Google Pixel 3: Criticism for Professionals

With the launch of Google's Pixel brand phones three years ago, Android was moving mainly from OEM builders like Samsung or Motorola to the presence of a high-end flagship product positioned against the iPhone. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, launched this month, are intended to compete with the latest models of Apple, iPhone Xs and Xs Max.

This review focuses on the benefits of Pixel 3 for professionals, including executives, developers and remote workers. For more general reviews, check out ZDNet's reviews of Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

Initial impressions

While the Pixel 3 XL has been widely criticized for the height of the display screen, the standard-sized Pixel 3 bypasses questionable design clues that flagship Android phones have adopted en masse since the release of the iPhone X. Pixel 3 is essentially utilitarian, it's like a normal phone, for normal people, with normal hands that do not pull their identity model phone they use. The 2: 1 aspect ratio is a welcome change from the 16: 9 display used in the Pixel 2 (and most other Android phones), which gives it a good balance between l & # 39; 39 usable space on the screen and a functional form for hands and pockets.

SEE: Mobile Device Security: A Guide for Business Leaders (Tech Pro Research)

Pure and pure Android software

The main advantage of Pixel phones is that Android is allowed to be Android, with no themes or irremovable applications installed by the manufacturer or the mobile network operator. The affordable phones sold as part of the Android One program also have Google approved stock type software configurations. In terms of price and performance, these more closely resemble the Nexus series of devices, which ended in 2015.

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL, like all Pixel devices, are part of Google's Android Enterprise Partners initiative, enabling enterprise deployment with QR codes and zero-touch registration. All phones with the Android Enterprise label have guaranteed security updates (within 90 days) for three years and at least one major upgrade during that time. The Pixels 3 and 3 XL go one step further by providing monthly security updates and version updates for three years, ending here in October 2021. In practice, it's the warring guarantee. the most generous and timely update for any Android phone.

Similarly, it is difficult to predict the availability of preview images for developers for the next version of Android. While previews of Android Pie (9.0) were available on the OnePlus 6, the Essential PH-1, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, the Sony Xperia XZ2, the Nokia 7 Plus, the Oppo R15 Pro and the Vivo X21 / UD, in addition to Google Pixel devices, it seems unlikely that these exact third-party phones will receive preview images at the beginning of the next development cycle. For this reason, developers needing to access Android preview images are best served with Pixels 3 and 3 XL.

Note that the map view for apps, along with the new touch navigation and changes to the default Pixel 3 and Android 9 launcher, combined with the Google Pixel Stand wireless charger, give the new generation of phones more a resemblance with the Palm / HP webOS series of devices.

A truly wonderful smartphone camera

Google's focus on improving the performance of smartphone cameras with their exclusive HDR + post-processing, video-on-merge stabilization, and auto focus in motion mode is one of the few aspects of Pixel phones. , which is not found (by official means) in any way. Android phones from other manufacturers.

To quote an overused aphorism, the best camera you have is the one you have with you. This is especially true with Pixel 3. Although the camera is perfectly suited to portraits and landscape (landscape) exteriors, the contrast available in the camera is also suitable for cases where imperfections need to be highlighted (such as as experts in damage insurance adjustment to cars or structures), and when photographs must be taken in adverse conditions.

It should be noted that Google continued its offer of free storage of photos with an original quality in Google Drive for the Pixel 3 until January 31, 2022.

It's the ecosystem

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL are the latest devices to officially support the Google Fi project, which combines Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Three networks to a $ 20 / month package for unlimited calls and messages text, with data at (prorated) $ 10 per GB, for the first 6 GB. Although there is no business plan for Project Fi, the service is useful for cost-conscious people, especially freelancers who are inclined to work from a wired home connection or Wi-Fi coffee. Google Fi only works with Pixel phones, Moto G6 and X4 (Android One Edition) and the LG G7 and V35 ThinQ, as well as the abandoned Nexus 5X, 6 and 6P.

Feeling, experience and all the disadvantages

The official Google Pixel 3 case, which matches the same design language as the Google Home and Daydream View smart speakers, is a trifle. Although this is not particularly noticeable on the black variant, natural oils and dirt on the hands can significantly discolor the case, as is the case with Alcantara-coated keyboards in the range of D & D. Surface devices from Microsoft.

The Pixels 3 and 3 XL lack 3.5mm headphone jacks for arbitrary reasons. Google includes USB-C headphones and a 3.5mm USB-C converter, although their use prevents charging while listening to music.

While the Pixels 3 and 3 XL are the first Google phones for many years to support wireless charging, support Pixel Stand, for reasons unknown, is limited to a load of 10W, while other phones can charge at 15W. To further complicate matters, Google is limiting the wireless connection load on unapproved docking stations to 5W, making the (relatively expensive) $ 69 Pixel Stand the fastest wireless charger currently available. Apparently, Google intends to open a faster wireless charging system for devices submitted to the Made for Google Certification Program.

Pixel 3 and 3 XL prices are still $ 200 lower for Apple for the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, but at $ 799 and $ 899 respectively for the 64GB SKU, the duo has received a significant price increase from its predecessors. The Pixel 3 costs $ 150 more, while the 3 XL costs $ 50 more than the Pixels 2 and 2 XL, although the changes between the two are modest at best. Similarly, due to the lack of (characteristic) expandable storage, the $ 100 bonus for the 128GB SKU is unreasonable. For comparison, Apple does not offer a 128GB SKU for the iPhone X, although the 256GB type is a $ 150 premium over the basic 64GB model.

Conclusion

If you have an urgent need to upgrade, the Pixel 3 is an easily justifiable purchase. If you come from a 2 pixel (or, probably, even from an original pixel), the improvements are probably too incremental for the purchase to be reasonable. The initial price spends a little less when combined with Google's affordable Project Fi service. Even in the absence of an agreement, the price makes it difficult to justify.

Apart from that, the Pixel 3 is simply a quality phone, with a longer warranty life than most other Android phones.

Characteristics

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 quad-core 2.5 GHz
• Display: OLED resolution of 5.5 inches and 2160×1080 pixels (443 dpi)
• Operating system: Android 9 Pie
• RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
• Storage room: 64 GB / 128 GB internal
• Cameras: 12.2 megapixel f / 1.8 dual-pixel rear camera with OIS. Two standard 8 megapixel wide-angle f / 2.2 (97 degrees) and f / 1.8 wide-angle front cameras
• Resistance to water: IP68 protection rating for water and dust
• connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (2.4 / 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, GPS / Galileo / Glonass and NFC
• sensors: Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyrometer, Magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Active Edge Sensor
• Drums: 2 915mAh non removable with wired charging 18W and wireless Qi
• L & # 39; Audio: Two front stereo speakers and Pixel earphones included
• Dimensions: 145.6mm x 68.2mm x 7.9mm and 148 grams
• Colors: Just black, clearly white and not pink

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