Cell phones & services

Google Pixel 3 smartphone

The Google Pixel 3 is a smartphone that was tested with the Android 9 operating system. This model weighs 5.2 ounces, has a 5.5 inch touch screen display, 12.2-megapixel main camera, and 8-megapixel selfie camera. It comes with 4GB of RAM. It was tested with 64GB of storage.

About

The Google Pixel 3 is part of the Cell phone & service test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Cell phone & service models like the Pixel 3 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Predicted reliability: Predicted brand reliability icons are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased smartphones, not under service contract, within the first 2 years of ownership.

Owner satisfaction: Owner satisfaction icons are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their smartphone brand to their friends and family.

Camera: Rear image quality: Still image quality using the rear facing (main) camera. It is based on objective and subjective judgments of test images, which includes evaluating resolution, dynamic range, color accuracy, and visual noise.

Results in the following chart are gathered from Consumer Reports’ 2018 Summer Survey of 132,374 smartphones owned by members who purchased a new device between 2013 and 2018.

Our predicted brand reliability ratings are based on a statistical model that estimates problem rates within the first 2 years of ownership, for smartphones that are not covered by an extended warranty or service contract. We also adjust for the median number of minutes of use per day. The median in our survey was 180 minutes (3 hours) per day. Higher ratings are indicative of better reliability. Brands receiving a red or orange rating cannot be recommended by CR at this time.

Our owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their smartphone brand to friends and family.

Predicted Reliability

Apple
Google
HTC
Huawei
LG
Motorola
Nokia
OnePlus
Samsung
Sony

Source: Consumer Reports' 2018 Summer Survey

Owner Satisfaction

Apple
Google
HTC
Huawei
LG
Motorola
Nokia
OnePlus
Samsung
Sony

Source: Consumer Reports' 2018 Summer Survey

Connections

LTE LTE Indicates the phone supports a 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) data network.
Yes
WiFi WiFi These phones have built-in WiFi that gives them fast Internet and e-­mail access through home networks and WiFi hotspots. Phones can use the connection to share content, or make calls using Voice over Internet Protocol, though the latter may not be available from all providers.
Yes
Bluetooth Bluetooth Bluetooth support typically means the phone works with wireless Bluetooth headsets and most hands-free car systems, and it can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other information with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, speaker system, smartwatches, or printer. Not all Bluetooth phones support all these capabilities.
Yes
NFC NFC Indicates the phone supports NFC (Near field communication) data typically used for wireless payment such as Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Yes
Headphone jack (3.5mm audio jack) Headphone jack (3.5mm audio jack) Newer phones are starting to not include the standard 3.5mm headphone jack and instead are using the USB C port. This requires a different pair of headphones or an adapter if you want to continue using your favorite headphones.
No
Fingerprint reader Fingerprint reader A biometric fingerprint reader for logging into your smartphone and certain apps.
Yes

Features

Camera (megapixels) Camera Specifies, in megapixels, the maximum resolution of the rear-­facing camera.
12.2
Camera flash Camera flash Some phones have a built-in camera flash, which is helpful when taking pictures in dark environments.
Yes
Camera recording resolution Camera recording resolution The maximum recording resolution of the phone's primary video camera: Ultra HD (4K), 1080p, 720p, or SD (Standard Definition).
3840 x 2160
Front-facing camera (megapixels) Front-facing camera Specifies, in megapixels, the maximum resolution of the front-facing camera. A camera with a 0.3 megapixel value is also referred to as VGA. Models with an NA don't have a front-facing camera.
8
FM radio FM radio Phones with a built in FM radio require a special stereo headset be plugged into the phone to use the radio. The headset acts as both the audio output and the radio's antenna. This feature may not be available from all providers.
No
Headset Headset Indicates if a headset (earphones) is included. This feature may not be available from all providers.
Yes
Battery removable Battery removable Shows whether or not the model has a removable battery.
No
GPS navigation GPS navigation Phones that support GPS Navigation services conveniently integrate GPS with maps and search engines to give you real-time, spoken, turn-by-turn directions to an entered address, or to help you find nearby businesses by name or category, such as Joe's Pizzeria or hospitals. We indicate which phones have GPS navigation capability. The service for nearly all models doesn’t cost extra, but on some models it can cost extra.
Yes

Specs

Other providers Other providers Available for purchase on these other service providers. The performances or features of these related phones may differ from provider to provider.
Not applicable
Rugged Rugged This is a rating. If the phone survived 50 or more drops and being submerged in 1 meter or more of water, then it is considered rugged.
No
Height (in.) Height Height is measured to the nearest tenth of an inch (folding phones are measured closed). This value may vary slightly by provider.
5.7
Width (in.) Width Width is measured to the nearest tenth of an inch (folding phones are measured closed). This value may vary slightly by provider.
2.7
Depth (in.) Depth Depth is measured to the nearest tenth of an inch (folding phones are measured closed). This value may vary slightly by provider.
0.3
Weight (oz.) Weight Weight is measured to the nearest tenth of an ounce, with the battery installed. This value may vary slightly by provider.
5.2
Total storage provided (GB) Total storage provided Total storage (gigabytes) provided, both internal and external, for the operating system, apps, content, and etc. Availability for models with multiple memory storage capacities are subject to change.
64
Available storage (GB) Available storage Storage that is left available to the user once the operating system and applications that come with the phone are installed and set up.
49.6
RAM (GB) RAM Random Access Memory. RAM is where the phone keeps the pieces of the operating system and applications that are currently being used. It is much faster than storage and an SD card so if you have enough for all your needs the phone will respond much more quickly.
4
Memory card slot Memory card slot Phones that have slots that accept memory cards, typically microSD, allow you to conveniently expand storage capacity by up to 256GB, and sometimes even more. The removable card may be hard to access.
No