After all the leaks, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are now official. Both come with bigger screens, better cameras, and sadly, higher prices. If you want to get them at a more reasonable price, you could check out Verizon’s offer in the US.

For a limited time, you can buy one Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL through Verizon with monthly device payments for 24 months, and get a Pixel 3 (64GB) for free.

It’s basically a buy one, get one deal for the base model. If you wish to get a better variant, you can use the US$ 799.99 credit to get any other Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL model.

Of course, there’s a catch to these deals. Verizon wants you to add a new line to one of your Pixel 3 phones. Seems like a pretty fair deal, right? Pre-orders are now open through Verizon’s website.

The Pixel 3 phones are available in Clearly White, Just Black, and Not Pink colors. The Pixel 3 starts at US$ 33.33 per month for 24 months on Verizon device payment (US$ 799.99 retail price), while the Pixel 3 XL starts at US$ 38.74 per month for 24 months (US$ 929.99 retail price).

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL Hands-on

Among the number of things that Google announced yesterday was a new phone color that made me jump out of my seat. I freaked out because I heard the word “pink” (it’s a color I undoubtedly love) and having seen the dainty blush color palette Google was working with, I was excited.

That palette though 😍 #madebygoogle #pixel3 pic.twitter.com/aHyRCIBcTx

— Isa Rodriguez (@sisasaid) October 9, 2018

My joy was short lived as I realized the color name, in full, reads “Not Pink.”

So, what’s the deal with this phone? Why would Google call it that? Is the tech company teasing pink-loving girls (like yours truly) the world over?

This is the Pixel 3 in Not Pink.

It has the same specs as the larger Pixel 3 XL.

It looks just about normal from any angle.

Even up close.

(Except for that accent color button in orange that’s actually a great-looking detail)

I’m sure many would argue that it is, in fact, not pink.

Even in brighter, natural light, it doesn’t seem to be the case. At best, it looks nude.

Especially beside an actual pink phone cover, it looks like it lacks the rosy hue.

The magic happens when it’s side by side with the white Pixel 3.

Left: Not Pink, Right: Clearly White

Now, it actually looks pink, sort of.

Left/under: Clearly White, Right/over: Not Pink

Or, at the very least, blush or even millennial pink (which is something I can live with).

But, the plot thickens. There’s an official Pixel 3 case named Pink Moon (note the pink!) and it’s in a color that may be described as a deeper, more intense shade of Not Pink. If that’s what Google considers as something that’s remotely pink, Not Pink can totally pass as a phone with at least a hint of pink.

Clockwise from top: Clearly White Pixel 3, Not Pink Pixel 3, Pink Moon Google case

So, is it pink? Is it Not Pink? Is it another case of the blue or gold dress? Why would Google mess with my brain like this?

One thing’s for sure, though: This phone looks good with pink things.

Like, really good.

Ridiculously good — it’ll match the slew of pink items I actually already own.

There’s nothing I’d love more than a pink Pixel. Now, this is not exactly screaming pink but this non-commitment pink is better than no pink at all. In fact, it’s actually very pretty and is something that those who aren’t pink-crazy will appreciate.

Pink or Not Pink, I’ll take it!

But, I still think it’s pink. Looking @ you, Google.

Yesterday’s Pixel 3 announcement tells us that whether we like it or not, the notch is here to stay. At least for the foreseeable future.

Android Pie has been optimized for the notch, and the larger Pixel 3 XL has a built-in notch. While not as wide as the one on the iPhone XS Max, it is deeper. As one of my tech reviewer friends points out, it’s deep like a bath tub.

But if that notch is not your cup of tea, there’s a hidden way in which you can turn it off.

How to turn off the notch on the Pixel 3 XL:

1. First enable Developer Mode on your device. Dive into Settings > System > Advanced > About Phone.
2. Tap on Build Number seven times. Yes, seven times.    
3. A new Develop Options menu will now appear in the Settings Menu. Dive into Developer Options.
4. Scroll down and look for Display Cutout under the Drawing heading
5. Tick the hide checkbox.

Here’s what the phone looks like without and with the notch.

Unlike other notched phones like the Huawei P20 Pro and OnePlus 6, when you turn off the notch, the status icons move down, so you’re losing a lot of valuable screen real estate in the process — also because the notch is deep.

On the flip side, when turned off, both the forehead and chin are symmetrical. Which do you like better?