Pixel 3 and 3 XL are one of Google’s most anticipated smartphone releases. Many rumours have been revolving around the market since the screen protector leak hit a few months back. Surprisingly, the screen protector leak is almost accurate with the final product launch of Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
Now, what have we got with these latest launches from Google? Since the iPhone has been ruling the world for more than a decade now, the iOS innovation has played a great role in proving iPhone’s success over Android. Not to mention, the iPhone is much more expensive than any existing Android smartphone. It was a challenge for Google to meet software and hardware standards equivalent to the iPhone’s possession.
Whereas Google Nexus devices are affordable, it still lacks a high-end device with premium features and feels. This drove Google to look into its hardware aspects, resulting in the Pixel Series.
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL come with Android 9 and Magnifique cameras to beat iPhone on its camera game. Let’s get a detailed review of Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL.
Design
Not to brag, Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL have the best design aesthetics among all the products from Google. Google Pixel 3 has upgraded its design game with a two-tone back. Additionally, the design has shifted to an all-glass back and matte touch on the bottom part, confirmed by Smart Data Recovery.
What’s more that has been added? A hassle-free wireless charging has joined the journey, with the back made up of Gorilla Glass 5. Blocky edges of Google Pixel 2 have taken a backseat, and rounded aluminium rails have appeared. Google Pixel is the smaller version of the entire Pixel 3 range. Yet, the Pixel 3 weighs 5 grams more than its predecessor, the Pixel 2.
Similarly, Google Pixel 3 XL is 9 grams heavier than the earlier version of the XL. Without any argument, we feel that Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL deliver more premium designs than their predecessor.
In addition, the SIM tray has shifted to the bottom of the device, and it’s just next to the USB-C charging port. The USB-C charging port comes with Power Delivery 2.0 and USB 3.1 support. Volume and power buttons reside on the phone’s right-hand side for easy access.
Moreover, summoning the Google Assistant becomes easier with the addition of Active Edge. Haptics turns out to be outstanding and responsive. With Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL launch, three colour options, such as Not Pink, Just Black, and Clearly White, are available.
Display
The display of the Google Pixel 3 XL will take time to digest if you don’t like the presence of a notch. Google Pixel 3 XL has a huge and intrusive notch that makes its bigger display awful. However, the Pixel 3 doesn’t have a notch, but the screen size is smaller.
If you want to go with Pixel 3 XL, you have no option other than just accepting the notch. However, Google has confirmed that users can eliminate the notch with the latest software patch. Earlier, users had to utilise the developer option to hide the notch, and the icons will be shifted down. Thus, more space used to be wasted.
Coming to the display dimensions, Google’s Pixel 3 has a 5.5-inch FHD plus P-OLED display that features 443 PPI and an aspect ratio of 18:9. That’s pretty impressive and larger than the Pixel 2, featuring a 5-inch FHD AMOLED screen. The Pixel 3 XL has a 6.3-inch QHD plus P-OLED screen with 523 PPI and an aspect ratio of 18.5:9.
It’s an upgrade from the previous Pixel 2 XL that featured a 6-inch QHD plus P-OLED screen with an aspect ratio of 18:9. Google’s Adaptive display offers saturated results with the Pixel 3 range, and it also takes care of saturation of skin tones. However, Google might have worked more on brightness. It manages to offer over 400 nits, and we don’t think that it’s not enough for a reliable view under daylight. Therefore, the battery will drain faster if you stay outdoors for a long period.
Software
A better balance between phones and life is a hot topic in the industry. Google launched Android Pie with an amazing feature named Digital Wellbeing. This helps track and limit your activity on specific applications with reminders and timers.
If you can stick to your own-set limits, then it’s a healthy sign. You can’t access that particular application until the next day once the time limit is over and the app icon turns grey.
However, you can modify settings and access the application at any time. You can also control the blue-light emission with the Night Light feature enabled. Activate Wind Down to remind you of your bedtime, and the feature toggles your display to grayscale.
Moreover, you can tweak the Do Not Disturb mode to limit notifications to achieve better focus or sleep. The device goes back to normal once it’s morning. You can set Routines on your Pixel 3 or 3 XL to automate your interactions with your device. In addition, Google focuses more on deploying Google Assistant and encourages users to use more voice commands for interaction.
Interestingly, Google’s Duplex is there to answer spam calls on our behalf. It also offers you a live transcription service so that you can call back the number if required. Yet, you have to pay attention while the transcription is going on.
Instead of this, Google’s Duplex handling this alone will be much better. However, Google has elevated the software to a new dimension with Android Pie and Pixel 3 range.
Hardware
Both Pixel 3 variants feature front-facing stereo speakers beneath the display. They are pretty powerful, but you can feel the distortion in quality when you raise the volume. Additionally, the device starts shaking when you play loud music. With a Pixel 3 or 3 XL purchase, you get a USB-C wired Pixel Buds.
We don’t find them impressive for their uncomfortable fit for a long period. However, bundled earphones with any smartphone deserve appreciation. The Pixel Buds come with Google Assistant support and can easily interact with your phone. Additionally, Pixel Buds allow you to keep track of your calendar reminders, respond to texts, and more.
Google has made Pixel 3 and 3 XL identical in terms of processor, memory, and others. You can avail of Qualcomm 2.8GHz Snapdragon 845 along with a RAM of 4 GB. In addition, you will get to choose a variant from two storage options: 64 GB and 128 GB. Performance-wise, this range is the fastest in Google’s history of innovations.
However, the Qualcomm processor is pretty much older than trending processors. And, you might notice a clear difference between Google Pixel 3 and other contemporary smartphone innovations.
Camera
Google has been paying attention to camera standards, and we think that the Pixel 3 is a champion in the race. A single camera on its rear side might make you feel underwhelming when other competitors are launching dual cameras. Yet, Google has decided to stick with one rear camera that supports a 12.2-megapixel click with an f/1.8 aperture.
On the other hand, Google provides optical image stabilisation and dual LED flashes with the rear camera. Hence, you can get a sharp yet natural colour balance with each snap on the google Pixel 3 and 3 XL devices. However, the camera setup lacks monochrome shots, telephoto zoom, and 4K video at 60 FPS.
On both phones, you will get 8 MP front-facing cameras with a wide-angle and regular lens. We found that both cameras are superb in low light and well-lit conditions. You can add a smooth effect, beauty, or even retouch face features for modification purposes. Besides this, you can record 1080p videos at 30 FPS with both rear and front cameras. You can escalate the refresh rate up to 240 FPS with the resolution at 720p.
Overall, the resulting pictures from both Pixel 3 and 3 XL are excellent. The Pixel 3 has started supporting RAW images, too.
Battery Life
Google has put a 3430 mAh battery on the Pixel 3 XL, whereas the Pixel 3 gets a smaller battery capacity of 2915 mAh. We tested the battery, and it’s not overwhelming. The Pixel 3 XL can last up to 13 hours with a single charge, too, with video running in Airplane mode.
Therefore, this won’t be your first choice if you are a heavy user. However, this device supports wireless charging. You can turn on the battery-saver mode to prohibit background activities. Additionally, the Pixel 3 discharges its battery-less compared to the Pixel 3 XL.
Wrapping Up…
We would like to keep the Pixel 3 ahead of the Pixel 3 XL in terms of a few specifications and performance. If you love Android and want a decent camera experience, Pixel 3 and 3 XL can be your choices.
However, remember that the battery is not too good, and the hardware might be a little sluggish compared to the latest trends. In other words, Google tried to implement the best of iPhones and paste them into Android. You can go for the Pixel 3 series if you are eager to try Android Pie and other spectacular features.