Google this week showed off its newest smartphone duo, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, confirming all of the leaks were true, most notably (and unfortunately) the Pixel 3 XL’s notch.
Shuffling through pictures and getting a close up view of the two devices, I came away with one thought: the Pixel 3 is Google’s best phone, not the Pixel 3 XL.
This sentiment is not ordinary. The bigger phones have always been considered better because they have the better specs with one or two differentiating features. But even though the Pixel 3 XL has a larger 6.3-inch display and more robust battery, the Pixel 3 is the more appealing phone.
The biggest reason for this is design. Google hit it out of the park with the Pixel 3, delivering a modern smartphone that looks fantastic. The only compromise Google made was keeping rather noticeable bezels at the top and bottom of the 5.5-inch OLED display, but we’ll take it with open arms because they contribute to a beautiful symmetrical design and house the front-facing dual stereo speakers.
It is a far cry from the gaudy notch Google stuck on the Pixel 3 XL. I’m not sure why Google didn’t just use the same design between the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, but it didn’t and I think that was a mistake.
Another major reason why the Pixel 3 is the better phone is its price. It costs a full $100 less than the Pixel 3 XL even though it has a better design and the same exact specs. You will still get the Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB of RAM, 12.2MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, dual front-facing cameras (8MP telephoto lens, 8MP wide-angle lens), IP68 water and dust resistance and Android 9.0 Pie.
The only trade-off you are making is display quality, though that’s hardly a deal breaker in my opinion.
If you are considering going with one of Google’s new phones, go with the Pixel 3. Not only do you get the best Google has to offer features-wise, you also get its best design efforts from what is the most exciting Pixel phone Google has ever made.
