Google Pixel 3: The Best Small Android Phone in 2023
If you are looking for a compact, powerful, and smart Android phone, you might want to consider the Google Pixel 3. Released in 2018, the Pixel 3 is still one of the best small Android phones you can buy in 2023, thanks to its impressive camera, fast performance, beautiful OLED screen, and useful Google Assistant features. In this article, we will review the design, features, pros, and cons of the Pixel 3, and help you decide if it is worth buying in 2023.
Introduction
What is the Pixel 3 and why should you buy it?
The Pixel 3 is Google's flagship smartphone from 2018. It is the successor of the Pixel 2 and the smaller sibling of the Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3 has a 5.5-inch screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio, making it easy to use with one hand. It also has front-firing stereo speakers, wireless charging, water resistance, and a fingerprint sensor on the back.
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The main reason to buy the Pixel 3 is its camera. The Pixel 3 has a single 12.2-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, but it uses machine-learning software to enhance its photos with better detail, HDR, zoom, and bokeh effects. The Pixel 3 also has a dual 8-megapixel front camera with a wide-angle lens that can capture wider selfies. The Pixel 3 can take brilliant photos in any lighting condition, and it has some cool features like Night Sight, Top Shot, Super Res Zoom, and Playground.
Another reason to buy the Pixel 3 is its software. The Pixel 3 runs on Android Pie (9.0) with guaranteed updates for at least three years. It also has some exclusive features like Call Screen, which lets you screen unwanted calls using Google Assistant; Now Playing, which identifies songs playing around you; and Digital Wellbeing, which helps you manage your screen time and notifications. The Pixel 3 also has a dedicated Google Assistant button that lets you access Google's smart assistant with a squeeze.
Design and Features
How does the Pixel 3 look and feel?
The Pixel 3 has a sleek and modern design that is different from most other Android phones. The entire back of the phone is made of glass, but most of it has a matte finish that feels smooth and grippy. The top part of the back has a glossy finish that contrasts with the rest of the body. The back also has a single camera lens, a flash, and a Google logo.
The front of the phone has a color-rich OLED screen that covers most of the surface. There are some noticeable bezels on the top and bottom of the screen, but they are not too intrusive. The top bezel houses the dual front camera, the earpiece speaker, and some sensors. The bottom bezel has another speaker that works with the earpiece to create stereo sound.
The phone comes in three colors: black, white, and a very light pink that Google calls "Not Pink". The white and pink models have a mint green power button that adds some flair to the otherwise minimalist design.
What are the key features of the Pixel 3?
Display
The Pixel 3 has a 5.5-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2160 by 1080 pixels (443 pixels per inch). The screen has an aspect ratio of 18:9, which means it is taller and narrower than a traditional 16:9 screen. The screen supports HDR, which means it can display a wider range of colors and contrast. The screen also has an Always On feature, which shows the time, date, battery level, and notifications without waking up the phone.
Camera
The Pixel 3 has one of the best cameras on any smartphone, thanks to its hardware and software combination. The rear camera has a 12.2-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, dual-pixel autofocus, and a spectral and flicker sensor. The front camera has two 8-megapixel sensors, one with a normal lens and one with a wide-angle lens that can capture 184 degrees of view.
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The Pixel 3 uses Google's computational photography to enhance its photos with features like HDR+, which combines multiple exposures to create a balanced image; Night Sight, which brightens up dark scenes without using flash; Top Shot, which automatically selects the best photo from a burst; Super Res Zoom, which improves the quality of digital zoom; and Playground, which lets you add animated stickers and characters to your photos and videos.
The Pixel 3 can also record 4K video at 30 frames per second, or 1080p video at up to 120 frames per second. It also has a video stabilization feature that smooths out shaky footage.
Performance
The Pixel 3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which is an octa-core chip with four 2.5 GHz cores and four 1.6 GHz cores. It also has 4 GB of RAM and either 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage. The Pixel 3 does not have a microSD card slot, but it offers unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos on Google Photos.
The Pixel 3 is fast and responsive, and can handle multitasking and gaming without any lag or stutter. It also supports wireless charging and fast charging, which can give you up to seven hours of use in just 15 minutes of charging.
Battery
The Pixel 3 has a 2915 mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the Pixel 2's battery. However, the Pixel 3 has a more efficient processor and screen, which helps it last longer. The Pixel 3 can last for about a day of moderate use, or up to six hours of heavy use.
The Pixel 3 also has some battery-saving features like Adaptive Battery, which learns your usage patterns and optimizes the battery life accordingly; Battery Saver, which reduces the performance and background activity when the battery is low; and Standby Mode, which turns off the network connection when the phone is idle.
Software
The Pixel 3 runs on Android Pie (9.0), which is the latest version of Google's operating system. The Pixel 3 has a pure Android experience, without any bloatware or unnecessary apps. It also has some exclusive features that are not available on other Android phones, such as:
Call Screen: This feature lets you use Google Assistant to answer calls from unknown numbers and transcribe the conversation in real time. You can then decide whether to pick up the call or block it.
