The Google Pixel 3: A device not quite worth its high price tag
26.11.2018
Translation: machine translated
The Pixel 2 was praised for its camera, but criticised for its screen and old-fashioned design. The Pixel 3, meanwhile, has taken two steps forward and one step back.
Google gets more ambitious every year, and our expectations follow the same upward slope. We forgave the boring design of the first Google Pixel and its lack of flagship-worthy features such as IP68. The Pixel 2 has built on the strengths of its predecessor, even if its design still left something to be desired. As the saying goes, "never two without three": the Pixel 3 is clearly the most rounded version of the three, yet it remains slightly too angular.
The design The notch or the edges
The design of the Pixel 3 and Pixel XL has been leaked several times long before they were launched. The Pixel 3 XL does indeed have a notch. While this has almost become the norm on flagship devices, the one on the Pixel 3 XL is even more noticeable, a bit like a button in the middle of your face. Having never owned a device with a notch, I have to say that I forgot about it after a few days. It's just there. In theory, you can hide it by changing the settings and inserting a bar at the top of the screen, but in doing so you reduce its surface area even further. For me, it's more the asymmetry that bothers me. At the top, the screen goes right up to the edge of the device, while at the bottom, there's this big black strip. It's not very pretty.
Other than the notch and the black band, I find both devices very elegant, especially the symmetry of the Pixel 3. I really like the rounded edges; they feel great, and the little pops of colour on the home button or the back of the device are right up my street. I wasn't initially convinced by the photos and videos, but on closer inspection, the Pixel 3s can definitely score.
After using XL devices for years and deciding to switch to a more practical device last winter, the Pixel 3 inspires me more. I manage to wield it fairly well with one hand, without fear of dropping it. The fingerprint sensor on the back, which can be used to lower the notification centre, certainly helps too. The Pixel 3 has virtually the same mass as the Pixel 2; only the screen has been increased from 5 to 5.5 inches. It's nicer to look at, but I have to twist my thumb even more to reach the bottom edge of the screen. Even though it has thinner edges, which is really more aesthetically pleasing, it has unfortunately become less easy to use.
Of course, this is nothing compared to the XL version. I certainly quickly got used to the big brother again, but I wasn't really thrilled with it. I don't find it practical enough. Its huge 6.3-inch screen is great for surfing, watching videos or playing video games, although the notch does interfere a bit with video viewing. For example, the YouTube app tends to display 16:9 videos more to the left of the screen. The notch is camouflaged by a bar, and the screen stretches to the right to maintain the proportions of the image. If you zoom in on the image, the video takes up the whole screen in 18:9 format, but the notch takes part of it away. It's unpleasant in both cases.
The Pixel 3 is fast, it sounds great, but it doesn't last very long
The reason I've been banking on the Nexus/Pixel range of smartphones for a few years now? I like the pure version of Android. And I have immediate access to the latest security patches and software updates, even if there's not much revolutionary about them any more and they often contain features that other manufacturers have been offering for years, like picture-in-picture.
The pure version of Android is still my first choice though. As I installed the beta version of Android 9 on my Pixel 2 already a few months ago, switching to the Pixel 3 hasn't changed much. The launcher has been slightly adapted, and the search function on the bottom edge now has a clickable symbol that gives access to the Google Assistant. Otherwise, everything looks the same to me.
As with any self-respecting new smartphone, the latest version of the Snapdragon 845 processor makes it ultra-fast. It generally has no lag. But it still has a little something wrong with it. The controls work perfectly at 98%, and using it is a real pleasure. The other 2% still annoys me, and experience shows that it will only get worse over the coming months and years.
Aside from the pure Android 9 release, Google has provided its Pixel 3s with some exclusive features (at least for now). Among other things, you can flip the smartphone over (flipp to shhh) when someone calls to put the call on silent. AR stickers are also provided. You can add these 2D and 3D animated figures (like the porgs from "Star Wars") and add them to your photos and videos. They quickly become tiresome. I find the Now Playing archive much more useful. Now Playing automatically identifies songs and displays them on the lock screen. The archive allows you to replay all previous songs at any time.
Let's move on to the charging station. It supports Fast Wireless Charging. I've imported it, as digitec don't offer it yet (we should have it in four to six weeks). It works with all devices compatible with QI technology, but only the Pixel 3 has exclusive features: an alarm clock that simulates sunrise, a digital picture frame or programmable daily activities. I find it extremely practical, but far too expensive (it costs $80) for its performance.
The two stereo speakers on the front of the smartphone are, like their predecessors, surprisingly powerful. According to Google, their volume has even been increased by 40%. I can't confirm this, but they're definitely more powerful than those on the Pixel 2, which were already very capable. I like to listen to podcasts when I'm cooking, and the volume is even enough to drown out my cooking noises.
On the other hand, I was disappointed with the battery. At first, the Pixel 2 lasted almost a day and a half. With its 2915mAh battery, my brand new Pixel 3 engages battery saving mode almost every night. This is simply unacceptable. With GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, Always On Display and music recognition activated, the battery typically lasts 18 hours. The Pixel 3 XL's 3430mAh battery fares a little better, but it too has to be recharged every night. I know most smartphones have this problem, but Google still missed an opportunity to score points.
Nice headphones
Google, on the other hand, is redeeming itself with its accessories, especially its USB-C earbuds. Unfortunately, these haven't been common accessories for a long time. They have the same adjustable strap system as the Pixel Buds. They hold up well, are comfortable to wear and leak little sound outwards. Still, they're permeable enough for me to hear traffic when I'm cycling. The sound quality is surprisingly good. The bass is powerful. Overall, the sound is very balanced. As I usually use Sennheiser Momentum 2 Wireless headphones, which sound neutral and very clear, the Earb Buds seem a little too muted.
