4 reasons why you should get the Google Pixel 3 and why not?

When Google first announced the Pixel 2 XL’s availability in Singapore last year, it captured many people’s attention.

That’s because it’s been a while since a Google phone entered into the Singapore market.

Also, it’s because of some next-level artificial intelligence and machine learning tricks, and its cameras that turned the heads.

Now with the introduction of the Pixel 3, the hype has noticeably reduced because the update didn’t seem much as compared to other flagships.

Well, that’s what many people think. So here are four reasons why you should get the Google Pixel 3 and why not?

Why get the Google Pixel 3?

Pure Android OS

You cannot get a better Android OS experience than on the Google Pixel 3, likewise for its predecessors. One excellent benefit to be on the pure Android OS is the timely updates you will receive directly from Google.

Let’s say that Google has released an update or a new software feature for Android today. Most often than not, smartphones that are not running on stock/pure Android OS will not get it so quickly.

Sometimes, they don’t even get it at all.

That means if you are running on pure Android, you will get to explore and try out new features, including newly released Android OSes.

Another benefit is that pure Android OS allows Google to understand your usage habits and optimise the experience to prevent possible lags or system errors.

For many other smartphone brands, though they run on the Android OS, they have a layer of their interface that’s given priority to gather your usage data. This hinders Google’s ability to collect such information directly.

To be fair, these manufacturers also do work on helping you optimise user experience too. So the choice is down to you to decide the type of interface you prefer.

One rear camera that does a lot more

Google’s decision to stick to one rear camera is a bold step and a rebellious one in this day and age where other competitors are offering more.

Though so, it didn’t stop Google from touching the hearts of many reviewers, topping their best smartphone camera list in 2017 for the Pixel 2.

This year, the Pixel 3 continues the same fashion but with more neat features to improve your photography game.

One of the enhanced features is Top Shot, where it allows the Pixel 3 to take a series of photos before you press on the shutter button. Once you took the picture, the artificial intelligence will automatically select the best looking picture for you. Of course, you can still scroll through the images to choose the one you prefer and eliminate the not-so-nice or unglam ones.

Another feature is more on the hardware – Group Selfie, which is one of the reasons for the considerable notch on the Pixel 3 XL.

Google inserted a wide-angle lens on the front of the Pixel 3 so that you do not have to squeeze all your friends to get them in the frame for a Group Selfie.

Combining it with its AI camera, it could also take a stunning selfie.

Google is also bringing Photobooth to the Pixel 3. Announced at the Google I/O Conference earlier this year, the Photobooth allows the Pixel users to do more by changing the depth of field and adjusting the focus after taking a photo.

What I’m excited about is the Colour Pop, which grayscales the background to bring out the colours of the subject.

Wireless Charging with the Pixel Stand

I can almost hear you growl at me pointing out that Wireless Charging is one of my picks for “Why you should get a Pixel 3.” But hear me out.

This is the first time where any of the Pixel phones get Wireless Charging capability, and there’s more to it on the Pixel 3.

With the 18 Watt fast charging Pixel Stand (Pixel 3′ s Wireless Charger), the Pixel 3 can give you 7 hours of use in 15 minutes of charging.

For people who are always running out of juice or forgot to charge their devices (like myself), the fast charge is a handy touch.

Another cool feature when placing the Pixel 3 on the Pixel Stand is that it turns the Google device into a Google Home, control panel for smart home applications and a photo frame.

I do like the photo frame portion of it because we don’t often review the photos we take, right? So it’s good to have your favourite images sliding past your screen while you work.

Titan M

While mobile technology has dramatically expanded our ability to do more with our smartphones, it also exposes us to more vulnerabilities.

Now, we use our smartphones for financial transactions and to send private and confidential documents. Without proper and secure protection, there’s always a risk of getting hack.

Not for the Pixel 3. Google has inserted a Titan security chip into its latest flagships to help protect your data, device password and operating system.

It offers disk encryption, secures transactions while using third-party apps and validates your Android OS, preventing possible intrusions to install an older and vulnerable version of Android, without your acknowledgement.

Why you don’t need a Pixel 3?

Not much of an upgrade

The Pixel 3 definitely has attractive updates that have the edge over other flagships smartphones. But not for Pixel 2 XL users.

Looking past new software and hardware features, you are essentially using almost the same device.

The technical specification says it all.

The Google Pixel 3 still uses 4GB of RAM and an internal storage of either 64GB or 128GB.

While some users have already experienced lags on the Pixel 2 XL, I cannot imagine how the Pixel 3 could be the smartphone for them since it still runs on the same hardware.

The only mitigating factor could be the Android 9 Pie, which could help to optimise the consistency in its performance.

I have not faced such issues because I don’t load my smartphone with tonnes of apps that I use only once or twice a month. So it depends on what type of user you are.

No call screen support

Call Screen, the feature of the Google Pixel 3 is not coming to Singapore or anywhere else, except in the US, yet.

What Call Screen does is that you can get your Google Assistant to pick up a phone call for you, ask callers of their purpose for calling and transcribe what they said on your screen.

Then you can decide whether to pick it up or not.

It’s a scaled-down version of the Google Duplex announced at the Google I/O 2018 Conference, which is a nice touch to have since spam calls are highly prevalent in recent years.

Unfortunately, during the media conference in Singapore, Google’s Global Director for Product Planning and Launch, Dan Saunders said:

“Google wants to bring a product that’s ready for the market that they are bringing into so for now, it’s only available in the US.”

We are not sure when it will arrive in Singapore, but we do hope that we do not have to get a Pixel 4 to have that feature.

Glass back

The Google Pixel 3 has new material for its two-tone design on its back. The lower portion of it is made of frosted glass. Although it looks good and gives it more grip, it does scratch easily.

Not so much on its front because of it’s a Corning Gorilla Glass 5, but it would be nice to have a Glass 6 that Corning has been raving about.

So there you have it, the Whys and Why-nots to get the Pixel 3.

What do you think? Will you be getting one or will you wait for the next one?