Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[woozor1]

I probably am going to have to go for the xs max at this rate dissapointed. The photos seem amazing on the pix3 im very happy with that but....... the video what the hell. How can you hype a phone to be all about the camera when the video recording is rubbish. And that microphone how can you film a video with that tiny sound.

Also it seems ram management is very bad and all apps refreshed on the pixel.

 

[shelt]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but it appears that the Pixel 3 has esim support as well, similar to the XS. So you can go dual sim mode when available, pretty big deal for a lot of people.

The Pixel 2/2XL have eSIMS as well. However, only one SIM can be active at a time. It is not dual standby like the iPhones or most other dual sim phones. It works fine for me though. I have a VZW nano SIM for use in the US and a Project Fi eSIM for use overseas. I just switch them in settings when needed.

 

[tbayrgs]

I probably am going to have to go for the xs max at this rate dissapointed. The photos seem amazing on the pix3 im very happy with that but....... the video what the hell. How can you hype a phone to be all about the camera when the video recording is rubbish. And that microphone how can you film a video with that tiny sound.

Also it seems ram management is very bad and all apps refreshed on the pixel.

Agreed..I’ve seen more than a couple reviews basically ignore how comparatively subpar video and audio recording performance is. From what I’ve seen, the gap between the Pixel and iPhone’s video performance is greater than their respective differences in still photos. Still photography is only half of the camera performance and for me personally, video is every bit as important, if not more so.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

The Pixel 2/2XL have eSIMS as well. However, only one SIM can be active at a time. It is not dual standby like the iPhones or most other dual sim phones. It works fine for me though. I have a VZW nano SIM for use in the US and a Project Fi eSIM for use overseas. I just switch them in settings when needed.

Thanks, never knew that.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I actually cancelled my order for the black Pixel 3. Primarily I cancelled because I feel like 4GB just isn't enough RAM. Combined with the complaints from Pixel 2 and now reviewers are seeing similar issues with Pixel 3, I'm just not going to invest $799 in something that is crippled out the gate. For a flagship device that I would use for probably the next two years, it needs to be multitasking like a champ when it's brand new.

The other thing that really bothers me is learning that you can't change the new gestures back to normal buttons. I played around with the gestures on the demo at Best Buy and thought it was horrible. The OnePlus gestures -- and it seems Samsung will be using those type of gestures as well -- seem great. It's disappointing that Google went all in with a sucky gestures-based nav that isn't optional.

The hollow sounding mic for video recording is very disappointing too.

I feel like I'm the prime market for Pixel 3. It's what I've been looking forward to all year. Man they really blew this one.

 

[epicrayban]

Batman to Google in regards to the 4GB of RAM:

 

[drinkingtea]

I probably am going to have to go for the xs max at this rate dissapointed. The photos seem amazing on the pix3 im very happy with that but....... the video what the hell. How can you hype a phone to be all about the camera when the video recording is rubbish. And that microphone how can you film a video with that tiny sound.

Also it seems ram management is very bad and all apps refreshed on the pixel.

Damn. I've been watching many reviews and I'm a bit disappointed. I'll be waiting for the 4 XL. If not, I will get another iPhone; I need a reliable phone for school.

 

[Michael Goff]

I do have to make a joke about the RAM:
Who do they think they are? Apple?

 

[epicrayban]

100% agree on the lack of calling out Google's video camera. How is that even fair if you don't factor in video recording?

Add it to the list. They need to go beyond the notch and also call out Google on the 4gb of RAM, the half-baked gestures, and the video recording weaknesses.

 

[tbayrgs]

100% agree on the lack of calling out Google's video camera. How is that even fair if you don't factor in video recording?

Add it to the list. They need to go beyond the notch and also call out Google on the 4gb of RAM, the half-baked gestures, and the video recording weaknesses.

