Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[Michael Goff]

There are so many nice-looking devices available today, just none with stock Android. All Google had to do was make a Note 9 size device with thin bezels and stock Android. IMO the Pixel 3 XL is the worse-looking device created in the last few years. I mean, thinking back to the Nexus 6 -- it was large, but it was a nice looking device. The only thing I would have changed on it is to make the bezels proportionate.

Why can't they just stick with a tried-and-true design with new internals?
[doublepost=1534802759][/doublepost]I loved the styling of the Moto X and the Nexus 6. If I was in charge of things, I'd keep those two sizes/styling and just update the chips yearly. I don't know why they have to redesign the devices yearly just to make them faster and uglier.

Is Stock Android really that great?

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Keep in mind with my and other's complaints: We're all Nexus/Pixel/stock Android fans and we only get one shot at a pure-Google device once a year.

Is Stock Android really that great?

Well, that's a matter of opinion. I have my opinion/reasons and would like to have the option to have stock Android on flagship hardware. I bought the Pixel 2 last year but ended up returning it and just sticking with the S8. That's why I'm excited about the Pixel 3 as it seems to be what I was wanting a year ago. (Normal Pixel 3 -- not XL.)

 

[Michael Goff]

Keep in mind with my and other's complaints: We're all Nexus/Pixel/stock Android fans and we only get one shot at a pure-Google device once a year.



Well, that's a matter of opinion. I have my opinion/reasons and would like to have the option to have stock Android on flagship hardware. I bought the Pixel 2 last year but ended up returning it and just sticking with the S8. That's why I'm excited about the Pixel 3 as it seems to be what I was wanting a year ago. (Normal Pixel 3 -- not XL.)

I’d love a good stock option as well, but the middling software of the Pixel 2XL has me a bit miffed.

 

[5105973]

Snowball (my white Pixel 2 delivered during an ice storm) is not going to be retired this year. Snowball is doing well and has that unexpected but lovely two year warranty.

I’ll give them another year to marinate their HTC acquisitions before I give any kind of Pixel phone another look. I think they’re good at the basics so far. My Pixel 2 has been nice and solid. Not exciting, but still very pleasant to own and use, even without a sim in it.

Looks like Pixel 3 is more of the same solid offering, with some refinements and hopefully some good surprises for its debut. Pixel 3 XL...uh. Um...well...it’s hard to believe they’re not trolling us with that notch.

I hope Google retains its song identification feature on the home screen of future phones. I use it a lot. I’ve found a lot of music and artists I like while out and about through that feature.

 

[slitherjef]

@GrumpyMom was wondering about you!

I'll probably run my XL 2 for awhile also, these pixel 3 are underwhelming. If any new phones are on my radar it'll probably be a OnePlus 6t and or note 9 for non standard modding (unless I get a wild hair and grab the international version)

 

[widgeteer]

@GrumpyMom was wondering about you!

I'll probably run my XL 2 for awhile also, these pixel 3 are underwhelming. If any new phones are on my radar it'll probably be a OnePlus 6t and or note 9 for non standard modding (unless I get a wild hair and grab the international version)

Based on what we know thus far, I have no idea what the advantage of a Pixel 3 is over a 2. If it includes wireless charging, that's at least something, but whatever. If all the internals are the same save for this year's processor (that's already half a year old), I don't get the upgrade. What is the defining feature over the 2?

 

[michael9891]

Based on what we know thus far, I have no idea what the advantage of a Pixel 3 is over a 2. If it includes wireless charging, that's at least something, but whatever. If all the internals are the same save for this year's processor (that's already half a year old), I don't get the upgrade. What is the defining feature over the 2?

It has to be the camera. It’s a big selling point for Pixels, so if they don’t improve it, they’re going to lose a lot of customers.

 

[widgeteer]

It has to be the camera. It’s a big selling point for Pixels, so if they don’t improve it, they’re going to lose a lot of customers.

Dunno what "improved" would even mean, honestly. The pictures are almost uniformly awesome on mine. Best portrait effect out of all of them that I've used (iPhone X and Sammy's).

 

[michael9891]

Dunno what "improved" would even mean, honestly. The pictures are almost uniformly awesome on mine. Best portrait effect out of all of them that I've used (iPhone X and Sammy's).

Same on mine, amazing camera. But things can always be improved. And if they don’t make it even better, they’re not giving people much of a reason to upgrade.

 

[epicrayban]

Google is slow rolling new features like Apple does, except Google doesn't have the smartphone branding that Apple and the iPhone carry.

