Google Pixel 3 XL
The Pixel 3 XL is Google's best phone to date. With a huge 6.3-inch screen backed by stereo speakers, the phone offers considerable upgrades from the first-gen Pixel. But where the Pixel 3 XL truly shines is in the camera department — simply put, it has the best cameras you'll find on a phone today.
Google Pixel XL
The Pixel XL is now starting to show its age, particularly when it comes to the design side of things. The 16:9 display looks ancient in 2018, and although the Pixel 3 XL sports a notch, it offers a significantly larger screen in a chassis that isn't all that bigger than the Pixel XL.
The Pixel line always stood out for its great cameras, and with the Pixel 3 XL, Google is introducing a slate of new features that allow the phone to stand out. Chief among them is the upgrades to the camera, and the switch to the 19:9 form factor means you get a larger screen in roughly the same size.
Reasons to upgrade to the Pixel 3 XL
The Pixel 3 XL is Google's best showing yet in the smartphone segment. The phone has Gorilla Glass 5-backed glass at the front and back, but the back has an etched texture that's designed to mimic a matte metallic finish.
It feels like the phone is made out of polycarbonate when you first pick it up, and the unique texture allows the Pixel 3 XL to stand out in a sea of glass-backed devices. The metallic chassis of the Pixel XL is much more durable, but the Pixel 3 XL definitely looks more premium.
| Category | Pixel 3 XL | Pixel XL |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 9 Pie | Android 9 Pie |
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED2960x1440 (18.5:9)Gorilla Glass 5 | 5.5-inch AMOLED2560x1440 (16:9)Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845Pixel Visual Core | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64/128GB | 32/128GB |
| Expandable | No | No |
| Rear camera | 12.2MP, 1.4-micron, PDAFf/1.8, OIS | 12.3MP, 1.55-micron, PDAFf/2.0, EIS |
| Front camera 1 | 8MP, auto focusf/1.8, 75-degree lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.4-micron |
| Front camera 2 | 8MP, fixed focusf/2.2, 97-degree lens | NA |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, GPS |
| Audio | Stereo speakersUSB-C | Mono speaker3.5mm jack |
| Battery | 3430mAhNon-removable | 3430mAhNon-removable |
| Charging | 18W USB-C PDQi wireless | 18W USB-C |
| Water resistance | IP68 | No |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor |
| Dimensions | 158.0 x 76.7 x 7.9mm184g | 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.5mm168g |
| Colors | Just Black, Very White, Not Pink | Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue |
With Google switching to an 18.5:9 form factor, the Pixel 3 XL offers a 6.3-inch display in a chassis that's not noticeably larger than that of the Pixel XL. The downside is that the phone has an ungainly notch; even by Android standards, the display cutout on the Pixel 3 XL is hideous. That's the tradeoff for the dual front cameras and stereo sound.
If you're rocking the Pixel XL, it's time for an upgrade.
The Pixel 3 XL is leagues ahead of the first-gen Pixel when it comes to the camera side of things. Google crammed a ton of camera features on the phone, including a Night Sight feature that lets you capture drastically better photos in low-light conditions, and you can interact with more AR-themed effects.
Some of the new camera features will be making their way to the Pixel XL, but the 3 XL has an upper hand thanks to the dedicated Pixel Visual Core chip. And while there isn't a headphone jack, Google is including a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3 XL.
A true flagship with the best cameras on Android today.
The Pixel 3 XL features an OLED panel that is easily the best Google put on a phone to date. You also get the latest software features, wireless charging, and a chassis that's resistant to the elements. Combine that with the best cameras on a phone today and you get quite a potent package.
The two-year-old Pixel XL is showing its age.
The Pixel XL is still a great device in its own right, but the 16:9 display looks dated in 2018, and you're getting vastly superior cameras with the Pixel 3 XL. Now is the time to upgrade to Google's latest.