Yup...just watched the Android Central love fest...er, video review of the Pixel and they didn’t even mention video performance, not a single word. To quote Alex Dobie, “...the lack of any major flaws.” Only 4GB of RAM? Oh well, that was Google’s perogotive and we’ll just have to make due (paraphrasing). Not a single mention about how gesture navigation is your only choice on the Pixel either. I generally really like Android Central but their Google/Pixel bias is really shining through in regards to this phone.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the Pixel 3 models are very good phones but I also think the low bar set by last year’s model’s glaring flaws is skewing some reviewers objectivity in regards to the rest of this year’s market. The Pixel 3 XL’s front design is arguably one of the worst found on a comparable handset this year. All the pronounced outcry over the notch introduced on the iPhone X last year has ironically turned into general apathy when it comes to Android’s ‘flagship’ device, a phone with the ugliest notch yet. And yes, the camera is a HUGE element on smartphones, no question, but it seems to be the overwelming metric used when evaluating this device...full stop. And most reviewers are conveniently overlooking some pretty significant flaws.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Wow the Pixel 3 is getting bagged and dogged on left and right as if it's the worst smartphone ever made.

Oh well, maybe next year Google.

But I still wouldn't go iPhone, just not an iOS fan whatsoever. And Samsung Touchwiz not my thing either.

So if I hate the iPhone, don't like Galaxy phones and the Pixel 3 is sub par, what's the other options?

I wish we had a third option, a Windows Surface phone or something.

 

[epicrayban]

Google just isn't quite there yet. Despite having

Yup...just watched the Android Central love fest...er, video review of the Pixel and they didn’t even mention video performance, not a single word. To quote Alex Dobie, “...the lack of any major flaws.” Only 4GB of RAM? Oh well, that was Google’s perogotive and we’ll just have to make due (paraphrasing). Not a single mention about how gesture navigation is your only choice on the Pixel either. I generally really like Android Central but their Google/Pixel bias is really shining through in regards to this phone.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the Pixel 3 models are very good phones but I also think the low bar set by last year’s model’s glaring flaws is skewing some reviewers objectivity in regards to the rest of this year’s market. The Pixel 3 XL’s front design is arguably one of the worst found on a comparable handset this year. All the pronounced outcry over the notch introduced on the iPhone X last year has ironically turned into general apathy when it comes to Android’s ‘flagship’ device, a phone with the ugliest notch yet. And yes, the camera is a HUGE element on smartphones, no question, but it seems to be the overwelming metric used when evaluating this device...full stop. And most reviewers are conveniently overlooking some pretty significant flaws.

Totally in agreement here.

And the bolded is basically what I've been saying, these models are what the 2 series should have been. It really goes to show just how badly made and designed the Pixel 2s were. They have aged terribly.

The Pixel 3 corrects many wrongs. But there are more left.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

I had the 3XL in black preordered but cancelled. Outside of the stock Android there is very little it does better than my Note 9. The ram and poor video didn't help. I was really looking forward to using their call screening but it hardly justifies the $1000 price tag even with the $100 store credit I have.

 

[Michael Goff]

Wow the Pixel 3 is getting bagged and dogged on left and right as if it's the worst smartphone ever made.

Oh well, maybe next year Google.

But I still wouldn't go iPhone, just not an iOS fan whatsoever. And Samsung Touchwiz not my thing either.

So if I hate the iPhone, don't like Galaxy phones and the Pixel 3 is sub par, what's the other options?

I wish we had a third option, a Windows Surface phone or something.

LG V40?

 

[Zackmd1]

Ok maybe I am missing something here but how is having 4GB ram the end of the world? So what if the 10th open app in your recent apps has to reload, it takes a fraction of a second most of the time? I have personally never had an issue with ram and Android. I must not be that much of a power user.... It's a phone.... It doesn't need 8GB ram in my opinion....

 

[drinkingtea]

Wow the Pixel 3 is getting bagged and dogged on left and right as if it's the worst smartphone ever made.

Oh well, maybe next year Google.

But I still wouldn't go iPhone, just not an iOS fan whatsoever. And Samsung Touchwiz not my thing either.

So if I hate the iPhone, don't like Galaxy phones and the Pixel 3 is sub par, what's the other options?

I wish we had a third option, a Windows Surface phone or something.

I’m in the same position. I have an 8 Plus, but iOS is so exhausting and limiting. I’m only staying with the phone because of iMessage and the high-quality apps (most Android apps are horrible in comparison). Shortcuts is a nice addition to iOS 12, though.

I tried the Galaxy S8+ for about six months but I hated the experience (the Samsung UI is God awful; it’s even worse from the Samsung Pie leaks I’ve seen; there were also other issues with the phone).

