Google introduced the 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL right now, giving lovers of large-screen telephones the unattainable process of selecting from at the least 4 main manufacturers. The expertise right here runs deep, with the iPhone XS Max, Galaxy Note 9 and new LG V40 ThinQ all boasting digital camera prowess and uncooked inside energy.
The V40 specifically can wag its three rear cameras on the Pixel Three telephones’ single rear lens. (This third-generation Pixel XL does take a cue from LG by including a second 8-megapixel front-facing wide-angle lens to make selfies with a big group simpler to seize.)
In the meantime, these high-priced telephones, which inch near or have crossed the $1,000 mark, are feeling strain from cheaper-but-good phones from OnePlus, Motorola and Nokia. Be aware that we have reviewed each cellphone besides the Pixel Three XL, so we’ve to carry off ultimate judgment till then. For now, this is how the specs line up. Scroll to the top for a full specs comparability chart.
Display screen measurement and readability
Does this shock you? The iPhone XS Max has the biggest display of the 4, with a 6.5-inch show. The V40 and Galaxy Be aware 9 are available in at 6.Four inches apiece and the Pixel Three XL has a 6.3-inch show. Nevertheless it’s the LG V40 that has the best pixel density, edging the others. We’ll scrutinize them additional in a variety of lighting circumstances, however all ought to excel at watching movies, studying tales and maintaining with social networks.
Three rear cameras vs. 1
Our mega digital camera comparisons are nonetheless to return — they take gargantuan effort, however are price ready for. What we will let you know is that the LG, iPhone and Galaxy telephones are muscle-bound with digital camera choices and instruments. The LG V40’s three rear cameras are particularly braggadocious. For instance, you may take a photograph from every rear digital camera on the identical time to both use individually or to sew collectively.
All 4 of those telephones lean on AI digital camera software program. The V40 and Be aware 9 change your settings when it senses one in every of virtually 20 scenes (e.g. pets, blue sky). And the V40 and iPhone XS Max take dramatic photographs with digital lighting results. The Pixel 3XL can take wide-angle selfies and guarantees clear, crisp low-light photographs that by no means want a flash, and glorious digital zoom.
Afterward, Google may even add a device that picks your finest shot for you when the movement setting is turned on — so even when the picture you snapped is an entire blur, the Pixel Three could have nonetheless captured one thing higher.
At stake right here is the significance of the multicamera pattern. Google’s single rear lens throws down the gauntlet in opposition to telephones with a number of rear cameras, just like the V40’s (and Huawei P20 Professional’s) three rear cameras apiece. Are they actually obligatory for producing terrific pictures or largely window dressing to impress consumers and set the phonemakers aside?
However, Google appears to assume {that a} second lens does make a distinction on the front-facing digital camera. We’ll want to check these telephones fairly exhaustively to see what the digital camera outcomes inform us.
The space for storing wars
Even just some years in the past, a 64-gigabyte repository of storage was fairly commonplace. Now, occasions have modified. LG and Google give you 64GB simply to begin with. Samsung’s Galaxy Be aware 9 ups the ante to 128GB at its lowest worth, or you may pay extra for 512GB. That does not even embody the 512GB of exterior storage you may add with a microSD card.
Apple, in the meantime, offers the iPhone XS Max three storage choices: 64GB, 256GB and 512GB, with no expandable storage. So though LG’s V40 ThinQ does allow you to broaden as much as 2 terabytes (in idea; the microSD card market tops out at 512GB proper now), the entire falls behind Samsung’s largest capability. Google, in the meantime, maxes out at 128GB whole, although it offers you limitless picture storage on-line with Google Photographs.
Whole storage capability: Pixel Three XL vs. LG V40, Be aware 9, iPhone XS Max
| Pixel Three XL | LG V40 ThinQ | Samsung Galaxy Be aware 9 | iPhone XS Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest onboard storage capability | 128GB | 64GB | 512GB | 512GB |
| Expandable storage capability | None | 512GB | 512GB | N/A |
| Whole attainable storage | 128GB | 576GB | 1TB | 512GB |
Battery life
Evaluating battery run-time on a single cost is difficult as a result of there are such a lot of elements at play. Battery life is not decided by simply the dimensions of the battery (the capability, measured in milliamp hours, or mAh). There’s additionally an interaction between the processor, how environment friendly the cellphone’s base degree software program is in managing assets, and, in fact, what you are doing with the cellphone.
The LG V40’s battery has a smaller capability than the Pixel Three XL and Be aware 9. Nevertheless, in real-world utilization, LG’s flagship cellphone is greater than able to taking you thru your regular day.
Battery life testing
| Pixel Three XL | LG V40 ThinQ | Samsung Galaxy Be aware 9 | iPhone XS Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery capability | 3,430mAh | 3,300mAh | 4,000mAh | N/A, however Apple claims it can final 90 min. longer than iPhone X |
| Battery drain end result | To be examined | 14 hours, 24 minutes | 19 hours, 20 minutes | Exams ongoing |
| Actual-world testing | To be examined | Simply lasts from 6 a.m. to late evening with reasonable use | Simply lasts from 6 a.m. to late evening with reasonable use | About an hour greater than the iPhone XS, however you may wish to cost it after half a day of use |
Apple will not provide particular battery capability and as a substitute gives obscure, relative descriptions. For instance, the iPhone XS Max is alleged to final 90 minutes longer on a single cost than the iPhone X. Our iPhone XS and XS Max battery assessments are nonetheless ongoing, so we’ll have extra knowledge within the close to future. This is CNET’s video drain test protocol, which we weigh along with real-world commentary.
