New Pixel 3 Arrives—Everything From the Phone to the Home Hub
Google rolled out the latest Pixel 3 smartphones along with a handful of “Google‑made” goodies at their big hardware bash in New York. Turns out, the company was as set in its plans as a grandma’s tea pot‐awaiting‑the–right‑time‑to‑turn‑on, and the big night’s offerings weren’t too surprising after a month of leaks that kept the tech world buzzing.
Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL – Phone Powerhouse
- Availability: 13 countries, including Singapore, launching Nov 1.
- Price: Google didn’t spill the beans on local costs, but in the U.S. the Pixel 3 starts at US$799 (≈S$1,105) and the XL at US$899 (≈S$1,244).
- Design: Dual‑tone aesthetic, 5.5‑inch and 6.3‑inch options. The XL gets a notch; the slimmer version has no notch but thick bezels. Added a new pale pink shade to the usual white‑and‑black palette.
- Display: OLED tech (like Apple & Samsung’s high‑end phones), vibrant and sharp.
- Camera: One 12.2‑MP rear lens—fewer lenses but with powerhouse software. Expect tricks like Top Shot (instantly picking the best pic from a burst), Super Res Zoom (magic hand‑shake between multiple shots), and Night Sight (topping iPhone XS in low light).
- Selfie Game: Adds a second front camera for ultra‑wide selfies and a Photobooth that snaps when you grin.
- Motor & Memory: Snapdragon 845, 4 GB RAM, no microSD slot, 64 GB or 128 GB storage.
- Extras: Wireless charging (thanks to the all‑glass back), a Pixel Stand (US$79) that doubles the phone into a smart display, Active Edge for Google Assistant, and front speakers.
Running on Android 9 “Pie” – New Features
- Digital Well‑Being: New timers and usage feeds to keep your phone habit sane.
- Gesture Navi: Swipe‑based navigation to keep the interface slick.
- Security: Titan chip to guard lock screens and sensitive data.
Beyond Phones – The Rest of Google’s Fan‑fare
Pixel Slate – Tablet‑Laptop Hybrids
Think Surface, but with Google flavour. Add an optional keyboard and stylus to transform it into a laptop. The slate boasts:
- Bright, responsive screen with dual front speakers.
- 8‑MP cameras that support portrait mode.
- Runs Chrome OS (like Chrome Booklets) but can run Android apps.
- Price starts at US$599; keyboard for an extra US$199; stylus at US$99.
- Set to land in the U.S., Canada, and the UK later this year.
Google Home Hub – The Smart Display With a Safety Net
The Home Hub gives you a 7‑inch view all day: the time, weather, photos, YouTube vids, Spotify tunes, and a new Home View dashboard to control smart‑home gadgets with a tap or a voice command.
- No front camera: Privacy‑friendly, unlike some rivals.
- Ambient EQ: Auto‑adjusts brightness and tone, even shutting down at night.
- Price: US$149 (≈S$206).
- Available from Oct 22 in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
What Editors Think
“The camera’s the headline‑grabbing part of the Pixel; people will have high expectations, especially where dual‑camera rivals roam in plentiful forms.” – Market research nerd
“Launching the two Pixel variants in Singapore opens the door to a wider audience—”Analyst voice
Bottom line: Google’s not just polishing phones; it’s building an ecosystem that goes from a home‑display to a sliced‑bread tablet‑to‑laptop experience—messaging that, for the first time, can look at your Wi‑Fi router, talk to you, and light your kitchen mood‑play.
