Google Pixel 3: Overpriced, but has pure Android goodness and a category defining camera

While I like what the new Pixel devices offer (except the boring design), their pricing is way off for my liking; not Apple crazy but still several thousand too high. But let’s think about it for a moment. Why do people buy Pixel phones? Primarily for three reasons — camera, latest OS updates and powerful processing hardware. Now, these three parameters are exactly the same on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. So it would be a wiser decision to save a good Rs 12,000+ and opt for the smaller Pixel device. Hence we have included the Pixel 3 instead of the XL in this list. Just like the Pixel 3 XL, it comes with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 SoC with 4 GB of RAM. However, you get a more compact 5.5-inch Full HD+ display here as opposed to the 6.3-inch QHD+ notched display on the XL.

A solitary 12.2 MP sensor graces the rear but despite the lack of the second or third camera, it does a phenomenal job in the photography department and manages to capture arguably the best looking images in the market in most lighting conditions, including best portrait shots (bokeh mode) among its peers. If that’s not enough, the selfie enthusiasts get a strong reason to rejoice too. The 8 MP + 8 MP dual camera setup up front manages to capture great selfies courtesy of Google’s synthetic lighting techniques. The wide angle mode now reduces the need for a selfie stick. Google Pixel 3 is priced at Rs 66,500 in India for the 64 GB storage variant which is still manageable as compared to something close to Rs 80,000 that you would need to spend for a larger display and slightly higher battery capacity on the Pixel 3 XL.