What's the difference between the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 3?

Pixel 3

The 7 biggest changes to Google's Pixel 3 that make it better than last year's Pixel 2
Just like Apple and Samsung, Google now has a brand-new phone every year. Two years ago, it was the Google Pixel. Last year, the Pixel 2 arrived.

And this year, in 2018, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the Next Big Thing.
You may be left wondering: What's different from last year's model? How much difference could 12 months make?

The answer, it turns out, is more substantial than you might imagine.

1. Yes, the notch. Unfortunately yes. But it's only one of the Pixel models that has the notch.

Pixel 3 XL

Depending on how you feel about phones with notches — like the iPhone X, and many imitators since — the new design of the Pixel 3 XL may be a plus or a minus.

The latest version of the Pixel XL replicates the notch design popularized by Apple's tenth-anniversary iPhone. In practice, this means users get a slightly larger screen than they otherwise would — albeit one with a large notch sitting in the center at the top of the screen.

The Pixel 3 doesn't have a notch design at the top, and the Pixel 3 XL does. It's a little weird.

2. The edges are rounded.

Pixel 3 New Shape

With the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, Google is taking a step closer to making the Pixel line into something as beautiful as it is functional. The Pixel 3 line has rounded edges that make it feel like an iPhone 8.

3. The power button is off color — a snazzy little nod to style that fits beautifully with the Pixel line.

Pixel 3

Simply put, this is a really nice touch: With each different color of the Pixel 3, the power button color gets adjusted to either offset or match the phone.

4. The two tone back looks the same, but feels dramatically different.

Pixel 3 Back Side

The back of the Pixel 2 looks a lot like the back of the Pixel 3, but the two devices feel substantially different.

It feels surprisingly soft and smooth despite looking nearly identical to the rough exterior on the Pixel 2. This extra layer of texturing is another element that gives the Pixel 3 more of a premium feel than last year's model.

5. Two notable differences to the hardware: Stereo speakers and wireless charging.

Pixel 3 XL Wireless Charger

For the first time in a Pixel phone, the Pixel 3 has stereo speakers facing out from the screen — one speaker at the bottom and one on top.

6. A few neat camera additions: Wide-angle selfies, Top Shot, and Super Res Zoom.

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have an extra camera in the front, and that's how you're able to get a super wide-angle selfie. It's technically called a "Group Selfie Cam," but what it does is most important: It enables far larger group portraits without the use of sticks (or strangers, depending on your situation).

7. It's more powerful than last year (but not by that much).

Pixel 3 is more Power-Full

Will the Pixel 3 feel faster than the Pixel 2? Perhaps, but probably not by very much.

This year's Pixels have upgraded chips, the same amount of RAM, and no other major changes to the internals. Even the camera architecture is nearly identical to last year.

By all means, if you're going to buy a new Pixel phone, buy the Pixel 3 — it's assuredly the fastest and most able of Google's smartphones. But if you're already a Pixel 2 owner, it's a harder argument.