Google Pixel 3 Review: The Other Way to Make a Killer Phone

The history of smartphone improvement has for the most part relied on ship’s company cramming quicker or more powerful components into the now omnipresent glass slabs we carry around . But the Pixel 3 is something else . rather of focusing on things like a brighter screen , tons of RAM , or multiple rear cameras , almost all of the Pixel 3 ’s advantages come from a software - first mentality . This lead in a smarter , more visceral experience that feels very different from the hardware - driven approach engage by many of Google ’s rival . And while this is n’t Google ’s first try at something like this , this third Pixel ( we appraise both it and the Pixel 3 XL ) is the machine that really pulls all of Google ’s efforts together and make it sense exceptional .

Pixel 3

What is it ?

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

Google ’s newfangled flagship smartphone

toll

Pixel 3 get down at $ 800 , $ 900 for Pixel 3 XL

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

Improved bod , wireless charging , awe-inspiring camera , innovative software features

Do n’t Like

Look at all the sharpness.

Look at all the sharpness.Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

spec seem skimpy for the monetary value , confutable character control , passably boring design

For those unfamiliar with the latest version of Android 9 Pie , Google ’s peregrine OS is what splice everything together . Clean and unfettered by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ons or extra BS , Android on the Pixel 3 feels fast and crisp unlike anything else , though it ’s difficult to say if that is simply the issue of speedy animations or superior software optimisation . Then you add on thing like Google ’s Living Wallpapers ( which are unceasingly entertaining ) , feature from premature Pixels like Google ’s Now Playing vocal ID feature , and the new poppycock like Call Screen . You cease up with one of , if not the most considered out - of - the - boxwood smartphones experience , no customizing required . In fact , Google ’s Call Screen characteristic , which lets the Google Assistant stop sound spam , may be the most important exploitation since phoner ID .

But nowhere is Google ’s software system art more unmistakable than with the Pixel 3 ’s cameras , which mostly eschew the current trend of cramming as many detector and lenses onto a phone as possible in party favour of advanced computational photography . For the rear photographic camera , this means that in everyday situations , the Pixel 3 ’s lone 12 - MP photographic camera often has an edge over Apple ’s iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy in terms of colors and sharpness . And when it comes to thing like cityscapes , Google ’s HDR+ mode is especially engaging as it flux multiple frames and exposure together to produce shot with more detail in bright spots and richer colour and shady areas , often defy what you think is possible from a smartphone photographic camera .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

There ’s also the young Top Shot feature that uses machine learning to pick out bad shots where someone is wink and hint something better . And while it is a somewhat niche power , when it work and you figure out how to say that it ’s on ( make certain the Motion toggle is wrench on ) , Top Shot plus Google ’s gif - like Motion photos , burst mode , Photobooth mode , and AR - power Playground mode means that there ’s always fun to be had when guide characterisation . ( More on Top Shot way below . )

I also be intimate the Pixel 3 ’s front tv camera , which take the earphone ’s HDR processing and combine with it a 2d 8 - MP camera to hook up with the best of what software and computer hardware can offer . That ’s because as long as you ’re not afraid of letting blemishes show , the Pixel 3 ’s selfies are mystifyingly piercing in a way that often make images from other $ 1,000 earphone look bad . And when you need to snatch a group selfie instead of a personal one , the Pixel 2 ’s second cam lets you capture the same shockingly detailed images with a wide - slant field of view .

As for the Pixel 3 ’s general excogitation , away from the Pixel 3 XL ’s unmistakable snick ( which I ’ve taken to calling “ the bathtub ” ) , the physical dimension of both the 5.5 - column inch Pixel 3 and 6.3 - inch Pixel 3s have change so little that Google ’s new official cases accommodate just as well on last twelvemonth ’s phones . Instead , Google work on better the Pixel ’s build by add together new IP68 piddle - electrical resistance , moving the volume rocking chair to the right to produce a completely unblemished odd side , and put in a young one - piece deoxyephedrine back .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

It not only increase durability when compared to the metal and glass construction of the Pixel 2 , but the micro - etched soft - touch finishon its bottom two - thirds is something that begs you not to put a event on the phone . Google even pay attention to little details like painting the inside of the phone ’s USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate porthole black and adding a splash of color to the Clearly White and Not Pink model ’ ability button . ( Also , if you need to be accurate , Not Pink should really be call Sometimes Pink . )

Inside , the Pixel 3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset , which puts it on the same playing study as every other eminent - end Android earpiece . However , the Pixel 3 ’s 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB storage find a bit skimpy for a headphone that begin at $ 800 . That is n’t to say the phone take more memory , but when it come to time value , not having extra Aries , or a microSD card time slot for the choice to tack on even more storage feels bad for a flagship twist . Thankfully , Google did n’t axe the sound ’s treble front - face loudspeaker , which are way louder than before , and when mix with Google ’s Pixel remain firm wireless charger , lets the Pixel 3 double as a mini smart speaker system / home hub combo .

