Pixel – Appliances catalogue

13 Nov

Google Pixel 6 Review: Don’t Overlook the Cheaper Pixel

November 13, 2021
Posted by Samson

Google Pixel 6

RRP $ 599.00

"The Pixel 6 may be thinner and cheaper than the Pixel 6 Pro, but the software, performance, and even the screen and camera come close enough to make it still alluring."

advantages

Great camera
Screen is colorful and vibrant
Latest Android 12 software
Years of software updates

disadvantage

Flakey connectivity
Quick charger not included

The Pixel 6 Pro is Google's big hitter in its new line of smartphones for 2021, but the Pixel 6's lower price tag – $ 599 instead of $ 899 – makes it a lot more enticing to most people. But now that we know how good the Pixel 6 Pro, which was recognized by Digital Trends' Editors ’Choice, does the cheaper version still make sense given the hardware tradeoffs?

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If you just take a cursory look, the Pixel 6 doesn't differ much from the Pixel 6 Pro, especially when both are face down. Take a closer look and it's obvious what it is as the Pixel 6 has a smaller body section above the camera module compared to the 6 Pro. If the light is right, you'll see that the Pixel 6's camera module doesn't contain a periscope zoom camera either.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Pick up the Pixel 6 and the flat-screen design gives it a more "classic" feel in the hand, and it actually gives it a better grip than the curvy Pixel 6 Pro. I didn't have to juggle the Pixel 6 as much as I did the Pixel 6 Pro, and I generally felt that it was less likely to accidentally drop it. However, the Pixel 6 is made of glass and metal, which makes it still slide on many surfaces. At 8.9 mm thick and 207 grams, it's also quite substantial.

In fact, it's barely smaller than the Pixel 6 Pro – just flatter – and that creates a minor problem. While the Pixel 5 was compact by modern standards, no Pixel 6 phones are slim you. It's the Pixel 5a (if you are in the US or Japan) or opt for a different brand.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The color of the phone in my photos is called Seafoam and the mint tone is really very pretty. I've been using the phone for a few weeks now and it has spent time in and out of pockets and bags but hasn't been treated too badly. I noticed a few superficial scratches on the back of the Gorilla Glass 6, which can be felt with the fingertip, but which are only visible when the light falls properly. Oddly enough, the Pixel 6 Pro didn't collect these markings, despite being made of the same materials.

Pixel 6 Pro (left), Pixel 6 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Pixel 6 Pro (below), Pixel 6 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I would have liked the Pixel 6 to be smaller to really be a clearer choice over the Pixel 6 Pro, but otherwise the design is a winner. It's got character and visual appeal, the body-wide camera module looks cool and the colors are inspired, silly names aside. This time around, it's a very different and welcome approach compared to Google's drab designs on previous Pixels.

screen

The other crucial design aspect of the Pixel 6 is its screen, which is flat compared to the curved Pixel 6 Pro. It measures 6.4 inches and has an aspect ratio of 20: 9 and a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It supports HDR and has an always-on screen. This is a lower spec than the 6 Pro, but in reality the two aren't that different.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Interestingly, before we dive into that, it doesn't seem to suffer from the same issues that I encountered with the Pixel 6 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling is smoother in the apps, which was problematic on the Pixel 6 Pro at 120 Hz, although perhaps not as smoothly as on other phones. It still doesn't feel quite right, but it is significantly better than the Pixel 6 Pro.

The refresh rate issues were the only flaw against the Pixel 6 Pro's screen, which is otherwise glorious. So can the Pixel 6's lower screen keep up? Due to the lower resolution, it is of course not that razor-sharp, but you have to look for the difference. Watching videos reveals that it's a tiny bit cooler than the deliciously natural and warm Pixel 6 Pro screen, but it takes a few minutes of careful study to see the difference.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The screen is really nice and a highlight of the Pixel 6, but it's not flawless. It disappoints with the bezels and overall flatness. There will be those who don't mind the flat screen, but to me (along with the 20: 9 aspect ratio) it looks cheap and aged, and the bezels are quite large, especially on the chin. The automatic brightness can be dull, and the overall brightness is not that high either. I can still see it in sunlight (well, most pathetic sunlight in the UK) but it requires maximum brightness which makes me question its ability when I go to a place with real sun.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The in-display fingerprint sensor is more reliable and slightly more accurate than that of the Pixel 6 Pro. I didn't have to re-enroll my fingerprint to make it work more consistently, and I was also able to use the PIN less. Google says that improved security measures make using the sensor slower than some others, but I've had different experiences on both phones so I'm not sure if this is really the case. For me, the Pixel 6's fingerprint sensor is better to use and live with every day than the Pixel 6 Pro's.

camera

If you want the best camera from Google, you have to buy the Pixel 6 Pro, but the Pixel 6 still has the same main camera with 50 megapixels, f / 1.85 aperture and 12 MP wide-angle camera with a 114-degree field of view. It does not have a 48 MP telephoto zoom camera. The selfie camera is also different, with the Pixel 6 getting by with an 8MP camera with fixed focus in the hole punch.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

With the same main camera, you'd expect the photos to be the same between the two phones, but there are some unexpected differences. No better or worse, just a slight change in shade and balance – and not always. In all of my comparisons, however, it was the Pixel 6 Pro that took the better photos, suggesting that there is more to it than just changes in light, angle, or surroundings. Check out the gallery below to see what I mean.

However, there is nothing to worry about as the main camera on the Pixel 6 is superb. You can find more details on this and the wide-angle camera in our Pixel 6 Pro review. The Pixel 6 has the same Action Pan and Long Exposure camera modes as the Pixel 6 Pro, and you can use Magic Eraser in Google Photos too. The lower price means a telecamera is not included; Instead, Google offers up to 7x digital zoom. It's decent for a digital zoom, but the 6 Pro's optical telephoto camera is of better quality, which makes it more versatile.

How about the selfie camera? Despite the technical differences between them, both the 6 and 6 Pro take decent and fairly similar-looking selfies, with the Pixel 6 producing slightly warmer skin tones and higher contrast in general, but both offering a similar level of detail. I prefer the lighter image and wider field of view of the Pixel 6 Pro, but there's little in the Pixel 6's selfie that couldn't be fixed with a filter. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro's Real Tone feature enhances the way photos of people with darker skin are exposed and balanced, something no other phone camera can claim.

Yes, the Pixel 6 Pro is the smartphone you should buy if you're really into photography, but if you're just looking for a capable camera for everyday snapshots, the Pixel 6 will be more than enough. What is impressive is how precisely and effortlessly great photos are captured that are seldom disappointing, regardless of the situation or time of day. I also compared the Pixel 6 Pro's camera to the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, so check out how good the camera is.

software

The Pixel 6 has Android 12 and is as up-to-date as Android phones. I speak at length about the software experience in the Pixel 6 Pro review, and I suggest that you look there for insights into the wonderful material you are designing. What I'm going to add here is how much I like the always-on screen, which is very helpful in showing a big clock and notification details, as well as the overall speed of the software.

