Pixel 3: We can do more with a rear camera than you can with four

The only camera on the back of the Pixel 3 makes a cheeky statement. In a landscape where most high-end phones are worth having two (iPhone XS), three (Huawei P20 Pro, LG V40) or even four rear cameras (Samsung Galaxy A9), Google's willingness to bet the firm on his goal Cycloptic is a confidence game that says, "Our unique lens is better than all your sophisticated cameras combined."

It should be noted that the Pixels 3 and 3 XL have two 8 megapixel front cameras, but we will come back to this later.

Phone makers, like Samsung and Apple, are renowned for reserving a second goal to the high end model of a set. The Galaxy S9 has a unique 12-megapixel lens to which the Galaxy S9 Plus joins the dual lens pack; The same goes for the unique 12 megapixel lens of the upcoming iPhone XR, compared to iPhone XS dual lens models. But the two 5.5-inch pixels and 6.3-inch XL 6.3-inch Google share exactly the same 12.2 megapixels; when buying, there is no advantage of the camera.

Cameras are a big problem. In addition to the life of the battery, photography is one of the main reasons why people choose one phone over another. The phones with the brightest colors, the deepest contrast, the sharpest edges and the brightest low light shots can win the day. Additional features such as portraits, dramatic lighting options, wide angle selfies, and AI-based automatic scene detection can help phonogram manufacturers distinguish themselves from each other – or do not get left behind by their competitors.

There are several reasons why phones have a second or third rear lens. Many phones are equipped with a telephoto sensor, which allows you to add depth to the portraits and a better image when you zoom in. An additional monochrome sensor can take black-and-white photos without applying a filter, or be used to add details that enhance a color image. The Huawei P20 Pro triple lens has all three.

The three LG V40 rear cameras can simultaneously take a picture of each lens and you can choose your favorite. It's more a software gadget than a real benefit. The Galaxy A9 would have an ultra-wide lens, a "depth camera", a telephoto lens and a "main" sensor of 24 megapixels.

The fact that Google "needs" only one rear camera lens is testament to its software prowess. The titan of technology, with its seemingly limitless resources, is far ahead of the manufacturers of phonemes in advanced image processing.

Specifically, AI and machine learning are two advanced efforts to help computers make their own decisions, for example. lighten a photo according to the dark weather conditions. And Google says have studied millions of photos on Google Images for "[rethink] how the images are captured, "said Google's vice president of hardware Rick Osterloh on Tuesday.

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Pixel 3 and 3 XL: CNET editors react

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Google has also equipped its Pixel 3 handsets with additional or enhanced camera modes. Super Res Zoom creates an enlarged photo from multiple photos. Portrait mode lets you fine-tune the focus point, depth of field, and color saturation. And the low light photos promise to be even brighter and better than the already touted capabilities of the Pixel 2, without you activating the flash – a feature of Google Night Sight dubs. Top Shot chooses your best photo when Motion mode is activated.

What about the two selfie cameras from Pixel 3?

Given Google's extraordinary confidence in its unique rear camera, it's worth noting that Pixel 3 phones follow handsets such as the LG V40 to add a second camera to the face.

Last year, one of the goals, the Pixel 2, was one of the only phones I've used in 2017 that precisely kept my curly hair in the center of the photo mode portrait. Google accomplished this feat with software alone, so why is a second goal needed now?

Google claims that the wide angle selfie camera, which it claims is 184% wider than the iPhone XS front shooter, is designed to fit more images from your friends ( or your landscape) to the frame. We managed to integrate 13 CNET editors into a selfie photo of Pixel 3, which is a good start.

The game of waiting

The issue that concerns me – and that of all the others – is the success of Google's Pixel phones. Is the unique camera really better than two or more? And what useful tips and tools will Pixel phones miss on other phones?

Unfortunately, we have to wait. The CNET Pixel 3 tests are underway, and the deep camera comparison dives you like take a long time. In addition, two of the Pixel 3's (Night Sight and Top Shot) camera features will only be ready when the phones go on sale.

In the meantime, I leave you with the reminder that Google's Pixel phones have an excellent track record in photography. In fact, I can not think of a single traditional phone playing at this high-end level that does not take great pictures in general.

In other words, if you are attracted by the Pixel 3 for its relatively lower price, updated Android updates and unlimited storage on Google Photos, it's a safe bet that the photos will be good, even excellent. If you are looking for professional quality photographs and want to be absolutely sure of yourself, wait for your orders while we work on comparisons between competitors.

Read now: Hands-on with Pixel 3 and 3 XL

Read more: Pixel 3 vs iPhone XS vs Galaxy S9