 

[5105973]

@GrumpyMom was wondering about you!

I'll probably run my XL 2 for awhile also, these pixel 3 are underwhelming. If any new phones are on my radar it'll probably be a OnePlus 6t and or note 9 for non standard modding (unless I get a wild hair and grab the international version)

Ah, yeah actually I’ve been around in “ghost form” popping in to read when I had free time. SpookyMom!

When I disappeared, I had teenagers freaking out about end of school year deadlines and my dad got sick with alarming symptoms and thought one of the many cancers he’d beaten was back. I was already dealing with the serious health care issues of the other parents. I came here all stressed out and asked the forum admins to put my account into suspension until I could adjust better to the escalating challenges of my life. I just did not want to find myself snapping at people.

Anyway, dad is fine, I’m as happy and positive as ever and really excited that new phone debuts are upon us. So I asked the admins to reactivate my account and they kindly obliged.

I wasn’t lurking or following tech news for several weeks, so I have to admit it was a bit of a shock to see the leaks for the Pixel 3 XL.

I don’t know exactly what I was hoping for, but I know it wasn’t that notchy of a notch!

As far as camera improvements go, well seeing my husband’s new Huawei P20 Pro and my own S9+ in action, I think the Pixels could use continued improvement in low light photography. I don’t have complaints about exposure or dynamic range, which is where my Pixel 2 still outshines even newer models, but I still often find unpleasant yellow tones to some indoor photos.

It would be lovely to also get a super wide angle lens or a super telephoto lens. Yes they work miracles with just one lens, but adding a second one with some sort of extra ability to bring you a different perspective on a view would be a welcome improvement.

When making videos, I find that Samsung flagships offer superior sound, in stereo no less. So I would love to have Google step up that aspect as well. Though I do think the audio on my Pixel 2 videos is pretty good and better than what I’ve been getting on iPhones.

Of course, for just my own self-concerned reasons, I would be thrilled to see the headphone port make a return. It’s not going to happen, but it’s something that does make the current crop of Samsung phones more appealing to me.

I haven’t had any significant hardware or software issues so far. But others have, so I would like to find that Google has worked to improve that situation as well.

For me, though, what will be interesting about the Pixel 3’s is what Google might have decided to do that I would never have thought to ask for.

OnePlus is definitely up and coming and worth keeping an eye on all of their latest. I’m also going to be very interested in the debut of the Red Hydrogen One.

 

[epicrayban]

It would be lovely to also get a super wide angle lens or a super telephoto lens. Yes they work miracles with just one lens, but adding a second one with some sort of extra ability to bring you a different perspective on a view would be a welcome improvement.

This is why I wanted Google to introduce dual-cameras on the back shooters of the Pixel 3, ideally on both models. The Pixel line is all about the camera experience. The least Google could have done was offer dual-cameras for these sorts of additional features.

This is a late 2018 smartphone that is going to compete with the likes of the Note 9, the 2018 iPhone X and X Plus, and maybe even the OnePlus 6T. Not to mention 2019 devices are right around the corner, likely starting with the S10. All those carry dual-cameras on the back.

How will the Pixel 3 look going into 2019 with its single camera. This question extends to things like 4GB of RAM, how will that look in 2019?


I know people criticize and complain about nearly every device every year, but Google has made some seriously lousy decisions with the Pixel 3. I'm equal parts confused, frustrated, and disappointed by what we've seen so far.

 

[5105973]

@epicrayban that was very well said. Of course without the actual debut details in hand we have to reserve some judgement. I mean, I remember being significantly underwhelmed by the leaks of the Pixel 2 and 2XL and of course the rough launch with multiple returns of defective devices by so many people was a real downer, but the actual experience of owning and using “Snowball” has been a surprising pleasure.

I can’t help but keep hope alive for some sort of knock-your-socks off surprise ability on the next generation.

But yeah, the leaked info so far is a bit concerning for exactly the reasons you stated.

 

[epicrayban]

@epicrayban that was very well said. Of course without the actual debut details in hand we have to reserve some judgement. I mean, I remember being significantly underwhelmed by the leaks of the Pixel 2 and 2XL and of course the rough launch with multiple returns of defective devices by so many people was a real downer, but the actual experience of owning and using “Snowball” has been a surprising pleasure.

I can’t help but keep hope alive for some sort of knock-your-socks off surprise ability on the next generation.

But yeah, the leaked info so far is a bit concerning for exactly the reasons you stated.