It's very fast throughout, but it's the bigger buttons, clearer menus, and Google Assistant integration that help you hone your workflow. I even got used to telling Assistant to turn off the phone instead of messing around with the repurposed power button. There are a couple of keyboard shortcuts that speed things up, including a double press of the power button to wake up the camera from the lock screen and Quick Tap where a tap on the back can activate a selected feature. I've used it to bring up Google Assistant accurately and conveniently.

Also of particular note is the Google Assistant Typing, which lets you speak pretty much any message out loud anywhere in the operating system and the phone understands it. You can even send messages with your voice, which is completely hands-free. It's very accurate and very fast, which makes it useful every day.

The Pixel 6 has Android 12 and is as up-to-date as Android phones.

Any Problems? The setup process took a couple of tries to get right, a very unusual process, and when I finally got to Android 12, the performance wasn't entirely right for the first day or so. There were stutters and some errors when opening the app, but everything soon cleared up and I haven't had any problems since then. However, I am also aware that I may have been lucky with my general lack of issues with the Pixel 6. I've received emails and heard anecdotal pointers from people about bugs and other issues that make the Pixel experience less sophisticated than it seems appropriate. This inconsistency is worrying but difficult to quantify, although I seem to have heard more about Pixel 6 software bugs than any other recent version of the phone.

Performance and connectivity

The Pixel 6 contains Google's Tensor processor, plus 8 GB or RAM, which is less than the 12 GB in the Pixel 6 Pro. In everyday use, I didn't notice any difference in speed or when switching between apps, as I got directly from the Pixel 6 Pro to the Pixel 6 even after an hour of playtime.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Much more frustrating is that my phone is plagued with connectivity issues. It's the same issues I had with the Pixel 6 Pro where it doesn't seem to switch between Wi-Fi, 4G, or 5G very effectively. A signal is displayed but the data connection is not working and often even a reboot won't fix it. It's frustrating, and while it seems to get better on its own, I wanted to toss it across the room if it wasn't working.

I use the UK version of the Pixel 6 that connects to a sub-6 5G network, but a version with a mmWave 5G connection is also available in the US. A 5G connection is a necessary addition to a phone as it increases its lifespan, but since coverage is still sparse, you are unlikely to benefit from it every day.

battery

Google says it can expect the 4614 mAh battery in the Pixel 6 to be "beyond 24 hours," and that's about right. If I use the phone normally – emails, messages, calls, photos, and social networks – mostly over WiFi with a little 4G and turn it off overnight, it easily lasts for two full days. I regularly ended the day with about 60% battery remaining after about three hours of screen time.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Pixel 6 is equipped with wireless charging according to the Qi standard and a 30 watt fast charging option. The charger included in the box doesn't support the fastest charging speeds, so you'll need to buy a 30W USB PD 3.0 charger to get it and even then it falls short of the competition. This is an unfortunate omission as most other manufacturers include wired fast charging for midrange devices as well. WarpCharge from OnePlus, for example, is part of the Nord 2.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 6 is Now availableeven if it can get tight. It costs $ 599 in the US or £ 599 in the UK.

Our opinion

If the Pixel 6 had been the same overall size as the Pixel 5, it would have impressed me even more than it was. Since it doesn't, all of the design changes (a flat panel display and fewer curves) emphasize that this is just the cheaper, lower-tier version of a better phone. It's not a phone that suits someone with different preferences, just one that appeals to a different wallet. That's okay, but it's also a wasted opportunity. Otherwise, if you want a smaller Google phone, you have the Pixel 5a, but again only in the US and Japan.

If you buy the cheaper Pixel 6 instead of the Pixel 6 Pro, you are actually missing out on the better camera. Otherwise, I've found that the software and performance are essentially the same, issues and everything. The battery life is decent at up to two days, plus it has all the durability and software updates you need for a permanent purchase. The screen may have different specs, but most of the time you won't notice the difference in resolution or refresh rate. Fortunately and perhaps bizarre, the fingerprint sensor somehow manages to be better than that of the 6 Pro.

The Pixel 6 Pro's higher price tag is reflected in its camera, design, and really nice screen. If both of these are within your budget and you're unsure which one to buy, we always recommend the Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6 doesn't lag that far if you're not serious about the camera, however, and at $ 599, it's great value for money. It's a shame that it's not much more compact than its more expensive brother.

Is there a better alternative?

For roughly the same price as the Google Pixel 6, you can choose the Samsung Galaxy S21, the OnePlus 9, or the Galaxy A52 5G. All of them have important advantages, including a high refresh rate screen, quick security methods, quick charging, and good cameras. All three phones are good value for money, even the Galaxy S21, which is available at a lower price than when it launched, but none can rival the Pixel 6's camera.

If you're in the UK, consider the OnePlus Nord 2 if you're looking to spend a little less, and take a look at the Realme GT too. Both have a great design, and the Nord 2 has a fast charge function, while the Realme GT has the top processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.

How long it will take?

Aside from the standard one-year warranty, Google's software commitment means the Pixel 6 will receive critical Android updates through October 2024 and security updates through October 2026. This means that if you buy the Pixel 6 (or Pixel 6 Pro) you will get updates longer than any other currently available Android smartphone.

The phone is IP68 waterproof, Gorilla Glass Victus above the screen and Gorilla Glass 6 on the back. The chassis is made of metal. Despite the overall sturdiness these features offer, we recommend a case as the phone is quite slippery and has already suffered minor scratches on the back. If you buy the Pixel 6, you shouldn't have to think about upgrading for the next three years.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Unless you prioritize the camera or a curved screen, the Pixel 6 does almost everything the Pixel 6 Pro does for less.

Editor's recommendations

09 Nov

Blog

Google Pixel 6 Pro Review: A Fantastic New Era Begins

November 9, 2021
Posted by Samson

Google Pixel 6 Pro

RRP $ 899.00

"The Pixel 6 Pro has the best camera on a smartphone today, a vibrant screen, the latest and greatest-looking version of Android installed, and enough power and long-term support to keep you going for years."

advantages

Incredible camera
Fun camera features and editing tools
Vivid, colorful screen
Android 12
Long software support

disadvantage

Unreliable fingerprint sensor in the display
Cellular connection fluctuates in some situations
120 Hz screen may shake

the Pixel 6 Pro is leading Google's Pixel smartphone lineup in an exciting and much-needed new direction. In the third generation, Pixels had become a boring mid-range smartphone for geeks and photographers. The Pixel 6 Pro, on the other hand, is a flagship with an eye-catching design and new technology inside. Plus, it has a fantastic camera, the latest software, and a price that won't hit your bank account too hard.

Does this make the Pixel 6 Pro a phone for everyone that can really compete with the best from Apple and Samsung? Yes, but not entirely either.

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What a fantastic looking smartphone the Pixel 6 Pro is, with its fashionable color scheme, high quality materials and feel, and unique style that makes it impossible to confuse with anything else. After a stream of boring, purely functional mobile devices, Google gave the Pixel 6 Pro a design that matches its clean and beautiful software. It's up there with the best looking phones released this year.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

All done? Nothing but praise? Well no The Pixel 6 Pro is massive and almost identical to the other monster phone of 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. At 8.9mm thick, it's not slim either, and its 210g weight means you'll always have it in your pocket. It is far from suitable for one-handed operation. The metal and shiny glass don't offer much grip either. So if you don't hold onto it there is a risk of a major, expensive accident.

