Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[Shanghaichica]

I really don’t think google should be handing out any advice on notches


https://www.androidauthority.com/google-notch-guidelines-890983/

 

[spinedoc77]

In general, the Pixel line has been plagued with poor decision making and missteps by Google.

What's odd is that these are such obvious mistakes, they were obvious even before the phones were released. I just don't get it, Google's encompassing strategy for these phones. The pixel line makes no sense following any train of thought on strategy. They are truly becoming the Microsoft of the 2000's in the mobile hardware world.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

What's odd is that these are such obvious mistakes, they were obvious even before the phones were released. I just don't get it, Google's encompassing strategy for these phones. The pixel line makes no sense following any train of thought on strategy. They are truly becoming the Microsoft of the 2000's in the mobile hardware world.

Yeah, I agree. I think I've even posted before that it seems as if Google makes these "mistakes" on purpose as not to offend any of the OEMs.

I just wish we could get some flagship Android One devices from Samsung or LG.

 

[epicrayban]

What's odd is that these are such obvious mistakes, they were obvious even before the phones were released. I just don't get it, Google's encompassing strategy for these phones. The pixel line makes no sense following any train of thought on strategy. They are truly becoming the Microsoft of the 2000's in the mobile hardware world.

Yeah, I agree. I think I've even posted before that it seems as if Google makes these "mistakes" on purpose as not to offend any of the OEMs.

I just wish we could get some flagship Android One devices from Samsung or LG.

I've been saying the same thing, that Google doesn't seem like they want to actually compete. This is what the Pixel could be:

They should have positioned the Pixel line as the consumer-friendly version to the iPhone, with a camera and AI that actually beats the iPhone. Google should have much better designs, keep consumer-friendly features like the headphone jack, and offer good features for the value. That doesn't mean price them cheap. They can still be priced premium but with premium features like full waterproofing and wireless charging.

This is how the Pixel line should be -- a true alternative to the iPhone.

I'm confident Google can do this if they wanted to.

 

[nviz22]

My work phone is an iPhone 7. I don't use it much throughout the day, but every time I do it makes me more happy for my S8. I read comments such as yours and feel very disconnected from that mindset because I don't envy anything about iOS or iPhone compared to Android and my S8. I do look forward to going back to pure Android for my next device, but I can't think of anything that makes iOS software or iPhone hardware more desirable when I'm using it. Then again, even when I was 100% iOS I kept iMessage and Facetime turned off and never wanted it, so it looks like our needs are different there.

My work phone is an iPhone 7. I don't use it much throughout the day, but every time I do it makes me more happy for my S8. I read comments such as yours and feel very disconnected from that mindset because I don't envy anything about iOS or iPhone compared to Android and my S8. I do look forward to going back to pure Android for my next device, but I can't think of anything that makes iOS software or iPhone hardware more desirable when I'm using it. Then again, even when I was 100% iOS I kept iMessage and Facetime turned off and never wanted it, so it looks like our needs are different there.

I really want Android to do better than iOS. Android gets the OS extensions (cool features, better battery life saving options, etc) right, however the core functions are up and down depending on the experience. Samsung gives the best hardware, but likes to bloat your experience. Google has superb software, but terrible QC.

iOS just simply handles the core functions and I have to temper my expectations to get a reliable all-rounded experience: software, hardware, iMessage, FaceTime, app updates, etc. I took iOS 12 for what it is worth now and think it will be a decent update, especially with Group FaceTime.

Yeah, we both disagree on usage. If it wasn't for the Apple Watch, I would be positioning myself for the Pixel 3. I just rather get the iPhone and be done with upgrading phones for a long time.

 

[tbayrgs]

Way to put your foot down Google...🙄

Google bans Android phones from having three or more notches

 

[Michael Goff]

Way to put your foot down Google...🙄

Google bans Android phones from having three or more notches

How can you have three or more notches?

 

[Macalicious2011]

Wow. What an absolute bash fest in here.

