Pixel 3 XL Second Impression: Notch City!
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Promos
Pixel 3 XL in the hand. Here's some more thoughts and feelings. OG Pixel 3 Impressions: youtu.be Dat wallpaper: i.imgur.com From Walli wallpaper app: youtu.be play.google.com Sam's Podcast episode: youtu.be MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Video Gear I use: kit.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: Ongoing Thing by 20syl, Oddisee ~ twitter.com snapchat.com google.com @MKBHD @MKBHD Phone provided by Google for video.
In this second impression, Marques Brownlee provides a follow-up on the Pixel 3 XL after spending two days with the device. He reiterates that the core experience remains very fast and smooth, noting the Snapdragon 845, 4 GB of RAM, and storage options as baseline specifications that continue to influence his early verdict. He discusses how the large notch shapes daily usage, explaining that while he has grown accustomed to it in normal navigation, the notch becomes visibly intrusive when recording video or watching fullscreen content. He describes how Android and app design interact with the notch, highlighting the tendency for the system to hide the notch in the notification shade and how many apps simply ignore the top cutout, resulting in a inconsistent visual experience across software. He also mentions the haptic engine as a standout improvement over previous Pixels, delivering a satisfying, responsive feedback that enhances the overall feel of the UI. The discussion shifts to camera features, noting that Night Sight is not yet live but will arrive via software update, and he praises the new raw plus JPEG option for better post-processing flexibility. He teases a future direct camera comparison with the iPhone XS and other flagships, while acknowledging the current limitations like off-center video playback caused by the notch. Overall, the second impression blends measured curiosity about software refinements with a practical assessment of how the notch and hardware choices impact real-world use, and it promises a fuller review once Night Sight and other features are in place.
Topics · smartphones · technology · android · hardware-impressions
Questions answered
- What is the Pixel 3 XL notch like in real-world use, and can it be hidden effectively?
- The notch is very large and visible in some contexts, especially when recording video or fullscreen content. It can be hidden via software settings, but doing so reduces usable screen space, which is not ideal for most users.
- Is Night Sight available on the Pixel 3 XL at the time of this video, and what option exists for photographers?
- Night Sight is not yet available but will arrive later via a software update. The camera app already includes a raw plus JPEG option, allowing better post-processing for serious shooters.