Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[epicrayban]

I'm even more torn following that Verge review and camera samples now.
Whilst the XS looks like it does take better photos than the X, the fact it is still behind the Pixel 2 even with a secondary lens is frankly not good.

I think the sensible thing for me is to definitely wait it out for the Pixel event and then see how that fares. If it doesn't impress me and there doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade over the Pixels before it then I may seriously consider the XR just to keep the costs down.

I'm ready to dip back into iOS and had high hopes for the XS cameras.

That's probably the safer way to go. The XR doesn't come out til October anyway, so you might as well see the Pixel 3 officially.

The iPhone camera besting or matching the Pixel would have been the first steps to going back to iOS for me, too (the second step being iOS needing to change and improve). Just like the first step for me wandering toward Pixel devices in the first place was on the strength of the Pixel 2 camera (the second step in Google's case is needing their hardware to improve).

For now, it's the S9+ for my daily driver, and my Pixel 2 for days when I know I'll be shooting photography.

I am (was?) hoping the Pixel 3 will be good enough to leave Samsung entirely. I've given Samsung four years of my time and money and though they've served me well, I'm ready for change and willing to commit to Google because I want to go where the best camera is.

Just need that final step in their hardware to get better before I can fully let go of Samsung...

 

[epicrayban]

MKBHD XS review is up.

He says camera is second place after Pixel. I think that solidifies the Verge's take. MKBHD gets most things right.

He still loves the XS camera.

 

[Cryates]

MKBHD XS review is up.

He says camera is second place after Pixel. I think that solidifies it pretty well. MKBHD gets most things right.

Nah, he's a paid shill.

Obviously I'm joking. I love MKBHD. In my opinion he gives honest opinions and I trust his word more than any other.

 

[Cryates]

Nah, he's a paid shill.

Obviously I'm joking. I love MKBHD. In my opinion he gives honest opinions and I trust his word more than any other.

Originally I was going to say I like Lew (Unbox Therapy) in the same regard, honest opinons, but he can get a little whiny at times.

 

[Macalicious2011]

MKBHD XS review is up.

He says camera is second place after Pixel. I think that solidifies the Verge's take. MKBHD gets most things right.

He still loves the XS camera.

That's a huge win for the Pixel team at Google. They deserve a big pat on the back and should be celebrating.

They delivered an amazing feature which Samsung and Apple hasn't usurped in phones twice the price.

 

[tbayrgs]

That's a huge win for the Pixel team at Google. They deserve a big pat on the back and should be celebrating.

They delivered an amazing feature which Samsung and Apple hasn't usurped in phones twice the price.

The Pixel derserves props for the camera for sure, but you need to stop the ‘twice the price’ narrative. The XS is $350 more than the Pixel 2 and $150 more than the 2 XL (probably the better comparison).

 

[Aneres11]

The Pixel derserves props for the camera for sure, but you need to stop the ‘twice the price’ narrative. The XS is $350 more than the Pixel 2 and $150 more than the 2 XL (probably the better comparison).

This isn't true in the UK though. The regular Pixel 2 has been £499 for absolutely ages here and only gone back up to retail pricing in the last month or two. That's literally half the price of an X and it has the same camera as the 2XL so it's true in some parts.

That's why I struggled justifying owning an X when there was a Pixel 2 there with just as good performance and a much better camera.

I must admit though, the XS cameras do look like an improvement and ii magine on screen the pics will look fantastic.

 

[Macalicious2011]

This isn't true in the UK though. The regular Pixel 2 has been £499 for absolutely ages here and only gone back up to retail pricing in the last month or two. That's literally half the price of an X and it has the same camera as the 2XL so it's true in some parts.

Yupp. To put it into perspective you, can in the UK, for the price of a 64GB Max buy either of the following:

Pixel 2 XL + iPad Pro 10.5
Pixel 2 XL + Playstation 4 Pro with two games
Pixel 2 XL + 55 inch Samsung 4K HDR TV

 

[epicrayban]

More comparison photos between the XS and Pixel 2 here: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-2-vs-iphone-xs-camera-comparison


This is really the Pixel 3's opening...

 

[michael9891]

I'm hoping I don't like the iPhone I'm getting on Friday. Because I can see me having to try the new Pixel out, monster notch or not. I guess @nospleen was right when he replied to my comment about not getting sucked into trying phones out this time round. lol

 

[nospleen]

I'm hoping I don't like the iPhone I'm getting on Friday. Because I can see me having to try the new Pixel out, monster notch or not. I guess @nospleen was right when he replied to my comment about not getting sucked into trying phones out this time round. lol

#popscollar

 

[tbayrgs]

More comparison photos between the XS and Pixel 2 here: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-2-vs-iphone-xs-camera-comparison


This is really the Pixel 3's opening...

