Why the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL are good, not great
At a glittering event in New York, tech giant Google announced a host of devices, including a new Chromecast, Pixel Slate and a Home Hub to help you control the army of smart devices that surround us today. Yet, all these were overshadowed by the announcement of two new "made by Google" smartphones.
The successor to last year's Pixel smartphones, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL not only attempt to improve on the previous generation Google devices, but also attempt to chart the path for other Android flagships.
Will they be successful in doing so? Well, that, only time will tell.
For now, let's take a look at what the two phones bring to the table and see if they are worth being considered.
Design and display
In terms of the design, the two phones are very much cut from the same cloth as last year's Google phones, and as such, look and feel very similar to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The new phones show off a clean and simple design style that focuses on minimalism, and much like last year, both the phones follow a two-tone colour scheme where the base colour is repeated on the top of the phone using a glass shade of the same colour. However, keeping up with the trends, there's more glass and a lot less metal on the Pixel 3 devices this year.
Apart from the difference in the size of the frames, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL look identical from the back.
However, things quickly change when you move to the front of the phone.
As opposed to last year, when the Pixel 2 and 2 XL sported notch-less panels, the displays on the 3 and 3 XL differ in treatment in this regard. While the Pixel 3 comes bearing no notch, its cousin, the 3 XL, now comes sporting a notch that could be a bit much for many people's taste.
The notch aside, both phones also sport larger displays than last year's model — the Pixel 3 at 5.5 inches and the Pixel 3 XL at 6.3 inches. There is also a slight difference between the specifications of two panels on offer, with the Pixel 3's display only capable of churning out upto Full HD+ resolution in comparison to QHD (1440 x 2960) on 3 XL's panel.
Another thing to note here is that both phones this year sport superior OLED panels instead of AMOLED and OLED on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL last year.
Specifications
As has been the case with Pixel devices in the past, the 3 and 3 XL share with each other the same hardware — which again is top of the line and good enough to take on any smartphone out there.
Both devices thus come rocking Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845 processor, which Google has paired with 4GB RAM and up to 128GB storage. Though the SoC on offer is a welcome change, Google's decision to not upgrade the RAM to at least 6GB is a decision that could haunt them later.
Having said that, it needs to be taken into consideration that the two devices will come bearing stock Android – 9 Pie – which will bring with it improved memory optimisations to help the Pixel 3 devices tackle memory intensive applications.
Apart from this, both the phones only support single SIM slots and are IP68 rated, making them dust, dirt, sand-resistant and resistant to submersion in water up to a maximum depth of 1.5m for thirty minutes.
In terms of battery, the two phones bring with them 2,915 mAh and 3,430 mAh packs respectively. Though not out of the ordinary, these modest battery packs, paired with improved software optimisations, should help the phone achieve good battery results.
All about the cameras
Make no mistake, the Google Pixel 3 line-up is all about the cameras.
With the 3 and 3 XL, Google has chosen to bring a newer generation version of the 12.2-Megapixel single lens set-up that was seen on the Pixel 2 XL last year. Though lacking in numbers when compared to the dual and even three lens set-ups found on phones today, the newer sensor on the Pixel 3 XL should end up helping it become one of the better camera phones available in the market.
Why, you ask? Well, simply because the Pixel 2 XL was that good to begin with.
All through last year, the Pixel 2 XL's dual-pixel, f/1.8 aperture lens used Google's expertise of AI and machine learning to stitch together some beautiful shots — and arguably the best-looking portrait photos in the business. Now this year, the tech giant pairing an improved lens with better software smarts should help the Pixel 3 devices stay ahead of the curve.
At the front, both phones bring with them an all-new dual camera set-up – 8+8-Megapixel – to improve the Pixel's selfie game. Though we are going to reserve our judgment on the performance of the particular set-up, we would, however, like to say that in terms of looks, this set-up creates new issues for the Pixel 3 XL which houses them inside a wide notch right at the top of the phone.
Because of the placement of the two lenses, the Pixel 3 XL's notch comes across as one of the more weird looking notches out there – one feature that the phone could have definitely done without.
Early verdict?
To be honest, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL phones are a mixed bag.
Apart from a couple of questionable design choices, there isn't much wrong with the two devices. They bring with them the same trusted design and overall err on the side of caution in terms of the package on offer.
No doubt that the two are great options on their own and are worthy incremental upgrades over the Pixel 2 series of phones.
Yet, the fact remains that apart from the software smarts, there is nothing very new about them. As such, the two phones will find it a little difficult to battle it out against all the brilliant flagships that currently populate the market.
Then, there is also the little problem of these two being the most expensive Pixel devices ever.
The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be available in India from November 1 and will start at Rs 71,000 for Pixel 3 64GB and go upto Rs 80,000 for Pixel 3 128GB.
The Pixel 3 XL, on the other hand, will start retail at Rs 83,000 for the 64GB variant and go upto Rs 92,000 for the 128GB storage variant.
Despite being favourable when compared to the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, the two phones – at least – in India are more expensive than Samsung's S9 and Note 9 devices.
Considering how the two don't really bring too much over the Pixel 2 devices, Google will find it a little difficult to justify the price hike of the new phones. But, having said that, much like an iPhone, a Pixel is a Pixel, and at the end of the day for those looking to get a device that works flawlessly and clicks great pictures, the Pixel 3 and the 3 XL will still represent great value.