Additional options
All 4 telephones have wi-fi charging and waterproofing, so the principle variations come right down to digital camera efficiency and their particular person claims to fame.
The Galaxy Be aware 9 has its S Pen stylus (which now additionally works as a distant), the V40 its 5 cameras and the iPhone XS Max its FaceID, Memoji animations and portrait lighting mode (the V40 has portrait lighting, too). The Pixel Three XL guarantees unbelievable zoom and pin-sharp photographs high quality even in low gentle.
The worth of those extras comes down to private desire.
For instance, should you’re enchanted by images, portrait mode experience may name to you. Should you’re an influence consumer who likes the tactile use of a stylus, then the Galaxy Be aware 9 has no rival.
Additional cellphone options
| Pixel Three XL | LG V40 ThinQ | Samsung Galaxy Be aware 9 | iPhone XS Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water resistant | X | X | X | X |
| Wi-fi charging | X | X | X | X |
| Stereo audio system | X | X | X | X |
| Safe face unlock | No (Android’s face unlock is not safe sufficient for cellular funds) | No (Android’s face unlock is not safe sufficient for cellular funds) | X (Iris scanning) | X (Face ID) |
| Whole variety of cameras | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Portrait mode | X | X | X | X |
| Portrait lighting | No | X | No | X |
| AI scene choice | No | X | X | No |
| Stylus | No | No | X | No |
| 3D emoji characteristic | No | X (Animated emoji) | X (AR Emoji) | X (Animoji, Mem |
Value and worth
The Pixel Three XL and LG V40 ThinQ are the least-expensive massive telephones of the bunch in absolute phrases, however relying on which service or retailer you purchase it by, the financial savings could not quantity to a lot. Within the US, for instance, the V40 sells from $900 to $980.
For just a little extra, you might get a cellphone with a stylus or longer battery life (the Galaxy Be aware 9), or entry to Apple’s customer support at its retail shops (iPhone XS Max).
The Pixel Three XL is extra easy, promoting for both $900 (64GB) or $1,000 (128GB).
There’s additionally the query of storage. For the utmost capability, the Galaxy Be aware 9 offers you the perfect deal of all of them, although should you’re attempting to get to 512GB, you may lower your expenses shopping for an LG V40 and making up the distinction with a microSD card.
For the perfect deal, control seasonal promotions. That will very effectively shift the stability for you a method or one other when shopping for any cellphone.
Pixel Three XL vs iPhone XS Max, Galaxy Be aware 9, LG V40
| Google Pixel Three XL | iPhone XS Max | Samsung Galaxy Be aware 9 | LG V40 ThinQ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show measurement, decision | 6.3-inch ‘versatile’ OLED; 2,960×1,440 pixels | 6.5-inch Tremendous Retina OLED; 2,688×1,242 pixels | 6.4-inch Tremendous AMOLED; 2,960×1,440 pixels | 6.4-inch OLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels |
| Pixel density | 522 ppi | 458 ppi | 516 ppi | 537 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.2x3x.03 in. | 6.2×3.0x.Three in. | 6.37×3.01×0.35 in. | 6.25×2.97x 0.Three in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 158×76.7×7.9mm | 157.5×77.4×7.7mm | 161.9×76.4×8.8mm | 158.8×75.4×7.6mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 6.5 oz.; 184g | 7.Three oz.; 208g | 7.09 oz.; 201g | 5.96 oz., 168.96g |
| Cell software program | Android 9 Pie | iOS 12 | Android 8.1 Oreo | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Digital camera | 12.2-megapixel | 12-megapixel (commonplace), 12-megapixel (telephoto) | 12-megapixel (wide-angle), 12-megapixel (telephoto) | 12-megapixel (commonplace), 16-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | Twin 8-megapixel | 7-megapixel with Face ID | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel (commonplace), 5-megapixel (vast) |
| Video seize | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.5GHz octa-core) | Apple A12 Bionic | Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor (2.8GHz + 1.7GHz), or Octa-core Samsung Exynos 9810 (2.7 GHz + 1.7 GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 512GB | 64GB |
| RAM | 4GB | TBD | 6GB, 8GB | 6GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | 512GB | 2TB |
| Battery | 3,430mAh | TBD | 4,000mAh | 3,300mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Again cowl | None (Face ID) | Again cowl | Again cowl |
| Connector | USB-C | Lightning | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No | No | Sure | Sure |
| Particular options | IP68, wi-fi charging help, Pixel Buds USB-C headphones within the field | Waterproof (IP68); dual-SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM); wi-fi charging; Face ID; Animoji | Waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; S-Pen with Bluetooth connectivity; iris and facial scanning | Waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; DTS:X 3D Encompass; Quad DAC, AI-enhanced digital camera; Cine Shot |
| Value off-contract (USD) | $899 (64GB); $999 (128GB) | $1,099 (64GB), $1,249 (256GB), $1,449 (512GB) | $1,000 (128GB), $1,250 (512GB) | Varies: $900-$980 |
| Value (GBP) | £869 (64GB); £969 (128GB) | $1,099 (64GB), $1,249 (256GB), $1,449 (512GB) | £899 (128GB), £1,099 (512GB) | TBA |
| Value (AUD) | TBA | AU$1,799 (64GB), AU$2,049 (256GB), AU$2,369 (512GB) | AU$1499 (128GB), AU$1,799 (512GB) | TBA |