Even if you do not hold the phone in your hand, it does not eliminate the risk of disaster as the phone has a tendency to slide around on many surfaces due to its slippery nature. A bag is recommended to keep it safe, and I also made sure that it is shielded on surfaces as the large camera module on the back can act as an anchor. The single, raised module strip extends over the entire back and, in the Sorta Sunny version, is framed with black glass and provided with gold decorative stripes in the adjacent pictures. This edge is slightly raised and can prevent the glass and lens from being scratched.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

That the Pixel 6 Pro is big and slippery isn't unique, but it's a shame the non-Pro Pixel 6 isn't much smaller or less likely to break for freedom since it's made from the same materials. Unfortunately, the similarity in size means that no Pixel 6 phone is ideal for someone who wants a small Google phone. In the past few weeks with the Pixel 6 Pro, I've finally adjusted to the size and weight of the phone, along with the quirk that the power button is too high on the case. If you're coming from a smaller phone, be prepared for the fact that for the first few days the phone won't feel as natural as you might hope it will.

screen

On the Pixel 6 Pro, you'll see a beautiful 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with an aspect ratio of 19.5: 9, resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, and refresh rate of 120 Hz, covered with curved Gorilla Glass Victus . This is where it differs from the Pixel 6, which has a smaller, flat screen with a lower resolution and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. The curve is subtle and doesn't bend much of the screen over the sides of the phone and is mostly taken up by noticeable bezels.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's incredibly bright with excellent viewing angles, and you can watch videos with the phone flat on the table without losing quality or color. The viewing experience comes extremely close to that of the iPhone 13 Pro, with only a slight decrease in contrast in a direct comparison. Watching the Carfection video on the Ferrari 250 SWB reveals sublime colors and razor sharpness. The Pixel 6 Pro is a powerhouse for video playback.

The stereo speakers are intelligently placed, with the speaker at the bottom of the phone being accompanied by the main speaker at the top of the screen. Although the sound is pushed forward, it still has a wide sound stage. It's loud but the bass is missing, although the immersion from the clever placement of the speakers still makes the Pixel 6 Pro sound great in almost all situations.

The Pixel 6 Pro is a powerhouse for video playback.

All good so far but there are two serious screen issues that really frustrated me. The first is the in-display fingerprint sensor, which is junk. The problem is that it's slow and unreliable. I've re-registered my pressure several times and it doesn't change the situation. I've unlocked the Pixel 6 Pro with my PIN code more than any other phone, and there's no face unlock to bypass the pesky fingerprint sensor. I got around it a bit with Android's Smart Lock feature, which keeps the phone unlocked when it's in my pocket or when I'm at home. However, it's not particularly reliable either.

One-handed mode Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Second, there's the 120Hz refresh rate. It's switchable between 60Hz and 120Hz instead of being dynamic like the Galaxy S21 Ultra's screen, and while much of the software is very fluid, there are apps that just aren't . Twitter is a great example as scrolling through my feed is like wading through mud compared to the iPhone 13 Pro. I'm pretty sure this is a screen refresh issue because when I manually force a 60Hz rate it scrolls freely, albeit with more blur. High refresh rate screens reduce eye strain and make website viewing and content scrolling more comfortable. At the moment, this is not always the case with the Pixel 6 Pro.

Both issues are at odds with the Pixel 6 Pro's polished exterior design, and not what you'd expect from a new high-end flagship from a company the size of Google. The refresh rate inconsistency could be fixed with a software update, and the fingerprint sensor unreliability could be improved in the same way. For now, however, both are pretty significant drawbacks that set the Pixel 6 Pro apart from its more expensive competitors.

camera

You get a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The Pixel 6 Pro also uses Laser Detect autofocus, optical image stabilization on the main and telecamera, and records up to 4K videos at 60 frames per second (fps). There's also an 11-megapixel selfie camera in a hole-punch cutout at the top center of the screen.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I've already compared the Pixel 6 Pro's camera directly to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 13 Pro, and it beat those two established camera superstars. Everything you've heard about the Pixel 6 Pro's camera is true – it really is that good. Stills are full of life, colors and details. I haven't yet found a real situation where a photo is being taken that I need to edit a lot, if at all, before considering sharing, and the range of cameras offers versatility for me to have fun and get creative with .

It's the simplicity with which you can snap stunning photos that makes it so exciting. No matter whether night or day – whether the subject is moving or resting or near or far – the 6 Pro does everything for you. You just press a button and get a brilliant picture.

2.
Wide angle
3.
Portrait mode
4th
Pixel 6 Pro
5.
Pixel 6 Pro
7th
Pixel 6 Pro
8th.
Pixel 6 Pro
10.
Pixel 6 Pro
11.
Pixel 6 Pro
12th
4x optical zoom
13th
20x digital zoom
16.
Pixel 6 Pro
17th
Pixel 6 Pro

There are several exclusive pixel camera modes to try out. Action Pan lets you take photos with a blurry background motion effect, which is great for action shots of cars and other fast-moving things. You just take a photo as usual and Google's software will add the speed effect. Long exposure mode does the same thing and you don't have to track the subject, but I haven't found that many situations where it works compared to Action Pan mode.

Everything you've heard about the Pixel 6 Pro's camera is true – it really is that good.

Found in Google Photos, Magic Eraser is only available on the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro, and it works by digitally removing unwanted things from your photo. It's effective and easy to use, and with a few swipes, random people and objects will disappear from the background of your photos. It even works with old photos and photos that weren't taken with the Pixel 6 Pro. It's part of Google Photo's extensive photo editing suite that goes way beyond optimizing HDR or Saturation. You can even change the look of the sky in your photo with the touch of a button.

Anything that isn't great? The large sensor makes close-ups difficult, and there is no macro mode to make up for this. I've also seen some weird distortion from the main camera where objects appear to be a different shape than they actually are. Aside from that, you get fun photo and video modes, transformative editing tools, and a camera that will capture amazing photos regardless of your skills and the environment. The Pixel 6 Pro's camera is currently the best you can get on a smartphone.

Software and performance

The Pixel 6 Pro uses Google's new custom tensor processor, paired here with 12GB of RAM. There is a choice of 128 GB or 256 GB of storage space. I used the phone normally, spent time playing Asphalt 9: Legends, and took nearly 500 photos over a couple of weeks. Through all of that, the phone was a top performer. I didn't notice any difference with the Tensor-powered Pixel 6 Pro versus a phone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor when it comes to general everyday life.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Google used the Pixel 6 phones to launch Android 12. The biggest difference that you will notice with any other Android phone is the material you design. It makes Android cleaner than ever and a little more customizable too, as the accent colors can be set anywhere to match your wallpaper. There are some fairly new widgets of varying uses, with the YouTube Music widget being the most helpful to me and the new clock widgets being the most appealing.

