When Google announced the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the company also unveiled new software-based features. Features that one might assume would work fine on older Pixel ($374 at Amazon) phones.
One would be right. Sort of. Google doesn’t plan on updating older Pixel devices to bring feature parity with the Pixel 3. Instead, the company will add a handful of features that will make your Pixel or Pixel 2 ($649 at Google Store) more useful.
Watch this: 10 tips and tricks for the Pixel 3
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I reached out to Google to see if there was a list of features that would trickle down to the older Pixels. Here’s what I found out.
Call Screen
The Pixel 3’s ability to answer the phone and screen your calls is a key selling point for some. I know I enjoyed testing it, dodging my friends and solicitors alike.
A software update will add Call Screen to all Pixel devices in November.
Camera
Google’s Pixel line has made a name for itself thanks to its camera and its use of AI to try to improve photos without much work on the user’s part. Some of the Pixel 3’s new camera features will come to the original Pixel and Pixel 2. You can read more about these new Pixel photo features here.
- Top Shot: A slimmed-down version of Top Shot will make its way to older Pixel devices in October. There are some hardware requirements that allow the Pixel 3 to have the full experience, whereas the older Pixels have to do it all with software.
- Night Sight: Coming to all Pixel devices in November.
- Playground: Later this year, the Pixel 2 will gain support for Playground, the company’s AR sticker feature.
Android Police reported that an update to the Google Camera app was released on Monday that brings some Pixel 3 features to older Pixel phones. It’s not clear if Top Shot is included in the update.
Now Playing History
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 both have a feature that listens for music and then displays the song title and artists on the lock screen of the phone. The feature incredibly handy if you want to know who sings the songs you’re hearing while you’re in a coffee shop, but on the Pixel 2, it lacks one key part: a history log.
The Pixel 3 creates a list of songs it has identified that you can go back to. According to Android Police, the Pixel 2 will also receive the Now Playing History feature via a future software update.