I don't think it's an opening, I think it's a must for Google. The Pixel 2 camera was (and still is) considered the best overall camera experience yet it barely registered a blip on the radar of general consumers.

Assuming all the leaked images, videos, and specs are legitimate, if the camera on the Pixel 3 doesn't maintain that superiority, the Pixel may be virtually DOA. Google couldn't make a dent in the market with the best camera--what happens if it's not at least as good?

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I don't think it's an opening, I think it's a must for Google. The Pixel 2 camera was (and still is) considered the best overall camera experience yet it barely registered a blip on the radar of general consumers.

Assuming all the leaked images, videos, and specs are legitimate, if the camera on the Pixel 3 doesn't maintain that superiority, the Pixel may be virtually DOA. Google couldn't make a dent in the market with the best camera--what happens if it's not at least as good?

I can't imagine that Pixel 3's camera wouldn't be at least "as good" as Pixel 2, but does Google even care about market share? I've never had the feeling with the Pixel line that they were really trying to steal anyone else's thunder.

 

[michael9891]

As I already have Android P on my Pixel 2, would the Pixel 3 layout be exactly the same and the only changes would be in the camera and speed with a new cpu?

 

[Tig Bitties]

As I already have Android P on my Pixel 2, would the Pixel 3 layout be exactly the same and the only changes would be in the camera and speed with a new cpu?

Pretty much.

Just like the iPhone X running iOS 12 is exactly the same as the iPhone XS. No difference, and still a poor camera that can't even compete with Google's 2017 phone, let alone thier new upcoming phone. And worst thing is, you have to run the god awful iOS garbage OS.

Pixel 3 XL all day long, over the iPhone XS Max. They both have notches so who cares. One has a state of the art operating system, the one running an outdated Fisher-Price looking OS

 

[Michael Goff]

Pretty much.

Just like the iPhone X running iOS 12 is exactly the same as the iPhone XS. No difference, and still a poor camera that can't even compete with Google's 2017 phone, let alone thier new upcoming phone. And worst thing is, you have to run the god awful iOS garbage OS.

Pixel 3 XL all day long, over the iPhone XS Max. They both have notches so who cares. One has a state of the art operating system, the one running an outdated Fisher-Price looking OS

Anything at all over the 3XL. That notch is the ugliest notch that has ever existed.

 

[Aneres11]

I read on The Verge that Google sold 3.9 million Pixel phones in 2017?
Is that considered a failure? Genuine question too - I don't know what the benchmark is for a good / bad sale number.

It seems decent enough to me for a company who @Lava Lamp Freak says, doesn't appear to be bothered about how many they're selling or stealing others thunder. They've got enough $$$ to keep pumping these devices out year after year and if they really wanted to be a huge contender, I imagine they'd go full throttle into doing so by spending a bit more on their hardware and pushing the boundaries there.

But for what they are, I think they're fantastic devices. I'm still using my OG Pixel (about 2 months old now) and it is absolutely faultless. I actually think I prefer the OG XL design over the 2's (both XL and non XL) so the 3 looks like it will be a nice balance.

 

[slitherjef]

You know, speaking of notches, I know I've called the XL 3 notchzilla, the renders and leaks have done nothing really to hide the fact the device does indeed have a notch?

Anyone catch that apple used sleight of hand on the new iPhones notches? Angle and dark wallpaper to seemingly hide the fact that they do have notches.

Just something I've noticed. Maybe that's why Google hit up front page tech and others about their notch displeasure clips? Maybe Google is just going to own the fact that yes, the XL 3 "will be notched and we are not ashamed of that fact"

Meh, just typing out loud.

Surprisingly I am still curious about what October 9 Google will confirm. I still haven't decided of this is a full-on buy outright.

 

[epicrayban]

I don't think it's an opening, I think it's a must for Google. The Pixel 2 camera was (and still is) considered the best overall camera experience yet it barely registered a blip on the radar of general consumers.

Assuming all the leaked images, videos, and specs are legitimate, if the camera on the Pixel 3 doesn't maintain that superiority, the Pixel may be virtually DOA. Google couldn't make a dent in the market with the best camera--what happens if it's not at least as good?

Agree. The "opening" comment is really about defending Google's camera crown and creating even more distance between them and the XS camera.

And this is where my "the rest of the phone is important, too" comments comes from. With or without a superior camera, Google isn't going to take away much from the giants like Samsung and Apple. Not without serious improvements to their hardware division... and we all know that isn't happening this year.

I said this a few pages back:

But you're right, all modern day flagships are amazing cameras regardless. Which is why I'm so critical of Google about everything else -- the rest of the phone matters, too. Will Google have as good screens, speakers, build quality, features like IP68 and facial unlock, etc?