I can’t believe some of the statements that have been made. There is nothing wrong Google’s line of phones, in fact they are great. My previous phones was a Samsung, iPhone and Nokia Lumia and I can say that Pixel phones do what matters really well: Speed, Camera, Battery Life, Usability and Voice Assist. Most importantly they do so at 30-40% less than flagship Samsung and iPhone.

Yes the new notch looks terrible and I wish it wasn’t there, it there will be a software option to hide it.

Wireless charging? I had it on my S6+ Edge. I used while at work but eventually stopped bothering as charging speed was slow. The battery life on my P2XL is so good that I never need to charge my phone while work even though I constantly use WiFi and play music through Bluetooth earbuds. If I need a quick boost before a night out I use a cable while on flight mode and get 20% or juice after 5-10min.

If you want want every hardware feature possible and pay for the R&D that went into Animoji, S-Pen, 3D Touch or the Bixby button then please do so.

The S9 is selling slower than expected and phone retailers are reporting long upgrade cycles. Paying through the nose for incremental upgrades or features that have no impact on popular apps, is slowly declining.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Wow. What an absolute bash fest in here.

I can’t believe some of the statements that have been made. There is nothing wrong Google’s line of phones, in fact they are great. My previous phones was a Samsung, iPhone and Nokia Lumia and I can say that Pixel phones do what matters really well: Speed, Camera, Battery Life, Usability and Voice Assist. Most importantly they do so at 30-40% less than flagship Samsung and iPhone.

Yes the new notch looks terrible and I wish it wasn’t there, it there will be a software option to hide it.

Wireless charging? I had it on my S6+ Edge. I used while at work but eventually stopped bothering as charging speed was slow. The battery life on my P2XL is so good that I never need to charge my phone while work even though I constantly use WiFi and play music through Bluetooth earbuds. If I need a quick boost before a night out I use a cable while on flight mode and get 20% or juice after 5-10min.

If you want want every hardware feature possible and pay for the R&D that went into Animoji, S-Pen, 3D Touch or the Bixby button then please do so.

The S9 is selling slower than expected and phone retailers are reporting long upgrade cycles. Paying through the nose for incremental upgrades or features that have no impact on popular apps, is slowly declining.

Samsung have moved wireless charging on since the S6. They have fast wireless charging now and they aren’t even content with that because the note 9 is bringing in even faster wireless charging. So whilst google have been sitting down and ignoring wireless charging Samsung have been moving it forward.

The S9 hasn’t sold as well as expected but the pixel isn’t selling anything.

I don’t mind the pixel. After Samsung flagships I’d choose the pixel. Google will have to do something really special with their AI to make me overook all the missing hardware features.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Google will have to do something really special with their AI to make me overook all the missing hardware features.

The AI for the camera is nothing short of remarkable. Google Assistant is a million miles ahead of Siri both on the phone and in the car.

Nowadays I rarely use my app drawer or home screen as Android P suggest the right apps on the multi-tasking screen at the appropriate time of day. Setting alarms is easy to, just squeeze the phone and say "Wake me up tomorrow at 0730". No need to articulate every word. The assist also gets it right when I ask about an obscure name of an artist, product or city. I search by voice or install apps with voice whenever I can.

If that's not special then I don't know what is.

Samsung have moved wireless charging on since the S6. They have fast wireless charging now and they aren’t even content with that because the note 9 is bringing in even faster wireless charging. So whilst google have been sitting down and ignoring wireless charging Samsung have been moving it forward.

Yes. 7.5 Watt chargers are fast but expensive. My 18 Watt charger is twice as fast and came with the phone. As I said earlier, the Pixel battery life is so good that I don't have to charge it during the day on weekdays.

I'm not dismissing Wireless charging. It's a great invention but high powered pads need to becoming cheaper and placement on the pad need to become less sensitive. My next car will likely have a wireless charging pad and my next phone after P2XL will be able to take advantage of it.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The AI for the camera is nothing short of remarkable. Google Assistant is a million miles ahead of Siri both on the phone and in the car.