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The package also contains a USB-Type-C power supply, a USB-Type-C to USB-Type-A adaptor and a USB-Type-C headphone dongle.
The screen works very well
The Pixel 2's screens weren't quite perfect, especially the XL version's. The colours were bland, the viewing angle was poor, not to mention the bluish tint and burn-in. Google has taken the criticism seriously. Both screens now feature OLED technology; LG for the Pixel 3, and Samsung for the XL. Last year, it was the other way round. Fortunately, I didn't notice any difference in quality between the two devices. They're both more than decent, especially thanks to their very nicely rounded edges.
On the Pixel 2, I had to use the 'boosted' mode to improve colours, but the Pixel 3's standard 'adaptive' mode is already delivering superb results. Colours are vivid without looking too saturated, and viewing angles are very good.
Is the camera really that exceptional?
The camera has always been the flagship feature of the smartphone, and has been since the first Pixel. This time around, Google has dispensed with multiple lenses, at least on the back of the device. The 12.2 megapixel camera still takes excellent photos. Autofocus is fast. Thanks to the new motion capture function, it can automatically track selected objects. This is handy when you want to photograph a moving object or test different angles.
Because the Pixel 3's main lens has only one lens, you're left to get by without the flexibility offered by an additional wide-angle or telephoto lens. The super-resolution zoom makes up for this. This digital zoom takes several images simultaneously when you move your hand slightly, recording more image information. This technology comes from astronomy. Unfortunately, the result is less impressive than the concept... The image quality is clearly better than that of the Pixel 2 or when you crop the image afterwards, but don't expect any miracles!
Google, on the other hand, has installed two 8MP lenses on the front of its phone. One is for wide-angle images, the other for ordinary shots. The wide-angle lens is perfect for group selfies and reaches an angle of 107 degrees. This is certainly a more than respectable number, but depending on the angle, the image can be slightly distorted. Most of the time, you still get good results.
Photobooth mode automatically takes photos when you smile or make faces, and Top Shot selects the best one. It's a fun gadget that can make for some great party shots. It works well, but not perfectly, and the extra images are of much poorer quality. You need to activate the Motion option to use this feature.
Portrait mode, which gives a bokeh effect to photos, still works well. Even with messy hair like mine, the AI manages to separate the background and give nice blurred effects. You can then manually adjust the intensity of the effect.
And let's not forget the Night Sight mode. This is clearly the camera's most impressive feature. When you take a photo, the camera takes several (a bit like the super-resolution zoom) to create a single photo. The result is truly incredible. The Pixel's camera produces beautiful images even in the worst lighting conditions. They contain very little noise and are still quite sharp.
The Pixel 3's photos obviously look just as good in normal lighting conditions. Thanks to HDR+, which engages automatically and without delay, images are high in contrast and the colours are vivid but natural. The HDR+ Enhanced function, which you activate in the camera options under HDR+ Control, generally improves image quality even further. The camera still needs a few seconds to take a photo, however, as it records more information. Given the reliability of the images taken with the Pixel 3, I'm taking a lot more than before, without really realising it. I'm just having fun.
When it comes to video, however, the device doesn't quite come up to par with the best smartphones. It doesn't go beyond 4K/30, and video quality isn't up to the same standard as photos. On the other hand, the image stabiliser is fantastic. I could almost forget that my video wasn't taken with a tripod.
Small flaws or serious problems?
Like many other devices, the launch of the Pixel 3 was accompanied by worrying messages: a back prone to scratches, caching problems due to insufficient RAM (4GB) or a camera bug that crashes the app. Only one of these two phenomena occurred on my two devices. The back of the black model rubbed against a bunch of keys in my trouser pocket and it didn't escape unscathed. I tested it just for you, and it only took one train journey to scar it. I'm sorry for anyone who buys it second-hand. What we wouldn't do for science! The white model doesn't have this problem, and I wasn't able to test the pink one. If you want to avoid scratches, get a shell.
Google has decided to pack just 4GB of RAM into its phone. That's not much, when you consider that 6GB or 8GB smartphones are commonplace. Among other things, RAM is used to cache data from open apps. If the memory is full, the apps have to be closed and relaunched the next time they are used. Apparently, this problem has resulted in some devices failing to save camera images. But it has appeared on other devices with the Pixel camera app. Google has already promised to create a fix. As far as I'm concerned, I've never encountered this error.
Finally, some users (in English) have reported that the camera crashes when another app tries to access it. Again, it looks like only a few people have been affected. I've never encountered this problem.
Bottom line: the Pixel 3 is better than its predecessors, but its price can't be justified.
I hope every year that Google will launch the perfect Pixel, and I'm always disappointed. A symbiosis between software and hardware like Apple achieves would be ideal. This year again, Google just misses the mark. But not everyone agrees. The design of the Pixel 3 is really beautiful. I just think Google could have reused the black and white pattern on the back of last year's XL. Of course I'd prefer a phone without edges, but Android needs to improve the handling of its larger smartphones first. The XL's notch is undoubtedly the worst mistake from an aesthetic point of view, but you get used to it.
The experience as a whole is more important. And here, Google convinces. A sensational camera, a superb screen, powerful speakers, plenty of accessories and loads of handy little features that make life easier. The Pixel continues to deliver the best Android experience without compromise. Only the average battery performance really bothers me. I demand only the best from a smartphone that costs at least CHF1,000. It remains to be seen whether rumours that Google is planning to release a Lite version will be confirmed. My review is broadly similar to last year's. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are excellent smartphones, but they're only worth buying if you're a fan, like me.
Smartphones
−6%
EUR169,96 was EUR179,94
Google Pixel 3 XL
64 GB, Just Black, 6.30", Single SIM, 12.20 Mpx, 4G
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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