Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: Everything We Know So Far

One of the highly anticipated events of the year – the annual Made by Google launch event – isaround the cornerwith a host of announcements likely to be thrown at us by Google. The biggest attraction are thePixel 3 smartphoneswhich we are already familiar with.

Over the last several months, there has been a great deal of noise around Pixel 3, thanks to the incessant leaksincluding the sale of allegedly stolen shipments in Europe. Along with these leaks, the tech world’s attention was also gripped by a range ofcontroversies about Google intentionally stagingthem oreven faking these leaksto keep people interested in the devices and possibly even to steal some limelight from thenewly launched iPhones.Pixel 3 render, based solely on leaks (Image: PhoneArena)

Courtesy of thesewidespread leaks, most details about the Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones have been spread out on the table like a royal dinner. Let me take you through thealleged features of the Pixel 3devices which should hold true in most of the cases unless Google really is pulling a ruthless practical joke.

Design

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of a new smartphone is its appearance and from the numerous leaks,we have a fair ideaof what the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will look like. When it comes to the back of the two devices, chances that these will look similar to the last gen Pixel devices i.e. split with a glass and metal body.

It was earlier confirmed that thePixel 3 devices will have wireless chargingand that’s where the top glass window could come handy. The fingerprint reader is also expected to be on the back along the center of the device.

From the front, Pixel 3 XL, which has seen the most leaks, is expected to feature anedge-to-edge display with a notchwhile the smaller, Pixel 3, islikely to resemble the current Pixel 2 XLin terms of the shape but be comparable to the Pixel 2 in size.Leaked Pixel 3

Although the overall size of the two smartphones is unlikely to increase a lot,Pixel 3 is likely to feature a 5.4-inch displaywhereas thePixel 3 XL could carry a mega 6.71-inch– the latter having a 1440p resolution. Looking at the leaks and spilled renders, it seems that while the Pixel 3 will have a symmetric display, while the upper corners on the Pixel 3 XL will be more rounded than the lower edges,

Pixel 3 devices willalso come squeezable edgeswhich can be set to actions like invoking the Google Assistant, just like in the predecessor. Google Japan’s YouTube channel has been teasing glowing edges and while it’s surely intriguing, there isn’t much that can be actually perceived from the video. Why don’t you take a look?

Internal Hardware

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XLwill be identical in terms of internal specificationsand will undoubtedly pack in the most powerful chipset for Android phones so far – the Snapdragon 845 clocked at 2.8GHz so there’s no compromise in terms of processing power. Besides the chipset, the two smartphones will also share the same RAM, which isexpected to be limited to 4GBthis year and not reach 6GB.

Google Pixel 3 XL，4GB RAM，SDM845，Android 9.0.pic.twitter.com/G4cj6LLoPR

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce)August 3, 2018

Tipster Ice Universe also dug up and shared the Geekbench scores for Pixel 3 and these are in the range of what the OnePlus 6 with the same processor scored. Sadly,iPhone XS’ single and multi-core scores are much higherand seemingly unbeatable.

When it comes to storage,there will be a 64GB base model while Google should also offer a 128GB variant. As usual, there would be no support for expansion.

Cameras

Despite the craze of dual cameras,Google is likely to stick to a solo snapper on the backof the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. However, on the front,there will be two cameras on the frontto facilitatewide-angle selfiesand more compelling bokeh shots. Lastly, Google is expected tostick with the thick chin on both variantswhich could house one of the dual stereo speakers.

We haven’t heard any news about Google planting anyfacial authenticationtech yet, perhaps because it thinks the fingerprint scanner should suffice at the moment. That’s a perfectly practical choice but those iPhone and Samsung Galaxy flagship users will miss the feature just in case they leap on to the stock Android bandwagon.

Google seems to be emphasizing a lot on selfies and the primary sensor of the two (8MP+8MP) on the front will have autofocus, and dedicated features such as “Super Selfies” and “Top Shot” to make sure that the selfies are captured with the best of details, especially smiles, and also avoid blinking eyes.

Contrary to its competitors, Google deems that a single camera on the back is good enough. Once again Google is relying on AI and computational photography to enhance captured pictures, and for various effects.

The new smartphones will also havereal-time Google Lens supportincluding the ability to detect e-mail addresses from business cards, and directly launching Gmail.

Android Pie

Pixel 3 and 3 XL will come with the latestAndroid Pie out of the box, and while most of the features are same as what we’ve seen in the update on Pixel 2,Nokia 7 Plusand others like the OnePlus 6 which havealready received the update.

Battery

ThePixel 3 XL is said to feature a 3430mAh batterywhich is has a smaller capacity compared to the Pixel 2 XL’s  3520mAh battery. At the same time, the smaller model of the two –Pixel 3 will have a 2915mAh batterypack, slightly larger than the one on Pixel 2.

As we learned from the FCC listing, Pixel 3 devices will also feature wireless charging and we recently learned about thealleged Pixel Stand or wireless charging dock from Googlewhich could turn your phone into a Google Assistant-powered smart display.

Connectivity

While 5G could still be too far-fetched to be expected on this year’s Pixel devices,Pixel 3 might have dual-band simultaneous(DBS), as per XDA Developers editor Mishaal Rahman. DBS technology will allow the use of 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands at the same time. This will not only delivery faster transfer speeds but also allow you to use the Pixel 3 or 3 XL as a Wi-Fi repeater.

On the audio front, Pixel 3 and 3 XL will lack a headphone jack, which was dropped by Google last year itself. However, it will be including apair of USB-C Pixel Buds as well as a dongle within the retail packagingif you still want to use your wired headsets.

Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Just a Formality

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have received barbaric treatment from leaksters, so much so that we have learned virtually everything about the two devices. Despite that, our interest in the two Made by Google devices has not drowned a bit, because as we all know the Pixel phones are more about the experience than the hardware specs.

We’ll be on our toes on October 9 to bring you complete coverage on everything Google announces.

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