Google Pixel 3 / 3 XL 2018

[Morty2264]

I think the one plus is the nexus of today

That's an interesting thought! Never thought of OP in that way before. But it makes sense.

 

[Mike Dee]

Other notable differences are software not created by Google, software is a forked version of Android, does not receive the same speed or duration or quality of updates, is not as secure as a Nexus, does not protect user privacy as much as a Nexus, not for sale through the Google store, not designed in partnership with Google to show off Google software, etc, etc.

Good points.....My frame of reference was purely based on general price range.

 

[Mike Dee]

I typically enjoy hearing different perspectives on where Google should or shouldn't be but where is it written that the Pixel should have an identical big or little brother? Not every OEM does that nor do I subscribe to the belief that it should it be an expectation purely based on individual desires.

If Google doesn't build to your expectations I think the prudent thing to do find an OEM that does.
It doesn't make Google wrong it's just makes it wrong for you.

It has been my experience that Google does a lot of research before they put out a product. If they make a decision that you disagree with it's probably because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. There are features I don't like about the Pixel 3 XL, so I'll wait and see what the total package does for me.

 

[dsignori]

...

It has been my experience that Google does a lot of research before they put out a product. If they make a decision that you disagree with it's probably because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Or ... It could be that they just got it wrong. Google has not been great with the Pixels other than with the cameras IMO, let's face it. I have the Pixel XL and the Pixel 2 XL. The software of course is unparalleled, but we are speaking hardware-wise.

i,e, I wonder what research told them customers didn't want waterproofing in the OG Pixels, etc, etc. They fixed it in the Pixel 2, but I doubt is was a "what's good for the many" decision on the OG Pixel. It was a compromise, that's all.

 

[Mike Dee]

Or ... It could be that they just got it wrong. Google has not been great with the Pixels other than with the cameras IMO, let's face it. I have the Pixel XL and the Pixel 2 XL. The software of course is unparalleled, but we are speaking hardware-wise.

i,e, I wonder what research told them customers didn't want waterproofing in the OG Pixels, etc, etc. They fixed it in the Pixel 2, but I doubt is was a "what's good for the many" decision on the OG Pixel. It was a compromise, that's all.

Water resistantance was not a fairly standard feature when the OG Pixel was released. If you feel Google got it wrong, that's cool. Honestly if I didn't like Google's decisions as much as some of feedback here I simply wouldn't buy it. As I look forward I simply hate the glass back on the Pixel 3XL. Dumbest decision I feel they made. That doesn't make me right or wrong....just makes me hate that part of the phone. I can live with it though by buying insurance.

 

[dsignori]

All true. I am just trying to inject some reality into what seems like knee jerk apologists here.

Saying it must have not been what people wanted because they did testing just isn't accurate IMO.

I am actually getting the Note 9 precisely because Google is making too many compromises for the price IMO.

Water resistantance was not a fairly standard feature when the OG Pixel was released. If you feel Google got it wrong, that's cool. Honestly if I didn't like Google's decisions as much as some of feedback here I simply wouldn't buy it. As I look forward I simply hate the glass back on the Pixel 3XL. Dumbest decision I feel they made. That doesn't make me right or wrong....just makes me hate that part of the phone. I can live with it though by buying insurance.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Or ... It could be that they just got it wrong. Google has not been great with the Pixels other than with the cameras IMO, let's face it. I have the Pixel XL and the Pixel 2 XL. The software of course is unparalleled, but we are speaking hardware-wise.

i,e, I wonder what research told them customers didn't want waterproofing in the OG Pixels, etc, etc. They fixed it in the Pixel 2, but I doubt is was a "what's good for the many" decision on the OG Pixel. It was a compromise, that's all.

