New Google Pixel 3 confirmed and it could challenge the OnePlus 6T and Galaxy S10e

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL debuted back in November and were positioned as the firm’s most premium flagship devices.

Both come with fast processors, incredible camera systems and a quality finish.

Pixel 3 is priced from £739 while the Pixel 3 XL starts at £869, meaning the devices are certainly positioned to compete with some of the best Samsung, Huawei and others have to offer.

However, rumours emerged last year claiming Google was planning to launch a budget Pixel 3 device that could be designed to compete with cheaper flagships such as the OnePlus 6T for instance.

In fact, back in November Russian outlet Rozetked posted alleged images of what it claimed was a “Pixel 3 Lite” handset.

The device was shown to feature what appeared to be a plastic back panel and had noticeable bezels above and below its display.

A headphone jack was shown to feature on the product, a design characteristic not present on current Pixel 3 devices.

Although the device appeared to make a number of compromises, Rozetked insisted the product would offer the “same” camera quality as the current Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

If true, this could be the hardware’s most notable selling point and could give it a photography edge over the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S10e and OnePlus 6T.

Since then, Japanese outlet Nikkei has also insisted Google is planning to show off its “first lower-priced smartphone” in 2019.

The outlet declared such a device will target “price-sensitive customers and those in emerging markets” and clarified the product is “expected” to cost less than Apple’s iPhone XR.

For reference, in the UK the iPhone XR is priced from £749.

More recently, rumours surrounding a cheaper Pixel device have suggested it could come in a smaller and larger variant and be called the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL respectively.

Such a name has now seemingly been confirmed by Google thanks to what appears to be an early listing of the device on its online store.

Spotted by The Verge, Pixel 3a was shown as a product on the shop alongside the standard Pixel 3.

Although the listing has now been removed, it was noted product page for the Pixel 3a was not live.

9to5Google also noted references for devices dubbed “bonito” and “cargo”, both widely rumoured to be the codenames for the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL respectively, recently appeared on Google’s Play Developer Console and discussed a number of each’s specifications.

The Play Developer Console is used by developers to manage apps and games on the Play Store

Google lists the specifications of different devices to give developers an idea if their software will be compatible with them or not.

The Play Developer Console stated both devices will have 4GB of RAM.

Sargo was said to offer a display with the resolution of 1080×2220 and the density of 440-pixels-per-inch while bonito was stated to have a 1080×2160 resolution and the density of 400-pixels-per-inch.

While no other details about the devices were discussed, both handsets have been rumoured to be powered by a Snapdragon 670 processor and have a single 12-megapixel camera on their rear.

In its initial leak for the product, Rozetked said the Pixel 3a could have a starting price of between $400 (£306.34) and $500 (£382.93).

If true, this means the budget Pixel 3 could be priced significantly lower than either the OnePlus 6T or Galaxy S10e and could be more appealing for Android fans looking for a new device on a budget.

source: express.co.uk