Google Pixel 3 review: Premium camera in a smaller package

The 'ironing out of bugs' and a price reduction, would make Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the default Android smartphone recommendations. For now, that honour goes to the recently launched OnePlus 6T.

Let me just get this out of the way. The Pixels are the most intelligent Android smartphones out there. They have the best in-class cameras (with just a single lens) and have a beautiful design and a fantastic screen.

Oh, and they come with one of the best software experiences you can get on an Android smartphone.

The problem is, the Pixel 3 starts at Rs 71,000, and has a few too many problems to justify the price. On the other hand, take out the camera and put it in any other form factor. Slap a Rs 20,000 price tag and people will be lining up for days to buy one. That the cameras are so good almost overwhelms every other ‘small issue’ with the smartphone.

The portrait mode on the Pixel 3 has been upgraded but is still far behind the likes of the iPhone XS and Galaxy Note 9. That’s one area where Google needs to push a software update and catch up with the competition.

I’ve been using the smaller model, the Pixel 3, for a couple of weeks now, and let me just tell you, that it is one of the most compact handsets out there. If you’ve ever forgotten what one-hand usage is - with the likes of the Galaxy Note 9 and iPhone XS Max taking over - then just get your hands on a Pixel 3 and rediscover the magic. It’s also easily pocketable.

One of the downsides of having a glass back is that the smartphone isn’t entirely grippy. I happened to have dropped it just the once - from a relatively short height - and there is a visible crack at the back. Luckily, the rear-camera survived the damage.

All the hardware inside the Pixel 3 package is top notch. You’ve got Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor paired with 4GB of RAM it comes with Android Pie. On a day-to-day basis, you will not notice any lag. Even gaming is a treat (albeit you lose the screen real estate). The Pixel 3 is buttery smooth.

Compared it to a OnePlus 6T though and you’ll notice some slowdowns or lags. Beyond the OnePlus 6T though, The Pixel 3 breezes through its Android experience like none other.

One of the other downsides to the Pixel 3, as compared to the Samsung Galaxy’s or the OnePlus’ is the battery life. I barely scrape through a 24-hour period without the need of charging it at least once. My OnePlus 6T and Galaxy S9+ easily last between one and two days. The Pixel 3 has the Adaptive Battery technology - it comes with Android Pie - that learns your usage patterns and makes the phone’s battery smarter. Still, I didn’t notice any significant gains over my use period.