The shortcut keys on the notification shade are bigger, easier to press and have new functions. I can't say they made a significant difference in my daily use, but they are definitely pretty to look at. I like the "bounce" built into vertically scrolling pages in the OS, but the one-handed mode isn't very good as you can't scroll through the OS and instead use a single app. It's not very helpful with a phone this big. I also like the Google Assistant's voice typing mode, which works fully in Messages and WhatsApp, so you can type and send messages hands-free. It's accurate and fast – I use it most days.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The tensor chip is supposed to improve the translation of other languages on the device and is definitely faster than previous versions that I used on older Pixel phones. Live Caption adds text captions to videos in a few other languages including Japanese. While watching one of AKB48's recent YouTube videos, Yuki Kashiwagi, the translation was good enough to understand what was going on, but it takes a while to get started. It will still make mistakes, especially if the conversation is lively, and will completely misunderstand what is being said, but overall it works well and is fast enough to keep up.

Although I've read some comments online about Android 12 having a lot of bugs, nothing was noticed during my time with the phone, at least not in terms of general usage. It is running all of the apps I have installed and has not crashed or done anything that irritates my daily chores. However, I've noticed that the assistant doesn't always give instructions to Google Home and sometimes it responds to the same commands. For example, Assistant stopped playing a YouTube video when I asked Home to stop playing a radio station.

I find Android 12 comfortable and quick to use, but there is a small learning curve. Google doesn't keep popping up cool features after reading the intro guide. The helpful pixel introductory cards that pop up the first time you set up your phone and lead you to notable new features will eventually wear off and you'll have to reach into the settings menu to activate them. It's a shame because you can be missing out if you don't take the time to really learn how to get the most out of Android 12.

Battery and connectivity

Equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery that charges to 50% in 30 minutes with a USB PD 3.0 charger and Qi wireless charging, Google says the Pixel 6 Pro will last around 24 hours before it does needs to be charged. After testing, I expect the Pixel 6 Pro to last at least as long as promised, and I was pretty impressed with the battery life given the size and specs of the screen and the 120Hz always-on refresh rate.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

For example, on a single day with three hours of GPS use, a hundred photos, apps open, social networks, and a few other simple tasks, the battery still had around 30% left late in the evening. With light to moderate daily use, it was rare for the battery to drop below 50% by midnight. However, it took the phone about two days and two charges to adjust to my usage before the battery started working much harder. After this adjustment phase was over, the battery life improved significantly.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This is a 5G smartphone that connects to either sub-6 or mmWave networks depending on the version purchased. I am testing the phone in the UK on the 4G and sub 6-5G EE network. I have found that connectivity can be flaky and on several occasions a data connection has not been maintained despite showing a 4G or 5G connection. I've noticed that this is especially the case after driving a car, which may indicate that it is struggling to switch between cell towers and possibly 3G, 4G, and 5G as well. It isn't all the time and can only happen in areas with poor coverage, but there is something to be aware of.

After this adjustment phase was over, the battery life improved significantly.

Otherwise, the call quality is very good, with clear voices and a loud speaker (although finding the sweetspot on the ear is a bit awkward). I also had no issues connecting bluetooth earbuds or streaming YouTube to my TV.

Price and availability

the Pixel 6 Pro starts at $ 899 and is available now through Google's own online store and various networks. In the UK, the Pixel 6 Pro starts at £ 849. However, be prepared to wait if you order one now as demand is high and supply is low.

Our opinion

The only thing stopping the Google Pixel 6 Pro from being a must-have is the in-display fingerprint sensor. It's the only technical feature that lets the whole thing down, and since Face Unlock can't be used instead, getting into the phone takes longer than any other top smartphone currently available. It's a real shame because once inside it's a great experience.

Android 12 looks great, the screen is colorful and vibrant, and the camera is the best I've used on any phone in a while. That you have to resort to hacky workarounds to unlock your phone and gain access to these wonderful things borders on cruelty. Aside from the exaggeration, I was hoping that after the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 Ultra debacle, we had exceeded the level that makes security on smartphones annoying, but unfortunately not. Fortunately, the camera makes up for it. The last camera that I liked as much as the Pixel 6 Pro was on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and I think the photos on the 6 Pro are better than those of the S21 Ultra in many ways.

The many advantages of the Pixel 6 Pro mean I've learned to live with the inadequacy of the fingerprint sensor and other relatively minor annoyances, and the price is extremely competitive. even. If I were told it was $ 1,000, I wouldn't think of questioning its worth. It hits 8/10 here, and that will climb to 9/10 if the screen issues are fixed and connectivity improved in an update, but that number may not really reflect how good the rest of the Pixel 6 Pro is, which is why it is is associated with an Editor's Choice Award.

The Pixel 6 Pro is hands down the best Google phone in the past few years, and it's so powerful and well supported that it will last for years.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want the best camera phone available, our tests show that the Pixel 6 Pro is the right phone right now, although the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro are still superb and have some unique features that set them apart from others . These two devices are the main competitors of the Pixel 6 Pro, and we appreciate the feature set and beautiful screen of the S21 Ultra, as well as the performance, capability, and excellent software of the iPhone 13 Pro. You won't go wrong with any of these three phones.

How long it will take?

The Pixel 6 Pro's screen is covered with Gorilla Glass Victus, the back is covered with Gorilla Glass 6, and the phone is IP68 water and dust resistant so it can withstand harsh treatment. However, due to the slippery case, I still recommend putting it in a suitcase.

Google promises major Android software updates for the Pixel 6 Pro by October 2024 and security updates by October 2026. This is one of the longest update schedules on any Android phone, and even surpasses Samsung's generous four years of security updates on its latest Galaxy Cell phones. The Google Pixel 6 Pro will easily last three years before you have to consider upgrading, but for many it could easily take five years.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The fingerprint sensor will annoy you, but the camera and performance are so good, and the price is so cheap, that you will overlook it.

Editor's recommendations

18 Aug

Blog

Google Pixel 5a 5G Review: A Slight but Worthwhile Upgrade

August 18, 2021
Posted by Samson

Google Pixel 5a 5G

RRP $ 449.00

"The Pixel 5a continues to live up to its camera expectations and offers smooth performance, expressive photos and lowlight functions at an affordable price."

advantages

Excellent camera performance
Smooth, clean software
IP67 water and dust resistance
Affordable price for its skills

disadvantage

Standard, a bit boring design
No high refresh display

Google's Pixel 5a 5G was the subject of so many leaks at the time that there are no surprises here – but it never had to be. The Pixel A series has always been cheaper, scaled-down versions of Google's main phones while offering the same high quality camera hardware and software performance. This has not changed with the Google Pixel 5a either.

In terms of hardware, it's a step up from the Google Pixel 4a 5G, with a larger battery and IP67 water and dust resistance. Conversely, it leaves out some of the premium features you get on the Pixel 5, such as the increased RAM and high-resolution 90Hz display. Overall, it continues to deliver exactly what users of the Google Pixel A series want: clean software, a strong camera and no major disadvantages.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

Design and display

The design of the Pixel 5a 5G is largely unchanged from its predecessor, the 4a 5G, and borders on boredom. It's a standard candy bar design with sleek black plastic, rounded sides, and a screen with narrow bezels. The hole punch selfie camera is located at the top right, and a fast-reacting fingerprint sensor is located on the back. There is a 3.5mm audio jack on top, just like the 4a 5G.

