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Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Google's nicest Pixel might lack that killer feature

This is Google's most refined Pixel phone yet.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
5 min read
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

The Pixel 3 XL, is the only one with a notch. The Pixel 3, doesn't have it.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Check out CNET's full reviews of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, now!

There are things you notice about the Pixel 3 and 3 XL right out of the gate. Google's new flagship phones have just one camera on the back, not two, three or even four -- but you do get two on the front. Both take great photos.  Both also Pixel 3 phones also start at under $1,000 each, which seems almost unheard of in 2018 when most flagship prices have risen. 

Shop for Google Pixel 3 (64GB, clearly white)

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And unlike phones from Samsung, Huawei, LG and even Apple, there's no wild color; the boldest, called Not Pink, still looks kind of white. And finally, there's no killer feature -- or some might say gimmick -- in sight.

Compared to last year's Pixel 2, these flagship phones make the jump in hardware and software. There's a faster processor, for example, and the new Android Pie software on board. A little boring, no? But picking up and playing with both the 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL nudged my mind. When you hold these sleek, almost slippery devices, you can start to appreciate how these are Google's most refined Pixel designs yet. 

A close look at the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

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The Pixel 3 and 3 XL come on subtly with rounded edges and thoughtfully curved elements, like the slightly tacky clear panel on the back. But I really enjoyed using them at and just after Google's launch event. If performance holds up during our testing, I can see how this could be a go-to phone for Android fans, not because they're innovative (they're not) but because they're both appealing to hold and use. 

You can buy the new Pixel 3 phones in black, white and "Not Pink." The glossy plane on the Pixel's signature two-tone backing has shrunk over the years, and slightly curves down at the corners rather than cut straight across. In fact, nearly everything about the Pixel 3 is subtle, and that could very well be the phone's main strength. 

 Read: Pixel 3 vs. iPhone XS vs. Galaxy S9 and Pixel 3 XL vs. iPhone XS Max vs. Note 9 vs. LG V40

Google's Pixel brand has garnered a following for its overall reliability (minus that pesky Pixel 2 XL screen issue); clean, "pure" Android; regular security and OS updates; and the camera's ability to do arguably more with a single lens than other phones do with two or three.

Watch this: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL's cameras aim to raise the bar again

New on the features side are two front-facing cameras (for group selfies), wireless charging support and Pixel USB-C earbuds in the box. Pixel 3 pricing starts at $799 (£739, AU$1,199), while the Pixel 3XL starts at $899 (£869, AU$1,349). Pay $100 (or £100) more per phone to double the storage space from 64GB to 128GB. 

These are still expensive flagship models by any measure, but in a mobile landscape with ballooning costs, Google's comparative restraint could help draw buyers who balk at $1,000 phones like the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

You can preorder the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL now. US residents can buy either phone starting on Oct. 18, followed by sales in other countries starting Nov. 1. In the US, the Pixels sell with Verizon, unlocked through Google's online store and through Google Project Fi.

New Pixel 3 features that matter

  • Larger, 5.5-inch (Pixel 3) and 6.3-inch (3 XL) displays
  • Pixel 3 XL has a notched screen; Pixel 3 does not
  • Two front-facing cameras
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
  • Slightly larger battery capacity for both phones compared to Pixel 2 devices
  • Portrait mode shots can also save photos without the portrait filter effect
  • Top Shot, an automated photo-selection tool, launches later
  • Wireless charging support with $79 (£69) Pixel Stand
  • Use AI voice assistant to field unwanted calls
  • Turn the phone over to silence incoming calls
  • Titan M security chip exclusive to Pixel 3 phones

Scroll to the end for a full specs comparison chart versus the iPhone XS, Galaxy S9 and LG V40 ThinQ.

All the different Android versions through the years

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Pixel 3's most interesting camera tricks are under the hood

Google's Pixel cameras have always been less about flashy gimmicks and more about the kind of software processing that Google can milk from its equipment. After all, Google is a software company at its core. Computer learning and camera AI are major ingredients in the Pixel 3. 

Both phones have a single 12.2-megapixel rear camera and two 8-megapixel lenses on the front. Here are some camera highlights:

HDR+: Turned on by default, this combines eight frames into one shot.

Watch this: All of Google's new products are right here

Super Res Zoom: Promises sharp, clear detail when you digitally zoom in to a scene -- that's without a telephoto lens.

Night Sight: Google promises clear, bright low-light photos without the need for a flash, which can blow out shots or make them unnaturally bright. This will build off Google's already considerable low-light strength.

Photobooth mode: Turn on this setting and the Pixel 3 will snap photos when the subject smiles or makes a funny face.

pixel3-group-selfie

The Pixel 3's front-facing telephoto camera lens can squeeze at least 13 people into a selfie. Try doing that with an iPhone. 