Nowadays I rarely use my app drawer or home screen as Android P suggest the right apps on the multi-tasking screen at the appropriate time of day. Setting alarms is easy to, just squeeze the phone and say "Wake me up tomorrow at 0730". No need to articulate every word. The assist also gets it right when I ask about an obscure name of an artist, product or city. I search by voice or install apps with voice whenever I can.

If that's not special then I don't know what is.





Yes. 7.5 Watt chargers are fast but expensive. My 18 Watt charger is twice as fast and came with the phone. As I said earlier, the Pixel battery life is so good that I don't have to charge it during the day on weekdays.

I'm not dismissing Wireless charging. It's a great invention but high powered pads need to becoming cheaper and placement on the pad need to become less sensitive. My next car will likely have a wireless charging pad and my next phone after P2XL will be able to take advantage of it.

Google assistant is great but it’s available on any android phone. I haven’t used the camera on the pixel. Only heard a lot of good things about it.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I haven’t used the camera on the pixel. Only heard a lot of good things about it.

That is correct. However on the Pixel you can activate voice assist by a squeeze, even from black screen, and speak instantly. This encourages spontaneous use compared with having to wake up a phone, long press or Say Hey Siri/OK Google.

I haven’t used the camera on the pixel. Only heard a lot of good things about it.

Since I bought my Pixel I haven't barely used my DSLR or compact cameras. 95% of the time photos don't need temperature, colours, white balance correction of filters. Because I can activate the camera by double pressing the camera button I never miss a moment.


The camera is the reason to buy the Pixel. Below are photos I've previously shared.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-pixel-2-google-pixel-2-xl.2036225/page-208#post-26096194
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/pixel-3-pixel-3-xl.2106788/page-8#post-26143277

The Pixels are not spec sheet kings and are reminiscent of iPhones in their early days. Critics bashed the early iPhones for the lack of a stylus, FM tuner, hardware keyboard, file directory and lots of other features packed into Palms, BlackBerry and Nokia's etc. Yet the user experience was greater than the sum of it's parts.

The difference here is that Google are not charging flagship money for a flagship experience.

 

[Shanghaichica]

That is correct. However on the Pixel you can activate voice assist by a squeeze, even from black screen, and speak instantly. This encourages spontaneous use compared with having to wake up a phone, long press or Say Hey Siri/OK Google.



Since I bought my Pixel I haven't barely used my DSLR or compact cameras. 95% of the time photos don't need temperature, colours, white balance correction of filters. Because I can activate the camera by double pressing the camera button I never miss a moment.


The camera is the reason to buy the Pixel. Below are photos I've previously shared.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-pixel-2-google-pixel-2-xl.2036225/page-208#post-26096194
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/pixel-3-pixel-3-xl.2106788/page-8#post-26143277

The Pixels are not spec sheet kings and are reminiscent of iPhones in their early days. Critics bashed the early iPhones for the lack of a stylus, FM tuner, hardware keyboard, file directory and lots of other features packed into Palms, BlackBerry and Nokia's etc. Yet the user experience was greater than the sum of it's parts.

The difference here is that Google are not charging flagship money for a flagship experience.

I haven’t used any of the pixel phones so I can’t comment on the experience but in the UK the pixel XL starts at £799 which is quite expensive in comparison to the note 8 which is £869. Both come with 64GB or internal storage but the note 8 can be expanded. The note 8 has an S pen, wireless charging, a more futuristic design, better water resistance, can be used with both gear VR and daydream, can be used with DeX to make it into a desktop computer. So when you look at it like that, if
any of those features are useful to you then the pixel 2XL seems to be over priced for what it brings to the table.

The pixel line is improving and gets more compelling each year but it is too expensive imo for what it is.

It’s a bit like the Huwawei P20 Pro. It has a great camera but there are so many other features it doesn’t have which precludes me from choosing it over the S9 plus/note 9.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I haven’t used any of the pixel phones so I can’t comment on the experience but in the UK the pixel XL starts at £799

The 64GB Pixel 2 XL is £549 SIM Free at Carphone Warehouse.