The big change compared to the previous model is not visible, but a significant one. They now have IP67 water and dust resistance, which means the Pixel 5a can withstand full immersion in water, splashes, and rain, as well as a day at the beach. That was missing from previous generations and it is unusual to find even mid-range phones these days that are not waterproof. So it's nice to see that this durability issue has been fixed.

The screen is largely unchanged. It's a 6.34-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2400 x 1080. That's a slight change from the 6.2-inch screen on the 4a 5G, which gives you an aspect ratio of 20: 9 while the resolution and pixel density remain the same at 413 pixels per inch (ppi). The viewing angles are great both indoors and outdoors, with high maximum brightness. Videos, games, and text look crisp and I didn't notice any pixelation while using it.

The only thing I missed was the Pixel 5's high-resolution 90Hz screen, which allows for smoother scrolling, animations, and transitions. After you get used to the high-resolution 90Hz screen on the Pixel 5 and 120Hz Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, it is difficult to go back to a normal 60Hz refresh rate.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

Performance and battery

The Pixel 5a 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. This is the same configuration as the Pixel 4a 5G and the same chipset as the Google Pixel 5, so I won't go into too much detail on performance. Everything is smooth enough for everyday use with no noticeable app slowdowns.

It also handles demanding games like Asphalt 9 and Genshin Impact without chugging, although the lack of the high-refresh panel is noticeable. Even so, it will get the job done with no major problems. There's nothing more to say about that.

Battery life is a big step up from the Pixel 4a 5G. With a 4,680 mAh cell, it's one of the more powerful batteries I've seen on a mid-range phone, and significantly more durable than the 3885 mAh cell on the Pixel 4a 5G. I used an average of one and a half to two days of regular use before charging, with normal daily use consisting of surfing, tweeting, gaming, and photography. There's no wireless charging, but the included adapter gives you 18 watts of fast wired charging.

It will get the job done with no major problems.

Over time, the phone's adaptive battery feature also learns your app usage and habits. That means it finds out which apps you use the most and what times you use them (for me it's Twitter and Reddit 24/7), and it makes sure that apps you don't use often aren't Waste of energy in the background. Over time, this feature should be able to learn your habits and optimize performance better to get more juice out.

A powerful camera

Camera features are why you're here for the Pixel 5a 5G and the phone doesn't disappoint in that regard. On paper, the hardware is identical to the Pixel 4a 5G. The main sensor is a 12.2 megapixel (MP) camera with a 16 MP ultrawide camera with a 117 degree field of view. The 8MP front camera works perfectly well for selfies and videos. But it's Google's software chops that really make the sensors glow.

In good lighting, the main sensor takes excellent pictures with lots of detail, without noise or blurring. Despite a brutally bright and sunny day that can often hide the automatic exposure of smaller phones, all the shots I took while walking in the park turned out to be beautiful. The colors were accurate, vivid without being oversaturated, and the greens stood out particularly well in the contrast between sunlight and shadow.

Taking pictures with the ultra-wide 16MP camera gives you a much larger field of view of 117 degrees. It's marked 0.6x in your camera app and allows you to capture a lot more of your surroundings and background. It's useful for landscape photography, and I enjoyed using it to capture the entire perimeter of the fountain and pond in the park.

But it's Google's software chops that really make the sensors glow.

There are some tradeoffs with the ultrawide camera. While the barrel distortion is not significant, some of the finer details in the recording are lost. Zooming in on leaves and branches reveals more artifacts and debris than if you were just shooting with the standard 12.2 MP sensor. And it is also worth noting that there is no telesensor. There is a 2x zoom option in the camera app, but it is a digital zoom, not an optical one, so there is a corresponding loss of quality there as well.

Unsurprisingly, lowlight photography is another of the Pixel 5a's strengths. On a cloudy day in my kitchen, the phone automatically activated Night Sight to capture the colors of the slowly ripening banana and the pattern of the granite tabletop behind it. You can also enable night vision in portrait mode, which gives you access to a variety of powerful onboard editing options to control things like background blur and color pop, as well as enable black and white shooting.

Among the other features included, you also get astrophotography, which, like the Pixel 5, lets you take vivid shots of the night sky. For video recording, the phone can process 1080p and 4K at 60 frames per second. The capture of people kayaking in the lake was smooth, with minimal jerking or autofocus panning issues. I was even able to track an airplane flying overhead and take several clear shots.

Software and connectivity

The Pixel 5a is running the latest version of Android 11. It's Google's clean version of Android that most people are probably familiar with. The 5a is guaranteed to receive operating system and security updates for three years, so you are sure to receive the upcoming Android 12.

In terms of unique features, there are various smarts and integrations from the Google Assistant. You can identify songs, you can put the Google Assistant on hold for a call using the "Hold for me" feature in your phone app, view calls and identify songs. It also has a built-in recorder that can automatically create transcripts, which I found particularly useful for recording interviews and referencing quotes.

In terms of connectivity, the Pixel 5a 5G supports Sub-6 5G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC. I've tested mine on T-Mobile, but it's compatible with all the major US carriers, Japanese operator SoftBank, and Google's Project Fi.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 5a 5G will only be available in the US and Japan. In the US, it will be available from the Google Store and Google Fi for $ 449 or through a subscription program for $ 15 per month. In Japan, it will also be available from the Google Store for 51,700 yen.

Our opinion

The Google Pixel 5a doesn't make promises it can't deliver. It's not a generational leap from the Pixel 4a 5G – the differences are pretty minor at best – but it does improve in key areas like waterproofness and battery life. Camera performance continues to be as expected, software is clean, and performance is smooth, so you get a great mid-range phone at a reasonable price.

Is there a better alternative?

If you already own the Google Pixel 4a 5G, the differences are in the IP67 sealing and improved battery life, which isn't worth the upgrade. On the other hand, if you have an older Pixel 4a, you'll also benefit from the faster processor, 5G connectivity, bigger screen, and two rear cameras, making the investment a much more worthwhile investment.

On the high end, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE costs around $ 100 to $ 150 more on average, but it gives you a crisp 120Hz screen, triple rear camera array, wireless charging, and much more powerful processors and specs. There is currently a shortage of other compelling mid-range phone options in the US alongside the non-5G iPhone SE, but there is no shortage of competitive options like the OnePlus Nord 2 5G in the international market.

One last thing to keep in mind is that Google has already announced the existence of the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro that use the new Tensor processor. So if you're willing to wait another year, we expect a future unconfirmed Pixel 6a to have a version of the same new chipset.

How long it will take?

The Google Pixel 5a 5G comes with a one-year warranty as standard, but you can expect it to last a lot longer. Although it shares the same Snapdragon 765G processor, it is guaranteed to receive operating system and security updates for three years to keep it feeling new. It also has IP67 water and dust resistance, which gives it more durability than previous generations.

Should you buy one?

Yes. As a mid-range phone with a great camera, clean software, long-lasting battery, and water resistance, the Pixel 5a doesn't have many comparable competitors. However, if you already own a Pixel 4a 5G, the difference isn't big enough to be worth the upgrade.

Editor's recommendations

24 Oct

Blog

Google Pixel 5 Review: Google’s Best in a Compact Package

October 24, 2020
Posted by Samson

Google Pixel 5 Review: Google's Best Technology Grouped for Simplicity

"The Pixel 5 is the best of Google's software and hardware capabilities. It is packaged in a compact, lightweight, but slightly dull-looking body."

