Google’s Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL come at the end of the year which has been crammed with fabulous smartphones. The design has been a little controversial to say the least particularly with the prominent face like notch on the Pixel XL. It has similar features to the iPhone XS and is likely the iPhone alternative for users looking to escape Apple’s walled garden but maybe not quite as refined as Apples iPhone, however the Pixel 3 does come at a lower cost.
The Pixel 3 specs don’t always compare well with other flagship phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 which is well endowed with more ram and bigger battery but maybe isn’t as well optimised as a clean version of android that is managed by Google. Where Samsung typically falls down is slower updates to the latest and greatest of Android so you always want it first then the Pixel 3 is no doubt going to be first in line.
Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL Size and Display
The Pixel 3 has a nice weight and size making it a very comfortable and usable smartphone that still fits in your pocket. The Pixel 3 is the coolest phone to use one-handed and easy to handle. The display of the Pixel 3 is 5.5 inches with the front camera fixed on the left side of the top bezel. There is also the central stereo speakers at the top and bottom bezels. Though, the Pixel 3 plays things with a higher quality 5.5-inch display than its 5-inch 16:9 precursor, the Pixel 3 XL increases the display size on the Pixel 2 from 6.0 to a 6.3-inch QHD OLED display.
The only difference between the Pixel 3 and it’s bigger brother, the Pixel 3 XL phones is in the display size and the QHD OLED on the XL vs FHD display on the smaller version . We should mention that bathtub size notch on the XL. Both have a hybrid coating and Aluminium frame and are IPX8 dust and water resistant.
Pixel 3 Features
The groundbreaking artificial intelligence (A.I.) inside the Pixel 3 is where Google typically shines. The A.I. smarts is cleverly used in the camera where Google is extremely good at delivering stunning photos with a single camera phone as well as a range of camera features like top shot and night sight.
Then there is also the Google Assistant which is continually being improved by the day and there are other useful features which doubles for a Google home when charged on Google’s wireless charger which isn’t exactly cheap. If you plug in the earphones that come with the Pixel 3, the Google Assistant will tell you if you have a text message, also offering you an option to hear it. You can request any of the normal range of questions to find out about your schedule, the next train, the weather, or listen to another track.
The Pixel 3 retains last year’s clever “Now Playing” feature, which recognizes music which is playing wherever you are by displaying the song on the lock screen, but has been enhanced with a history page so you can catch up on that track list. Talking about music, you can also get six months of free YouTube Music with the Pixel 3 providing you’re not an existing customer so I’ll have to miss out on that offer but after the trial will cost $10 per month.
Pixel 3 Specifications
The Pixel 3 sports the current top of the hill Snapdragon 845 as do many of the other flagship android smartphones. For RAM Google have stuck with the somewhat anaemic 4GB despite many other manufacturers now moving to 6GB and 8GB of RAM at this price point and even lower with the comparatively low-priced OnePlus 6. Power users are likely going to be disappointed with 4GB considering flagship android phones had 4GB more than 2 years ago.
Pixel 3 Geekbench 4 performance benchmark results from Toms Guide.
Overall if you’re looking for the fastest phone out there in 2018 then the Pixel 3 probably isn’t for you beating only the Galaxy S9 in Geekbench 4 performance tests.
Pixel 3 Camera
In the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, Google has amended on the Pixel 2 and 2 XL cameras. Once more, both sizes of phones have an identical camera setup.
The cameras are precisely the same in Pixel 3 and pixel 3 XL smartphone. Pixel 3 and 3 XL features a same 8 MP, 1080p video front camera and the exactly the same 12.2 MP rear camera, which gives visual and electronic image steadying and records in 4K video. The area where Google didn’t followed the trend is adding dual lens rear cameras to its flagships.
But Google has done some exceptional changes in camera’s hardware. Google works on machine learning and A.I. to improve your camera work in a number of ingenious means. The HDR+ function, tacks together different experiences to reach at the perfect shot. Google has added some extra features like Super Res Zoom, Top Shot and Night Sight.
Super Res Zoom feature is designed to squeeze better point out of photos where you’ve zoomed. Digital zooms usually outcome in very noisy and distorted shots, but Super Res Zoom benefits to decrease the noise and give results that are nearer to those you’d assume from a devoted telephoto lens proficient of optical zoom, similar to the ones in Galaxy S9 Plus and the iPhone XS.
Battery
The Pixel 3 contains a 2915 mAh battery. We see very low battery life capacity in the Pixel 2, but the small jump in capacity from 2700 mAh combined with an extra efficient processor and software, can deliver an effective improvement in screen on time too. The good thing is that Google adds suitable, USB-PD, fast charging set in the box, giving an 18W charger and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. It means that you can charge 25 percent in just 15 minutes and to hit 100, you just need 50 minutes. This is just cool in Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
Price and Availability
The Pixel 3 is now available for sale. For the 5.5in Pixel 3, it cost £739 for 64GB and £839 for the 128GB model. Pixel 3 XL is slightly expensive. For the 6.3inch Pixel 3 XL it costs you £869 for 64GB and £969 for 128GB model. Both have the pretty standard 1 year and 2 year warranty in the U.S. and Europe respectively. If you’re unfortunate enough that your Pixel is faulty, it will be replaced or repaired for free.
Final Thoughts
So in conclusion, should buy the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL. We think if you’re looking to make the switch from Apple to Android or looking to upgrade a phone that is 2 plus years old, then you’ll likely enjoy the Pixel 3. For smaller hands or those adverse to notches or bigger phones, might be better to choose the notch-less Pixel 3 otherwise the XL is for you.
