Here's what we know about the mysterious mid-range Pixel phone.

Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones are two of the very best Android devices you can buy — if you have at least $800.

We've heard talk of a mid-range Pixel phone for a while now, and in either late 2018 or early 2019, it looks it could become a reality in the form of the Pixel 3 Lite.

Here's everything we know so far about Google's third entry in the Pixel 3 series!

The latest Pixel 3 Lite news

December 9, 2018 — Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 Lite XL compared to Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL in new renders, 360-degree video

We've seen an increasing amount of chatter and renders, and the latest batch of high-quality renders have appeared in a collaboration by 91mobiles and OnLeaks that features the Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 Lite XL — am I the only one that still thinks the name order there is a little weird? — spinning like a turntable to show off its size and ports, including a 3.5mm headphone jack sitting up top, slightly off center as it did on the original Google Pixel.

Alongside the video, 91mobiles has a comparison of the spec differences between the Pixel 3 series and Lite series, and most of it meshes with what we've heard before. The Pixel 3 Lite XL looks like it will sport a notchless 6-inch screen, giving it the same 18.5:9 aspect ratio as the Pixel 5.6-inch screen on the Pixel 3 Lite. With a big battery, a Snapdragon 670 instead of the Pixel 3's Snapdragon 845, a headphone jack, and a plastic build instead of glass, the Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 Lite XL could indeed be tempting at the right price point, but the two details still missing are a concrete price and a release date.

With only 3 weeks left in 2018, we'll likely have for the new year to see this new mid-range Pixel, but how long into January — or February — will we be waiting? And will the price tag that arrives with it make the wait worth it?

November 26, 2018 — Pixel 3 Lite compared to Pixel 3 XL, iPhone XR, and more in new pictures

A little over a week since the Pixel 3 Lite broke its cover for the first time, a site by the name of Wysla has shared new hands-on photos of the phone — this time comparing it to other devices that are currently on the market.

One of the most obvious comparisons for the Pixel 3 Lite is with the behemoth that is the Pixel 3 XL, and when placed side-by-side with the 3 XL, we can see just how much smaller the Lite actually is. While the Pixel 3 XL has a huge 6.4-inch screen, we're only expecting a 5.56-inch panel on the Lite model. Compared side-by-side with the regular Pixel 3, the phones look almost the same (save for the Lite's slightly larger bezel).

Other pictures go on to show the Pixel 3 Lite next to the original Pixel, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 5S, and Nokia 3310.

November 16, 2018 — Mid-range 'Pixel 3 Lite' appears in photos with headphone jack and same great camera

Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL are undoubtedly two of the best Android phones you can buy. However, with prices starting at $799 for the base Pixel 3 and going up to at least $899 for the XL model, they certainly aren't cheap. Thankfully, at least according to one Russian blog, a mid-range "Pixel 3 Lite" could soon be on its way.

Rozetked published a post on Friday, November 16 to share hands-on photos and reported specs for the Pixel 3 Lite that's codenamed as "Sargo." That's a codename we've heard murmurings of before, and rumors of a mid-range entry in the Pixel series have been circulating since April.

As you can see from the photos, the Pixel 3 Lite looks a lot like the regular Pixel 3. It has what appears to be a plastic back, USB-C for charging, a single 12MP rear camera that's said to be "the same as the regular Pixel 3", and a colorful power button. The bezels surrounding the display are quite a bit thicker, and instead of an AMOLED panel, the Pixel 3 Lite supposedly has a 5.56-inch 2220 x 1080 IPS screen.

You'll also find two speaker grills on the bottom frame flanking the USB-C port instead of front-firing ones, and to the delight of a lot of you reading this, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack up top (something the Pixel 3 + 3 XL lack).

Other rumored specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (contrasting with an earlier rumor that it would use the Snapdragon 710), 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage with no microSD expansion, and a 2,915 mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 4.0.

It's unknown which markets will get the Pixel 3 Lite, but pricing is said to be around $400 - $500 with a release expected either before the end of 2018 or at some point in Q1 2019.

All the big details

Where does the Pixel 3 Lite fit with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL?

As the name suggests, the Pixel 3 Lite will be offered as a less premium, more affordable version of the regular Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Up until now, all Pixel phones have been focused on the flagship market. As such, it'll be interesting to see Google's take on a phone under the Pixel brand that's designed to be accessible to more people.

What specs are we anticipating?

Final specs for the Pixel 3 Lite obviously aren't confirmed yet quite, but in any case, here are some of the specifications we're currently looking forward to based on the latest rumors/leaks.

Category	Spec
Operating system	Android 9 Pie
Display	5.56-inches 2220 x 1080 IPS
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 670
RAM	4GB
Storage	32GB
Battery	2,915 mAh
Camera	12.2MP (same as Pixel 3)

When will the phone be released?

Right now, the closest thing we have to a release date for the Pixel 3 Lite is either at some point before 2018 is over or in Q1 2019.

How much is it going to cost?

With the Pixel 3 and 3 XL having starting prices of $799 and $899, respectively, Google definitely has room to go down.

It's expected that the Pixel 3 Lite could cost somewhere in the ballpark of $400 - $500, so while it wouldn't necessarily be a budget phone, it would be a heck of a lot more affordable than its older siblings.