Compact and light
Detailed 90Hz screen
High performance camera
Two days of battery life

Boring design
I miss that weird Google feature

I'm all for getting rid of gimmicks on smartphones, firstly to lower the price, and secondly because not everyone uses these "functions" very often. So I was pretty excited about that Pixel 5which focuses on the camera, battery life, software, and most importantly this year, price.

I've been using the Pixel 5 for a while and the frustrating thing is that Google has gone a little too far in their normalization efforts. Gone are the quirks that made old Pixels warm, and while the camera is still a winner, it hasn't advanced the game as much as Pixel 4. I'm a bit ahead here, so let's get into the details.

Hardware and design

Google has never been one to give the Pixel a wild design, but it's very good at making a reasonably sized phone and the Pixel 5 is spot on. The metal body is welcome as it is warm to the touch, not covered with fingerprints, and should also be durable. The nicely rounded sides make it easy to grab and hold, and the 8mm overall size and thickness – similar to other well-proportioned phones like the iPhone 11 Pro – is spot on. At just 151 grams, it's also surprisingly light.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

All of this makes it very easy to live with, and the Pixel 5 will appeal to anyone who thinks many recently released phones are too big. Most competing Android phones are much larger, and only the iPhone 11 Pro comes close to the Pixel 5's perfectly judged dimensions. By removing some of the quirky features from previous Pixel phones, Google decided on a phone that was sized just right. And with a slightly larger screen than the Pixel 4, you'll never feel overwhelmed while watching videos or playing games.

However, it's impossible to be delighted with the way the Pixel 5 looks, especially when you buy the black one. It's an understatement to the point of invisibility and doesn't really have the all-important premium air. The fingerprint sensor is a good example of this. It's on the back rather than under the screen, so it works very well, but it also ages the design of the device. It's annoying that it isn't backed up with a secure face-unlocking system like the Pixel 4 did. There's actually no face unlock at all.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The side buttons are made of metal but feel just as clicky as the plastic buttons on the Pixel 4a, which is almost half the price. That's great for the Pixel 4a, but not so good for the Pixel 5. There really isn't much else to say about the design. This is an important indication that Google's simplification efforts have gone too far. Without a fun experimental Google feature on board, like the Pixel 4's squeezable sides, the Pixel 5 is a bit bland on the surface. Your best bet is to look for the Sorta Sage color (also known as green) which gives the phone some character.

Screen and audio

The 6-inch OLED screen has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2340 x 1080, is covered with Gorilla Glass 6 and supports HDR10 +. It's bigger than the Pixel 4 and 4a screens, but not as big as the Pixel 4 XL or 4a 5G. Google's decision to remove the sensors required for Soli gesture controls and infrared face unlocking means that the large bezels of Pixel 4 have disappeared, resulting in minimal bezels of a uniform size for Pixel 5. The selfie camera is located in a hole cutout.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you've never used a 90Hz refresh rate phone, it's time to pamper yourself. It's definitely more easy on the eyes than a phone with a 60Hz screen, which leads to less fatigue. Combined with the slickness of Android 11, it makes scrolling through Twitter, Chrome, and other apps very enjoyable.

It's a beauty too. It's bright and detailed, but cooler than the Galaxy S20 FE and with less saturation. Carfection's Aston Martin Vantage Roadster test highlights these differences: The silver car looks significantly more silver on the Pixel than on the Samsung phone, while the blue sky is more pronounced on the Galaxy phone. It's similar with the OnePlus 8T, but contrast the Pixel 5 with the cheaper Pixel 4a and the performance is barely distinguishable.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The speakers are decent, but they lack a bit in both volume and bass, and they can't compete with the rounded, deeper sound of the OnePlus 8T and Galaxy S20 FE. Most importantly, the Pixel 5's screen, while attractive, is no better than the competition. Since the speakers are a bit weak, the OnePlus 8T and Galaxy S20 FE offer a better video experience.

Cameras

The main camera on the Pixel 5 is the same 12.2-megapixel, f / 1.7-aperture, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), and optical image stabilization (OIS) camera found on the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4. One second, the wide-angle camera with an aperture of 16 MP f / 2.2 connects it to the Pixel 5, and it can also be found with the Pixel 4a 5G, but the Pixel 5 doesn't have the telephoto camera of the Pixel 4 – one Switch that Pixel fans asked for last year.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The physical cameras are only part of the story, and Google's computer photography is the star. According to Google, the software for the new phone has been seriously updated so that it can use the same sensor as before. There are a few new features, including Night Sight portraits and new portrait editing features.

google pixel 5 review original portrait "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-original-portrait-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 Original Pixel 5 portrait image

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google pixel 5 review edited portrait "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-edited-portrait-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 Pixel 5 color edited portrait image

google pixel 5 review blur portrait edit "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-blur-edit-portrait- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAA Pixel 5 portrait image that has been blurred

Let's talk about this first as this is a good demonstration of Google's software capabilities. Portraits can be edited extensively. You can adjust the background blur, remove the background color, and convert the entire image to black and white. This is done with the push of a button, and you can also fine-tune the blur, depth, and color. All of this works whether you're taking portraits with the rear or front camera. There is a special mode to adjust the light source with portrait selfies. See above for examples of what is possible. It's really fun, very effective, and quite easy to use.

That generally sums up the Pixel 5's camera very well. It's really a great point-and-shoot process as you can be sure that no matter the setting or conditions, a great photo will be captured. That simplicity and ability is addicting and fun to snap a lot of pictures just to see what you can get. The wide angle offers versatility and opportunity for dramatic shots, but some will miss the telephoto lens. Unfortunately, Google is not ready to please everyone by including both.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Pixel 5's camera is brilliant, but it's not a huge generation leap over the Pixel 4, and not only does the much cheaper Pixel 4a take basically the same great photos, but the competition has caught up with Google on the software side. Samsung's cameras are consistent these days, but it's the camera on the Apple iPhone 12 and 12 Mini that Google should be most concerned about, as the hardware surrounding the camera is more desirable than the Pixel 5's – and the prices are similar are.

Performance and software

On paper, the Pixel 5 isn't a "flagship" as it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor rather than the Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus. This is another way to bring the price down. Unless you're obsessed with a spec sheet, it's not a massive deal. I consider myself a normal user, using the camera, using social apps, making video and voice calls, playing a few games, watching videos, and keeping up with work items.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It does all of these tasks without interruption – and without the feeling of being under-challenged. Play Asphalt 9 Legends and it's every bit as impressive and fluid on the Pixel 5 as it is on the OnePlus 8T. If anything, there are times when the Pixel 5 runs smoother than some more powerful phones, such as B. when the screen in YouTube is rotated from portrait to landscape and vice versa. Much of this is due to Android 11, the latest version of Google's software. This is an advantage that Pixel 5 has over the competition.

Android 11 on the Pixel 5 (and the Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 4a 5G) could be called boring, as might the design, but the dullness is its strong point. There is no garnish or additional branded apps, just fast, smooth, and simple software. However, I have encountered a few issues with my phone that have proven frustrating.

