anticipated upcoming flagship smartphone has leaked.

The Pixel is one of the best handsets on the market, and is considered by many to have the most impressive camera capabilities of any smartphone.

Its successor appears to be at least partly inspired by the Samsung Galaxy S8 and HTC U11 – two handsets it will go head-to-head with when it launches later this year.

As was the case with the original Pixel, the next version with come in two sizes: regular and XL.

A purported image of the XL model has been published by Android Police, and it looks a lot more attractive than last year’s handset, which was criticised for being too plain.

Google appears to have increased the new Pixel’s screen to body ratio by making its bezels significantly thinner, and to have made the entire phone taller and slimmer.

This is a similar strategy to the one employed by Samsung for the Galaxy S8, the best-looking phone available right now.

The new Pixel is also said to feature a “squeezable” frame, like the HTC U11.

By applying pressure to its sides, you’ll be able to launch a range of features, like the Google Assistant, or complete tasks that would be fiddly if you had to touch the screen, like taking a photo.

The leaked picture also shows that Google seems to be sticking with its unusual two-tone rear, though it appears to have made the glass panel a lot smaller and increased the size of the camera lens.

The new Pixel XL is expected to feature a very large 6-inch display, though fans of smaller devices should find the regular Pixel much more manageable. Unfortunately, little is known about it at present.

Both handsets look set to launch in October, along with the next version of Android.