Google to unveil Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL in October, phones to come with notch display and Android P

Google to unveil Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL in October, phones to come with notch display and Android P

Google to unveil the Google Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL in October. Google had launched Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL last year in October. Both of these were great all-rounder phones. More significantly they were the official Android phones, made and sold by Google. This year, it is going to be the same or at least, that is what the leaks  hint at. The launch of the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3XL is a few months away if Google follows its usual launch schedule. But some leaks have started making rounds.

In the leaks an image reveals that the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL may not join the dual or triple camera bandwagon. Almost all high-end phones nowadays come with a dual-camera setup. But Pixel 3 XL and the Pixel 3 will possibly stick to a single camera. Not that this in itself should be an issue. The single-camera in the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL is brilliant and the best in the business. Chances are that the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will be the same.

Design and a display with notch: The current leaks suggest that the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 Xl will have different designs. The Pixel 3 will not differ much from the Pixel 2. In other words, it will have a regular design, complete with a display that has bezels all around.

But the Pixel 3 XL is the one that is said to come with some major design changes, especially on the front. The Pixel 3 is expected to come with thick bezels on the top and bottom of the display, while the Pixel 3 XL will have a notch, although from the leaked photos it seems to be a notch that is wider than the notch on the iPhone X. Compared to the Pixel 3, the Pixel 3 XL will boast of slimmer bezels and will also be thinner. The notch in the Pixel 3 XL is also a certainty because of the Android P, which will power this phone. The Android P has a inbuilt support for the notch, clearly hinting that Google is planning to put a notched screen in one of its phones.

In terms of other design bits, the leaked photo of the Pixel 3 XL shows some of the features. Just like the earlier Pixel phones, the new one too seem to have a dual-tone design. Also the fingerprint sensor is clearly visible on the rear cover in the leaked image.

Android P: Amidst the rumours, what is confirmed for the next Pixel phones is that it will come with the Android P, the latest version of Android which should be available as a public release for select phones in September. The Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will be among the first devices to launch with Google’s latest operating system, Android P, which is currently in its final developer preview stage. Google has confirmed that the stable version of the software will roll out next month, which is in September.

Snapdragon 845:  Both the flagships are likely tohave the Snapdragon 845 processor inside them. Considering Snapdragon 845 is Qualcomm’s latest chipset for flagship phones, both the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will be powered by it.

Screen size: The Pixel 3 XL will definitely be bigger in size than the Pixel 3. And both will be bigger than the Pixel 2. Leaks suggest that the Pixel 3 will come with a 5.4-inch OLED display, which is bigger than the one in the Pixel 2 that measures 5-inch. The Pixel 3 XL, on the other hand, is expected to come with a 6.2-inch OLED display which yet again is bigger than the Pixel 2 XL that has a 6-inch pOLED display. The Pixel 3 XL is expected to come with an edge-to-edge design and aspect ratio of 19:9.

Speakers shifted to front side: Another significant change that Google may bring to this year’s Pixel phones is the position of the speakers. Google is reportedly planning to shift the speaker grills on the front bottom bezel. The fingerprint sensor on both the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will sit on the rear panel, right below the camera setup.

Wireless charging: Yes, wireless charging is rumoured for the upcoming Pixel phones. Some leaks suggest that both the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will come with a glass back cover, similar to what you get in the latest iPhones. The presence of glass cover increases the possibilities of wireless charging for the third-gen Pixel phones.

Dual selfie cameras: As already noted, both the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL camera setup will see major enhancement, especially for the selfie shooters. Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are likely to come with dual selfie cameras. On the Pixel 3, the two front cameras will sit on the thick bezel on the top, while on the Pixel 3 XL the cameras will be placed inside the notch. Rumours suggest that both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will come with single camera setup on the rear panel.

Pixel stand: Alongside the new Pixel phones, Google may release a wireless charging stand called the Pixel Stand in October. The Pixel stand is said to have Google Assistant built in it.

Launch date and Pricing

Last year, Google launched the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL on October 4. It was around the same date the year before that Google announced the Pixel and the Pixel XL. This year may not be any different. The Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL may launch in October, most likely in the first half of the month.

So how much the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will cost? As of now, there are no pricing details for the phones. It’s too early for the online listings to leak. But given the prices of the Pixel phones in the last two year and given some of the chatter that is out there on some websites, the Pixel 3 may come with a starting price of $650, which roughly translates to around 44,560, while the Pixel 3 XL will cost around $850, which is roughly around Rs 58,270. But in India, prices of the Pixel devices — just like the prices of the iPhone — are slightly higher compared to the US prices. So expect something close to Rs 60,000 for the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL.