The Pixel 3 is highly anticipated and could be one of the best Android phones of the year.
Pixel 3 XL in particular is expected to address criticisms from fans of the Pixel 2 XL who insisted the OLED panel on the phone gave off a blue tint when looked at from an angle.
Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are expected to come with improved cameras, turbocharged internals and all the new features boasted by Android 9 Pie.
One of the biggest features of Google’s new software is the ability to use gesture controls to navigate the smartphone interface.
In a blog post detailing the new features of Android 9 Pie, Google declared having the new method was essential at a time “phones grow taller and it’s more difficult to get things done on your phone with one hand”.
The tech giant went on: “Making your phone smarter and more adaptive is important, but we also want Android to be easier to use and more approachable.
“In Android 9, we’ve introduced a new system navigation featuring a single home button.
“With a single, clean home button, you can swipe up to see a newly designed Overview, the spot where at a glance you have full-screen previews of your recently used apps.”
But in an interview with Android Central, the UX manager for Android handheld and Pixel at Google, EK Chung, detailed while gesture-based navigation can be turned on for phones that update to Pie, future Google phones will have the option triggered by default.
This appears to confirm the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will make Android lovers use gestures from the outset.
Although the feature can be disabled in the settings menu, Google appears to be taking on the iPhone X’s method of navigation with its next line of flagships.
Apple introduced motion-based controls with the debut of the iPhone X that radically redesigned the company’s lauded product line.
The new look for the iPhone saw the removal of the iconic home button, meaning a way of navigation was necessary.
When we reviewed the iPhone X we said gestures were “incredibly intuitive” although they do take “a little getting used to”.
The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are expected to be announced on October 4, the same day the original Pixel and Pixel 2 made their respective debuts.
The tech giant announced Android 9 Pie was available to Pixel owners, bringing a host of new features to the flagships.
Google started rolling out updates for users last week.