Pixel 3 Features Coming To Older Pixels But Not All

It seems that Google is finally learning the tricks of the trade as far as marketing generation after generation of smartphones go. While before it would aim for feature parity through pure Android experiences on Nexus devices, it is now making some features exclusive to its latest gen Pixel phone. Fear not because some of those Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are still coming to the Pixel 2 and even the older Pixel models. Unsurprisingly, there will be some that can't, no matter how much you try.

There are a few new features, most of them surrounding the Pixel 3 camera app, that are thankfully not bound by new hardware. In other words, it might simply take an update or two, either on the app or on Google's side. These include Gmail's smart compose, the initially frightening AI-based Duplex calling, and even Call Screen.

There are, however, some Pixel 3 features that are only possible because of the new hardware available on the smartphone. Pixel Stand wireless charging and the wide-angle selfies immediately come to mind.

There are, however, some Pixel 3 exclusives that may also make sense on older Pixels but may never trickle down to them. Super Res Zoom and Top Shot seem to be more AI and software based but there's also a slim chance that they rely on the beefier Snapdragon 845 and a more capable image sensor than what the Pixel 2 and Pixel have. Flip to mute the phone, however, doesn't sound pretty hardware-specific.

Android Police does note that its list is neither final nor definite. There's a chance some of them might even make it to all Android smartphones as well. Unfortunately, it probably won't happen any time soon as Google might want to maximize the advantage its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have.