A few questions about the Pixel 3 XL and the trade-in process

[FreakyLocz14]

I didn't see a sticky that covers these topics already.

First, a question about trade-ins: As you all know, many Pixel 2 XL owners who have their phones since the beginning probably are suffering from some level of screen burn/image retention. My phone is in near mint condition, and the display has no visible cracks nor scratches, but it does have very noticeable screen burn. Will Google knock off my trade-in value for that, or should I RMA?

Secondly, does the notch always show, even when you're watching video in full-screen? Can it he disabled in the stock launcher? That matters because there is likely to be noticeable burn in where the notch is in just a few months, but it won't matter if it never goes away.

Lastly, this one is related to avoiding the long shipping estimates by buying from a Verizon store: Does the Verizon version come factory unlocked out of the box, is the bootloader unlocked, and does the device have any Verizon branding, splash screen upon turning it on and off, or non-removeable Verizon bloatware?

Thank you advance for your input.

 

[klau25]

If you have burn in issues, why don't you get a warranty replacement then sell it on your own as a new unit? You will get much more money back than trade in. Google offered me 325 for my white 2xl with 64 gb. I sold it on swappa for 430. And got about 390 back after fees and shipping. You can get a lot more for a new unopened box.

Verizon version is the same as unlocked version except for the looked bootloader. They are sold as carrier unlocked for now until Verizon charges their mind. Verizon version will also have 3 Verizon apps installed once you put in a Verizon sim, but can be uninstall right away. Unless you use Verizon and can get some bonus from buying from best buy or Verizon, I would suggest getting the carrier unlocked version from Google.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

If you have burn in issues, why don't you get a warranty replacement then sell it on your own as a new unit? You will get much more money back than trade in. Google offered me 325 for my white 2xl with 64 gb. I sold it on swappa for 430. And got about 390 back after fees and shipping. You can get a lot more for a new unopened box.

Verizon version is the same as unlocked version except for the looked bootloader. They are sold as carrier unlocked for now until Verizon charges their mind. Verizon version will also have 3 Verizon apps installed once you put in a Verizon sim, but can be uninstall right away. Unless you use Verizon and can get some bonus from buying from best buy or Verizon, I would suggest getting the carrier unlocked version from Google.

Google is offering me $355 because I have a 128 GB 2 XL. I already did a warranty replacement after about 6 months in, and don't want to raise the risk of getting flagged as a serial returner unnecessarily (many places keep track now), especially since I am currently doing an RMA for my Pixel Buds right now as well. If Google doesn't knock off trade-in value for it, I can live with the full trade-in value.

Thanks for the info on the Verizon version. I was very tempted to cancel my Google Store order and buy directly from my local Verizon store, but the locked bootoader is a deal breaker.

The store associate also said she believes all Pixels 3s bought from a Verizon store are carrier locked to Verizon, even if I pay full retail for it. Is that wrong?

 

[klau25]

Google is offering me $355 because I have a 128 GB 2 XL. I already did a warranty replacement after about 6 months in, and don't want to raise the risk of getting flagged as a serial returner unnecessarily (many places keep track now), especially since I am currently doing an RMA for my Pixel Buds right now as well. If Google doesn't knock off trade-in value for it, I can live with the full trade-in value.

Thanks for the info on the Verizon version. I was very tempted to cancel my Google Store order and buy directly from my local Verizon store, but the locked bootoader is a deal breaker.

The store associate also said she believes all Pixels 3s bought from a Verizon store are carrier locked to Verizon, even if I pay full retail for it. Is that wrong?

Why you need an unlocked bootloader? Do you root your phone?

Yes Verizon did carrier locked the phone for like 1 day, but unlocked it for now due to people complaining. From what they say, seems like they will lock it again in the future.

 

[Mike Dee]

I didn't see a sticky that covers these topics already.

First, a question about trade-ins: As you all know, many Pixel 2 XL owners who have their phones since the beginning probably are suffering from some level of screen burn/image retention. My phone is in near mint condition, and the display has no visible cracks nor scratches, but it does have very noticeable screen burn. Will Google knock off my trade-in value for that, or should I RMA?

Secondly, does the notch always show, even when you're watching video in full-screen? Can it he disabled in the stock launcher? That matters because there is likely to be noticeable burn in where the notch is in just a few months, but it won't matter if it never goes away.

Lastly, this one is related to avoiding the long shipping estimates by buying from a Verizon store: Does the Verizon version come factory unlocked out of the box, is the bootloader unlocked, and does the device have any Verizon branding, splash screen upon turning it on and off, or non-removeable Verizon bloatware?

Thank you advance for your input.

The notch doesn't always show and you can disable it. Burn-in more likely a result of the screen brightness being to high so the notch should not be the issue but only to will tell.
As for the advice someone gave you to get it swapped out:. That may not fly because burn-in is not always covered as a manufacturing defect. It might be covered under accidental damage.
I don't know if they would notice it on a trade-in but it is done by a third party.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

The notch doesn't always show and you can disable it. Burn-in more likely a result of the screen brightness being to high so the notch should not be the issue but only to will tell.
As for the advice someone gave you to get it swapped out:. That may not fly because burn-in is not always covered as a manufacturing defect. It might be covered under accidental damage.
I don't know if they would notice it on a trade-in but it is done by a third party.

Burn-in is the result of the same thing being displayed for an extended period of time. Common culprits for these phones are the nav and notification bars, and I would imagine the notch on this new phone as well. High brightness exacerbates it, but it isn't the cause.

 

[Mike Dee]

Burn-in is the result of the same thing being displayed for an extended period of time. Common culprits for these phones are the nav and notification bars, and I would imagine the notch on this new phone as well. High brightness exacerbates it, but it isn't the cause.

Haven't had an issue on the 2XL after a whole year and I run my phone a lot including heavy navigation use with no burn-in.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Haven't had an issue on the 2XL after a whole year and I run my phone a lot including heavy navigation use with no burn-in.

I don't know if you would know, but do they always replace the OLED panels with fresh ones when they refurb the phone? If so, then it's unlikely they will ding for burn-in. I recall I had burn-in, although much less serious, on my Pixel 1 XL and traded in for the full estimate without issue.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

Has Google dinged anyone's trade-in value for burn in?

 

[Mike Dee]

I don't know if you would know, but do they always replace the OLED panels with fresh ones when they refurb the phone? If so, then it's unlikely they will ding for burn-in. I recall I had burn-in, although much less serious, on my Pixel 1 XL and traded in for the full estimate without issue.

Refurbs are handled by a third party and it is very doubtful that they go to great lengths to replace screens unless they are really banged up. I haven't heard of anyone getting dinged for burn in but not everyone reports back hear. In addition I don't think burn in was that prevalent. You could try combing through the Pixel 2 threads to see last year's results. I took trade in issues out of the equation because I sold mine on Swappa but my phone was out of the box mint.