Samsung, OnePlus, and Apple have played their hand, and now it’s time for Google to show what it has on offer. Having bossed the premium smartphone category for the last three years with the Pixel, Pixel 2, and Pixel 3, respectively, Google has added a worthy successor to the famed Pixel family. Concluding months of rumors and leaks, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL have finally been unveiled, and we can’t help being impressed.
Last year, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were the best performing camera in the market, capturing stunning images with a single primary camera sensor. This year, Google has doubled up, packing an additional 16MP telephoto lens. We are yet to see how it performs in the wild, but we’re hopeful of getting astounding results.
Having arguably the best camera in the business is a good enough selling point in itself, but Google isn’t the one to be satisfied so easily. Google has also bumped up the device’s specs in every way conceivable, making sure users get the most refined smartphone experience ever. For the first time ever, Pixel is coming with 6GB of RAM — a 50% boost from last year’s Pixel 3. Pixel 4 also packs a much-improved display, introducing a 90Hz, OLED display.
To top it off, Pixel 4 is revolutionizing the Face Unlock tech with the introduction of Soli — Google’s in-house miniaturized radar. Soli isn’t only bringing the most secure Face Unlock tech ever, it also paves way for “Touchless Interactions,” which will allow you to interact with your Pixel 4 without tapping on the screen.
In terms of color options, you’ll get two — Just Black and Clearly White. A vivid orange is also available but in a limited capacity.
With all the key specs/features out of the way, let’s now focus on raw specs, price, and whether you should be spending your hard-earned money on Google’s latest flagships.
Pixel 4 Specifications
- 5.7-inch, OLED, Full HD+ display
- 90Hz refresh rate and HDR 10+ support
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset
- 6 GB of RAM
- 64/128 GB storage options
- Android 10 out of the box with three guaranteed OS updates
- 12MP primary camera and 16MP telephoto lens
- 8MP selfie camera with 1080P video recording
- Soli radar chip for best-in-class Face Unlock and Motion sense features
- 2800 mAh battery with fast charging support
Pixel 4 XL Specifications
- 6.3-inch, OLED, Quad HD+ display
- 90Hz refresh rate and HDR 10+ support
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset
- 6 GB of RAM
- 64/128 GB storage options
- Android 10 out of the box with three guaranteed OS updates
- 12MP primary camera and 16MP telephoto lens
- 8MP selfie camera with 1080P video recording
- Soli radar chip for best-in-class Face Unlock and Motion sense features
- 3700 mAh battery with fast charging support
Should you buy the Pixel 4/XL?
It’s simply impossible to ignore the outstanding spec-sheet of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. They are arguably Google’s finest smartphones till date and are quite capable of giving every other flagship a run for its money.
However, despite being exceptional devices, it’s hard to ignore their rather steep price tag. Even for enthusiasts, spending around/over $1000 on a smartphone can be a bit of a stretch, so, it’s quite natural to take all the alternatives into account before taking the leap.
In this section, we’ll try to pull all the pros and cons of the Pixel 4/XL and help you decide whether to go all out for Google’s 2019 flagships.
Reasons to buy the Google Pixel 4/XL
- Gorgeous 90hz display
- Best-in-class camera
- Android 10 with three more guaranteed upgrades
- Most secure Face Unlock tech thanks to Soli radar chip
- Impressive specs
Reasons to not buy the Pixel 4/XL
- Soli’s Motion Sense only available in select countries
- Disappointing screen-to-body ratio due to Face Unlock tech/Soli
- More potent options available — OnePlus, Xiaomi
- Pixel 4’s disappointing 2800 mAh battery
Both the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are exceptional devices in their own right and pack plenty of ammunition to satisfy even the most intense users. But in an era where manufacturers are doing their all to price their products as competitively as possible, Google’s pricing might feel a steep to some. Due to Pixel 4’s disappointing battery capacity, Pixel 4 XL seems the only viable option, and we’re afraid there are plenty more lucrative choices at that price point.