Even 4 months ago there were promotions to buy it at £600. The iPhone X is twice the price but doesn't have a better camera or cutting edge voice assist.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The 64GB Pixel 2 XL is £549 SIM Free at Carphone Warehouse.

Even 4 months ago there were promotions to buy it at £600. The iPhone X is twice the price but doesn't have a better camera or cutting edge voice assist.

Ok. I was looking at the prices on Google’s own website. That price is reasonable and worth a consideration as it’s considerably cheaper than Samsung’s flagships.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Ok. I was looking at the prices on Google’s own website. That price is reasonable and worth a consideration as it’s considerably cheaper than Samsung’s flagships.

You should give a Pixel a play for a few minutes in a store. After using one, the iPhone X and S9 will feel slow and laggy. As I said earlier, the Pixel phones are very fast which is an intangible attribute which isn't appreciated by strictly looking at the spec sheet.

 

[akash.nu]

The AI for the camera is nothing short of remarkable. Google Assistant is a million miles ahead of Siri both on the phone and in the car.

Nowadays I rarely use my app drawer or home screen as Android P suggest the right apps on the multi-tasking screen at the appropriate time of day. Setting alarms is easy to, just squeeze the phone and say "Wake me up tomorrow at 0730". No need to articulate every word. The assist also gets it right when I ask about an obscure name of an artist, product or city. I search by voice or install apps with voice whenever I can.

If that's not special then I don't know what is.

I completely agree with this. Google is way ahead of the curve in terms of software invention and especially in AI.

 

[akash.nu]

The camera is the reason to buy the Pixel.

Also in 100% agreement with this!

 

[epicrayban]

Yeah, the cameras are great. That's not what people are worried about or disappointed by in the Pixel 3 leaks...

This is the third generation Pixel (not to mention the years of building "beta" Nexus phones) so I don't think it's shocking or unfair of anyone to want to hold Google to higher standards. Google can continue doing amazing things in camera and AI and still be good at hardware and in offering consumer-friendly features.

As I said earlier, Google could have made the Pixel a true contender and alternative to the iPhone that actually has an even better camera and certainly better AI. Imagine what that would have looked like for the smartphone industry -- an Android smartphone backed by Google with strong software support, as good premium design, the aforementioned better camera/AI and I would add better software, better consumer-friendly features, like keeping the headphone jack that was in the OG Pixel or at least offering USB-C earbuds (or earbuds at all!), wireless charging (which were in Nexus devices but disappeared for some reason), etc. all at a better value than the iPhone X's $999 price tag.

Seriously, imagine that.

Just like Apple was painfully behind in hardware and certain features before the X, it's Google now. Except Google doesn't have the base and brand following that Apple has in the smartphone space.

There's no question Google can do better.
[doublepost=1533134000][/doublepost]

That is correct. However on the Pixel you can activate voice assist by a squeeze, even from black screen, and speak instantly. This encourages spontaneous use compared with having to wake up a phone, long press or Say Hey Siri/OK Google.

Don't you still have to unlock your phone before you can continue after squeezing and issuing a command? That kind of defeats the quick-access of the squeeze feature. When I'm in my car and use the squeeze or voice command, it's frustrating I still have to look down and reach to unlock my device to let the command initiate.

 

[Macalicious2011]

As I said earlier, Google could have made the Pixel a true contender and alternative to the iPhone that actually has an even better camera and certainly better AI.

One possible reason why Google don't want to create an all-singing-all-dancing phone is that it would risk putting some Android supporting manufacturers out of business. Samsung's dominance is already to big that either Sony, HTC and LG will throw in the towel in the next 3 years.

The purpose served by the Pixel range is partially to give OEMs a kick up the butt by showing that Android doesn't have to be bloated but can be simple, seamless to use and fast.

