The iPhone XR and Google Pixel 3: 5 Differences
Published by Carly on Nov 19th 2018
With two brand new smartphones from two tech powerhouses on the market, how do you choose between the iPhone XR and Google Pixel 3? There are several similarities between the two; both are compatible with wireless charging, are missing head jacks, and are water resistant. While there are many similarities between the iPhone XR and Google Pixel 3, however, the differences are important to know when considering which device to purchase. The 5 main differences between the iPhone XR and Pixel 3 are below!
1. Camera
At first glance, the iPhone XR and Google Pixel 3 appear to have similar cameras. For the rear cameras, they both have a single, 12-megapixel f/1.8 lens. Also, both devices feature portrait mode, which allows for an adjustable blurred background. Where the differences lie is in the software of the cameras for each device. The Google Pixel 3 features several software “bonuses” that are more similar to the iPhone XS, but are mostly missing from the XR. Some of these features include a portrait mode with editable depth of field, night sight, and super res zoom.
As for the front facing cameras, there are some slight variations. The iPhone XR has a 7-megapixel camera. Front facing camera features include portrait mode, and, of course, you can create the infamous Animojis and Memojis.
The Google Pixel 3 has two 8-megapixel front facing cameras. One of those cameras features a wide-angle lens, which allows for wide-angle “selfies” meaning you can fit more people in your group photos.
2. Display
There are noticeable differences between the displays of these two devices. The Pixel 3 features a 5.5-inch OLED display. One new feature of the Pixel is the “always on” display, which allows things, such as the time, to remain on the screen at all times, even when the display is off.
The iPhone XR has a 6.1-inch display, which is referred to by Apple as a “Liquid Retina HD” display. The device’s display features True Tone technology, which essentially maintains white balance on the display in spite of the surrounding lighting The screen automatically adjusts based on environmental lighting to provide the brightest, most colorful display possible in any given situation.
3. Security
The iPhone XR and Pixel 3 have very different front line security mechanisms. The Pixel 3 employs the use of a finger print sensor on the back of the device, which can be used for unlocking the device’s display, as a security feature in numerous apps, and more.
On the other hand, the iPhone XR is missing the finger print sensor (like the previous iPhone X). Instead, users must use Face ID, through the phone’s front facing camera, which is a form of facial recognition. This is the only way to truly secure the device, which could be a con for the iPhone XR if you are already comfortable with finger print sensors.
4. Storage
Storage has become a hot commodity in the smart phone industry. If storage is important to you, then you might want to check out the iPhone XR. The Google Pixel 3 is available in 64 GB and 128 GB. However, the iPhone XR is available in 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB.
5. Price and Specs
When it comes to specs, the iPhone XR and Google Pixel 3 look very similar. The Pixel 3 is 5.7 x 2.7 inches, as compared to the iPhone XR at 5.9 x 2.9 inches. However, the biggest difference is weight. The Pixel 3 weight in at 5.22 ounces, while the iPhone XR is 6.84 ounces
If you are interested in color options, Apple certainly has them. While the Google Pixel has some witty names for their color options – Just Black, Clearly White, and Not Pink (a little, pearly pink), they just do not quite measure up to the iPhone XR. You can choose from black, white, yellow, coral, blue or red, all incredibly vibrant, for the iPhone XR.
The iPhone XR starts at $749 and the Google Pixel 3 at $799.
So, which phone is right for you? While both are incredible devices, your decision will most likely come down to your operating system of preference. If you have previously been more comfortable with an Android or iOS operating system, then that is probably going to be your best bet moving forward.
No matter which smart phone you choose, we have the perfect holster case to hold your new device! Check out these premium holsters for the iPhone XR and Google Pixel 3, now!