As rumours and leaks are mounting up, Google’s yearly hardware release is finally been made official. The tech giant has unveiled its next-generation android smartphones Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. As you may already know, both this smartphones have all the top-end hardware in it, coupled with a world-class Google engineered AI backed camera. This time around, you are getting the single rear camera, but a dual front-facing camera unit. We will get to know about it pretty soon.
On a quick rundown, both Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have the exact same hardware but only differs in the size and OLED screen. Hardware wise, both this smartphones include a Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB RAM, a single 12.2MP rear camera and a dual 8MP front cameras. Software-wise, you get the latest Android 9.0 aka Android Pie with all its goodness.
Let’s talk specifications
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL follows the age-old Pixel design language with both front and the back (soft-touch glass) portion is covered in toughened glass. In Google Pixel 3, you get a 5.5-inch OLED screen with a screen resolution of 2160 by 1080 pixels and HDR support. Luckily it has no top-cut or the infamous notch, but you end up with a 1080p display. However, Google Pixel 3 XL gets a bigger 6.3-inch OLED screen with a screen resolution of 2960 by 1440 pixels, HDR support and a top-notch. Their end’s the difference between these two smartphones.
Under the hood, both Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL is powered by the powerful and trusted Snapdragon 845 processor. It’s coupled with a 4GB of RAM (Google should have included minimum 6GB RAM), which seems to be a bit lower compared to other flagship devices like Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and OnePlus 6. But with pure Android 9.0 and zero bloatware, the phones are just smooth and snappier as you could think. With Android Pie, Google has done with button navigation and instead gone for gesture navigation. You also get the Active Edge feature which lets you squeeze the sides of the phone to perform certain actions, such as activating Google Assistant, clicking a snap in the camera app etc. For storage, these phones come in both 64GB and 12GB inbuilt memory, with no option to expand.
Best Cameras
Now to the most interesting part of the phones, the highest-rated cameras. Both Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL comes with a single 12.2-megapixel rear camera. It features autofocus with laser and dual pixel phase detection, f/1.8 aperture and both optical and electronic image stabilisation. As you may know already, this camera can shoot stunning photos just like with a DSLR camera. Thanks to the advanced Pixel Visual Core chip the phone has, along with Google’s AI and machine learning expertise.
In the front, however, you’re getting a dual 8-megapixel camera. One is a 97-degree wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture and the second one has the standard f/1.8 aperture. Thus you could include all your friends in one single selfie. As for video recording, the rear camera can record 4K videos at 30fps, whereas the two selfie camera is limited to 1080p.
Coming to connectivity, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are single SIM phones with support for 4G LTE, VoLTE, 3G and 2G networks. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 2.4GHz + 5GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2, Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC. For security, there is a fingerprint sensor at the rear. As you guessed, these phones won’t come with a 3.5mm headphone port, instead, it has the USB Type-C ports. Google has generously included a pair of USB Type-C earbuds, a USB Type-C-to-3.5mm dongle, a USB Type-C-to-USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C-to-USB Type-A dongle in the retail box. For audiophiles, the phone retains its dual front-facing speakers.
Finally, fuelling the Pixel 3 is a 2,915mAh battery, while the Pixel 3 XL gets a bigger 3,450mAh battery. It comes with an 18W power adapter which could fast-charge the phone. To delight some of you, the phones come with Qi wireless charging.
Pricing and Availability
The big question? Google Pixel 3 will start at Rs 71,000, that’s for the 64GB variant. Whereas, the 128GB storage variant gets a price tag of Rs 80,000. Coming to the bigger Google Pixel 3 XL, the base variant with 64GB storage is priced at Rs 83,000. Whereas, the top-end 128GB variant is priced at Rs 92,000. Just near the one lakh mark. For colour choices, you get to choose from Clearly White, Not Pink and Just Black.
Google has revealed that both Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be a Flipkart exclusive. It will be also available via offline stores of Croma, Reliance Digital, Bajaj Electronics and other state-wide retail stores. However, not yet announced the Indian pricing and exact date of availability.