That was definitely a compromise on the original pixel which was based partly on the fact that they were planning on releasing a device with Huawei until late 2015 when that deal started falling apart and they had to start from scratch with HTC on two devices that they were planning on releasing only 10 months later. That means from the get-go until the devices would have had to have been finalized they would have had less than 3 months, which in phone engineering time compared to the competition is so short of a time as to be ridiculous. While they proved me wrong in a surprisingly well way my expectation was that they probably were going to cancel the first generation entirely. As is they had to piggyback off of a lot of HTC's distribution channeling which is something that from the Nexus program they had been trying to escape. In the end I'm glad they did release it and I think that the second generation is better than the first and the third generation is better than the second but I can understand why people disagree with the latter greater than in that statement.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

All true. I am just trying to inject some reality into what seems like knee jerk apologists here.

Saying it must have not been what people wanted because they did testing just isn't accurate IMO.

I am actually getting the Note 9 precisely because Google is making too many compromises for the price IMO.

Based on the feedback in this thread and others I would expect majority of people that are going to pass on the pixel line this year based on the hardware for the price value proposition will either be going with you to the note 9 or going into the mid-range phones to get slightly weaker devices for a lower-cost and therefore a better value for what they want.

Another poster mentioned that they think that Google is intentionally trying to go head-to-head with the iPhones because they cannot win in the Android spec race game and they don't want to cannibalize the existing Android population because Google Play services on Android provides them with a ton of data, even more than they get from the analytics of Google apps on iOS. the more I think about it the more I'm inclined to agree that the only way it will be possible for the pixel line to survive without a dramatic price decrease will be to position it from a marketing standpoint as an iPhone competitor and to actually get the public to buy that premise.

because the way the Android goes in general, specs are the name of the game and if you're trying to put the note 9 and the pixel 3 XL on a shelf right next to each other and charging the same amount for them... the spec sheet list the numbers that Samsung is playing to. the spec sheet talks about RAM and storage and the number of cameras and all of these things that really don't impact the overall performance of the device in a meaningful enough way for it to be practical, and they don't impact the performance of the device in a way that can overcome bad software or overcome the benefits of great software.

The 2-year warranty and 3 years of guaranteed updates and the much better performance in terms of security and user privacy are not things that are on the spec sheet. we don't have a way to really quantify the difference in the software performance and when we talk about cameras in general we talked about megapixels and things like that which can go on the spec sheet but the fact that the pixel 3 XL can trounce even the 2XL is not a thing that gets listed there. so other than wireless charging and a newer processor what exactly is better about the 3XL compared to the 2XL, if all you were able to look at is the spec sheet?

Google can not play Samsung's game and win. And as the other poster alluded to, if Google does play Samsung's game, even if they win they still lose.

From a raw Hardware standpoint I agree 100% that the note 9 is a better value for the hardware that you're purchasing then the pixel 3 XL. especially if you take advantage of like the buy one get one free deal or something to that effect. obviously since I haven't used the note 9 yet I can't say whether or not I think which one is a better experience. I know what my bias is and so I'd have to really check that in order to do that analysis, but I am definitely a person who values the overall experience more so than anything that's found on the spec sheet. at some point in the next 10 days or so I'll get to play with the note 9 because one of my friends bought one and then I'll be able to try to make a better comparison. but nothing is going to change my mind that you are getting more Hardware per dollar with the note 9 then with the pixel 3 XL, that's just a simple fact.

 

[Nauga]

and if you're trying to put the note 9 and the pixel 3 XL on a shelf right next to each other and charging the same amount for them...

You're just begging shoppers to compare them on the quality of their displays.

 

[Mike Dee]

All true. I am just trying to inject some reality into what seems like knee jerk apologists here.

Saying it must have not been what people wanted because they did testing just isn't accurate IMO.



I am actually getting the Note 9 precisely because Google is making too many compromises for the price IMO.

Well because people don't agree doesn't make them knee jerk apologists or anything inaccurate for that matter because you disagree.

Enjoy your Note

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

You're just begging shoppers to compare them on the quality of their displays.

Great point. But even without that, sitting on display case, specs alone, the note wins.

