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Roadstar

macrumors 68000
Sep 24, 2006
1,723
2,190
Vantaa, Finland
The 3a series has to be down in the $300 to $400 range to be successful. If it gets anywhere near the OnePlus price range it would be foolish to pickup one over the 6t or upcoming 7.
Foolish only if pure hardware specs matter. Having owned two OnePlus phones (a 3T and a 5) I'd be inclined to go with the Pixel for the camera and faster software updates combined with Google not being in the habit of doing a half-arsed job with security and adding barely working security "features" just to get a bullet point. While I have my doubts about Google as well, I still trust them way more than OnePlus. It's a shame really as proper dual-SIM and insanely fast charging are enticing in OnePlus phones.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
Foolish only if pure hardware specs matter. Having owned two OnePlus phones (a 3T and a 5) I'd be inclined to go with the Pixel for the camera and faster software updates combined with Google not being in the habit of doing a half-arsed job with security and adding barely working security "features" just to get a bullet point. While I have my doubts about Google as well, I still trust them way more than OnePlus. It's a shame really as proper dual-SIM and insanely fast charging are enticing in OnePlus phones.

I agree if you're talking about the Pixel 3 or XL. But looking at the Pixel 3a and 3a XL with the proposed specs? I'd take the OnePlus easily. Ones a flagship with some compromises to cut the price down and the other is a clear budget model.

OnePlus will have superior specs, performance, build quality, battery life. The 3a will have slightly faster updates and a better camera.

If security is your priority I can understand putting the Google devices over OnePlus. But don't think that stability will improve with the Google devices. They treat Pixel users like beta testers. Sure, they'll fix things eventually but you have to deal with it for a few months

It just depends on your priorities .
 
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Roadstar

macrumors 68000
Sep 24, 2006
1,723
2,190
Vantaa, Finland
I agree if you're talking about the Pixel 3 or XL. But looking at the Pixel 3a and 3a XL with the proposed specs? I'd take the OnePlus easily. Ones a flagship with some compromises to cut the price down and the other is a clear budget model.

OnePlus will have superior specs, performance, build quality, battery life. The 3a will have slightly faster updates and a better camera.

If security is your priority I can understand putting the Google devices over OnePlus. But don't think that stability will improve with the Google devices. They treat Pixel users like beta testers. Sure, they'll fix things eventually but you have to deal with it for a few months

It just depends on your priorities .

Yeah I was thinking about the regular Pixel, not the 3a series. When the 3a is considered with no discounts, a OnePlus becomes enticing if you can ignore the shortcomings related to security and camera.

It’s true that Nexus/Pixel devices aren’t the epitome of stability. I’ve had updates botch Bluetooth way too often on the ones I’ve owned. However, the Pixel 3 has so far been spared from that.
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Finally a reduction on the Pixel 3.
£489 SIM free at John Lewis.

What a price!!

Typical when I'm not in the market for one!
 
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noobinator

macrumors 604
Jun 19, 2009
7,335
6,998
Los Angeles, CA
Let's say the Pixel 3 and 3 XL Lite are $300-$350. What are your predictions on what is left off to keep the price low?

My guesses:

1. No squeeze for assistant
2. No IP water resistance
3. No glass back (plastic or aluminum?)
4. Lower res screen
5. Potentially slightly larger bezels (ala iPhone XR vs iPhone XS)
6. Lower storage? I don't see them going back to 32gb but they might if they want the price really low entry point.

Maybe they'll throw us a bone and add in a headphone jack to entice some people. :D

Would you be interested starting at $300 for 3A and $350 for the 3A XL if they had the above?
 

slitherjef

macrumors 65816
Feb 8, 2012
1,402
1,189
Earth
Let's say the Pixel 3 and 3 XL Lite are $300-$350. What are your predictions on what is left off to keep the price low?

My guesses:

1. No squeeze for assistant
2. No IP water resistance
3. No glass back (plastic or aluminum?)
4. Lower res screen
5. Potentially slightly larger bezels (ala iPhone XR vs iPhone XS)
6. Lower storage? I don't see them going back to 32gb but they might if they want the price really low entry point.

