Some Pixel 3 XL users have reported random notches displaying on the side of their screen. [48] [49] Several reviewers, including Dieter Bohn from The Verge, Mark Spoonauer from Tom's Hardware, and Julian Chokkattu from Digital Trends, stated that the Pixel 3's camera was "the best camera you could get on a smartphone." [33] [34] Digital Trends concluded the Pixel 3 XL had the best output, qualitatively, after comparing its camera output with other leading smartphones, including the Apple iPhone XS Max, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, and the Google Pixel 2 XL. [35] American technology reviewer Marques Brownlee in his Smartphone Awards video in December, 2018 said that the Pixel 3 & 3 XL have the best cameras of all smartphones. [36] Google Pixel 3 wireless charging problems revealed – all you need to know". October 23, 2018. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018 . Retrieved October 23, 2018.

Other connectivity protocols include dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC for use with Google Pay, and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless listening.a b c d Schoon, Ben (May 1, 2019). "Google Pixel 3 Problems: 6 months w/ camera, memory, etc". 9to5Google . Retrieved May 24, 2019. More rounded edges are everywhere on the Pixel 3. Its frame is less boxy than previous Google phones, a trend we've seen from the iPhone and and others. Gone is the harsher silver bevel around the frame and rear fingerprint sensor. It's like Google put the Pixel 2 through a smoothing machine, and we like the results. Humphries, Matthew (March 31, 2020). "Google Stops Selling the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL". PC Magazine . Retrieved March 31, 2020.

The front set of cameras consist of a pair of 8MP standard and wide-angle sensors. The latter can snap with a 97-degree field of view, giving you a wider sense of your surroundings when taking a selfie. The sensors are sharp and accurate when it comes to color reproduction and skin tones. Most interestingly, while it appears to have barrel distortion in the viewfinder, with post-processing the effect is removed, minimizing the distinctive fish-eye effect we normally see on wide-angle cameras. Bohn, Dieter (October 15, 2018). "Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL review: the best camera gets a better phone". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018 . Retrieved October 30, 2018.We’ve covered the biggest Android 9 Pie features in a separate piece, so I won’t go deep into them here. However a couple do deserve a mention. Epstein, Zach (October 11, 2018). "The only thing worse than Google's giant Pixel 3 XL notch is hiding it". BGR. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018 . Retrieved October 30, 2018. As far as additional audio goes, the front-firing stereo speakers may not be room-filling at maximum volume, but they were more than sufficient to attract the attention of my colleagues when blasting Iron Maiden. The Pixel 3 supports 24-bit audio with the included Pixel Buds. The Pixel Buds are comfortable to wear, come with an adjustable ear loop, and integrate with Google Assistant. I found audio quality to be robust, with a crisp and accurate range, though the LG G7 with its dedicated quad DAC still provides more customization for audiophiles. You'll still find dual front-facing speakers on the Google Pixel 3. No one else is really doing this anymore (except Razer with the Razer Phone 2), so it's nice to see in a flagship device. You'll also get Active Edge, which allows you to squeeze the sides of the phone to call up Google Assistant. We much prefer this squeeze mechanic as opposed to a dedicated AI button on the frame, like Samsung does with Bixby button (which we often confuse for the volume down button). According to Dr. Ray Soneira at DisplayMate Labs, t he Pixel 3 XL has a top-tier display with excellent calibration accuracy and performance that is "visually indistinguishable from perfect." It falls into the same category as the Galaxy Note 9, the Galaxy S9, and the iPhone X/XS Max, earning a DisplayMate Best Smartphone Display Award, with each screen standing out for its own particular strengths.

Lee, Demi (October 19, 2018). "Some Google Pixel owners' camera photos aren't saving". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018 . Retrieved October 31, 2018. Google has just announced the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. For an in-depth look at both phones take a look at our Pixel 4 review: hands on and Pixel 4 XL review: hands on. Google still thinks 3 years of updates provides a 'Great Experience' prior to cutting off Pixel 3". January 25, 2022 . Retrieved November 11, 2022. Where the Pixel 2 XL suffered with dull colours and terrible viewing angles, the Pixel 3 XL pops with contrast and just the right amount of saturation in brighter colours like red and green. Viewing angles are great too: tilt the phone and there’s no ugly shift to blue. Google’s design approach is more functional than fashionable, favoring its selfie twin cameras with a bit of asymmetrical screen distraction.Wireless charging is a new feature for the Pixel phones, and a welcome change now that Google has launched the Pixel Stand wireless charger alongside its new devices. We haven't had a wirelessly charging Google phone since the plastic Nexus 6. Google Lens is directly integrated in Google's Pixel 3". CNET. October 9, 2018. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018 . Retrieved October 10, 2018. As good as the Google Pixel 2 XL was, it was severely hampered by a pretty awful display. The LG OLED display used last year received much criticism due to terrible colours and harsh blue shift when it was tilted. A few software updates from Google helped boost the colours somewhat, but the damage was already done. I’ll start with that notch, because it’s really the first thing that catches your eye. I’ve got nothing against notches in general, but the size of the one used here feels a step too far. It droops down noticeably more than an iPhone XS Max and as a result impacts on the content a lot. The Google Pixel 3 XL runs the latest version of Android 9 Pie with the exclusive Pixel launcher on top. This launcher adds in bits like the swipe-up app tray, gesture buttons and the adaptive time/weather widget.