Google Pixel 3 review
The Google Pixel 3 is a well-designed smartphone with a much better screen than its predecessor. The device boasts a single 12-megapixel camera on the back, which may seem outdated compared to the triple-camera setup found in many other smartphones. However, Google's machine learning capabilities shine through in the camera department, producing excellent results. Daylight shots are detailed and well-exposed, while portraits taken with the phone's camera mode are remarkable for a single-camera setup. The new Night Sight mode uses multiple images to produce better exposure and color accuracy, although it's not yet available to the public. Low-light photos have plenty of detail and well-preserved colors. The front-facing camera has been upgraded with an additional lens offering a wider angle. 8-megapixel selfies are sharp and detailed, although portraits taken with this camera may show slightly more visible flaws. However, the Pixel 3 is not without its compromises. Battery life is below par, and the phone can experience heat throttling during intense usage. The new navigation system, while intuitive once mastered, takes some getting used to and can be frustrating at times. Despite these issues, the Google Pixel 3 remains a top contender in the Android market. Its camera capabilities make it a standout, and users will enjoy timely software updates. If you're looking for an Android smartphone with exceptional camera performance, the Pixel 3 is worth considering – just be sure to invest in an external battery pack.
Build Quality and Design
The Google Pixel 3 is a device that exudes a sense of premium quality from the moment you lay eyes on it. The build quality is top-notch, with a sturdy aluminum frame that gives the phone a solid feel in the hand. One of the standout features of the Pixel 3's design is its minimalist aesthetic. The phone's clean lines and lack of unnecessary features give it a sense of sophistication and elegance. The rear glass panel is smooth to the touch and adds a touch of luxury to the overall look and feel of the device. The camera bump on the back of the phone is subtle, but effective. It doesn't protrude too far from the body, which makes it easier to place the phone face down on flat surfaces. The dual-tone LED flash sits atop the camera module, adding a touch of visual interest to an otherwise plain design. The buttons and ports are well-placed and responsive, making it easy to navigate the phone's interface without any unnecessary fuss. The power button is placed conveniently on the right-hand side, while the volume rocker and SIM tray are located on the left-hand side. In terms of color options, the Pixel 3 is available in three different hues: Just Black, Clearly White, and Not Pink. Each color option has a slightly different design element that sets it apart from the others. Overall, the Google Pixel 3's build quality and design make it one of the most impressive devices on the market today. Its premium feel and sleek aesthetic ensure that it will turn heads in any social setting. If you're looking for a phone that exudes style and sophistication, then look no further than the Pixel 3.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 3 is an impressive device in many ways, but unfortunately, its battery life falls short of expectations. Despite boasting a capable processor and efficient software, this smartphone fails to deliver a full day's worth of use on a single charge. In my testing, I found that the Pixel 3's battery would last around 10-12 hours with moderate usage, including browsing, social media, and some light gaming. However, as soon as you start pushing the device harder - perhaps by streaming videos or playing more demanding games - you can expect the battery life to dwindle significantly. This is a major letdown for a phone that should be capable of delivering all-day performance. The Pixel 3's relatively small battery and power-hungry processor make it difficult to squeeze out even a full working day without needing to top up. While this issue may not be deal-breaker for some users, it's certainly a disappointment given the high standards set by Google's previous devices. If you're planning on buying the Pixel 3, be prepared to carry a charger with you at all times - or consider investing in an external battery pack to supplement your phone's power needs. Overall, the Pixel 3's battery life is a major misstep that prevents this otherwise excellent device from reaching its full potential.
Display
The Google Pixel 3's display is a notable improvement over its predecessor. The screen boasts vibrant colors and crisp text, making it a joy to use for everyday tasks such as browsing the web and reading emails. One of the standout features of the Pixel 3's display is its ability to accurately render colors. In our testing, we found that the screen produced rich, vivid hues that were faithful to their real-world counterparts. This was particularly evident in photographs and videos, where the subtle nuances of color were preserved with ease. The screen also handled complex visuals with aplomb, displaying detailed textures and patterns without any signs of pixelation or blur. Whether you're watching a movie or playing a game, the Pixel 3's display is more than up to the task. One minor quibble we had was that the screen could be slightly too bright at times, especially in well-lit environments. However, this was easily mitigated by adjusting the screen's brightness settings. Overall, the Google Pixel 3's display is a significant upgrade over its predecessor and one of the best displays on the market today. Its vibrant colors, crisp text, and accurate color reproduction make it a pleasure to use for both everyday tasks and more demanding activities like watching movies or playing games.