The first problem was an intermittent bug with the microphone where it would not activate, preventing callers from hearing me and my voice messages being mute. The problem is resolved by turning the phone off and then on again. However, you won't know when the problem occurs until it's too late. My Pixel 5 cleared my WiFi signal more than other phones and consistently has one less reception bar for both WiFi and cellular connections. Maybe this has to do with the metal body.

The front desk issue isn't a deal breaker, but something to consider if you already live in an area with poor reception. It should be noted that the Pixel 5 naturally has 5G, which also opens up new network possibilities. The microphone problem might only be a problem with my phone. After notifying Google before it posted here, I'm expecting a replacement checking model to see if the problem persists. This issue has not yet affected the phone's score.

battery

Battery life is one of the biggest improvements over the Pixel 4. My phone lasted a day with normal use without any problems, and if I turn it off overnight it will last most of the second day as well. After the sad Pixel 4, this is very welcome. It's also conservative on the power supply: with light use on a busy day where I ignored my phone, the battery was still over 80% at 4:00 p.m.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The phone comes with an 18 watt wired charger and supports wireless charging. This is a clever trick considering that the body of the phone is made of metal. Google cut a hole in the back and filled it with a resin that is visually indistinguishable from the rest of the body. Place another device on the back of the Pixel 5 and the battery will wirelessly charge with its own power. This worked with my iPhone 11 Pro, but unfortunately not with my Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones. These reverse wireless charging systems can all be a bit fussy.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 5 is priced at $ 699 or £ 599. It is available in a version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space and is available now Google, Amazon and other retailers. It supports 5G, provided you are in an area with network coverage and have the correct carrier plan. Pixel 5 in the US also has mmWave 5G support for the Verizon network (and increasingly for T-Mobile and AT&T).

Our opinion

When you buy the Pixel 5, you get a well-proportioned phone with a beautiful screen, great camera, fast performance, and easy-to-use software. What else do you need? Not much, technically, but it would be nice to look at the Pixel 5 and feel something, rather than just ambivalence.

Is there a better alternative?

There are several great alternatives to the Pixel 5. The main challengers are the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the OnePlus 8T. Both use the Snapdragon 865 processor and high quality designs, and while the cameras aren't quite as good as the Pixel's, most people will find them perfectly decent.

The Apple iPhone 12 is emerging as a definite challenger, and the upcoming iPhone 12 Mini can take over the Pixel 5 too. Perhaps the best alternative, however, is the Pixel 4a 5G, which can do almost everything the Pixel 5 can, but for $ 200 less at $ 499. If you're not worried about the wide-angle camera or 5G, the $ 349 Pixel 4a is excellent too.

How long it will take?

The Pixel 5 is an excellent long term smartphone purchase. The conservative look means it will never look more dated than it does now. It offers 5G for the future as well as a two-year guarantee for important Android software updates. It is IP68 waterproof and the metal case is more sturdy than a glass phone. Google also has some attractive cases to complement the Pixel 5. There's no reason the phone won't serve you well for two to three years.

Should you buy one?

Yes, the Pixel 5 is Google's top smartphone of 2020 and while it doesn't look all that exciting, it has the best of Google's software and hardware capabilities at an affordable price.

Editor's recommendations

01 Oct

Blog

The Teasing is Over, Google’s $499 Pixel 4a 5G is Here

October 1, 2020
Posted by Samson

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is here after Google recently teased us that it's coming soon. What you get is the Pixel 4a we already know and love, with a few minor tweaks and a big new speed-up feature that ensures the phone stays fresh in the future: 5G connectivity. You'll pay more for the phone, it's $ 499 instead of $ 349, but it can save you the upgrade next year if 5G becomes the object of your desire.

5G comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G processor and its 5G modem. The phone has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space. The chip is the same as in the OnePlus Nord and the LG Velvet. When you turn on the Pixel 4a 5G, you will be greeted by Android 11, the latest version of Google software. A big advantage of buying a Pixel phone is that it will be updated with new versions quickly over the next two years as well.

What else? The same brilliant 12.2 megapixel camera from the Pixel 4a is on the back of the 4a 5G. She promises to pop photos that will keep your jaw dropping even in low light in Google Night Sight mode, as well as all of the impressive HDR + enhancements that make your photos pop. What's more exciting is the addition of a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, just like the new Pixel 5, which gives the camera more versatility.

There is an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front and a 3,800 mAh battery on the inside, which is slightly larger than that of the 4G Pixel 4a. You get a better view of the photos you take as the OLED screen on the Pixel 4a 5G is 6.2 inches, slightly larger than that of the 5.8-inch Pixel 4a. This is the best way to tell the two phones apart, as the design is otherwise very similar except for the fingerprint sensor on the back.

You can now join the waiting list for the Pixel 4a 5G via Google's online store, where it costs $ 499 or £ 499. Shipping is expected to begin on November 11th. Verizon will also be selling the Pixel 4a 5G starting October 29th.

Editor's recommendations

04 Sep

Blog

Google Pixel 4a Review: The Best $349 Smartphone Camera

September 4, 2020
Posted by Samson

"The Google Pixel 4a has an amazing camera tucked away in one of the most bleak phone designs of the year."

Excellent camera
Great software
Regular software updates
Long battery life

Boring, cheap design and materials
Disappointed screen

There's a good chance you already know that the Google Pixel 4a is cheap at $ 350, that the Android software is updated frequently and is easy to use, and that the tiny phone is a solid everyday companion. You've probably heard that the camera is good too, but do you know exactly how good it is?

It's so good that it really is the only reason you should consider buying the Pixel 4a. Because here's something else you may not know about the Pixel 4a: Otherwise, it's a little boring. I will explain.

The best part

The Google Pixel 4a camera is incredible for its capabilities, and it messes with cameras on phones that cost two or three times the cost of the Pixel 4a. There is only a 12.2-megapixel camera on the back of the Pixel 4a. It's a no-nonsense sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), and that's about it. There is no wide angle mode, no optical telephoto mode (although it is enlarged by digitally cropping the image) and no fancy features like 8K video recording. Instead, it is based on Google's computational photography expertise, and that is what sets it apart from its capabilities.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This is not a new formula either, as the Google Pixel 4, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3 have excellent cameras for the same reason: software expertise instead of hardware muscle power. The lack of flashy extras and multiple lenses limits the versatility of the camera slightly, but you can't have it all for $ 349 – and what you get is enough for anyone without an unlimited smartphone budget.

The colors are wonderfully natural, the exposure is just right and the dynamic range is always judged perfectly. Every photo you take will appear the way you want in almost any setting, with no need for editing. Portrait mode offers better edge detection than multi-sensor cameras, and night vision mode is incredible and manages brightness and contrast perfectly for a natural color balance in dark scenes. Removing concerns about the end result increases your creativity and confidence.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Close-ups are shockingly good too. The Nodus Sector watch's images, taken with 2x zoom, show a lot of detail, and even with 7x digital zoom, the photo is not affected by noise or pixelation. The Pixel 4 has been my go-to for close-ups for a while – the close-ups in the G-Shock Frogman test were taken with the Pixel 4.