For sure, we're only going off leaked info and rumors. Things may change when they officially announce it and present all the features.

The Pixel 3's need as much help as they can get.

 

[epicrayban]

Have you guys actually handled an Essential device in hand? The design is pretty amazing.

I seriously wish Andy Rubin had stayed on and designed the Pixel line. Can you imagine?

 

[Blaze4G]

Had my mindset on the Pixel 3. However, it's getting harder to justify purchasing it over the upcoming 6t or wait on the S10.

I like being different so I still can't see myself with an S10 but it might be the best Android phone released next year until the Note is released / Pixel 4. Not getting my hopes up on the Pixel 4 though. Notch probably gets bigger lol.

 

[epicrayban]

I wonder if we'll see the regular Pixel 3 sell out really fast. Google better stock it up.

I seriously can't get over how nice the Essential is. This could have been the Pixel. It reminds me of the iPhone 4 in many ways (still my most favorite iPhone design).



[doublepost=1534948550][/doublepost]Tons more leaks of the Pixel 3 XL in all its glory:
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-3-xl-complete-897513/

Wireless charging is more or less confirmed. There's also a pic of the top ears of the notches blacked out, so it assumes Google will implement software to "balance" out the notch. However, this pic is when the notification shade is pulled down so I hope it's not only blacked out during that...

Here is wireless charging in action:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1032245675990441985



[doublepost=1534948774][/doublepost]And a few more here: https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Pixel-3-XL-hands-on-review-box-headphones-notch_id108032#

One has to wonder if these are controlled leaks by Google. Perhaps to help people warm up to that gigantic notch?



[doublepost=1534949202][/doublepost]This leak keeps going! Camera samples in this article:

https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-3

 

[Tig Bitties]

OnePlus 6t is looking better and better as long as it follows that Oppo design, with teardrop shaped small notch.

The Pixel 3 XL turning me off. No way I'd replace my current 2 XL for it.

 

[epicrayban]

OnePlus 6t is looking better and better as long as it follows that Oppo design, with teardrop shaped small notch.

The Pixel 3 XL turning me off. No way I'd replace my current 2 XL for it.

I would argue even the current OP6 looks better.

 

[Cryates]

I seriously can't get over how nice the Essential is. This could have been the Pixel.

It's beautiful to look at and hold. If only Rubin was with Google...

 

[joshwithachance]

I wonder if we'll see the regular Pixel 3 sell out really fast. Google better stock it up.

I seriously can't get over how nice the Essential is. This could have been the Pixel. It reminds me of the iPhone 4 in many ways (still my most favorite iPhone design).



[doublepost=1534948550][/doublepost]Tons more leaks of the Pixel 3 XL in all its glory:
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-3-xl-complete-897513/

Wireless charging is more or less confirmed. There's also a pic of the top ears of the notches blacked out, so it assumes Google will implement software to "balance" out the notch. However, this pic is when the notification shade is pulled down so I hope it's not only blacked out during that...

Here is wireless charging in action:

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1032245675990441985



[doublepost=1534948774][/doublepost]And a few more here: https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Pixel-3-XL-hands-on-review-box-headphones-notch_id108032#

One has to wonder if these are controlled leaks by Google. Perhaps to help people warm up to that gigantic notch?



[doublepost=1534949202][/doublepost]This leak keeps going! Camera samples in this article:

https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-3

Holy crap that notch is massive...

 

[5105973]

Well if the leaks are an effort to get people used to the oversized notch, it’s working. I’m 10% less horrified than I was two days ago.

Thanks for the leak links.

 

[Cryates]

I'll admit, to me, it doesn't look as bad now that we are seeing higher-res images. Still not good though.

As a completely unrelated side note, and slight venting: How is it that we are on an Apple fansite, and the Android portion of the forum is peaceful and nice unlike all of the other Apple forums? It's bizarre.

 

[Blaze4G]

I'll admit, to me, it doesn't look as bad now that we are seeing higher-res images. Still not good though.

As a completely unrelated side note, and slight venting: How is it that we are on an Apple fansite, and the Android portion of the forum is peaceful and nice unlike all of the other Apple forums? It's bizarre.

Most persons in the Android portion are not afraid to be critical of both Android and Apple. On the Apple side of things many people just go with whatever Apple does and defends them to no end. Their trump card is always "Apple makes the most money in mobile so whatever they do is right".

 

[epicrayban]

I know they're just internet comments, but I hope Google is reading some of them from all the leaked Pixel 3 XL stories.

The responses are almost unanimous in how ugly the 3 XL is.