Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL - Should you buy one (CNET Top 5)

The Top Five Reasons Not to Buy the Google Pixel 3: A Balanced Perspective

Before we dive into the reasons why you might want to consider skipping the Google Pixel 3, let's acknowledge that there are also some compelling reasons to purchase this device. However, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.

Number Five: The Look

The design of the Google Pixel 3 and XL was heavily influenced by Apple's latest offerings. While the intention might have been to copy a successful design, the result is indeed laughable. As one can expect from a top-of-the-line device, Google's flagship phones should boast sleek, modern designs that stand out from the competition. Unfortunately, the Pixel 3 and XL do not quite live up to this expectation.

In our hands-on experience with the Pixel 3 and XL, we found that both devices looked great, but in a somewhat superficial way. The design is dated, and it's clear that Google was trying to emulate Apple's style without fully committing to it. This lack of attention to detail is disappointing, especially considering the Pixel series has historically been known for its innovative designs.

Number Four: No Expansion Options

One of the biggest selling points of Android devices is the ability to expand storage capacity through microSD cards. However, the Google Pixel 3 and XL do not offer this option. This limitation might be a deal-breaker for some users who rely heavily on storing photos, videos, or apps.

In contrast, Samsung's Galaxy series and LG's V and G lines offer expandable storage options, which can be a significant advantage for those with large media libraries or frequently downloaded apps. The absence of this feature in the Pixel 3 and XL makes it less appealing to users who value flexibility in their device.

Number Three: No 5G Connectivity

As we approach the next generation of wireless technology, 5G connectivity has become an essential feature for many consumers. However, the Google Pixel 3 does not support 5G, which is a significant drawback for those looking for a cutting-edge device.

While no current smartphones have 5G capabilities, it's likely that future models will include this feature. In the meantime, users who want to take advantage of faster data speeds and lower latency might be better off waiting for a 5G-enabled device or considering alternative options from manufacturers like Samsung or OnePlus.

The Pixel 2 XL had some screen issues last year, including visible grittiness and hue problems when tilted. While Google has addressed these concerns in the latest models by implementing flexible OLED screens, it's still worth noting that these issues might have been more prevalent with older devices.

On the other hand, the Pixel 3 and XL do support gigabit LTE connectivity, which is a significant improvement over their predecessors. This faster data speed can make a noticeable difference for users who rely on mobile internet for work or entertainment.

The camera capabilities of the Google Pixel 3 are another aspect worth discussing. While the phone's single rear camera might seem lacking compared to some other flagships, the software that accompanies it is exceptional. Google's software-based camera features like Top Shot and Night Sight offer impressive results, even in challenging lighting conditions.

However, as with any smartphone, the camera's performance can be affected by various factors such as image quality, composition, and personal preferences. Users who rely heavily on their camera for photography or videography might find that the Pixel 3's single rear camera doesn't quite meet their expectations.

Wireless charging is another feature that comes bundled with the Google Pixel 3 and XL. This convenience can be a significant advantage for users who prefer to keep their devices charged without having to deal with cables.

The front-facing cameras, consisting of two 8-megapixel sensors, also provide excellent results for group selfies and portrait photography. However, it's worth noting that these cameras might not be as versatile as some other smartphones on the market.

The best reason to consider purchasing a Google Pixel device is undoubtedly its software updates. As a Google flagship, the Pixel series receives timely and comprehensive updates directly from the company, ensuring users have access to the latest security patches, Android versions, and feature enhancements.

While some manufacturers might offer more storage capacity or advanced features like headphone jacks, Pixel devices always come with a clean, intuitive interface that's designed to showcase the best of Android. With regular software updates, users can rest assured their device will remain secure and performant for an extended period.

The final reason why you might want to skip the Google Pixel 3 is its relatively unremarkable hardware specifications. The phone's processor is a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, which is not as powerful as some of the flagships on offer from Samsung or OnePlus. The amount of RAM, which is 4GB, might also seem somewhat limited for power users.

However, Google has cleverly worked around this limitation by implementing full backups of your photos and videos directly to the cloud storage services you use (e.g., Google Drive). This means that even with a relatively modest amount of internal storage, you can still access all your stored content without worrying about running out of space.

In our hands-on experience with the Pixel 3 and XL, we found both devices to be surprisingly comfortable in the hand, with an ergonomic design that makes them easy to hold for extended periods. The phones' lightweight build also contributes to a pleasant user experience, making them suitable for both daily commuting and casual gaming.

As we conclude our analysis of the Google Pixel 3's strengths and weaknesses, it's clear that this device has its pros and cons. While it might not offer expansion options or 5G connectivity, its camera capabilities, software updates, and overall design make it an attractive option for those prioritizing Android quality over raw power.

