Google Pixel 3 Details Leak: Let's Begin With Expectations

This morning the first signs of life in the world of Pixel 3 appeared in Google-made code. Not one whole heck of a lot of concrete info is out just yet, but this can serve as a starting point for preparing for the next big release from Google. We begin with a bit of the ol' AOSP code commit perusal.

The first Pixel was revealed at a Google event on October 4th, 2016, right alongside the Pixel XL. On October 4th 2017, the Pixel 2 was revealed with the Pixel 2 XL. Both phones were released approximately 16 days after their reveal event. One might safely assume that the reveal date for the Pixel 3 is October 4th, 2018, and that the release date is October 20th.

The first devices were called Pixel and Pixel XL. Google continued the naming convention by naming the second devices Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The naming convention pushes the idea that there is one device, but that there is two versions of this device. In 2018, we can safely assume we'll see a Pixel 3 and a Pixel 3 XL.

When this article is set to be published, the original Pixel and Pixel XL were priced at $550 and $670 USD, respectively. Those were the 32GB versions, while each version with 128GB internal storage was an additional $100 USD. These phones were out of stock when this article was published, but prices were still listed at the Google Store online.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were priced at $650 and $850 respectively in their 64GB editions. Each was also available with 128GB internal storage for $100 more.

• Pixel (original price): $650 (32GB), $750 (128GB)

• Pixel (current price): $550 (32GB), $650 (128GB)

• Pixel XL (original price): $770 (32GB), $870 (128GB)

• Pixel XL (current price): $670 (32GB), $770 (128GB)

• Pixel 2: $650 (64GB), $750 (128GB)• Pixel 2 XL: $850 (64GB), $950 (128GB)

If we follow these trends, we can expect the Pixel 2 to cost $550 and the Pixel 2 XL to cost $750. The price of the basic Pixel stayed the same between generations the first time around, so we expect that the Pixel 3 will still cost $650 USD. The Pixel XL, on the other hand, jumped in price significantly.

• Pixel XL (original price): $770

• Pixel XL (current price): $670

• Pixel 2 XL: $850

If this trend continues, we can expect the Pixel 2 XL to have a price adjustment to $750. The Pixel 3 XL could, then, potentially cost around $930. That'd be for the smaller internal storage size version, while the larger might well cost closer to $1030.

• Pixel 3 (potential price): $650 (64GB), $750 (128GB)• Pixel 3 XL (potential price): $930 (64GB), $1030 (128GB)

As discovered by XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman, an AOSP (Android Open Source Project) commit committed on March 9th, 2018 included the name "Pixel 3." This is the one and only mention of Pixel 3 in the history of AOSP in commits available for search today. That's not a lot of info – but it's enough to get a kick into gear for early preparations for release.

Also of note: An April 4th, 2018 mention of Nexus devices. It's quite possible that AOSP developers are simply including Nexus devices because they're still good for some legacy development, but hold your horses. Nexus devices aren't included in the latest Developer Preview of Android software – they only include Pixel and Pixel 2. Will Google make another Nexus device?