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The Google Pixel 2 is here, and on the whole, it’s great. Featuring a nippy processor and one of the best cameras we’ve ever tested on a phone, Google’s latest foray into the smartphone world is certainly impressive. However, it’s not quite the iPhone killer we hoped. Although there’s lots to like about the Pixel 2, it falls just short of the phone we were hoping it would be - but that’s where the Pixel 3 comes in.
If Google wants the Pixel 3 to topple the iPhone 9, or the iPhone XI it’ll need to fix a few things with the Pixel 2. With that in mind, here are the extra features, fixes and specs we’d like to see Google bring to the Pixel 3.
1. A cheaper price
There was a time when Google made brilliant cheaper phones. The Nexus series was renowned for its excellent value and solid build quality, but the introduction of the Pixel saw Google chasing the high end of the market. Right now the Pixel 2 can be picked up SIM-free for £629 for the 64GB model, and £729 for the 128GB model. If Google wants to disrupt Apple and Samsung’s smartphone designs, it’ll need to reduce the cost of the Pixel 3 when it comes to market.
2. Bring back the jack
When Apple first removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, Google was one of its harshest critics. However, in one of the worst tech U-turns ever, Google removed the same headphone jack technology from the Google Pixel 2 as well. To get your music back, you’ll either have to get familiar with the supplied USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter or invest in a decent pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Google needs to bring the headphone jack back for the Pixel 3. Yes, Apple hasn’t, but the company also has no other competition in the iOS sector – whereas Google has to battle the likes of Samsung, Huawei, OnePlus and more. Come on Google, make support for the 3.5mm a USP.
3. Cutting edge specifications
When we first heard about the Pixel 2, rumours suggested the new handset would have Qualcomm’s s-yet-unannounced Snapdragon 836 chipset. However, the Pixel 2 ended up coming with the 835 chipset. That’s no bad thing – the 835 powers most of the best smartphones released this year – but if Google wants to stand out, it would be helpful if it was bettering its rivals, rather than just matching them.
4. Better battery life
With the screen calibrated to 170cd/m² brightness and Flight mode switched on, the Pixel 2 lasted 14hrs 17mins in our battery test. Sure that's four hours longer than the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, but it’s slightly behind last year’s Pixel. Battery life is a hugely important factor nowadays, and the Pixel 3’s should at least be the same as the Pixel 2’s.
5. A more interesting design
The Pixel 2 may be a smart handset, but there’s nothing particularly memorable about it. Unlike the Samsung S8 which head an incredible bezel-less display, or the iPhone 8 which at least looks fantastic, the Google Pixel 2 is fairly non-descript. It’ll be good to see an introduce a bold design language – like they did with the Pixel 2 XL (although hopefully without its terrible screen).