That pronounce , in term of usefulness , one of the standard Pixel 3 ’s great upgrades is a prominent 2,915 mAh battery that lasted 10 hours and 50 moment on our rundown test , a grown jump up from the paltry 8:59 the Pixel 2 manage last yr . unluckily , the same ca n’t be said of the Pixel 3 XL whose 3,430 mAh battery is in reality slightly smaller than what you get in a Pixel 2 XL , which resulted in the Pixel 3 XL ’s seniority increasing by less than 10 minutes to 11 hours and 24 minutes .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

And even though I ’ve had the Pixel 3 for less than a workweek , the telephone has made a lasting impression . Google ’s commitment to software excellency is something that I ’d say has lastly exceed the iPhone when it comes to being the simplest , most no - bunk handset , particularly for the less technically inclined crowd . More often than not , the Pixel 3 is thoughtful , and introduce you with the instrument and info you need , and streamline the process so that accessing them is n’t a hassle . However , I ’d be remiss not to name the downside of Google ’s game plan .

The first and most obvious case are feature like Top Shot mode . The Pixel ’s software package makes it hard to tell if the feature article is working because it ’s relate to the camera ’s on the face of it unrelated Motion setting , which can be dress to off , automobile , and on , with motorcar and on potentially give you different results . But the preferences complications do n’t end there , because controls for major feature article like HDR+ are n’t shown by default . That stand for out of the corner , you ca n’t really turn on the sound ’s HDR+ enhanced mode , which is very different from standard HDR+ , and to even see the option in the chief camera UI , you need to go into the camera ’s advanced setting and turn on the HDR+ control . Since the Pixel ’s HDR+ is the best and most important part of its picture pickings process , it should n’t be this difficult to turn on .

But the true plight of a software - first mindset is that it can often sense like the substance abuser experience is never full complete . presently , the Pixel 3 is missingDuplex , Google ’s AI - power telephone set reception feature of speech that can book appointments or make reservation over the earphone on its own , as well as Night Sight mood , which is a special setting consecrate to capturing challenge low - light pic . It ’s unclear when they will be useable . These are two major things Google teased at the Pixel 3 ’s launching event , and in the case of Night Sight mode , it ’s an even bigger bummer , because as is , the Pixel 3 often struggles in very low - light situations .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

And then there ’s the Pixel 3 ’s prominent what if : How much better could the Pixel 3 be if Google cared a little more about both hardware and software program ? On the received Pixel 3 , its bezels appear oversized and slightly wasteful compare to even 18 - calendar month old phones like theGalaxy S8 , while the bathing tub notch and big Kuki-Chin on the Pixel 3 XL appear even clunkier . Also how about those television camera .

With the comprehension of a raw double - cam system in front , Google clearly interpret the note value of having multiple camera , and yet the tv camera in back does n’t get any extra help . That ’s frustrating because even though the Pixel ’s Super Res Zoom feature of speech is ok , it ’s still not as good as a literal 2x optic crystalline lens . There ’s also a minuscule concern regarding quality mastery because after turning them on for the first time , I notice that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL ’s OLED concealment featured noticeably different color temperatures , which only gets worse the more off - center of attention you are .

Google says some variation between display is a normal part of the manufacturing outgrowth , which is true . But this is thesecond class in a row this has happenedwith Pixel devices . I ca n’t recall ever see such a freehanded divergence when it come to the display on flagship Apple and Samsung handset .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

However , do n’t let these thing disorder you from what Google has accomplished . The Pixel 3 more than any earphone before shows an almost Nintendo - alike doctrine where it ’s not the equipment ’s specs or ironware that matter most , but the overall drug user experience . And on the Pixel 3 , Google has taken its software program and made it king , work out problems and forestall others with intelligence and good design .

README

The Pixel 3 highlight the best of software - first smartphone development operation , and aside from a handful of minor issuance , it ’s an overwhelming success .

The downside to Google ’s package - centrical approach is that it can feel like you are always hold back for the next update to get things like Duplex or the camera ’s Night Sight mode , which are n’t usable yet .

The micro - ectched glass back is a joy to touch on and the black paint USB - C port is courteous detail , but the Pixel 3 ’s overall appearance is still a small underwhelming .

Photo: Sam Rutherford

Photo: Sam Rutherford (Gizmodo)

The kind of images the Pixel 3 can enchant with a individual rear photographic camera are astonishing , but then you wonder how much in force thing might be if Google care more about hardware .

SPEC DUMP

Android 9.0 • Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 • 4 GB of RAM • 64 GB or 128 GB of store • 5.5 - in FH+ OLED Display/6.3 - inch QHD+ OLED display • dual 8 - MP front cams • 12.2 - MP rearward cam • IP68 water resistance • Qi wireless charging • twofold front - facing speaker unit • Bluetooth 5.0 • USB 3.1 Type - C port • 2.915 mAh battery/3,430 mAh battery • 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 - inches/6.2 x 3.0 x 0.3 - inch – 148 grams/184 Gram • usable in just black , understandably ashen , not pinkish

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