Mike Dee
Ambassador
I like the pixel 2 XL but it's overpriced for what it is. kind of mediocre build quality and screen for a phone this high. Samsung and Apple have much better hardware at the Pixel 2/2XL price range.
Google needs to step up the game. the first gen Pixels felt much better in terms of fit and finish. I have two Pixel 2XL's and both have weird panel gaps and aliment issues where the glass meets the metal on the backs.
both also have lack luster displays compared to other phones in their price range. I'm still a big fan of the Pixel lineup though. I want it to succeed and I want more people to buy them.
Looks like the Pixel 3 will be glass: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3-xl-prototype-display-notch/If I thought Samsung or iPhone was a better build quality I still would not consider them. All glass is not better.
Looks like the Pixel 3 will be glass: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3-xl-prototype-display-notch/
Leaked Pixel 3 XL prototype looks like an all glass back. Top part gloss, bottom frosted glass. You can see where the glass joins the metal band on the side at the bottom corners.
https://www1-lw.xda-cdn.com/files/2018/06/IMG_20180606_171440.jpg https://www1-lw.xda-cdn.com/files/2018/06/IMG_20180606_171541.jpg
Pretty big notch and bottom bezel. One camera on the back but possibly two on the front. Very strange setup.
More photos of the Pixel 3 XL: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3-xl-glass-back-display-notch/
Confirmed glass back, which is a great change imo. Never liked that metal back with the plastic coating on the 2/2XL.
Maybe this also means wireless charging, which would be great for users.
Here are some renders based off the latest leaks:
View attachment 285144 View attachment 285145
I don't mind the notch. And the polished metal band along with the glossy glass & frosted looking glass - looks like quite an attractive device in the renders.
Glass is not a great change regardless of opinion. It looks nice but sucks because it's breakable, shows fingerprints and has to be put into a case. Wireless charging doesn't need glass so where are the advantages except it's pretty?
Well it is my opinion that changing the back to all glass is better than before with the P2/2XL. I look nicer aesthetically, it allows for wireless charging which metal did not, and feels better in the hand over metal with plastic coating over it.
So knowing what the P2XL looks and feels like to knowing it's going to a glass build, imo it's a great change. Very glad Google aren't going with the P2/2XL metal/plastic coating this year. Plus wireless charging is a bonus. Maybe Google could bundle wireless chargers for those who preorder or something.
Let's see.... looks better aesthetically but I have to put it in case because one drop may kill it. Allows for wireless charging but so does other less breakable materials. Pixel 2XL is paint over metal and doesn't allow wireless charging. Durability over wireless any day.
I don't buy any phone because of bundle. Will I buy the 3Xl? Time tell, but it will never come out of it's case. Thank God they are still using an LG screen.
One drop can kill any phone - the front of every phone still has glass. And yeah wireless charging is an objective functional benefit to the phone that a metal phone build cannot provide. Irrespective of whether you'll use wireless charging it or not, it's a beneficial option for users. Especially when cafe's near me have wireless charging pads where people can place their phones and it'll charge while they're having a coffe/meal. Pretty handy to have.
Don't understand the LG screen comment. Samsung are way ahead of LG in terms of phone screens. The LG panel displays issues that Samsung AMOLED screens had years ago. Much rather a Samsung display, but here's hoping the Pixel 3 XL screen is substantially better than the Pixel 2 XL one.
Alright well wireless charging pads are becoming more and more popular here, so I think moving to the glass build is a good change. Keeps that premium look/feel and allows for wireless charging. And it's looking like the Pixel 3 will have wireless charging support, so that's good to see.
Also I'm fine with the notch and the bottom chin for the second speaker. I don't think it looks ugly or wasted space or whatever the other criticisms are of the notch/chin. With those renders floating around I think the device looks quite nice. Hoping the final device will look close to that. Also interested to see what the white/black model looks like.
Single rear camera suggests to me that Google have something up their sleeve with the camera that will keep it on par with other phones that have two or even three cameras. So while I think a second or third camera would help with telephoto or wide-angle or something, I'll hold judgement and see what Google do with this single camera.
Also happy with the manufacturing of the phones going to Foxconn. They have the experience of making iPhones, so they're used to mass producing extremely high-quality devices, hopefully with great QA/QC.
Guess the only thing that concerns me is how much better have LG's displays improved this year. If that has gotten a lot better then it could be a superb phone.
So overall I'm pretty happy with what we do know about the Pixel 3 XL so far. Seem to be fixing up a few mistakes from last year's Pixel 2 XL.
Its OK that you prefer glass but that does not make it look or feel premium for everyone and it weakens the build no matter how you slice it just to potentially gain wireless charging. Making it glass negates the added value by far. Since the majority of us case our phones the percieved look and feel is diminished anyway.
You're entitled to your opinion, but I think the added benefit of wireless charging greatly outweighs the benefits of an all metal build. Now there will be added functionality not achievable before in the Pixel line.
I think this is a great choice Google have made for the Pixel 3.
There's no point going back and forth about this - the Pixel 3 XL has a glass back. Just have to accept it and move on.
Personally, I don't mind the addition of wireless charging as a "feature", as long as it doesn't come at an increase in price and doesn't sacrifice fast charging. If the 3 does have a glass back, it just means it's going to be more fragile.
Besides, for me to be able to fully utilize something like that means I gotta buy charging pads for multiple spots at home and work. I don't pick up any advantage from that kind of hardware build.
Hell no .. Let's keep the smaller Pixel small. Pocketability is a good thing.