Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL Release Date, Specs: Leaks Suggest Huge Display Notch, Google Assistant-Supported Charging Dock

Photos of the supposed "Clearly White" variant of the Google Pixel 3 XL have been circulating online hinting that the device will sport a much larger display notch. Meanwhile, there are speculations that Google is going to release its own charging dock along with the announcement of the Pixel 3 series this year.

Google is still mum about the existence of the Pixel 3 series. But with a consistent two-year update on its own smartphone line in 2016 and 2017, the release of a third Pixel lineup this year is almost certain.

A few days ago, leaked photos reportedly showing the first look on the Google Pixel 3 XL — credited to dr.guru of XDA Developers — have been shared by various news outlets. The images show a smartphone with an all-white rear design suggesting that it could be the “Clearly White” variant of the said device.

Some details on the rumored Google Pixel 3 XL were redacted but one of the photos shows that the product is referred to as “crosshatch” — the reported internal codename for the Pixel 3 XL. This particular leaked device has a 4GB RAM and a 64GB internal storage.

In another photo, where the screen's backlights are on, smartphone fans can see the Google Pixel 3 XL’s display notch. It was visibly designed with more height compared to other Android phones that adopted the iPhone X design.

Display notches have become a trend among consumers simply because they provide more viewing space. If this is the final design for the Pixel 3 XL, it might be defeating the main purpose of applying notches. However, there is also a chance that Google was obliged to go with this size of a display notch due to a possibly huge front camera.

Earlier reports have it that only one device from Google this year is sporting the display notch, and that is the Pixel 3 XL. The smaller Pixel 3, on the other hand, will have thinner bezels to also provide a bigger screen.

Over the weekend, 9To5Google also spotted more clues on the rumored charging dock launching alongside the Google Pixel 3. The Google app received its version 8.14 update and its code includes a string that says, “Your Assistant can use your personal info to make suggestions, answer questions, and take actions for you when your phone is locked and on your Pixel Stand.”

This could be another clue that Google is releasing a charging dock later this year and that it will be announced together with the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL. However, the “Pixel Stand” now appears to have more features than wireless charging such as being supported with the Google Assistant software.

So far, there has not been a report that suggests Google is facing supply or technical difficulties in the production of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. In this case, the company might maintain its schedule and announce these devices sometime in October.