 

[dsignori]

Based on the feedback in this thread and others I would expect majority of people that are going to pass on the pixel line this year based on the hardware for the price value proposition will either be going with you to the note 9 or going into the mid-range phones to get slightly weaker devices for a lower-cost and therefore a better value for what they want.

Another poster mentioned that they think that Google is intentionally trying to go head-to-head with the iPhones because they cannot win in the Android spec race game and they don't want to cannibalize the existing Android population because Google Play services on Android provides them with a ton of data, even more than they get from the analytics of Google apps on iOS. the more I think about it the more I'm inclined to agree that the only way it will be possible for the pixel line to survive without a dramatic price decrease will be to position it from a marketing standpoint as an iPhone competitor and to actually get the public to buy that premise.

because the way the Android goes in general, specs are the name of the game and if you're trying to put the note 9 and the pixel 3 XL on a shelf right next to each other and charging the same amount for them... the spec sheet list the numbers that Samsung is playing to. the spec sheet talks about RAM and storage and the number of cameras and all of these things that really don't impact the overall performance of the device in a meaningful enough way for it to be practical, and they don't impact the performance of the device in a way that can overcome bad software or overcome the benefits of great software.

The 2-year warranty and 3 years of guaranteed updates and the much better performance in terms of security and user privacy are not things that are on the spec sheet. we don't have a way to really quantify the difference in the software performance and when we talk about cameras in general we talked about megapixels and things like that which can go on the spec sheet but the fact that the pixel 3 XL can trounce even the 2XL is not a thing that gets listed there. so other than wireless charging and a newer processor what exactly is better about the 3XL compared to the 2XL, if all you were able to look at is the spec sheet?

Google can not play Samsung's game and win. And as the other poster alluded to, if Google does play Samsung's game, even if they win they still lose.

From a raw Hardware standpoint I agree 100% that the note 9 is a better value for the hardware that you're purchasing then the pixel 3 XL. especially if you take advantage of like the buy one get one free deal or something to that effect. obviously since I haven't used the note 9 yet I can't say whether or not I think which one is a better experience. I know what my bias is and so I'd have to really check that in order to do that analysis, but I am definitely a person who values the overall experience more so than anything that's found on the spec sheet. at some point in the next 10 days or so I'll get to play with the note 9 because one of my friends bought one and then I'll be able to try to make a better comparison. but nothing is going to change my mind that you are getting more Hardware per dollar with the note 9 then with the pixel 3 XL, that's just a simple fact.

You know, you really need to be more verbose in your responses .

Good points all. I’ve used the Note 4 and Note 5 and then Pixel XL and Pixel 2 XL. I really liked them all.

Really my only hesitation with the Note 9 will be the camera (in comparison to whatever the 3 XL comes with). I expect they both will be great, but I would slightly prefer the Pixel photos (but that’s a guess, though one I am somewhat confident in).

I don’t mind Touch Wiz much, and I am loving 4000 mah batteries and that spectacular screen.

The last 2 years have really returned my love for Google’s “stock” Android (yeah, I know, don’t call it that). I used to find it boring as hell years ago, and missing lots of good stuff that Samsung had. Now though, I know will be missing the Pixel software experience some,but gaining lots of great stuff too.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

You know, you really need to be more verbose in your responses .

Good points all. I’ve used the Note 4 and Note 5 and then Pixel XL and Pixel 2 XL. I really liked them all.

Really my only hesitation with the Note 9 will be the camera (in comparison to whatever the 3 XL comes with). I expect they both will be great, but I would slightly prefer the Pixel photos (but that’s a guess, though one I am somewhat confident in).

I don’t mind Touch Wiz much, and I am loving 4000 mah batteries and that spectacular screen.

The last 2 years have really returned my love for Google’s “stock” Android (yeah, I know, don’t call it that). I used to find it boring as hell years ago, and missing lots of good stuff that Samsung had. Now though, I know will be missing the Pixel software experience some,but gaining lots of great stuff too.

Sorry for the length, it's voice dictation so not great at punctuation.

