Google needs to change the screen bezels and notch situation.
I like the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL's overall design, and I don't mind the comparatively large screen bezels. Even the massive notch on the Pixel 3 XL doesn't bother me.
But I know bezels and notches bother a lot of smartphone users, especially when phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 stand right next to the Pixel 3 in a store. Based on design alone, it's easy to understand why anyone would pick up a Galaxy S10 over a Pixel 3.
So, it's important to the user that a phone looks good. But it's also important for Google if it wants to be serious about its smartphone business. The company can't rely entirely on its clean and superior version of Android, amazing AI-based features, and outstanding camera. Google really needs to package its amazing software in an equally amazing shell.
The next Pixel needs better specs — specifically, more RAM.
For a smartphone that cost $800 for most of its lifetime, the Pixel 3's specs don't impress.
The Pixel 3 came with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor that other 2018 Android flagships had when it was released, and that's totally fine. But the Pixel 3's performance feels limited because of its middling 4GB of RAM. To compare, other Android flagships in 2018 sport at least 6GB of RAM.
RAM makes a big difference. It helps make the phone feel faster by keeping the apps you often use running in the background, so that when you come back to the app, it feels like you never left. With limited RAM, the Pixel 3 noticeably feels slower than other 2018 Android flagships.
Finally, the Pixel needs faster charging.
The Pixel 3 has USB-C fast charging, but it never felt very fast. Perhaps I was completely spoiled by OnePlus' Warp Charge tech, which charges the OnePlus 7 Pro absurdly quickly.
Either way, it would be great to see faster charging on the Pixel 4.