The Google Pixel 3 XL arrived in October 2018 as Google’s large-screen flagship, pairing a 6.3-inch P-OLED HDR display with the company’s celebrated single-camera computational photography. Built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and a clean Android experience, it was designed to prove that smart software could outperform multi-lens rivals.
Today the Pixel 3 XL is a discontinued device that typically surfaces on the second-hand market for around 260 EUR, making it less a new purchase and more a budget gateway into the Pixel camera legacy. This guide breaks down what the hardware still offers, where it shows its age, and who can realistically benefit from owning one in the current landscape.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66, 71 |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced: | 2018, October 09. Released 2018, October 18 |
| Status: | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions: | 158 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight: | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
Display
| Type: | P-OLED, HDR |
| Size: | 6.3 inches, 100.3 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~523 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Platform
| OS: | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Chipset: | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| CPU: | Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4×1.6 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| GPU: | Adreno 630 |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 |
Main Camera
| Single: | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Features: | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
Selfie camera
| Dual: | 8 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 19mm (ultrawide), no AF |
| Features: | HDR |
| Video: | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | No |
| USB: | USB Type-C 3.1 |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Po 3430 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: | 18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless |
Misc
| Colors: | Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink |
| Models: | G013C |
| Price: | About 260 EUR |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 258244 (v7), 341814 (v8) GeekBench: 8088 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Price and Availability
The Google Pixel 3 XL offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €260, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Google Pixel 3 XL converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of May 29, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $303
- Japan: ¥48,226
- United Kingdom: £225
- Australia: A$423
- Canada: C$418
- Taiwan: NT$9,500
- Denmark: kr1.940
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼1,135
- South Korea: ₩453,594
- Germany: €260
- Brazil: R$1.528
- Vietnam: ₫7.923.392
- Kenya: KSh 39,139
- India: ₹28,938
- Indonesia: Rp 5.377.029
- Nigeria: ₦413,806
- Pakistan: ₨84,349
- Philippines: ₱18,600
- Bangladesh: ৳৩৭,১৫৯
Is the Pixel 3 XL Still Worth Buying?
At roughly 260 EUR on the used market, the Pixel 3 XL competes against newer budget phones rather than current flagships. Its value proposition rests almost entirely on its camera output and clean software heritage, not raw specifications. Buyers should weigh the appeal of Google’s photography against the reality of a 2018 chipset, an aging battery, and the end of guaranteed software updates. As with any older device, verify the actual condition and remaining battery health before committing, since prices and availability vary widely by seller.
Design and Build Quality
Measuring 158 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm and weighing 184 g, the Pixel 3 XL uses a glass-front and glass-back sandwich with an aluminum frame, both panels protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The notched display was divisive at launch, but the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (immersible up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes) remains a genuinely useful feature even years later. The two-tone matte-and-gloss back finish and the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor are signatures of this Pixel generation.
Display Experience
The 6.3-inch P-OLED panel offers a 1440 x 2960 resolution at an 18.5:9 aspect ratio and a sharp density of around 523 ppi, with HDR support. Deep blacks, strong contrast, and high pixel density still make it pleasant for video and reading, although it runs at a standard 60 Hz refresh rate that feels dated next to modern phones with high-refresh screens. For most everyday viewing, the resolution and color quality hold up well.
Performance and Software
Inside sits the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) with an octa-core Kryo 385 CPU and Adreno 630 GPU, paired with 4 GB of RAM and either 64 GB or 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage with no microSD expansion. Benchmark figures such as an AnTuTu v8 score of 341,814 and GeekBench v5.1 multi-core result of 2,092 reflect a once-flagship chip that now sits in mid-range territory. The phone shipped with Android 9.0 (Pie) and is upgradable to Android 12; per Google’s official support policy, it has reached the end of its guaranteed update window, so buyers should confirm the current software state on any unit.
Camera Capabilities
The Pixel 3 XL is famous for its single 12.2 MP rear camera (f/1.8, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS), which leaned heavily on Google’s computational photography to rival dual- and triple-camera competitors. Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, and reliable dynamic range remain its strengths, and it records 4K video at 30fps plus 1080p up to 120fps. On the front, a dual 8 MP setup adds an ultrawide selfie option alongside the standard wide lens, a relatively rare touch for its era.
Battery and Charging
A 3,430 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery powers the phone, supported by 18W wired charging and Qi-based wireless charging via PD2.0. Battery longevity is the most common concern with any device this old, so a used Pixel 3 XL may deliver noticeably less endurance than when new. Anyone buying should treat a battery replacement as a likely future cost.
Connectivity
Connectivity covers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1, along with broad LTE band support and multi-constellation positioning (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo). There is no 3.5mm headphone jack and no FM radio, but the stereo speakers and Nano-SIM plus eSIM support keep the everyday experience capable for a phone of this generation.
Who Should Consider This Phone
The Pixel 3 XL suits photography enthusiasts curious about Google’s computational imaging on a budget, collectors of older Pixel hardware, or anyone needing an affordable, water-resistant secondary device. It is less suitable for buyers who prioritize long-term software support, high-refresh gaming, or all-day battery life from a fresh cell.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 3 XL remains a compelling example of camera-first design, delivering image quality that still impresses despite its single rear lens and aging Snapdragon 845. At around 260 EUR used, it is best recommended to photography fans and Pixel enthusiasts who understand its limits: an expired update window, a smaller battery that may need replacing, and a standard 60 Hz display. If those trade-offs are acceptable and the unit’s condition checks out, it is a worthwhile budget pick; for buyers needing future-proof support, a newer mid-range phone is the safer choice.
Official references
- Google Store – Pixel Phones – Official Google product pages for Pixel devices, authoritative for hardware specs, available colors, storage variants, and pricing history.
- Google Pixel Phone Help – Official Google support documentation covering Pixel 3 XL technical specifications, software/Android version support, and feature details.
- Android (Made by Google) – Official Android site for verifying the operating system version, OS update support window, and software features shipped on the Pixel 3 XL.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform – Official chipset manufacturer page for the Snapdragon 845 SoC used in the Pixel 3 XL, authoritative for CPU/GPU and processor specifications.
- FCC ID Search (Federal Communications Commission) – U.S. regulator database for verifying device certification, supported network bands, and wireless connectivity details for the Pixel 3 XL.