Google has the superior operating system and the superior AI and camera, but they can't really get anything else right...

 

[Michael Goff]

Agree. The "opening" comment is really about defending Google's camera crown and creating even more distance between them and the XS camera.

And this is where my "the rest of the phone is important, too" comments comes from. With or without a superior camera, Google isn't going to take away much from the giants like Samsung and Apple. Not without serious improvements to their hardware division... and we all know that isn't happening this year.

I said this a few pages back:




Google has the superior operating system and the superior AI and camera, but they can't really get anything else right...

Agreed. If having the best camera was all that mattered, I'd still be using the Pixel 2XL. The rest of the phone matters to me more than the camera.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I do not like notches, do I like the Pixel 3 XL notch ? No, but...to me it's all about the OS, which is what we interact with day in, day out. The look, the style, and shape of the phone is meaningless after you've had it for awhile.

And stock Android is it, no question the best OS today as of 2018. iOS is great if your into outdated OS's, like a retro phone from 2012 era, you wanna be hip rocking the old school feeling OS, then get the iPhone XS. I like to live in the future, and only the stock Android phones offer that.

iOS is like putting Windows 95 on a brand new custom PC rig. Yes Apple makes the best hardware and designs an amazing processor, etc..but iOS just blows so hard it's not even funny. It's like having this state of the art new gaming rig, with a nVidia GTX 2080Ti, and sweet 4k monitor, and best internal hardware money can buy today, and then installing Windows 98 on it. LOL

 

[Michael Goff]

I do not like notches, do I like the Pixel 3 XL notch ? No, but...to me it's all about the OS, which is what we interact with day in, day out. The look, the style, and shape of the phone is meaningless after you've had it for awhile.

And stock Android is it, no question the best OS today as of 2018. iOS is great if your into outdated OS's, like a retro phone from 2012 era, you wanna be hip rocking the old school feeling OS, then get the iPhone XS. I like to live in the future, and only the stock Android phones offer that.

iOS is like putting Windows 95 on a brand new custom PC rig. Yes Apple makes the best hardware and designs an amazing processor, etc..but iOS just blows so hard it's not even funny. It's like having this state of the art new gaming rig, with a nVidia GTX 2080Ti, and sweet 4k monitor, and best internal hardware money can buy today, and then installing Windows 98 on it. LOL

I have to disagree. I don't think stock android is really anything special these days. It certainly doesn't age better, just look at all the complaints of Pixel 2 lag.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I have to disagree. I don't think stock android is really anything special these days. It certainly doesn't age better, just look at all the complaints of Pixel 2 lag.

I am being a bit over the top funny on how much I hate iOS, so please don't take super serious here Even though I think it's a ********* smartphone OS, but that's me.

But as far as the Pixel 2 lagging ? My Wife and both have the Pixel 2 XL, bought them last December, and fast forward today, it's really as smooth and fluid as the day we got them, no lag, no hiccups, no freeze ups, or anything. "It just works"

And now the Pixel 3 XL, will have the SD845 + 6GB RAM, I expect it to be smooth as hot butter.

Is stock Android "boring" ? Sure yes. But I don't care, I rather have a plain stripped down OS, that runs smooth fluid and fast, as opposed to a OS like Lagwiz, that has almost too much going on, too many apps, too much bloatware, that bogs the phone down over time. I like a clean OS like stock Android, that performs at warp speed, and smooth as running water of the faucet.

 

[epicrayban]

iOS really is unbearable.

Anyway, hardware matters. It did when Apple was losing to Samsung in hardware, and it does now when Google is losing to pretty much nearly everybody in hardware.

We're coming up on the third generation Pixel, on top of years of the "beta" Nexus program; Google has very few excuses for any shortcomings in hardware and design.



[doublepost=1537387501][/doublepost]

And now the Pixel 3 XL, will have the SD845 + 6GB RAM

I wish.

Benchmark Shows Pixel 3 XL With 4GB RAM
https://www.droid-life.com/2018/08/03/benchmark-shows-pixel-3-xl-with-4gb-ram/


This is a poor decision by Google.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I think the Pixel 3 XL notch won't be as big of an issue if it can be disabled in software. When I played around with a LG G7, once I turned off the notch in settings I thought it was much better. In that use case it really does become a second screen since you have full use of the screen below it. With OLED it would be even better since you truly wouldn't see that there is a notch. You'd just have the time and notification icons floating above the screen, and the bezels would look proportionate.

If you can't disable the notch, then there is no way I'd go near it, personally. But I'm more interested in the smaller Pixel 3 at this time, anyway.