Maybe they'll throw us a bone and add in a headphone jack to entice some people. :D

Would you be interested starting at $300 for 3A and $350 for the 3A XL if they had the above?

I think I'd take that.

Heck, Ithink I would take a refreshed Nexus 5! Or even better yet, a refreshed Nexus 6p just as long as the battery issue or screen flipping out has been fixed
 

co.ag.2005

macrumors 68020
Jun 17, 2009
2,365
1,810
Fort Worth, TX
This is good news for the Pixel lineup... adding another carrier would be nice (I know you can get them via Google's store online but some people prefer to buy at their carriers. And if the price is right, I like to participate in T-Mobile's JOD (Jump On Demand) program... so getting future Pixels via JOD would be nice).

https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/04/15/t-mobile-may-start-carrying-the-pixel-3-and-3-xl/

"A source has reached out to share information that supports this report. According to our source, T-Mobile will offer the Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, and 3a XL. We don't have an exact date, but T-Mobile employees described the timeline as very short within the last few days."
 
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Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
I am quite tempted by the reduced in price Pixel 3. Just to try out.
I still need to sell my XR (which I definitely will be doing as I am keeping my P30 Pro) but I could sell my XR and still have money left over buying a Pixel 3 which is very tempting.

I wouldn't mind seeing how it performs and what the camera is like compared to the P30.
 
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Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
I am quite tempted by the reduced in price Pixel 3. Just to try out.
I still need to sell my XR (which I definitely will be doing as I am keeping my P30 Pro) but I could sell my XR and still have money left over buying a Pixel 3 which is very tempting.

I wouldn't mind seeing how it performs and what the camera is like compared to the P30.
That would be an awesome comparison to see, you'd have two best mobile shooters in your pocket..... Got space for a certain Penta lense Nokia?
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
That would be an awesome comparison to see, you'd have two best mobile shooters in your pocket..... Got space for a certain Penta lense Nokia?

Ha I'd love to! But that's one phone that's out until they sort those camera lag times out!
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,076
19,069
US
I have been using my P3 XL as my daily driver for the last couple of weeks. What a great phone....what a great blend of hardware and software designed to work with the hardware. It provides a great overall user experience.
I really enjoy my P3 XL...can't wait to see what the P4 is this fall :)
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
I have been using my P3 XL as my daily driver for the last couple of weeks. What a great phone....what a great blend of hardware and software designed to work with the hardware. It provides a great overall user experience.
I really enjoy my P3 XL...can't wait to see what the P4 is this fall :)

Same. Except for some Android Auto performance issues (slowed down to a crawl with frequent black screens) that appear to have been resolve with a deletion of the app cache and storage, mine has been working quite well.
 
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noobinator

macrumors 604
Jun 19, 2009
7,335
6,998
Los Angeles, CA
Looks to be a pretty amazing deal for today only. Phone has to be activated on Fi but since there is no long-term contract, think you only have to pay for one month of Fi service.

Probably not even that. I've done deals on Fi before and just had to activate the phone then cancel. I ended up being charged like 75 cents or something for a day of use. I can't imagine they'd go after people for not keeping service.
 

co.ag.2005

macrumors 68020
Jun 17, 2009
2,365
1,810
Fort Worth, TX
Probably not even that. I've done deals on Fi before and just had to activate the phone then cancel. I ended up being charged like 75 cents or something for a day of use. I can't imagine they'd go after people for not keeping service.

FAQ's.... underlined bit would make me wonder if they'd consider 1 day use (then cancelling) "abuse, misuse, or fraud"? Probably not but that bullet point did catch my eye. I was tempted to grab a 3 to have as a backup device and to test out Q.

Promotion Terms: 50% off Pixel 3 or 3 XL with Activation
Get a 50% discount with the purchase and activation of the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL from fi.google.com. Offer is valid for one day only on April 22, 2019 from 12:00 AM PT to 11:59 PM PT.