Unfortunately you can no longer just be a software manufacturer, close your eyes and hope OEMs do it justice. Even Microsoft has be forced to bring laptops and tablets to markets. Google will hopefully make bigger commitments to hardware going forward as while the P20 and OnePlus6 are great. Distribution is so poor in some countries that your only choice for a flagship phone is between a Samsung or an iPhone.

That's not great for consumer choice.

Don't you still have to unlock your phone before you can continue after squeezing and issuing a command? That frustrates me a bit and kind of defeats the quick-access of the squeeze feature.

You only have to unlock it after issuing your command. Alternatively if you have your home set as a trusted zone you don't have to unlock it at all. More than often I use the squeeze feature when the phone is already unlocked e.g "search Argos for 22mm curtain rings".

 

[epicrayban]

One possible reason why Google don't want to create an all-singing-all-dancing phone is that it would risk putting some Android supporting manufacturers out of business. Samsung's dominance is already to big that either Sony, HTC and LG will throw in the towel in the next 3 years.

The purpose served by the Pixel range is partially to give OEMs a kick up the butt by showing that Android doesn't have to be bloated but can be simple, seamless to use and fast.

Unfortunately you can no longer just be a software manufacturer, close your eyes and hope OEMs do it justice. Even Microsoft has be forced to bring laptops and tablets to markets. Google will hopefully make bigger commitments to hardware going forward as while the P20 and OnePlus6 are great. Distribution is so poor in some countries that your only choice for a flagship phone is between a Samsung or an iPhone.

That's not great for consumer choice.

I agree and suspect, too, that the reason Google isn't competing as hard as they could and should be is to not step on their OEM partners. That's unfortunate.

Sony and HTC would have been circling the drain all by themselves with or without Google making hardware. Their unraveling is from years of missteps, HTC especially. If anything, Google should step up the hardware to fill the void that Sony and HTC are leaving. It seems like other OEMs are stepping up instead (OnePlus, Huawei...).

If Google wants to get involved in hardware and offer a smartphone "designed by Google," it should put its best effort into it. Anything less isn't really competing, and that's not exactly good for consumers.

 

[michael9891]

The difference here is that Google are not charging flagship money for a flagship experience.

The Pixel 2 XL 128gb at launch was (and is still very near) £899. More expensive than the S9+ and Note 8. So it's very much a flagship price.

 

[epicrayban]

The Pixel 2 XL 128gb at launch was (and is still very near) £899. More expensive than the S9+ and Note 8. So it's very much a flagship price.

I always thought the Pixel 2 XL was overpriced.

I fear what the price of the Pixel 3 regular will be. There were rumors the Pixel line was going to get price bumps.

 

[michael9891]

I always thought the Pixel 2 XL was overpriced.

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. I was just pointing out the guy above was wrong in saying it wasn’t being sold for flagship money. Only the iPhone X cost more. I’ve loved using my Pixel 2 XL, so to me it’s been worth it.

The 2018 models should have the ones to really make a statement from Google, learning from issues last year. But to me it’s looking like they’re going to make a sideways step at best.

 

[spinedoc77]

I agree and suspect, too, that the reason Google isn't competing as hard as they could and should be is to not step on their OEM partners. That's unfortunate.

Sony and HTC would have been circling the drain all by themselves with or without Google making hardware. Their unraveling is from years of missteps, HTC especially. If anything, Google should step up the hardware to fill the void that Sony and HTC are leaving. It seems like other OEMs are stepping up instead (OnePlus, Huawei...).

If Google wants to get involved in hardware and offer a smartphone "designed by Google," it should put its best effort into it. Anything less isn't really competing, and that's not exactly good for consumers.

Yeah I think that wimpiness is part of the issue. But it's interesting, I was reading just recently an article on how Google secretly forces oems to use their services by twisting around the open source nature of Android. The first thing I wondered is if they did that all these years, why can they not get the oems to put out timely OS and security updates and have to rely on decoupling their apps and project treble? Google is a weird company, and I suspect (although it's kind of obvious) that the hydra just has too many heads to function correctly at times.