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How the Google Pixel 3 stacks up against the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9

How the Google Pixel 3 stacks up against the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9

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Now that the October Pixel event has wrapped up, we’ve seen all the new flagship phones coming out from Google, Apple, and Samsung this year. The much-leaked Google Pixel 3 still had some surprises, like Google spam call screening transcription and improved AI photo capabilities on top of an already great camera. Some of the new features Google introduced today are completely exclusive to the Pixel line, while others are features we’ve seen before on other phones.

Take for example, Top Shot, a new Pixel 3 feature that uses AI to automatically pick out the best frame from the moment a photo was taken. Apple’s Live Photos does a similar thing, saving the moments a photo is taken and letting you manually choose which frame you want to keep. The iPhone’s photo burst mode does this as well when you hold down the shutter to take multiple photos, but the AI will choose what it thinks is the best photo for you.

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL also got the added advantage of another camera in the front, introducing a new feature called Group Selfie Cam. Manually zooming out with the wide-angle lens will let you capture “184 percent more of the scene than the iPhone XS”, as Google claimed during its presentation.

Numbers-wise, Samsung wins at battery life capacity and the lowest starting price of $719 for the Galaxy S9. It also gets brownie points in my book for keeping the headphone jack. If you want to take a look at all the specs across the board, take a look at the chart below and make your own judgements.

Google Pixel 3 vs. iPhone XS vs. Galaxy S9

SpecificationGoogle Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLiPhone XSiPhone XS MaxGalaxy S9Galaxy S9 PlusGalaxy Note 9
Display5.5 inches6.3 inches5.8 inches6.5 inches5.8 inches6.2 inches6.4 inches
Resolution2160 x 10802960 x 14402436 x 11252688 x 12422960 x 14402960 x 14402960 x 1440
ProcessorSnapdragon 845 (2.5GHz and 1.6GHz, 64Bit octa-core)Snapdragon 845 (2.5GHz and 1.6GHz, 64Bit octa-core)A12 BionicA12 BionicSnapdragon 845 (2.8GHz and 1.7GHz, octa-core)Snapdragon 845 (2.8GHz and 1.7GHz, octa-core)Snapdragon 845 (2.8GHz and 1.7GHz, octa-core)
RAM4GB4GB4GB4GB4GB6GB6GB, 8GB
Storage64GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB64GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB64GB128GB, 512GB
Rear camera12 megapixels12 megapixels12 megapixels, 12 megapixels (wide)12 megapixels, 12 megapixels (wide)12 megapixels12 megapixels, 12 megapixels (wide)12 megapixels, 12 megapixels (wide)
Front camera8 megapixels, 8 megapixels(wide)8 megapixels, 8 megapixels(wide)7 megapixels7 megapixels8 megapixels8 megapixels8 megapixels
Battery2,915mAh3,430mAhTBATBA3,000mAh3,500mAh4,000mAh
Water protectionIPX8IPX8IP68IP68IP68IP68IP68
Wireless charging?YesYesYesYesYesYesYes
PortsUSB-CUSB-CLightning portLightning portUSB-C, headphone jackUSB-C, headphone jackUSB-C, headphone jack
Weight0.33 pounds0.4 pounds0.39 pounds0.46 pounds0.36 pounds0.42 pounds0.44 pounds
Dimensions (in.)5.70 x 2.70 x 0.306.20 x 3.00 x 0.305.65 x 2.79 x 0.306.20 x 3.05 x 0.305.81 x 2.70 x 0.336.22 x 2.91 x 0.336.37 x 3.01 x 0.35
Starting price$799.00$899.00$999$1,099$719.99$839.99$999.99
Misc.Google Duplex spam transcription, Active Edge squeezable sidesGoogle Duplex spam transcription, Active Edge squeezable sidesFace ID, Dual SIM, software-adjustable apertureFace ID, Dual SIM, software-adjustable apertureIris scanner, mechanically adjustable aperture, Dual SIMIris scanner, mechanically adjustable aperture, Dual SIMDual SIM, Bluetooth S Pen, iris scanner, mechanically adjustable aperture

If you’re thinking of buying a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, Google’s including six months of YouTube Music Premium and unlimited Google Photos storage with your purchase. Here’s how to trade in your old Pixel phone if you want to upgrade, and some different options for preordering. The phone ships October 18th, so get your preorders in by then.