Now Playing: This feature identifies songs playing around you and shows them on the lock screen or in the notification shade. You can also tap on them to open them in your music app or search for more information.
Digital Wellbeing: This feature helps you manage your screen time and notifications by showing you how much time you spend on different apps, setting daily limits, turning on grayscale mode at night, and enabling Do Not Disturb mode.
Google Assistant: This feature lets you access Google's smart assistant with a squeeze of the phone or by saying "Hey Google". You can then ask questions, get directions, set reminders, control smart devices, and more.
Pros and Cons
What are the advantages of the Pixel 3?
The Pixel 3 has many advantages that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a small Android phone in 2023. Some of them are:
Excellent camera: The Pixel 3 has one of the best cameras on any smartphone, thanks to its hardware and software combination. It can take stunning photos in any lighting condition, and it has some cool features like Night Sight, Top Shot, Super Res Zoom, and Playground.
Beautiful display: The Pixel 3 has a color-rich OLED screen that supports HDR and has an Always On feature. The screen is bright and sharp, and it has an aspect ratio of 18:9 that makes it easy to use with one hand
Fast performance: The Pixel 3 is powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor, which is an octa-core chip that can handle multitasking and gaming without any lag or stutter. It also has 4 GB of RAM and either 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage.
Useful software: The Pixel 3 runs on Android Pie (9.0), which is the latest version of Google's operating system. It also has some exclusive features that are not available on other Android phones, such as Call Screen, Now Playing, Digital Wellbeing, and Google Assistant.
Wireless charging: The Pixel 3 supports wireless charging and fast charging, which can give you up to seven hours of use in just 15 minutes of charging. It also comes with a wireless charging stand called the Pixel Stand, which turns the phone into a smart display when docked.
What are the drawbacks of the Pixel 3?
The Pixel 3 is not a perfect phone, and it has some drawbacks that might make you think twice before buying it. Some of them are:
Small battery: The Pixel 3 has a 2915 mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the Pixel 2's battery. Although the Pixel 3 has a more efficient processor and screen, it still struggles to last for a full day of heavy use.
No headphone jack: The Pixel 3 does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which means you will need to use wireless headphones or an adapter to listen to music or make calls. The phone does come with a pair of USB-C earbuds, but they are not very comfortable or high-quality.
No microSD card slot: The Pixel 3 does not have a microSD card slot, which means you will have to rely on the internal storage or the cloud storage for your photos and videos. The phone offers unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos on Google Photos, but you might still run out of space if you have a lot of other files.
Expensive: The Pixel 3 is not a cheap phone, and it costs more than some of its competitors with similar or better specifications. The phone starts at $799 for the 64 GB model and $899 for the 128 GB model, which is quite steep for a phone that is almost five years old.
Conclusion
Is the Pixel 3 worth buying in 2023?
The Pixel 3 is a great small Android phone that has a lot to offer in terms of camera, display, performance, and software. It is still one of the best phones you can buy in 2023 if you are looking for a compact, powerful, and smart device that can take amazing photos and videos in any lighting condition. It also has some unique features that make it stand out from other Android phones, such as Call Screen, Now Playing, Digital Wellbeing, and Google Assistant.
However, the Pixel 3 is not without its flaws, and it might not be the best choice for everyone. It has a small battery that might not last for a full day of heavy use, no headphone jack or microSD card slot, and a high price tag that might not justify its age and specifications. It also faces stiff competition from newer and cheaper phones that have better cameras, batteries, screens, and processors.
Ultimately, the decision to buy the Pixel 3 in 2023 depends on your personal preferences and budget. If you value a small size, a great camera, and a pure Android experience, you might want to give the Pixel 3 a try. But if you want a bigger battery, more storage options, and newer features, you might want to look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How big is the Pixel 3?
A: The Pixel 3 has dimensions of 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9 mm (5.73 x 2.69 x 0.31 in) and weighs 148 g (5.22 oz).
Q: How long does the Pixel 3 take to charge?
A: The Pixel 3 takes about two hours to charge from zero to full using the included USB-C charger. It can also charge wirelessly using any Qi-compatible charger or the Pixel Stand.
Q: How do I update the Pixel 3 to the latest Android version?
A: The Pixel 3 receives regular updates from Google for at least three years after its release date. To check for updates, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update > Check for update.
Q: How do I Q: How do I take a screenshot on the Pixel 3?
A: There are two ways to take a screenshot on the Pixel 3. One is to press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time for a few seconds. The other is to use the Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google, take a screenshot" or by squeezing the phone and saying "take a screenshot".
Q: How do I transfer data from my old phone to the Pixel 3?
A: The Pixel 3 comes with a USB-C to USB-A adapter that lets you connect your old phone to the Pixel 3 and transfer your data using the Quick Switch feature. You can also use Google Drive, Google Photos, or other cloud services to backup and restore your data. 44f88ac181