Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3 XL Discontinued

Google has officially stopped selling its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones, as spotted by Android Police. The product page for the phones now simply redirects to the Google Store’s homepage, with Google confirming that it has sold through its inventory (although the phone do remain available, for now, at third-party retailers like Best Buy or Walmart.)

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were announced and released in October 2018, with the phones praised at the time for their larger displays, excellent cameras, and clean design. The phone’s camera in particular still holds up against many of the best smartphones on sale today, although the Pixel 3 and 3 XL suffered from the same issues most of Google’s Pixel phone do — slow sales and a lack of customer interest compared to major players like Apple and Samsung.

The 18-month timing is virtually identical to the lifecycle for the Pixel 2, which was discontinued almost exactly a year ago on April 1st, 2019, 18 months after it was first sold.

It’s not quite the end of the road yet for Pixel 3 owners. Google promises software support through October 2021, meaning that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL should be on track to get updates to Android 11 this year, and even next year’s Android 12. The two phones will also get software updates through then, too.

Anyone looking for a budget Pixel phone likely won’t have too long to wait, though, with leaks indicating that a new $399 Pixel 4a (a successor to last year’s cheaper Pixel 3a) could be right around the corner, although its not entirely clear when that will launch due to Google canceling events like its I/O conference due to the coronavirus.

March 31, 2020