Pixel 3 64 GB is discounted from $799 to $399.
Pixel 3 128 GB is discounted from $899 to $449.
Pixel 3 XL 64 GB is discounted from $899 to $449.
Pixel 3 XL 128 GB is discounted from $999 to $499.

How do I qualify for the 50% discount?
  • You can qualify as either a new or existing Google Fi customer.
  • Activate your Pixel 3 or 3 XL within 30 days of the shipment confirmation email.
  • Activate on the Fi account used to purchase the phone. You can activate it yourself or give it to a group plan member to activate.
  • The discounted price will automatically apply during checkout.
  • If Fi is not activated within 30 days of the phone shipment confirmation email, the discounted amount will be charged to your Google Payments account to match the full price of the phone.
Any other details to know?
  • Offer valid on April 22, 2019 from 12:00 AM PT to 11:59 PM PT, or while supplies last.
  • For individual plans, limit one per person. For group plans, limit one per group plan member.
  • Offer is only available to U.S. residents ages 18 or older, and requires Google Payments and Google Fi accounts.
  • This offer cannot be combined with other offers.
  • Discount is not transferable and is not valid for cash or cash equivalent.
  • If Google Fi determines that this offer is used in connection with abuse, misuse, or fraud, the discounted amount will be charged to your Google Payments account.
  • Void where prohibited.
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
So the UK deal I posted about has seen stock disappear online for the Pixel 3 (smaller one) in every colour but 'Not Pink'.
When I did a store stock check earlier in the week (before I talked myself out of picking one up) some stores near me had 1 / 2 units in each colour, but then the option disappeared to check the stock in stores as online was only showing the 'Not Pink' so had removed the black and white colours.

Anyway, I went to John Lewis today to buy a candle (as you do haha) and just happened to wander over to the tech stand. They were only selling the 'Not Pink' XL and normal sized so I asked one of the ladies working on there if they were the only colours they had.

She disappeared and came back with a 64gb, 'Just Black' Pixel 3, which mayyyyy have ended up coming home with me.
Oops.

I am going to turn off my P30 Pro and my XR and use this for a few days with no distraction.
The smaller device is appealing to me after using such big / heavy devices recently as well as a flat display.
I enjoyed using an OG Pixel last year before picking up my XR, so will see how this treats me. For that price I couldn't really turn it down. And 6 months free YouTube Premium is ideal!
 

co.ag.2005

macrumors 68020
Jun 17, 2009
2,365
1,810
Fort Worth, TX
So the UK deal I posted about has seen stock disappear online for the Pixel 3 (smaller one) in every colour but 'Not Pink'.
When I did a store stock check earlier in the week (before I talked myself out of picking one up) some stores near me had 1 / 2 units in each colour, but then the option disappeared to check the stock in stores as online was only showing the 'Not Pink' so had removed the black and white colours.

Anyway, I went to John Lewis today to buy a candle (as you do haha) and just happened to wander over to the tech stand. They were only selling the 'Not Pink' XL and normal sized so I asked one of the ladies working on there if they were the only colours they had.

She disappeared and came back with a 64gb, 'Just Black' Pixel 3, which mayyyyy have ended up coming home with me.
Oops.

I am going to turn off my P30 Pro and my XR and use this for a few days with no distraction.
The smaller device is appealing to me after using such big / heavy devices recently as well as a flat display.
I enjoyed using an OG Pixel last year before picking up my XR, so will see how this treats me. For that price I couldn't really turn it down. And 6 months free YouTube Premium is ideal!

geez you have a problem...



but I do too...



I just ordered the White regular Pixel 3 through the Project Fi deal listed above :p:D
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Very early impressions:

It's small. I knew how small it was compared to my current devices, but it is a very small device. It isn't an issue, I'm typing perfectly fine on it, which was my concern but I needn't have worried.

Screen is nice. Adaptive goes too neon - it's like a Samsung display, so I've swapped it to 'Boosted', which is much more natural and I like it a lot.