Camera
The Google Pixel 3 boasts a single 12-megapixel camera on its rear, which is quite rare in today's smartphone market where triple-camera setups are becoming increasingly common. However, it's here that Google truly showcases its machine learning prowess. In daylight shots, the Pixel 3 delivers excellent levels of detail, especially considering its resolution. Photos taken by the Pixel 3 have a good dynamic range, thanks to automatic HDR, which captures multiple snaps of the scene and combines them for better results. A new feature called Super Resume takes advantage of natural hand shake to take multiple snaps with slightly offset exposures, allowing it to compile a higher-resolution image and then crop it with a required zoom factor. While not as effective as an iPhone's telephoto camera, it still produces a better result than cropping and sharpening a single image. Portraits taken by the Pixel 3 are truly remarkable for a phone with a single camera, with excellent edge detection on non-human subjects and impressive results in lower light conditions. Portrait mode also works well for edge detection on common objects, but this is largely due to machine learning, which improves as the object becomes more common. Low-light photography is where things get interesting. The Pixel 3 uses Night Sight mode, similar to what you'd find on a Huawei P20 Pro, which captures multiple images and uses machine learning to choose better colors and exposure. While not yet available for public consumption at the time of this review, preliminary tests showed promising results with well-preserved colors and plenty of detail. When compared to other flagship cameras, the Pixel 3 holds its own in certain areas. In regular camera mode, it captures images that are closer to what your eyes see, while Night Sight takes a more creative approach using pseudo-long exposures for better color accuracy. 4K video capture is available on the Pixel 3, with excellent detail and conservative color saturation and contrast. However, it does suffer from some noise, especially in bright conditions. In contrast, 1080p footage looks identical in terms of recorded detail and color science. The front-facing camera has also seen an upgrade, featuring a second camera with a wider angle but slightly dimmer lens. Both cameras capture sharp and detailed images, although portraits taken with the wide-angle camera have slightly more visible flaws. Overall, while not perfect, the Google Pixel 3's camera is one of its standout features. Its ability to produce excellent low-light photos and impressive portrait mode shots make it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a great Android camera experience.
Price and Value
The Google Pixel 3 is a solid smartphone that offers exceptional camera capabilities, a great display, and timely software updates. However, its value proposition is somewhat diminished by its premium price point. At $799 for the base model, the Pixel 3 is not cheap. While it's not excessively expensive compared to other flagships on the market, its cost of entry is still high enough to give pause to potential buyers. Considering the phone's performance and features, some might find it hard to justify paying this much, especially when comparable devices from competitors offer similar experiences at lower price points. That being said, if camera quality is a top priority for you, the Pixel 3 is one of the best options available. Its 12-megapixel primary sensor delivers excellent results in various lighting conditions, and its Night Sight mode is particularly impressive. Additionally, Google's software updates ensure that your device stays secure and feature-rich for years to come. However, if camera performance isn't a critical factor for you, or if budget constraints are a concern, there are other options worth exploring. The Pixel 3's battery life could be better, and the phone's heating issues during intense usage might give pause to some users. In conclusion, while the Google Pixel 3 is an excellent smartphone with many strengths, its value proposition is somewhat marred by its high price point. Those willing to pay a premium for top-notch camera performance and timely software updates may find it worthwhile, but others might want to consider alternative options that offer similar experiences at lower costs.
Performance
The Google Pixel 3's performance is a mixed bag. While it excels in certain areas, it falls short in others. In terms of everyday use, the phone performs admirably. Apps launch quickly, and multitasking is seamless. The device's processor handles demanding tasks with ease, making it ideal for gaming and video streaming. However, when pushed to its limits, the Pixel 3's performance begins to falter. Heavy usage, such as running multiple resource-intensive apps simultaneously, can cause the phone to heat up significantly. This is likely due to the phone's thermal management system struggling to keep pace with the demand being placed on it. Furthermore, benchmarking tests reveal that the Pixel 3 lags behind its competitors in terms of raw processing power. In Geekbench 4, the phone scored around 5,500, which is lower than many other flagship devices on the market. In addition to these issues, the Pixel 3 also suffers from heat throttling. This means that when the device's processor is pushed too hard, it will throttle its performance to prevent overheating. While this is a necessary measure to prevent damage to the phone's internal components, it can be frustrating for users who need to rely on their device for demanding tasks. Overall, while the Google Pixel 3 is a capable device in many ways, its performance is not without its flaws. Users who require a phone that can handle heavy usage and demanding tasks may find themselves disappointed by the Pixel 3's limitations.