The Pixel is the only Android phone I will even consider. When it’s time to upgrade, I think I will give the 4 XL a two-week trial. If that doesn’t work, I’ll be back with iPhone permanently most likely. I’m hoping iOS 13 will surprise us all, but I doubt it.

The phone market is just so stale right now.

 

[Michael Goff]

Ok maybe I am missing something here but how is having 4GB ram the end of the world? So what if the 10th open app in your recent apps has to reload, it takes a fraction of a second most of the time? I have personally never had an issue with ram and Android. I must not be that much of a power user.... It's a phone.... It doesn't need 8GB ram in my opinion....

Because of problems like this:
https://twitter.com/dcseifert/status/1051998376169021441?s=20

That's not a case of not having 10 apps open, it's a case of the camera using so much RAM that it boots out Spotify.

 

[TG1]

Ok maybe I am missing something here but how is having 4GB ram the end of the world? So what if the 10th open app in your recent apps has to reload, it takes a fraction of a second most of the time? I have personally never had an issue with ram and Android. I must not be that much of a power user.... It's a phone.... It doesn't need 8GB ram in my opinion....

I believe the iPhone XS Max also has 4GB Ram.

 

[Zackmd1]

Because of problems like this:
https://twitter.com/dcseifert/status/1051998376169021441?s=20

That's not a case of not having 10 apps open, it's a case of the camera using so much RAM that it boots out Spotify.

That is more of a software bug to me then hardware issues. Sure more ram likely would have stopped that from happening, but I would think apps currently running (music streaming) would be prioritized by the OS and not shut down. I have never had this happen (currently using a 4gb ram phone) or any phone before this with even less ram.

I just think this RAM "issue" is being blown out of proportion. Sure more is better, but more also means more expensive especially with current memory pricing. 4GB ram is plenty fine for everyday usage from my experience.

 

[Michael Goff]

That is more of a software bug to me then hardware issues. Sure more ram likely would have stopped that from happening, but I would think apps currently running (music streaming) would be prioritized by the OS and not shut down. I have never had this happen (currently using a 4gb ram phone) or any phone before this with even less ram.

Yeah, but Google has the camera doing a lot more work than any of the phones you've probably used.

 

[Zackmd1]

Yeah, but Google has the camera doing a lot more work than any of the phones you've probably used.

Possibly. We shall see how it goes then but I see myself not having any issues based on how I use a phone. I rarely have any background apps running.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Wow the Pixel 3 XL is getting dissed hard. Yes it could have been designed better for sure. Try to go the more minimal notch like Essential or something, and no bottom chin, do the stereo speakers like the HTC 10, or and the iPhone XS, and Note 9's, do, etc... to allow a more full screen design. Yes give us 6GB RAM.

Oh well, I still have my White Pixel 3 XL on order, and not changing. Yes the notch is ugly, and more RAM would have been nice, but I still value stock Android, updated directly and quickly from Google, and the smooth fluid vanilla UI, and the amazing camera, and A+ rated display, and IP68 rating, and wireless charging. Maybe I'm a sucker, but that's my choice.

 

[Michael Goff]

Possibly. We shall see how it goes then but I see myself not having any issues based on how I use a phone. I rarely have any background apps running.

I wish you the best.

 

[Tig Bitties]

How would I have like to see Google design the Pixel 3 XL? Well on a realistic manner not some unrealistic futuristic design but a realistic version could have been a cross between like the LG V30 shape and size with the minimal bezels but give it the Essential notch and stretch the screen out on the top and bottom. And then do the stereo speakers like on the Note 9 or iPhone so they don't have to be front-facing, and allow for full display with almost no bezels at like 6.2" or so. And give it 6GB RAM. And a bigger 4,000MaH battery.

 

[epicrayban]

The Pixel 3 are still upgrades in important places, considering the Pixel 2 got so much wrong.

It's just frustrating because the Pixel 3 mistakes could have been avoided. It would have been easy to put 6gb RAM in the Pixel 3, for example, as many flagship are doing now, to squash any concern about multi-tasking. Especially considering what happened to some Pixel 2 XLs -- remember, we were told Google's Android is optimized to precisely prevent things like this. How many are saying that about the Pixel 3 now?

It goes beyond the notch, Google made mistakes elsewhere, too. Forcing half-baked "gestures" is another example.