The Google Pixel 3 XL leaks have flooded the Internet in the last few weeks, but the regular Google Pixel 3 phone remained a mystery. The Pixel 3 XL leaks have confirmed that it would sport a display notch similar to the iPhone X and dozens of other Android copycats. A large number of people don’t like the notch, even though the phone may give them the option to hide it via software.
Google Pixel 3 phone specs and design
Thanks to an anonymous Reddit user, we are getting our first detailed look at the real-world pictures of the smaller Google Pixel 3 phone. People who don’t like the display notch are going to love it, as long as they don’t mind a slightly smaller display. The Reddit user posted images of the device showing it from the front, back, and side. They also revealed the phone’s technical specifications.
The Pixel 3 images shared on Reddit suggest it will retain the two-tone finish. Its design appears similar to last year’s Pixel 2 XL. Notably, the dock at the bottom has seven apps. It indicates the phone is running a third-party launcher. The Google Pixel 3 phone sports a 5.5-inch display with 2160 x 1080 resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. Past reports have suggested that Google would source the P-OLED screens from LG Display for its upcoming smartphones.
The pictures confirm the phone would feature front-facing stereo speakers, and only a single lens on the back. The circular fingerprint sensor remains where it was on last year’s models. The Google Pixel 3 phone sports two 8-megapixel cameras on the front, similar to the larger Pixel 3 XL. One of the lenses has an aperture of f/1.8 while the second one is f/2.2.
It is unclear why Google is adding two cameras on the front. It could use the second camera for wide-angle shots or facial recognition. But there is no concrete evidence of an advanced face authentication feature on the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL. The leak also indicates that Google is moving to gesture navigation with the next-gen Pixel phones.
The Pixel 3 packs a decent 2,915mAh battery, which should easily last a full day of normal usage. Since Google controls both the software and hardware of Pixel handsets, it could tightly integrate the two to offer maximum battery life. The Reddit user did not reveal whether it would feature wireless charging.
Among other things, the Google Pixel 3 phone offers 4GB RAM, which isn’t that impressive considering rivals such as OnePlus 6 and Galaxy Note 9 pack up to 8GB RAM. The upcoming Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will most likely run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, which powers many flagship Android phones released this year. It’s worth pointing out that the Pixel 3 unit leaked by the Redditor was being tested on a carrier other than Verizon. It means Verizon’s exclusive deal with Google might end this year.
Pixel 3 XL already selling in the black market
Earlier this month, a Ukrainian blogger was selling Google Pixel 3 XL units for as much as $2,000 in the black market. It’s unclear how the blogger obtained the pre-release devices. Many people who purchased it from the Ukrainian blogger have already revealed almost everything about the Pixel 3 XL. The seller was accepting payments only through Bitcoin and Paypal.
Google can’t deactivate these devices remotely. Twitter user Owen pointed out that the handsets were running “dogfood-level” software. Some of the Pixel 3 XL units were listed as Design Validation Testing (DVT) while others were Engineering Validation Testing (EVT). All the units sold by the Ukrainian blogger had a Googler’s “email address glued to the box.”
There’s a bunch of interesting bits here that are quite odd:
1) Every shipment has had a Googler’s email address glued to the box
2) Some handsets are “DVT” (Design Validation Testing) and others were “EVT” (Engineering Validation Testing)
3) Software is dogfood-level pic.twitter.com/TNGmVLNXmk— ⚡️ Owen (@ow) August 22, 2018
Google Pixel 3 price and release date
Not much is known about the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL prices. Russian publication Mobile Review claims the Google Pixel 3 phone would start at $649 and the Pixel 3 XL will have a starting price of $749. However, the publication doesn’t have a reliable track record, so these prices should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Since the iPhone X launch, smartphone vendors have been increasing the prices of their premium devices, and Google could follow the same trend. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 has been priced at $1,000 for the base model and $1250 for the 8GB RAM/512GB storage variant. Even if Google keeps the Pixel 3 price the same as last year’s Pixel 2 ($649), it could price the larger Pixel 3 XL closer to $1,000.
The search engine giant has traditionally unveiled new Pixel phones on October 4th. But a recent report from Bloomberg claims the company would unveil the Pixel 3 at a media event in New York City on October 9th.