 

[osubeavs728]

Or ... It could be that they just got it wrong. Google has not been great with the Pixels other than with the cameras IMO, let's face it. I have the Pixel XL and the Pixel 2 XL. The software of course is unparalleled, but we are speaking hardware-wise.

You can't say "IMO, let's face it." That's a contradiction.

Especially because many people disagree with you, so they have nothing to face.

 

[mustang7757]

some good points guys , I think what Google doing with the pixel 3 approach not listening to their fans and kinda saying this is what we are putting out like it or not .
VERY WRONG ON GOOGLE PART
there are hungry small companies rising and Google has to watch out for that, in order for them to compete with Samsung and Apple they need to listen to the fan base and get rid of Lg you don't have succes in 1 it 2 years but keep giving to customers what they want and they will grow bigger (they need to use the design team they got from htc )

 

[mustang7757]

I want Google to succeed

 

[Mike Dee]

some good points guys , I think what Google doing with the pixel 3 approach not listening to their fans and kinda saying this is what we are putting out like it or not .
VERY WRONG ON GOOGLE PART
there are hungry small companies rising and Google has to watch out for that, in order for them to compete with Samsung and Apple they need to listen to the fan base and get rid of Lg you don't have succes in 1 it 2 years but keep giving to customers what they want and they will grow bigger (they need to use the design team they got from htc )

With the utmost respect I have to ask "what fans are they not listening to"?

 

[osubeavs728]

Another poster mentioned that they think that Google is intentionally trying to go head-to-head with the iPhones because they cannot win in the Android spec race game and they don't want to cannibalize the existing Android population because Google Play services on Android provides them with a ton of data, even more than they get from the analytics of Google apps on iOS. the more I think about it the more I'm inclined to agree that the only way it will be possible for the pixel line to survive without a dramatic price decrease will be to position it from a marketing standpoint as an iPhone competitor and to actually get the public to buy that premise.

because the way the Android goes in general, specs are the name of the game and if you're trying to put the note 9 and the pixel 3 XL on a shelf right next to each other and charging the same amount for them... the spec sheet list the numbers that Samsung is playing to. the spec sheet talks about RAM and storage and the number of cameras and all of these things that really don't impact the overall performance of the device in a meaningful enough way for it to be practical, and they don't impact the performance of the device in a way that can overcome bad software or overcome the benefits of great software. .

I'd have to disagree. I'm willing to wager that the majority of customers would look at the spec sheets and not care or know what each aspect does. Other than "oh that one has 4 and that one has 6." Those customers that Google is targeting are not nerds like us.

The iPhone is a lifestyle product. Samsung and Android phones in general are not. According to some recent surveys, Apple has a loyalty rate upwards of 90%+. The reason why they need to position themselves as an iPhone competitor is to try and reach that status as well. Whether you have a Samsung, Pixel, HTC, spend $1000 a year on a new phone, buy multiple a year, we are still poor, green bubbles to the other half.

Becoming a lifestyle or defacto product is the Holy Grail for companies. To be a part of an identity, or used as the generic term for a broader category (i.e. Kleenex, band-aid, etc).

 

[mustang7757]

With the utmost respect I have to ask "what fans are they not listening to"?

The ones that follow Google
What was the nexus line before pixel
Performance
Affordable
What's the pixel line now?
Very expensive with pixel 2 specs are you serious Google
People asking for dark mode option , what they get dark theme ...is that a sick joke
People want longer lasting battery wait what they got smaller batteries because the CPU can optimize what u doing come on

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

The ones that follow Google
What was the nexus line before pixel
Performance
Affordable
What's the pixel line now?
Very expensive with pixel 2 specs are you serious Google
People asking for dark mode option , what they get dark theme ...is that a sick joke
People want longer lasting battery wait what they got smaller batteries because the CPU can optimize what u doing come on

One thing to remember is that the Android fans that are on sites like Android Central and any kind of forum in Android police and all that represent less than 1% of the market and that Google is absolutely not targeting us.