However, before making a final decision, users should carefully weigh their individual needs and preferences against the Pixel 3's features. Those looking for more storage capacity, advanced wireless charging, or a phone with a headphone jack might want to consider alternative options from Samsung or OnePlus.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthese are the top five reasons not to buy the Google pixel three wait wait wait before you go all nuts we also have reasons to buy the pixel three in this same video so use this video to serve whatever need you want if you're trying to convince yourself to spend money or trying to convince yourself not to you'll get some ideas here let's go number five the look yes this is superficial the Google pixel 3 and Excel looked like great looking budget phones there I said it one design is dated the three looks like the pixel to excel the pixel three Excel looks like someone saw an apple design and thought how can we copy that then as I was like we can do it but it's going to look hilariously bad Google's it yeah let's do it then the design team did not know Google was kidding for shame these are Google's top phones they deserve top-of-the-line designs at number four no expansion one of the big hooks about Android phones is you get to choose what kind of experience you have Samsung's big Galaxy phones let you plug in a microSD card LG's V and G lines let you do the same how about any of the pixels nope forget it either by a 64 gigabyte model or a 128 model those are your options that's it and number three is there's no 5g look this is the future of wireless and it's not on the pixel 3 to be fair no current phones have 5g on board but if you're looking for a phone you want to hang on to for a few years 2018 has been a blatte for phones in general look at the s9 the note 9 the LG G 7 think you the actual intent asks just placeholders until 2019 rolls around if you have a phone from last year it's a hard sell to jump to any phone let alone the pixel if you want some solace the pixel does support gigabit LTE number 2 these past screen problems this might be more of a reason to just hold off on purchasing a new pixel than anything else last year the pixel 2 XL had issues with its OLED screen there were some visible grittiness and some hue issues if you tilted the phone once you saw these problems good luck on seeing them this year Google put in flexible OLED screens in both versions of the three I asked a rep if Google used the same screen vendor as before but he said Google is not disclosing that information will the new screens hold up better than last year's we'll see before we get to number one let's talk about reasons to buy the pixel while it only has one camera on the back Google software seems to make photos look great with features like top shots and night sights but that was in the demos we'll see how it really goes in further testing then there's finally wireless charging on the pixel so if you really really wanted that you have it the two cameras on the front take care of those group selfies for all of those photos you get free unlimited google photo storage and the best reason to get a pixel or any pixel for that matter is getting the latest version of Android when Google releases it other phones might have a better design more cameras or whatever but pixel phones can get updates flipping quickly back to the bad side and the number one reason not to buy the new pixel is the specs ok the pixel 3 inside is relatively unremarkable it's got a snapdragon 845 processor like other phones it packs 4 gigabytes of RAM which seems a little light the pixel phone's max out at 128 gigabytes of storage what's that about Google's working around for that is allowing full backups of your photos and videos so maybe you won't need all that space onboard Google also puts the screen size on the XL as 6.3 inches measured from one out of the screen to the other on the diagonal but you do lose space to the knotch maybe Google will find some kind of amazing use case for that little extra screen mini apps maybe I don't know I got to play around with the pixel 3 and XL for a little bit I kind of like the three better both were very comfortable in the hand were surprisingly light and we're very zippy maybe I'll wait until next year with 5g that does it for us am i a zap tire and I'll see you online youthese are the top five reasons not to buy the Google pixel three wait wait wait before you go all nuts we also have reasons to buy the pixel three in this same video so use this video to serve whatever need you want if you're trying to convince yourself to spend money or trying to convince yourself not to you'll get some ideas here let's go number five the look yes this is superficial the Google pixel 3 and Excel looked like great looking budget phones there I said it one design is dated the three looks like the pixel to excel the pixel three Excel looks like someone saw an apple design and thought how can we copy that then as I was like we can do it but it's going to look hilariously bad Google's it yeah let's do it then the design team did not know Google was kidding for shame these are Google's top phones they deserve top-of-the-line designs at number four no expansion one of the big hooks about Android phones is you get to choose what kind of experience you have Samsung's big Galaxy phones let you plug in a microSD card LG's V and G lines let you do the same how about any of the pixels nope forget it either by a 64 gigabyte model or a 128 model those are your options that's it and number three is there's no 5g look this is the future of wireless and it's not on the pixel 3 to be fair no current phones have 5g on board but if you're looking for a phone you want to hang on to for a few years 2018 has been a blatte for phones in general look at the s9 the note 9 the LG G 7 think you the actual intent asks just placeholders until 2019 rolls around if you have a phone from last year it's a hard sell to jump to any phone let alone the pixel if you want some solace the pixel does support gigabit LTE number 2 these past screen problems this might be more of a reason to just hold off on purchasing a new pixel than anything else last year the pixel 2 XL had issues with its OLED screen there were some visible grittiness and some hue issues if you tilted the phone once you saw these problems good luck on seeing them this year Google put in flexible OLED screens in both versions of the three I asked a rep if Google used the same screen vendor as before but he said Google is not disclosing that information will the new screens hold up better than last year's we'll see before we get to number one let's talk about reasons to buy the pixel while it only has one camera on the back Google software seems to make photos look great with features like top shots and night sights but that was in the demos we'll see how it really goes in further testing then there's finally wireless charging on the pixel so if you really really wanted that you have it the two cameras on the front take care of those group selfies for all of those photos you get free unlimited google photo storage and the best reason to get a pixel or any pixel for that matter is getting the latest version of Android when Google releases it other phones might have a better design more cameras or whatever but pixel phones can get updates flipping quickly back to the bad side and the number one reason not to buy the new pixel is the specs ok the pixel 3 inside is relatively unremarkable it's got a snapdragon 845 processor like other phones it packs 4 gigabytes of RAM which seems a little light the pixel phone's max out at 128 gigabytes of storage what's that about Google's working around for that is allowing full backups of your photos and videos so maybe you won't need all that space onboard Google also puts the screen size on the XL as 6.3 inches measured from one out of the screen to the other on the diagonal but you do lose space to the knotch maybe Google will find some kind of amazing use case for that little extra screen mini apps maybe I don't know I got to play around with the pixel 3 and XL for a little bit I kind of like the three better both were very comfortable in the hand were surprisingly light and we're very zippy maybe I'll wait until next year with 5g that does it for us am i a zap tire and I'll see you online you\n"