Are you getting the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL?

By Joe Maring
last updated

Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 3
Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 3 (Image credit: Android Central)

Google's new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are both available for pre-order right now, and considering the many similarities between the two phones, it's shaping up to be a difficult decision to decide which one is worth buying over the other.

On one hand, the regular Pixel 3 doesn't have an unsightly notch but does have a smaller display and battery. The Pixel 3 XL increases the screen size and battery capacity, but you're then left looking at that huge display cutout.

Our form users are already going back and forth debating which is the better phone, and this is what they've said so far.

P3 has enough improvements for me to stick with the smaller one. Last years P2 had a 2700 mAh battery and a 5 in. Display. The P3 has 2900+ battery and a 5.5 in. display (w/o notch). For me 5.5 could work

EMGSM

This will be my 3rd regular sized Pixel. I prefer that size because they are more pocketable. The way my tech is set up, I only use phones for “on the move” information and communication. More than that and I’m on a tablet or laptop.

anon(10092459)

For me, I've always preferred phones that I can use one handed. With the XLs, I can't do that. The Pixel 3 has quite a bit more screen real estate than the Pixel 2 and stays that same size so that's a win for me.

spiff_p239

I preferred the bigger screen and would rather have the end to sorta end display; notch and all.

supabeans

What say you? Are you getting the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

