Pixel 3 Rumors
Roughly two months out from a likely October launch, the Pixel 3 rumor mill has settled around a fairly clear product picture: a notched display on the XL, the same chip class as the Galaxy S9, and a camera focus that doubles down on Google's computational photography.
Two months out from what's almost certainly an October launch, the Pixel 3 rumor cycle has converged on a product picture that's relatively believable. Multiple leaks of the XL variant, hands-on reports from people who clearly had pre-production hardware, and consistent supply-chain reporting from publications like 9to5Google and Android Police have all pointed at the same set of specs. The interesting part isn't the rumored hardware, which is incremental. It's what Google is signaling about how they want the Pixel line to be positioned against the rest of the Android market.
What's Almost Certain
Two devices: the standard Pixel 3 (smaller, no notch, ~5.5-inch display) and the Pixel 3 XL (larger, with a notch, ~6.3-inch display). The XL notch is wider than the iPhone X's notch, which has been controversial in the leaked photos. Google appears to be using the extra width for stereo speakers and a dual front camera array.
Snapdragon 845 chip. Same processor as the Galaxy S9, the OnePlus 6, and the LG G7. This puts the Pixel 3 in the same performance tier as the rest of the 2018 Android flagships. There's been no credible leak suggesting a custom Google chip; the rumored Whitechapel custom silicon (later confirmed for the Pixel 6 in 2021) is at least three generations away.
4GB of RAM. Lower than competing flagships at 6GB to 8GB, which is the most consistent criticism of the Pixel line. Google's argument has been that pure Android is more memory-efficient than Samsung's TouchWiz, but the gap shows in real-world multitasking. 4GB on the Pixel 3 will probably feel adequate at launch and tight by late 2019.
A single rear camera. Google appears to be doubling down on computational photography rather than going to dual lenses like every other flagship. Given how good the Pixel 2's single camera was against dual-camera competitors, this is a reasonable bet, but a contrarian one.
What's Plausible But Less Certain
Dual front cameras for wide-angle group selfies. Multiple leaks have shown the front of the device with two camera cutouts in the notch. The wide-angle lens is the rumored use case, which would be a meaningful differentiator since Apple and Samsung still ship single front cameras.
Wireless charging. Pixel 2 didn't support it because the metal back blocked the coil. The Pixel 3 is rumored to have a glass back, which both makes wireless charging possible and changes the look of the device significantly.
IPX8 water resistance. The Pixel 2 is IP67-rated. IPX8 would be a small upgrade and is consistent with the rumored design changes.
What's Probably Wrong
Most of the early rumors about a foldable Pixel or a redesigned Active Edge feature have been quietly walked back. The rumored launch date has shifted from late September to early October, which is actually a normal cycle for a phone whose Pixel 2 launched in October 2017.
The Pricing Question
Pixel 2 launched at $649 / $849 for the two sizes. Pixel 3 is rumored to launch at the same prices, possibly $50 to $100 higher for the XL. That's competitive with the Galaxy S9 ($720) and meaningfully cheaper than the iPhone X ($999). For a Pixel buyer, the question isn't really price; it's whether the differences from the Pixel 2 (notch, wireless charging, dual front camera) are worth waiting two months for.
The Strategic Read
The interesting Pixel 3 storyline isn't the hardware. It's what Google is doing with the platform. The Pixel 3 looks like the first Pixel that's serious about being a flagship, not a developer-friendly reference device. The notch, the redesigned chassis, the marketing that's reportedly going to position the camera as a key differentiator, all suggest Google wants Pixel to be a real consumer brand, not just a phone for Android enthusiasts.
Whether that bet pays off depends on distribution. Pixels are still effectively a Verizon-only device in the US in 2018, which limits unit volume regardless of how good the phone is. Until Google fixes the carrier story, Pixel will be a great phone that doesn't sell in flagship volumes. The Pixel 3 won't fix that. The Pixel 4 might, if Google starts selling unlocked through Best Buy and the other carriers in 2019.
Written by
Tech Talk News Editorial
Tech Talk News covers engineering, AI, and tech investing for people who build and invest in technology.