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Google just announced its latest smartphones — the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL

pixel 3 google event
Google unveiled the Pixel 3 on Tuesday during an event in New York City. Avery Hartmans/Business Insider
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Google unveiled its latest smartphones, the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL, on Tuesday during an event in New York City.

The Pixel 3 comes with a 5.5-inch OLED display, while the Pixel 3 XL has a 6.3-inch OLED display. Both are larger than last year's Pixel 2 models.

google event pixel 3
Avery Hartmans/Business Insider

The backs of the two phones are made from a single piece of glass in a two-tone design, with a matte and glossy finish. The company said the Pixel 3 phones would be available in black, white, and a light pink.

Google also announced that the Pixel 3 phones would have a dual-lens camera system for selfies. The company said the second lens would be an ultra-wide-angle lens that would capture "184% more than the iPhone XS."

The rear, outward-facing camera maintains a single-lens 12-megapixel camera system on the Pixel 3 phones, but Google apparently doesn't need more than one. The company revealed a new feature called Top Shot that takes multiple photos around the time you set up a shot, just in case the photo you took when you pressed the shutter button doesn't turn out well.

Google Pixel 3 event
Google

Google also demonstrated its new Night Sight feature, designed to take better shots in the dark using machine learning, and the demo seemed pretty impressive. We'll have to test this feature when it's released in a month. Night Sight will also be available on older Pixel devices when the feature is released.

Neither phone has a zoom lens, as many premium handsets do these days, but Google is counteracting that with a Super Res Zoom feature the company says uses artificial intelligence and several frames to sharpen up a zoomed shot.

The Pixel 3 also comes with wireless charging, a feature Google omitted from older smartphones even as other phone makers began using the technology years ago. Google also announced a new wireless-charging device, the Pixel Stand.

Google Pixel 3 event
Google

Google also introduced a new feature called Screen Call intended to pick up the phone for you and ask who's calling, powered by Google AI. The company says it'll show you a transcription of the conversation on the phone's screen so you can see who is calling without actually answering the call. It would essentially screen for telemarketing calls.

The Pixel 3 will start at $800 for the 64 GB model, and the Pixel 3 XL will start at $900. The 128 GB models of each phone cost $100 more than the phone's starting price. Both phones are available for preorder Tuesday from Verizon, Google's Store, and Project Fi's Store.

Pixel Stand will be $80 and is also available for preorder starting Tuesday.


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Antonio Villas-Boas was a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. During his time as Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models
  • Phone accessories, including charging cables, phone cases, and protection plans
  • Smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch
  • Mobile carrier plans, including major carriers and MVNOs
  • Tablets, including iPads and Galaxy Tabs
  • Laptops and computers, including MacBooks and Windows models
  • Computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and monitors
EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio is also a full time dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.