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Pixel 3 Review

anandtech.com

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Re: Pixel 3 Review

#21

Post by kodablah »

awill wrote: post #19

I really appreciated the critical honesty here. With a Pixel you're getting an 8 month old SoC. The reason this detail is important is because the 8 month old Galaxy S9 is now selling far below MSRP. You can get them new for around $500. That makes the Pixel FAR more expensive than it's SD845 brothers. Also, it's crazy to me that Apple has such a huge lead in single threaded CPU performance. They've been ahead for ye…

> the 8 month old Galaxy S9 is now selling far below MSRP. You can get them new for around $500

I am only seeing them ~$800 (not plus or note which are obviously even higher), e.g. from AT&T [0] and Verizon [1]. That's quite the difference from $500, can you link where you are seeing this or do you mean second hand or when you switch carriers or something?

0 - https://www.att.com/cellphones/samsung/galaxy-s9.html#sku=sk...

1 - https://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s...

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#22

Post by rifung »

fermienrico wrote: post #11
Yhippa wrote: post #2

Very thorough review! Phone reviews are pretty tough to go by. I'm including users comments on phones. If you're going with a major brand like Google or Apple chances are that your phone will be damn good. For the other tiers do some research to make sure the phone is obviously not bad or you can live with purported issues. Hopefully you can go with a phone that has a decent return policy in case it's not great. The…

I don’t know why people like MKBHD. I much prefer reading a thorough objective analysis like they do on Anandtech than some anecdotal opinions. It’s entertaining to watch MKBHD though. I want data. Not entertainment in my reviews.

That's a totally valid point of view to have.

I used to be the same and care a lot about objective comparisons but I realized when I just listened to those I usually regretted my purchase. For me personally, the subjective things like feel, design, UX are way more important so that's why I now prefer anecdotal opinions because things like UX can't really be measured.

For example the Fiesta ST was car of the year and very highly praised by critics, but when I test drove it, I felt nothing. I instead preferred a car that was much worse but for whatever reason I liked it and in the end isn't that what's important?

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#23

Post by rackforms »

The basic point and shoot camera tests are fascinating. A cursory glance shows the Pixel 3's camera the best of the bunch, sometimes by far.

That said, as an iPhone user it's annoying to see Apple purposely hobbling itself with its overly aggressive (re: terrible) image processing.

In this image, for example:

https://images.anandtech.com/galleries/6731/A_iX_IMG_0308.jp...

The cobblestone ground is literally left unrecognizable, a shame considering the sensor is capable of so much more.

Since iOS 7 we're able to shoot raw, and Apps like ProCam show just how much better our sensor can be if it weren't for all that blurring.

If you shoot with an iPhone I highly recommend using RAW, your shots will easily match the Pixels excellent results for basic point and shoot detail.

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#24

Post by bufferoverflow »

nickthemagicman wrote: post #10
bufferoverflow wrote: post #3

The phone is good, but the price is nuts. I'd rather have a disposable Chinese phone and spend the difference on Sony A7 III.

Ive had cheap phones. They're miserable. You're waiting for 30 seconds for google maps to open up while you're in traffic and need the directions...no thank you.

You need to look again. I use Nubia M2, it's fast, the battery is great, the screen is OLED, 64GB space, and it's crazy cheap. The downsides are - the camera is garbage, and Android is 6.

Google maps opens and is ready to use in 2-3 seconds.

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#25

Post by B1FF_PSUVM »

usaphp wrote: post #15
fermienrico wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t know why people like MKBHD. I much prefer reading a thorough objective analysis like they do on Anandtech than some anecdotal opinions. It’s entertaining to watch MKBHD though. I want data. Not entertainment in my reviews.

> I don’t know why people like MKBHD > it’s entertaining to watch MKBHD thought.

He's a likeable fellow, doesn't ham it up too much.

I watch very little video, broadcast TV nearly gives me hives listening to their anxious desperate voices, but do not mind an occasional Marques Brownlee video. Actually kind of soothing ...

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#26

Post by ryanmonroe »

fermienrico wrote: post #11
Yhippa wrote: post #2

Very thorough review! Phone reviews are pretty tough to go by. I'm including users comments on phones. If you're going with a major brand like Google or Apple chances are that your phone will be damn good. For the other tiers do some research to make sure the phone is obviously not bad or you can live with purported issues. Hopefully you can go with a phone that has a decent return policy in case it's not great. The…

I don’t know why people like MKBHD. I much prefer reading a thorough objective analysis like they do on Anandtech than some anecdotal opinions. It’s entertaining to watch MKBHD though. I want data. Not entertainment in my reviews.

If nothing else, MKBHD reviews are 10 minutes of 4k video showing the phone from every angle

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#27

Post by mherdeg »

I distinctly remember working with grad students in 2006 whose project was "collaborating with Nokia to make super high quality cameras in cell phones".

At the time, I laughed inside and thought, "ha, it's gonna be tough to beat a D2Hs and a decent set of lenses."

I was very wrong. Image sensors have come a long way incredibly fast.

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#28

Post by celeritascelery »

rackforms wrote: post #23

The basic point and shoot camera tests are fascinating. A cursory glance shows the Pixel 3's camera the best of the bunch, sometimes by far . That said, as an iPhone user it's annoying to see Apple purposely hobbling itself with its overly aggressive (re: terrible) image processing. In this image, for example: https://images.anandtech.com/galleries/6731/A_iX_IMG_0308.jp... The cobblestone ground is literally left unr…

> A cursory glance shows the Pixel 3's camera the best of the bunch, sometimes by far.

I am surprised that you drew that conslusion from the review. I got the impression that iPhone and Samsung flagships consistently beat the Pixel 3 in daylight and normal light shots. They just have better hardware. He stated multiple times that iPhone is a better representation of the actual scene. However the night mode is obviously best in class (given nothing in the frame is moving).

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#29

Post by wcfields »

robertAngst wrote: post #9
wcfields wrote: post #7

What I'd like to see in addition to raw stats is stacking up service and warranty. What's kept me an Apple user for high-end laptops and phones is being able to go to a brick and mortar store and walk-out with a replacement device.

Ive been doing the 'buy 2' high quality products instead of the 'buy 1 apple product'. Now, I dont actually buy 2 products, but I simply replace with the latest high end product when I want/need to. I am unsure whats cheaper and better quality. Im curious in studying this for comparison(I run a consumer website), what are your quality metrics for service and warrenty? So far I have: >Time to fix/repair(downtime) >Cos…

Yeah that's pretty much it, for me at least. I'd consider myself very technically inclined (replaced screens on my iPhone 5's, build dozens of PCs...), but as I've learned from experience I'd rather just pay slightly more and expect it to work for my personal stuff.

I guess one can view it as buying the cheapest new car with a long warranty versus a reliable as-is used car just so I never have to worry about it not working.

Re: Pixel 3 Review

#30

Post by fyfy18 »

awill wrote: post #19

I really appreciated the critical honesty here. With a Pixel you're getting an 8 month old SoC. The reason this detail is important is because the 8 month old Galaxy S9 is now selling far below MSRP. You can get them new for around $500. That makes the Pixel FAR more expensive than it's SD845 brothers. Also, it's crazy to me that Apple has such a huge lead in single threaded CPU performance. They've been ahead for ye…

The Xiaomi Mi 8 has the same SOC and Sony IMX363 sensor as the Pixel 3, so if you want a cheaper device that's a good option. The only thing you really miss out on are waterproof and wireless charging, but considering its less than half the price...
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