Google Pixel 3 Vs Google Pixel 2: So What’s Different?

Google’s new Pixel phone isn’t so much a revolution as a solid improvement: like this year’s iPhones, Google is making incremental changes this year. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth going for the shiny new Pixel 3 over the now sure-to-be-discounted Pixel 2, read on.

On the outside, the Pixel 3 isn’t too much different from the Pixel 2. The dimensions are only a tiny bit different: the Pixel 3 is a miniscule 0.1mm shorter, 1.5mm narrower and 0.1mm thicker. However more of the device is now screen, with the display increased from 5 inches to 5.5.

The Pixel 3 is a little heavier, boasting an improved processor and a meatier battery (though not a dramatic increase). The Pixel 2’s interesting ‘squeeze’ function has also been retained, as well as the lack of a headphone jack for better or for worse.

Unlike the latest iPhones, the Pixel 3 will include a 3.5mm adapter in the box. The speakers on the new Pixel 3 are also 40% louder than its predecessor, but please don’t test this out in public places, okay?

A lot of improvements have been made to the camera: but only on the software side of things. Hardware-wise the camera is basically the same, with most updates about the integration of Google’s machine learning tech into the camera.

These include Top Shot, where the AI automatically picks the best image out of a burst, Super Res Zoom that also uses burst shots to produce a higher quality digital zoom, and AI-based Night Sight for dark scenes. Google has thus far resisted following the trend of cramming extra cameras into its new phones.

You’ll also see a jump in release day price: both the Google Pixel and the Pixel 2 released at $1079, while the Pixel 3 will cost you $1199 bought outright.

Here’s the comparison by numbers:

Pixel 3 Pixel 2
OS Android 9.0 (Pie) Android 8.0 (Oreo)
Dimensions 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9 mm 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8mm
Weight 148g 143g
CPU Snapdragon 845, Qualcomm SDM845 (4×2.8 GHz + 4×1.7 GHz) Snapdragon 835, Octa-core (4×2.45 GHz + 4×1.9 GHz)
RAM 4GB 4GB
Storage 64/128 GB 64/128 GB
Display 5.5-inch P-OLED Display 5.0-inch FHD AMOLED Display
Battery 2915 mAh 2700 mAh
Camera Rear: 12.2MP dual-pixel (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), Front: 8MP (f/2.2) Rear: 12.2MP (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), Front: 8MP (f/2.4)
Colours Just Black, Clearly White, Not Pink Just Black, Clearly White, Kinda Blue

Overall it’s not a huge upgrade from last year’s phone, and software upgrades are often able to be fudged on other phones through apps or updates.

If you’re keen to snap up this phone on a mobile plan, here are some solid bang-for-buck options. (Click on our interactive table to learn more.)

Do you think it’s worth upgrading to the Pixel 3? Tell us in the comments!


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