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This absolutely isn’t Google’s new Pixel 3, but we sort of wish it was

Published May 24th, 2018 10:00AM EDT

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Google hinted last fall that it’s working on all-screen handsets of its own when it explained why it removed the headphone jack from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Since then, Google brought official notch support to Android P, and a recent revelation from Android P beta indicated that the Pixel 3 may have a notch just like the iPhone X.

Then, a few days ago, we talked about Google placeholder images in the Settings app of Android P public beta that seemed to suggest the next Pixel 3 will have an all-screen design without the notch. That will certainly not be the case, but a graphic designer created a Pixel 3 concept render using those graphics as a reference, and it looks pretty great.

Here are the Android P beta images that we mentioned earlier:

Image source: SlashLeaks
Image source: SlashLeaks

Obviously, the Pixel 3’s display will not look like that. No smartphone maker can pull off such screens on a mass-market phone, Apple included. You either get the notch in iPhone X, the Android notch with a bottom bezel, or just the bottom bezel (chin). That’s because the front-camera and sensors need to go somewhere. Also, most Android device makers opted not to copy Apple’s innovative use of flexible OLED screens, which is why their iPhone X clones also have bottom chins.

With all that in mind, let’s look at Venya Geskin’s Pixel 3 render:

Nope, that’s not going to be the Pixel 3 design. We might see smartphones like that down the road a bit, once smartphone makers figure out ways to bury cameras, speakers, and sensors under the screen. Until then, we get weird designs like a camera that pops up out of the top of the phone, but big-name brands like Google that have to manufacture millions of phones won’t offer solutions like that in 2018.

That said, it’s very likely the Pixel 3 will have a huge display, like every other flagship smartphone out there. Just don’t expect the screen to go from corner to corner like it does in the image above.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.