Google Pixel 3 review: three reasons to buy and three reasons to avoid the new phone

We put Google’s latest Pixel offering to the test
The Google Pixel 3 is sporting a new 5.5-inch screen size

It’s that time of year again. October is like Christmas for tech heads, as all the big players in smart phones release their latest offerings to the world.

While the Apple conference always breaks the Internet, relative newbie to the smartphone game Google are the ones to look out for. The tech giant recently announced their Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones - both running on Android Pie - which will be released next month.

When our tech writer Amelia asked if I would trial the Google Pixel 3, I jumped at the chance. While my iPhone SE is trusty and reliable, it’s hard not to be envious of the new batch of smartphones with their advancing technology.

The Google Pixel 3 is sleek and chic, there’s no doubt about that. Google has upgraded from 5-inch screen on the Pixel 2 to a 5.5 inch OLED screen for the Pixel 3 - a small but noticeable difference. Like its predecessor, the Pixel 3’s Google Assistant can be launched through Active Edge, where you can squeeze (gently) the bottom of the phone to bring it up. Ask it to play music and they will open the Youtube app and have already created a playlist of songs you like ...

The phone is unlocked by placing your index finger on the fingerprint scanner on the back, there is no headphone jack but it comes with its own headphones and an adapter in case you want to use yours. There are also dual front-facing speakers which deliver stereo-level quality sound that can be turned up exceptionally loud - even for my partially deaf ears.

While there are a number of new features and quirks to the Pixel 3, here are three reasons why you should and perhaps shouldn’t buy it.

Three reasons you should buy the new Google Pixel 3

1. The camera

The first thing I trialled on the phone - after going through the extremely easy setup - was, of course, the camera. Let’s just say it left me and my (now lowly) SE camera looking like we took pictures in the cloudy haze of the ‘70s.

The images are incredibly crisp and clear and offers Portrait Mode and Super Res Zoom, with all of your photos automatically being HDR+.

Other features of the camera include Top Shot, Photobooth Mode and Group Selfie. Top shot finds the best shot from the moment you captured, Photobooth Mode allows you to take a photo with just a smile and in the Group Selfie setting you can zoom out to a wider angle to fit everyone into that Insta-worthy shot.

Laura (pictured) testing out Portrait Mode on the Google Pixel 3
Supplied

For selfies, the Pixel 3 now has a dual front-facing camera, the extra camera being 8MP wide-angle lens with a 97-degree field-of-view expanding from the 75-degree field-of-view which it had before - which is what helps with the Group selfie mode.

Google will also give you unlimited storage through Google Photos when you buy the Pixel 3, where photos will be uploaded with their original quality to Google Photos for safekeeping.

The only issue I had with the camera is it wouldn’t automatically adjust to the light settings like I had found in previous phones. You could change the brightness on the side of the screen but it’s preferable for the camera to adjust automatically.

2. The focus on digital wellbeing

Like with Apple’s introduction of Screen Time in the iOS 12 update, Google has dedicated a whole section to digital wellbeing.

Go to settings > ‘Digital Wellbeing’ and this will show you how many times you’ve unlocked your phone, how many notifications you’ve received, what apps you’ve been using and you can also view trends over time.

Through this section you can set up app timers - limiting your time on certain apps - and the ‘Wind Down’ function reminds you to switch off at night, changing your phone to greyscale.

A beach in Jersey, taken on the Google Pixel 3
Supplied

3. Real-time translation with the Pixel 3 earbuds

While the earbuds themselves aren't particularly profound (or comfortable), by downloading the Google Translate app, you can have languages translated in your ear in real time. This is a revolutionary feat and something that will be perfect for travellers.

While I didn’t have time to go to France to test it out, I listened to Bradley Cooper speaking French in an interview (who knew!) and was impressed with the speed of the translation.

Three reasons not to buy the new Google Pixel 3

1. The charger

It seems Google really, really want you to buy their wireless charger (RRP £69). The Google Pixel 3 comes with its own charger, which can be plugged into sockets, but it doesn't have USB-friendly end - which is a pain when you want to plug it into your laptop or into a USB port to charge. While it does come with a USB adapter, you’d have to buy a double-ended USB cord separately.

The Google Pixel Stand
Google

2. Battery

The Pixel 3 has a 2,915 mAh battery which is only slightly larger than last year’s model - and small in comparison to similar smartphones on the market.

While it promises seven hours of usage for 15 minutes of charging, if you can’t find a socket to plug your phone into, you’ll be lost without the USB charging cord.

3. Smaller RAM compared to similar phones

The Google Pixel 3 only has 4GB of RAM while other similar smartphones have 6GB - 50 per cent more. This affects the performance of the device; how fast it functions, and how good it is at multi-tasking, so it's disappointing to see Google failing to up the ante with the Pixel 3.

The Google Pixel 3 has a matte and glass back for wireless charging

Verdict: It’s a nice-looking phone and easy to use. Camera lovers will be happy with the quality but overall there’s not much change from the Pixel 2.

The details: the new Google Pixel 3 is on sale from November 2, with prices starting from £739. Sky Mobile is offering the new phone from £29 per month.

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