Lynn La/CNET

Top Shot: When motion capture is turned on, Top Shot, which arrives "later," will recommend a better version of a shot you may have missed. It's intended for correcting candid photos, like someone cannonballing into a pool. You can also choose your own from what the phone grabbed while the motion capture was on.

Group selfie: This isn't so much a convenient mode or button you press as you flipping the camera toward yourself and manually zooming out to the wide-angle lens. 

Playground: For AR enthusiasts, swipe a button in the camera to toss characters, including Star Wars' BB-8, Marvel's Iron Man and Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) into the landscape you see through the viewfinder.

Android Pie on the Pixel 3 still raises some questions

The moment I picked up the Pixel 3, the newest version of Google's new OS, Android 9 Pie, stared me right in the face. As anyone with Android Pie already on their phone can tell you, not much has changed since we first saw it at Google I/O. As far as I'm concerned, that's both good and bad.

005-google-pixel-3-and-pixel-3-xl

The Pixel 3 XL, left, and 3, in Not Pink.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Pie relies on gestures to swipe up and press a virtual button to go Home. You long-press this to raise Google Assistant. But if you want to go back, you have to press a Back arrow off to the side, which is confusing and interruptive. This isn't Google's best design, and other Android phones do it much better.

Swipe up to see your app tray and you're also brought to a juddery stop midway through as the view on your screen divides into two parts. Up top you have recent apps you can open (like a shortcut). Down below, you see the upper part of your app tray. You have to swipe again to access all your apps.

Despite these user hurdles, Android 9 felt very fast and smooth throughout. The redesigned menus and buttons are familiar, but get enough of a fresh coat of paint to feel new.

Pixel 3 specs versus the competition


Google Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLSamsung Galaxy S9Apple iPhone XSLG G7 ThinQ
Display size, resolution 5.5-inch "flexible" OLED; 2,280x1,080 pixels6.3-inch "flexible" OLED; 2,960x1,440 pixels5.8-inch AMOLED; 2,960x1,440 pixels5.8-inch Super Retina OLED; 2,436x1,125 pixels6.1-inch IPS LCD; 3,120 x 1,440 pixels
Pixel density 443ppi522 ppi570 ppi458 ppi563 ppi
Dimensions (Inches) 5.7x2.7x0.3 in6.2x3x.03 in5.81x2.70x0.33 in5.7x2.8x0.3 in6x2.8x0.31 in
Dimensions (Millimeters) 145.6x68.2x7.9 mm158x76.7x7.9 mm mm147.7x68.7x8.5 mm143.6x70.9x7.7 mm153.2x71.9x7.9 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams) 5.2oz; 148g6.5 oz; 184g5.75 oz; 163g6.2 oz; 177g5.7 oz, 162g
Mobile software Android 9 PieAndroid 9 PieAndroid 8.0 OreoiOS 12Android 8.0 Oreo
Camera 12.2-megapixel12.2-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel (standard), 12-megapixel (telephoto)16-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (wide-angle)
Front-facing camera Dual 8-megapixelDual 8-megapixel8-megapixel7-megapixel8-megapixel
Video capture 4K4K4K4K4K
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.5GHz octa-core)Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.5GHz octa-core)Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor (2.8GHz + 1.7GHz octa-core) or Samsung Exynos 9810 (2.7 GHz + 1.7 GHz octa-core)Apple A12 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.8GHz octa-core)
Storage 64GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB, 256GB64GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB
RAM 4GB4GB4GBTBD4GB
Expandable storage NoneNone400GBNone2TB
Battery 2,915 mAh3,430 mAh3,000 mAhTBD3,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor Back coverBack coverBack coverNone (Face ID)Back cover
Connector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CLightningUSB-C
Headphone jack NoNoYesNoYes
Special features IP68, wireless charging support, Pixel Buds USB-C headphones in the boxIP68, wireless charging support, Pixel Buds USB-C headphones in the boxWater resistant (IP68); dual-aperture camera; super slo-mo video; wireless charging; iris scanningWater resistant (IP68); dual-SIM (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging; Face ID; MemojiWater resistant (IP68); wireless charging; DTS:X 3D Surround; Quad DAC
Price off-contract (USD) $799 (64GB); $899 (128GB)$899 (64GB); $999 (128GB)Varies: $720-$800 (64GB)$999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB), $1,349 (512GB)Varies: $750-$792
Price (GBP) £739 (64GB); £839 (128GB)
£869 (64GB); £969 (128GB)
£739£999 (64GB), £1,149 (256GB), £1,349 (512GB)£599
Price (AU$) AU$1,199 (63GB); AU$1,349 (128GB)
AU$1,349 (63GB); AU$1,499 (128GB)
AU$1,199 (64GB), AU$1,349 (256GB)AU$1,629 (64GB), AU$1,879 (256GB), AU$2,199 (512GB)AU$1,099

This story updates frequently. It was last updated Oct. 12 at 12:58 p.m. PT.

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