Phone feels lovely, big improvement over the Pixel 2's.

Camera - only took one snap just to test and was very impressed. Point and shoot looks to be fantastic.

Love the AoD. Put's the one on the P30 Pro to shame. Love the 'now playing' feature. Really cool bonus of owning a Pixel.

Looked into the stand to go with it but I will buy that if I definitely decide to keep it. I am a big fan of the added functionality the stand gives you though. Considering it's a wireless charger too, the additional features make the price a little easier to digest.

Nice to be able to use one handed. I think I will really appreciate this more over time. When I pick my P30 Pro up now, it doesn't feel great. In terms of size I mean. It feels so tall and cumbersome.

Notifications. Coming through the exact same time as my iPhone. My P30 was next to me and someone mentioned me in a comment on Facebook and the Pixel and iPhone pinged to life - 7 minutes later the P30 got it. :rolleyes:
To say the Pixel is the Android iPhone - well I've always thought that and continue to maintain it.

Niggles - biggest one is lock screen artwork stretching over the lockscreen when something is playing. It was ugly years and years ago when it was introduced and it is even uglier now. The only music playing app that lets you turn it off is Google Play Music - not my first choice, but I have a Premium membership for it with me having YouTube Premium, so I'm going to give it a whirl as I cannot deal with the lock screen doing that. Stock Android is the only launcher (to my knowledge) that does this now. Needs sorting ASAP.

Battery won't be as good as XR / P30 - and I'm ok with that. Phone is in a locker from 8-5:15 in the week so I'll have no issues with it seeing me through!
[doublepost=1555963990][/doublepost]One other thing. I've had to download a Pixel style launcher (on a Pixel 3 lol), stay with me...

The stock launcher is great an all, but on the smaller Pixel the app icons are too small for my tastes. I tried changing the display size but it made everything too big then like the text etc.
The good thing with a launcher is it let me change the icon size which I've now done and it looks a lot nicer.

It also let's you add a transparent app drawer which is a nice addition.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
[doublepost=1555963990][/doublepost]One other thing. I've had to download a Pixel style launcher (on a Pixel 3 lol), stay with me...

The stock launcher is great an all, but on the smaller Pixel the app icons are too small for my tastes. I tried changing the display size but it made everything too big then like the text etc.
The good thing with a launcher is it let me change the icon size which I've now done and it looks a lot nicer.

It also let's you add a transparent app drawer which is a nice addition.

Curious which launcher did you install ?
 

tonybarnaby

macrumors 68020
Dec 3, 2017
2,385
1,741
I have always wanted a pixel. I was THIS close to jumping on this deal, but I realize it serves zero purpose. I have a Moto G7 Power and an iPhone 8+. The Moto fills the need for an android phone with micro sd support and a headphone jack. It also has 99% stock android, so I also have that. The best things about the pixel are stock Android and a great camera. Camera doesn’t do anything for me.

My biggest question is would a $499 3xl be a better deal than a $599 OnePlus 7? I don’t know...
 

noobinator

macrumors 604
Jun 19, 2009
7,335
6,998
Los Angeles, CA
I have always wanted a pixel. I was THIS close to jumping on this deal, but I realize it serves zero purpose. I have a Moto G7 Power and an iPhone 8+. The Moto fills the need for an android phone with micro sd support and a headphone jack. It also has 99% stock android, so I also have that. The best things about the pixel are stock Android and a great camera. Camera doesn’t do anything for me.

My biggest question is would a $499 3xl be a better deal than a $599 OnePlus 7? I don’t know...

I have a feeling the one plus 7 will be more like $699 or more.
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Curious which launcher did you install ?

I'm using Lean Launcher. :)
With a Pixel icon pack as it changes some of the default ones to nicer looking icons.

It also changes the gestures which I hate in stock. A swipe up brings up your app drawer in Lean, and not your open apps. To get to that you do a long swipe up so essentially it reverses the way the stock launcher does it. So much better.
 
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