Released almost a year and a half ago, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL look at least a couple of extra years older at first glance, but if you’re willing to ignore the chunky bezels of the smaller variant and massive notch of the jumbo-sized model, you’ll find that the decent hardware of the two high-end phones is nicely complemented by silky smooth software.
Powered by a squeaky clean version of Android 10 and guaranteed to receive timely OS updates until October 2021, these Snapdragon 845 powerhouses are no longer available in brand-new condition from many authorized US retailers or major carriers. The
Pixel 3 and 3 XL cannot be purchased directly from Google either, but if you know where to look and when, you can obviously save big on list prices set at $800 and $900 respectively back in the day.
Naturally, you’ll need to settle for refurbished units lacking a valid US warranty, although if you ask us, that downside is certainly not a deal breaker at $199.95 for a Google
Pixel 3 XL in “good” cosmetic condition. These ultra-affordable devices sold by top-rated eBay vendor Bidallies in a single “Not Pink” hue may have “minor scrapes or scratches” due to handling, but should otherwise work flawlessly after being “professionally tested and inspected”, as well as “reconditioned by qualified technicians.”
You can choose between a factory unlocked variant designed to be used on GSM networks nationwide, AT&T and T-Mobile included, and a Verizon-specific model, both of which are on sale at the exact same aforementioned price.
Meanwhile, a manufacturer refurbished Verizon-locked “not pink” unit in grade A (aka “excellent”) cosmetic condition is available at the time of this writing for $219.95, although we don’t expect any of these killer deals to last very long.
Keep in mind that a $320 Pixel 3 XL refurb looked like
a solid bargain just a few months ago, while the
Pixel 3a, for instance, typically costs $400 in brand-new condition. The high-end handset is not only significantly larger, at 6.3 inches, but also much faster, packing the aforementioned Snapdragon 845 processor, as well as a sizable 3,430mAh battery and respectable 4 gigs of memory in combination with 64 gigs of internal storage space. And let’s not forget about that phenomenal 12MP rear-facing camera.
