Google Pixel 3 First impressions

Jason and I are both receiving Google Pixel 3 devices today for further hands-on testing, but after reading the hands-on reports from those in attendance at the Google event yesterday it is clear these are valid reasons to choose the Galaxy Note 9 over the Google Pixel 3 XL. As such, at first glance it looks as though it could have done more to give you a little more display.

Lastly, both phones get a new color called Not Pink.

Google, which has never won raves for the look and feel of its phones, also deserves credit for figuring out how to offer a glass design in a matte finish.

In contrast to the other Android-equipped offerings on the market, the Pixel is seen as a step between Apple’s iOS and other flagship phones from competitors like Samsung. However, as the company’s first tablet meant exclusively for the Chrome platform, the Pixel Slate also deviates from previous builds – taking cues from those laptop-like designs and some of the best that smartphones bring to the table.

What you do get, however, is an OLED display with an 18:9 aspect, rolling out 2160 x 1080 pixels, for a pretty sharp 443ppi.

And the keyboard can be folded on the new tablet to protect its screen. This adds to the sleekness as well as simplicity of the Pixel 3. The phones will be available for sale from November 1, 2018. The launch confirmed what we already knew about both phones based on the leaks and also reveal some new details.

Speaking to Android Central’s Daniel Bader, a Google representative confirmed that if the company had been able to put a notch in the smaller phone there would have been one. Verizon mistakenly listed the Pixel 3’s price on its website a few hours ago, but it wasn’t the only retailer eager to kick off Pixel 3 sales.

The key aim of this, as you might expect from the “Hub” part of it’s name, is to serve as a focal point for other devices in your house.

With the Pixel 3, Google has finally added Qi wireless charging. “AI really changes things quite a bit”.

Of course, we’ll be fully testing the Pixel 3 for stamina closer to launch and we’ll bring you the full results. Understandably, this was done for the sake of privacy, however, Lenovo cleverly used a “privacy shutter” in their Smart Display to hide the camera when not in use, which Google certainly could have done.

The company also showed off several AI applications that will appear first on Pixel 3, before presumably rolling out to other Android devices.

One of the features people love most about Google Photos is the automatic backup of pictures and videos. No more manually organizing and tagging your photos.

Another addition is the ability to change the “aperture” in portrait shots. One of those, like last year’s Duplex, sees Google handling phone calls on your behalf.

The front cameras are dual 8MP sensors.

Pixel Slate comes with a detachable keyboard, as well as a stylus.

IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said the Pixel 3 doesn’t break new ground on hardware, but “software is a different story”.

Google’s updated tablet, the Pixel Slate, was introduced as a “great device for cord-cutters” and comes with three months of YouTube TV for free.

On the Pixel 3 pages, Google provides the image above, and tells users that the Titan M security chip, “built custom for Pixel 3, helps secure your passwords and operating system”.