57 Comments
  • Not on your life.
  • "Are you getting the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL?" No.
  • Possibly the 3xl at some point
  • If I did not pick up the Note 9 already I would have jumped on the Pixel 3 XL.
  • Nope.
  • I probably wont get either of them. But if i did it would be the pixle 3. Iv been wanting a good phone with a smaller size.
  • Nope sitting this one out I'll wait for the pixel 4xl
  • That makes sense I just hope next year's Pixel will be more dazzling with few leaks.......
  • Absolutely not. Love my OnePlus 6. The Pixel 3 looks ugly and boring.
  • XL next month I am worried however about the coating on the back. Seems the demo units were already scratched up. I don't use cases, never have.
  • So wait. The back is glass but they are coated in something? Why wouldn't they just use plastic then? I guess this is Google we're talking about.
  • You know why. Google is already getting hammered for lesser specs . Imagine if they made the phone out of plastic. 900 bucks for a plastic phone! I agree though, I wouldn't mind at all. Remember HTC one X? Plastic done right
  • For what it's worth, none of the Best Buy demo units I saw had any scratches, I even used my nail on the back of the black model to try and scratch it, and while it did show a scratch mark initially, I was able to just rub the mark away. Could be this is one of those things that only effects the black model and varies from phone to phone.
  • Yes it was the black model which I am getting. The demos I was speaking of were at the Google event. Good to hear though.
  • How was the screen?
  • You're fine, 9to5 Google has already debunked this. TL;DR, the coating is harder than most surfaces like keys so what you're seeing is the other thing rubbing off. Wipes right off. Only things harder than glass will actually scratch it. no more scratch-able than any other glass surface.
  • I like the Pixel line but this year's addition does not have enough changes for me to shell out $900. Google stop being stingy with the memory and ram.......
  • 4GB of memory is not a small amount. It is perfectly fine for 99% of people out there. It's great on my 2 XL, will be great on my 3 XL.
  • No. I may get a Pixel 2 in a few months, though.
  • Pixel 3 for me!
  • While I would like to have wireless charging back...but that is not enough to warrant the $500+ upgrade with trade in. I would love to see a Polycarbonate Pixel with the same screen as the Pixel 3.
  • No. The 3XL is the ugliest phone i have ever seen and is too big and the regular 3 is way too expensive.
  • Ew. Too ugly. No. The leaks helped me decide to get the Note 9 early on.
  • Yes, still on an OG Pixel and this is most of what I wanted from that phone. I just really wish it was not a glass phone. I agree with the other posts asking for a Polycarbonate phone. Loved my Lumias that were Polycarbonate, allows the body to be lighter and more durable. Plus cheaper. I don't understand why we aren't creating more phones with high end internals out of it.
  • Nah. I think OnePlus has completely jacked the original mission statement of the Nexus/Pixel lines. Love the camera features, and I'm sure it'll rock DXOMark scores, but....that's not enough to spend $500 more over my 8GB/128GB OnePlus 6. Arnova is already porting the new Pixel 3 camera app over to Oxygen OS for the OnePlus 6, and that's all I need.
  • Since I'm not a prima Donna when it comes to looks, Pixel 3 XL for me. I was going to get the Pixel 3 because of its smaller size, but I noticed some discrepancies with its screen that made me go with its bigger brother (slightly lower brightness output, more noticeable artifacts such as that "grainy texture" look, etc.) and I remembered that the Pixel 2 XL gave me some of the best battery life on an Android phone (at least six hours screen on time, 15+ hours of total battery time on a single charge) so I didn't want to settle for less on that.
  • Seriously, I'm laughing my ass off at all the "ugliest thing ever" chatter. It's a phone, not a car. Majority of people don't even look at other people's phones. The next time I allow the looks of a phone decide whether or not I get it would be the first time.
  • The problem isn't the phone looking ugly to others. It's that a black chunk taken out of the screen is so incredibly distracting that the whole phone is useless.
  • After a few minutes you don't even notice it
  • Nope. Once my guaranteed updates are no more then I will get a new pixel. By then it will be the pixel 5.
  • This is 2018 right. What's with 4gb's & 64gb's of storage? And a notch on the 3XL the size of the Grand Canyon. Plus the prices are definitely ridiculous. This is a hard pass no matter what. There both lacking in the hardware department. I feel Google could have done a much better job with these two. I expected much more?
  • Does it not register at all that maybe google knows the phone doesn't need extra hardware? If the phone ran like **** with four gbs of ram they'd have six. But everyone knows it'll run smooth as hell. So what's the fuss? I'm not gonna buy a car solely if it CAN go 200 mph because I know I'm probably never going to need it to go anywhere near that. It's just overkill. Perhaps these other phones actually NEED the extra internals. Food for thought.
  • My Pixel 2 XL is only half a year old, so no. But if I were looking for a phone I would most likely go for a Pixel 3 XL.
  • No way.
  • I am getting the black P3 XL and my wife is getting the Not Pink P3 XL
  • Been with Android and Google since the G1. I usually grab a Pixel soon as it comes out. Had purchased the OG Pixel and Pixel 2 XL currently own. I am disappointed to say the least and will not buy these iterations unless there is a crazy good deal like BOGO and it may be the Pixel 3. If not I plan on skipping this year and waiting for someone to get replaced over there on the design team for the Pixel 4. SMH
  • Since when did Android enthusiasts become so vain? I just want something that works incredibly well and consistent. Whatever floats your boat.
  • Next year Google will get it right. (I tell myself every year).
  • I am getting the 3XL and selling my 2 XL, hopefully can get around 300-400 for it. Plus cashing in my years worth of loose change (Est. about $350.00) so in the end, putting out around $300f for an upgrade.
  • Upgrading an S7 to a Pixel3XL. Pre-ordered
    I might Upgrade my S8 to a 3XL. Undecided.
  • With all of the negative "reviews" of the notch on the Pixel 3 XL and now having had time to hold and play with it... it's no big deal. I mostly use black wallpapers anyway so the notch is non-existent. And for the times that it is visible...the time and other indicators like WiFi, signal strength and others that normally appear on that top line look fine. I haven't heard the speakers yet but having front firing speakers that (we're told) are better than the Pixel 2 XL are well worth it. I think the YouTube bloggers who think they speak for the average user need to take a breath!
  • If I get anything it will be the smaller one for sure. Due for an upgrade but waiting on the Nokia flagship, especially since Big Red is going to be carrying one of their newest low end spec phone to kind of test the waters on the brand name again. If that does well I'm pretty confident they will carry the flagship when it's released. I'm sure it's going to be pricey too but the specs will be a better bang for your buck than what the pixel has to offer
  • I wanted the 3xl but having just played with the both of them the screen seems better and has more colour on the 3 compared to the 3xl. Having said that both don't seem as good as my U11.
  • Nope. I used to be a Nexus fan but am not willing to pay top end prices for a Pixel. I got the Note 8 on good deal earlier this year and imo it is better than any Pixel phone.
  • 3 XL and 128 GB.
  • Pixel 3XL here. I'm so done with the Note 8. My phone barely lasts 9 hours.
  • I plan on getting the 3 because of the size and no notch
  • Coming from the P2XL, planning on getting a P3. Came from a Pixel XL to the P2XL within the last year, and love the P2XL screen size and form factor, but although it can be used with one hand, it's awkward and not comfortable. I'm on my phone a -lot- throughout the day, and it can get painful. The Pixel XL had just about the perfect screen and body size, just a bit wide. The P3 has the same screen size but a narrower/shorter body. Sign me up!
  • Im not buying a pixel for a long time and it's because of the notch and what it stands for. That notch is hideous but whats more hideous is that Google actually did it...! My next device will be the S10 Samsung they truly stand out of the pack now and their innovation shows •_•
  • Nope. Too expensive in Canada.
  • Neither
  • Would love to but no.
    1. Too expensive. Parallel import only.
    2. Google won't sell it here in New Zealand.
  • That's the problem, Google doesn't sell their hardware here in South Africa either. Even on software, we are still waiting for the Google Assistant to show up. You would think we don't speak English.
  • The regular P3 by black Friday time!
    Mahn, 5.5 used to be the +size and now it's the base, single palm operable is what I choose anyday any time apart from a few exceptions!
  • If the Pixels were available to buy worldwide like other popular phones are, I would go for the Pixel 3, I'm still on the S8, I love this size for pocketability though, I don't care much about one handed use. There's no longer an Android phone small enough for true one handed use.
  • No
  • I ordered the pink Pixel 3.