Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Another article on Phone Arena talking about RAM issues that people are experiencing.

Good.

It seems more of an issue with aggressive management rather than an issue of too little RAM. I doubt Google will change it. They'll just note that it results in better battery life.

They seem to be saying the same thing regarding the microphone when recording video. They're saying it's a "feature" and is optimized for voice.

But yeah, it's good that people are calling them out on it.

 

[co.ag.2005]

That's terrific news! It makes the Pixel 3 a little more appealing for me.

Saw that too! No root required. Just install Nova Launcher (or your favorite third party launcher), type out a few adb commands, and boom. Regular navigation buttons!

 

[epicrayban]

I like that reviews are knocking the super res zoom. It's just not as good as a telephoto lens.

You can only lean on software for so much .Hardware matters, Big G.

 

[Michael Goff]

It seems more of an issue with aggressive management rather than an issue of too little RAM. I doubt Google will change it. They'll just note that it results in better battery life.

They seem to be saying the same thing regarding the microphone when recording video. They're saying it's a "feature" and is optimized for voice.

But yeah, it's good that people are calling them out on it.

I think it’s a little bit of both. They have to be aggressive because they’re adding more features that take more RAM and don’t want to spend the extra 1$ or so to add more RAM.

 

[epicrayban]

I think it’s a little bit of both. They have to be aggressive because they’re adding more features that take more RAM and don’t want to spend the extra 1$ or so to add more RAM.

Down right cheap. Especially in the XL model.

They went full Apple.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Saw that too! No root required. Just install Nova Launcher (or your favorite third party launcher), type out a few adb commands, and boom. Regular navigation buttons!

I didn't mind the new navigation. Kind of a hybrid of Android and iOS. Having used iOS exclusively for the last 2 years, it felt familiar. Maybe for those that have only used Android find it harder to deal with?

 

[Michael Goff]

Down right cheap. Especially in the XL model.

They went full Apple.

Except if you buy an iPhone, you could get OS updates on the day of and for five years. Google still can’t say that, sadly. So it’s like they want to be Apple but can’t copy the one thing they should.

 

[epicrayban]

Except if you buy an iPhone, you could get OS updates on the day of and for five years. Google still can’t say that, sadly. So it’s like they want to be Apple but can’t copy the one thing they should.

Honestly, three years of updates (software and monthly security updates) is good enough.

What they should copy is the gestures.

 

[Michael Goff]

Honestly, there years of updates (software and monthly security updates) is good enough.

What they should copy is the gestures.

Yeah. That’s be great. Day of updates would be great as well.

 

[epicrayban]

Having said, the Pixel 3 is a great device so far. A clear upgrade from days when I'd take out the Pixel 2.

The form factor and vibe really reminds of the S8. Feels just like it in the hand. The screen is finally a joy to use.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Having said, the Pixel 3 is a great device so far. A clear upgrade from days when I'd take out the Pixel 2.

The form factor and vibe really reminds of the S8. Feels just like it in the hand. The screen is finally a joy to use.

That's why Pixel 3 still has my interest. I'm very happy with the size of my S8. To get rid of the curved edges and move to stock Android would definitely be an upgrade for me. I'm still just hung up on the price right now and am trying to decide if I want to spend that much for what Pixel offers (or doesn't offer, rather). With the 7nm Snapdragon coming soon, and knowing that the next gen of phones are all going to have in-screen fingerprint sensors, I just don't know about Pixel 3 as far as investing that much money and not having the latest tech. I'm itching for a new phone, but haven't been able to convince myself yet.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Except if you buy an iPhone, you could get OS updates on the day of and for five years. Google still can’t say that, sadly. So it’s like they want to be Apple but can’t copy the one thing they should.

They say 5 years, but at least up until iOS12, when you updated an iphone that was over 3 years old, it bogged down and became a crappy experience. In the tech world, once you get beyond the 3 year mark, the hardware and software are leap years ahead and trying to keep 4-5 year old hardware up to date shouldn't be a priority for the software engineers. I think Google is right on the money in offering 3 years of support for new OS capabiity. Beyond that, the older phones just have to make due with the older OS.

 

[epicrayban]

That's why Pixel 3 still has my interest. I'm very happy with the size of my S8. To get rid of the curved edges and move to stock Android would definitely be an upgrade for me. I'm still just hung up on the price right now and am trying to decide if I want to spend that much for what Pixel offers (or doesn't offer, rather). With the 7nm Snapdragon coming soon, and knowing that the next gen of phones are all going to have in-screen fingerprint sensors, I just don't know about Pixel 3 as far as investing that much money and not having the latest tech. I'm itching for a new phone, but haven't been able to convince myself yet.

The Pixel 3 is not future proof at all, in the sense that it doesn't really push any frontiers. I can't blame ya for being hesitant, it's a steep price for some of Google's worst decisions and mistakes.

But boy does it feel like an S8 running stock Android. Though to be more accurate with the finger print scanner location, it really feels like the s9.

Great screen, wireless charging, ip68, much better speakers and haptics, vastly improved screen experience that actually feels like a modern smartphone. And stock Android that is finally feature-rich enough with quick updates. It's all pretty nice.

It just could've easily been more. Google could have hit this out of the ballpark, but alas, here we are.

Google made mistakes. They're thankfully being called out on it. Hopefully they pay attention and continue improving. They need that Samsung momentum where they basically improved from the s7e to the S8 to the finale s9 -- each generation directly addressing the issues of the previous. That's what we need to see Google reach for.

Until then, going to try to enjoy what the Pixel 3 brings.

 

[Michael Goff]

They say 5 years, but at least up until iOS12, when you updated an iphone that was over 3 years old, it bogged down and became a crappy experience. In the tech world, once you get beyond the 3 year mark, the hardware and software are leap years ahead and trying to keep 4-5 year old hardware up to date shouldn't be a priority for the software engineers. I think Google is right on the money in offering 3 years of support for new OS capabiity. Beyond that, the older phones just have to make due with the older OS.

I don’t see why the Pixel series from 2 and up can’t get more than 3 years. It isn’t like Snapdragon chips are getting massively faster every year. Within five years, probably. But if you can’t make you OS work on chips powerful enough to run laptops, that’s on you.

Snapdragon 850 is a Windows specialized 845 and even the 835 ran Windows 10 alright.

 

[Lloydbm41]

I don’t see why the Pixel series from 2 and up can’t get more than 3 years. It isn’t like Snapdragon chips are getting massively faster every year. Within five years, probably. But if you can’t make you OS work on chips powerful enough to run laptops, that’s on you.

Snapdragon 850 is a Windows specialized 845 and even the 835 ran Windows 10 alright.

It isn't just the chip. Look at how poorly iPhones have run on iOS 11 (and 10 before that), that were 4 years old. It was a laggy mess. You have issues from slower RAM modules, graphics card, specialized processors on the newer phones to code for, which can have unintended side-effects on older phones... There is a whole slew of issues to contend with when trying to make a mobile OS work on old equipment. The CPU is a small factor in the equation.

 

[Michael Goff]

It isn't just the chip. Look at how poorly iPhones have run on iOS 11 (and 10 before that), that were 4 years old. It was a laggy mess. You have issues from slower RAM modules, graphics card, specialized processors on the newer phones to code for, which can have unintended side-effects on older phones... There is a whole slew of issues to contend with when trying to make a mobile OS work on old equipment. The CPU is a small factor in the equation.

iOS 11 was a mess because iOS 11 was a mess. Notice how this year they were able to make all of the phones faster? Yeah, it’s not hardware limitations that made iOS 11 suck.

 

[torana355]

The one thing I appreciate about the Android crowd is that we don't mind pointing out weak points on a product when they exist, hopefully Google is listening and will really knock it out of the park with the Pixel 4.

 

[woozor1]

The Pixel 3 is not future proof at all, in the sense that it doesn't really push any frontiers. I can't blame ya for being hesitant, it's a steep price for some of Google's worst decisions and mistakes.

But boy does it feel like an S8 running stock Android. Though to be more accurate with the finger print scanner location, it really feels like the s9.

Great screen, wireless charging, ip68, much better speakers and haptics, vastly improved screen experience that actually feels like a modern smartphone. And stock Android that is finally feature-rich enough with quick updates. It's all pretty nice.

It just could've easily been more. Google could have hit this out of the ballpark, but alas, here we are.

Google made mistakes. They're thankfully being called out on it. Hopefully they pay attention and continue improving. They need that Samsung momentum where they basically improved from the s7e to the S8 to the finale s9 -- each generation directly addressing the issues of the previous. That's what we need to see Google reach for.

Until then, going to try to enjoy what the Pixel 3 brings.

Can you view the screen on a sunny day outside?

 

[epicrayban]

Can you view the screen on a sunny day outside?

Yes. It isn't as bright as the s9 but yes, ultimately, you can. Even with sunglasses on. Just have to full blast it.

 

[Cryates]

It isn't just the chip. Look at how poorly iPhones have run on iOS 11 (and 10 before that), that were 4 years old. It was a laggy mess. You have issues from slower RAM modules, graphics card, specialized processors on the newer phones to code for, which can have unintended side-effects on older phones... There is a whole slew of issues to contend with when trying to make a mobile OS work on old equipment. The CPU is a small factor in the equation.

Yet there are folks, some on this very forum, saying iOS 12 breathed new life into their older iPhones. Some folks were even complaining of iOS 11's performance on their X or 8/8+.

 

[nospleen]

Some pics from the last two days on my morning walk with my pup.

 

[woozor1]

The camera is only reason im still tempted by this great shots. I do hope they can sort out the audio recording.

 

[nospleen]

Lens is pretty neat, I have to remember to use it more. I just shipped two iPhone X's and used lens to copy the tracking number to paste into Swappa. Very useful.

 

[SapperMike]

Hi , does anyone know how to move the Google search bar on the Pixel 3?

 

[epicrayban]

The camera is only reason im still tempted by this great shots. I do hope they can sort out the audio recording.

Yeah I haven't even bothered talking about the camera. It's amazing.

Improves on what the Pixel 2 camera faltered on. Portraits are more accurate and stunning and images overall are sharper. Just the upgrades I wanted.