Google Pixel 3 features single AI rear camera and dual selfie front cameras

Google Pixel 3 has been launched, and the rumors and leaks were true: despite the rising number of dual, triple and even quintuple smartphone cameras, Pixel 3 has a single camera on the back. However, it relies heavily on Google’s AI, promising to make high-quality pictures even with a single lens. And if you want a dual camera, you can have that too – it’s on the front.

Hardware-wise, the rear camera of Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL features a new 12.2 MP sensor paired with a sharper wide-angle lens, for better image quality even when zoomed in. Judging from the image quality of previous Google Pixel models and their impressive DxO results, Pixel phones do just fine with a single rear camera. Thanks to the AI, the latest model is designed to never miss a shot, according to Rick Osterloh of Google.

AI-based camera uses a feature called Top Shot to help you pick the best moments to take a photo. There’s also Night Sight, which promises to help you get good shots even in low-light without a flash. Super Res Zoom allows you to zoom in without losing image quality. Despite having a single camera, Pixel 3 offers Portrait Mode which lets you blur out the background in your shots. In a word, the Pixel 3’s camera seems to be relying on computational photography rather than on hardware.

When it comes to the front camera, Pixel 3 features a dual-cam setup. It’s a pair of wide-angle lenses, but you can zoom in by using a slider. If you want to squeeze all your friends in a group shot, there’s a Group Selfie mode with a 184 percent wider field of view than the normal mode.

So far Google Pixel phones have been known for good cameras and high image quality, both for photos and video. And although it may seem strange that Google hasn’t jumped the multiple-camera bandwagon, I believe Pixel 3 will do just fine with a single camera, just like it has been the case so far.

When it comes to the price and availability, both Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL will start shipping from 18 October. They are now available for preorders, starting from $799 and $899 respectively.