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The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have both released, and if the early data is whatever indication both phones are a robust successor to the Pixel 2 — simply not without a few caveats attached. Nosotros've rounded up reviews from PCMag, The Verge, CNBC, Mashable, Wired, and Ars Technica, so let'due south come across what the overall opinion is on Google'south latest flagship.

If yous're looking for a high-stop Android device, information technology's clear the Pixel iii and Pixel three XL should be articulate contenders for the chore. Both devices have been universally acclaimed for their software implementation and optimization. The OLED displays are reportedly much-improved from the Pixel two, with the Verge reporting that "The Pixel 3 40's screen is vibrant and vivid with colors that pop at any viewing angle." The Verge also notes that the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S9 both have an edge in brightness and contrast, but that Google has finally created a phone "worthy of the high prices that Pixel phones command."

If there'due south 1 characteristic of the device existence hailed as a standout success, it's the camera. CNBC's Todd Haselton posted the following shot of his dog Mabel to highlight how the Pixel 3 simulates depth with a single camera (the iPhone and other Android devices sometimes utilize ii cameras to create depth in photos) every bit well as to highlight how much detail it tin can handle.

I have a soft spot for dachshunds and that'southward a damn good camera. Credit: Todd Haselton/CNBC

Over at Mashable, there's an extensive set of photos, including this comparison beneath between the Pixel three and the iPhone XS that highlights merely how differently the two devices handle fine detail piece of work in shut-upward shots. While which epitome you prefer is a thing of personal preference, the Pixel 3 clearly retains much more detail than the iPhone XS does.

Mashable Pixel 3

Credit: Raymond Wong/Mashable

All of the reviews above accept their ain camera evaluations, and given that the photographic camera is 1 of the well-nigh-discussed aspects to the phone, at that place'southward good reason to parse through more than ane. But the full general opinion of the reviewers is that the Pixel three has one of the all-time, if not the best cameras on the market today. The wide-angle selfie photographic camera is a bit hit or miss — some reviewers like it, some don't — merely everyone agrees that the photo quality is expert. Google'south diverse AI enhancements, filters, and new capabilities are also praised. All reviews agree that the software is a device strong point.

Mixed Opinions on Hardware

On hardware, at that place'due south a split stance between Ars Technica and everyone else. All of the reviews have annotation of 2 bug specifically: The matte glass dorsum on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 Forty, and the unusually large notch on the Pixel 3 Xl, which is twice as alpine every bit competing notches from other companies. The back of the Pixel 3 XL is made out of a fabric Google calls "Soft Impact Glass," and which is apparently very like shooting fish in a barrel to scratch (very calorie-free scratches may buff out, simply multiple reviews report that having any other object in one's pockets can scratch this part of the dorsum). The notch, and the associated question of whether you find it insanely irritating is a personal one.

Ars found both of these issues to be larger problems than other publications did and the reviewer, Ron Amadeo, did non treat the hand experience of Google'south Soft Touch glass at all. He besides calls out associated limits on the Pixel three XL's storage capacity that aren't similarly limited on flagship devices from other companies, writing:

This is the fastest Android telephone on Globe and the best smartphone camera e'er, just it'south paired with ugly, dated hardware that soaks upward oil and is really slippery.

Google is turning in a really unimpressive spec parcel. There's just 4GB of RAM when many competing phones have vi or 8GB. There's only a 64 and 128GB storage tier and no SD card, when competing devices go to 512GB. There's only a 3430mAh battery on the Pixel 3 XL—that'southward smaller than the Pixel 2 XL—and the Galaxy Annotation 9 fits a 4000mAh battery with a big plastic pen in about the same size body. Again, the general theme of this device is that Google software makes up for the deficiencies in Google'south hardware, so the phone runs fast and battery life is great.

This is a departure from the conclusions of other reviews. The Verge writes "For the first time, Pixel phones experience like a thousand bucks." CNBC states "Until now, I thought the Galaxy Note 9 and Milky way S9 were the all-time Android phones y'all could purchase, depending on how much you wanted to spend. I recall the Pixel 3 Forty wins out now, with a much faster camera and interface and software features that add to the feel." Mashable declares the Pixel iii / Pixel 3 XL to be the default choices for anyone not waiting for a OnePlus 6T or iPhone XR, given that "Google finally checked off all the boxes." PCMag'due south review claims "For pure Google, however, you can't vanquish the Pixel three 40." Wired, meanwhile, more-or-less dismisses the hardware platform as irrelevant, writing: "It turns out, as we spend each fall examining and comparing specs on these new rectangular pieces of hardware, the thing that matters most is the software running on them. And that's likely to be the instance for the foreseeable future."

Credit: Zlata Ivleva/PCMag

Each review weights these problems differently, with Wired putting the nearly emphasis on software and Ars putting the largest focus on hardware. (Note: "focus" in this instance refers to the relative weight of the category, not the corporeality of review text devoted to the topic or the depth of the review itself).

The general reviewer consensus is that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 40 are excellent devices with a few quirks (the Pixel 3 is significantly faster than the Pixel iii XL in some benchmarks for reasons that aren't clear), and a few design decisions (relatively low RAM, large notch, Soft Touch glass) that some reviewers establish more than annoying than others. The camera and software are universally acclaimed and reviewers generally had little trouble with the price, though some did remark on how smartphones have moved, inexorably, in the direction of more expensive devices.

One concluding matter to remember: Verizon is the exclusive carrier of the Pixel iii and Pixel iii Forty in the US. That'south not a modify from previous years, but it's something to be aware of if you like the device but have a unlike carrier (meaning: Buy the unlocked version).

Now Read: The Pixel 3 Cameras Are a Showcase for Google'southward AI, Google Unveils Pixel 3 Phones, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub, and Google's Unannounced Pixel three XL Merely Leaked

Top photograph credit: Zlata Ivleva/PCMag