When I wrote my practical report on the Asus ZenFone 7 Pro, I was on the move and my camera equipment was already packed away in a box. I had to take a picture of the phone so I used the Pixel 4a. The results are excellent in my opinion and only needed a few tweaks before being used in the article. It's not that the photos were good, which is surprising – it's the confidence I had in the Pixel 4a's ability to just grab it and take the pictures. I didn't feel the need to find my main camera when I knew the Pixel 4a would do the job without requiring additional editing attention. I just wouldn't have the same confidence in many other phones at any cost.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's not just the photos – the app and controls are great. Tap to focus and the camera will keep focus while you adjust the position. What is really great is that it shows you this is done on the screen with a moving focus marker. It's a minor matter, but it gives you peace of mind that the photo you are taking will look the way you want it. There's easy adjustment and locking of brightness and exposure, plus a handy horizon indicator that gives a subtle haptic warning when it's straight. It's all so polished, quick, easy, and incredibly capable.

Remember, I just described a camera with a lens on the back of a $ 349 smartphone. Whatever you've heard about the Pixel 4a's camera, it's all of that and a little more. It's the major and for a lot of people. the only reason you buy the phone.

The boring part

The Pixel 4a's camera makes me wiggle my knees, but the design and materials used make my eyes roll. It's as if the entire design budget has been used to bring the on / off switch to a slightly mint green color, as the rest is a snooze dom level. You can argue that it doesn't matter because the camera is so good, but it's not true – the hasty approach you seem to be taking here doesn't keep me using the phone for very long. I'll admit that it looks better than the Pixel 3a from the front thanks to its much smaller bezels, but that's hardly praise.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Black plastic is the most basic material Google could have chosen, and it's as bleak as it sounds. The texture offers some hold, but it tends to get greasy and look ugly. The fingerprint sensor on the back is functional, but very 2016, while to me it looks like the camera sensor and flash have been put in the wrong holes in the drill square module. The buttons on the side just feel cheaper than the black plastic case.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

When you pull the Pixel 4a out of your pocket or put it on the table, you won't feel any emotion at all. It is the unbranded plastic bag in the smartphone world. This is the reminder that it is actually a $ 349 phone.

The fine parts

Other than the great camera and boring design, everything else about the Pixel 4a is just right for you. It's acceptable how everything works, but it's never blind. The 5.8-inch OLED screen is a good size, and on paper the 2340 x 1080 pixels resolution is great for the price, but in reality it can be a little bland and it won't get bright enough. I can't remember the brightness being below maximum at any point and still not being easy to read in bright sunlight or cloudy conditions.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Much is written about Google's version of Android on the Pixel phones, and it's well organized and harmless to the eyes, but it's really the three years of guaranteed future software updates that make the operating system more appealing than blooming. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor with 6GB of RAM is fine, but that's all. The benchmark results show how acceptable the phone is for everyday use, regardless of whether it is used for gaming or browsing:

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 2276 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 1648 multi core / 551 single core

The only area in which it is possible to rise to the "good" status is the battery. I get two days of this with moderate general usage, although it doesn't respond well to lengthy video calls or other high-energy actions. It takes almost 1 hour and 45 minutes to charge, but we can't expect much else when the phone is cheap. With the clever software from Google, apps that need power can be well managed so they don't cause too many problems.

Price, availability and alternatives

The Google Pixel 4a costs $ 349 or £ 349 and is available through Google's own online store and from Amazon, as well as a selection of vendors. These include Verizon and AT&T in the US and Vodafone in the UK.

If you don't worry about amazing photos and just want a cheap smartphone, the Nokia 5.3 is just $ 200 with a bigger screen, Android One software with regular updates, and a slightly more interesting design. If you're looking for a phone that looks better and still has a good camera, the $ 399 Apple iPhone SE 2020 is a good buy.

Conclusion

Buy the Pixel 4a for the camera. It's really amazing how powerful it is for any price, and the photos it takes are breathtaking. Just be aware that the rest of the phone, other than the software, is perfectly normal.

Editor's recommendations

06 May

Blog

Google Pixel 4 XL Review: Remarkable Phone. Small Battery.

May 6, 2020
Posted by Samson

Google Pixel 4 XL Black only (unlocked) – 64 GB

"Google's latest pixel has a successful camera again and is fluctuating in battery life again."

Outstanding cameras
Good performance
Bright, sharp and smooth 6.3-inch screen
Face unlock is quick
Really helpful, intelligent software

The battery life is not good
Hardly any app supports Face Unlock
Only 64 GB of storage space

The Google Pixel 4 XL was released over six months ago – some lives in smartphone years. Since then, the Galaxy S20, the OnePlus 8 Pro, has blinded us and distracted us from conversations about Pixel 4a and 5G phones. Does the Pixel 4 XL still hold? Should you consider yourself a 5G model? Let's find out.

Do you want a smaller phone? Check out our Google Pixel 4 test, which takes a closer look at the 5.7-inch model.

A minimalist and eye-catching design

I've been reviewing Google's Pixel phones since they were launched in 2016. There were two constants: a killer camera and an insufficient battery. This topic continues with the latest version of the company, Google Pixel 4 XL. It's fantastic in almost every department, from an excellent screen to brilliant software, but the battery is still behind the competition. It's not bad enough to stop me from fully using the phone, but power users are careful. This phone will have trouble keeping you going all day. However, there is a lot to enjoy before the last battery percentage disappears. Let’s take a closer look.

I like contrasts, bright colors and minimalist design, which means that the Pixel 4 XL is just right for me. I spoke to the designers about the process of redesigning the phone – this is the first major redesign of the Pixel line – and I'm happy with the changes that have been made.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Gone is the line on the back of the phone that separated two different textures. This also means that there are no longer two textures on the back. Instead, this two-tone design is achieved through the sides of the phone. There is a black band on the edges, which can be used to cover some components such as the USB-C connector, the speaker grille and the SIM slot. The back is also framed to highlight it. I also like the texture of this black band because it feels like you are touching a stable eggshell.

Gorilla Glass 5 is on the back, which is why we ask ourselves: Why aren't more phone manufacturers using Gorilla Glass 6? Is it too expensive to afford? Regardless, it is cleaner than ever, especially since there is no longer a fingerprint sensor, but now a "pixel square", as the designers call the camera module. In contrast to the iPhone 11 Pro, in which the triple camera system clearly stands out, Google has masked the lenses with a black filter, which makes the square module itself bolder and more pronounced. Paired with the black band on the edges, this phone is easy to spot, and the accented color of the power switch adds a bit more visual flair.

I can't stop staring at Pixel 4. It is beautiful and the design makes me show it off.

I've heard that others call the design boring – sometimes ugly. I clearly disagree, but you cannot deny that it is distinctive. I took pictures in a dog park in Manhattan and three people came up to me at different times and asked if I would use a Pixel 4.

If you want to buy one, choose the colors "Clear White" or "Oh So Orange" (the latter is a limited edition), because the colors "Just Black" are simply too simple. Even worse, the black is the only one with a glossy glass structure on the back, while the other two colors opt for a matt glass. The matte texture feels smooth and has the added benefit of hiding stains and fingerprints. The same does not apply to the glossy black option, which is also a dust magnet.

I can't stop staring at Pixel 4. It is beautiful, feels fantastic in the hand and the design makes me show it.

A 90Hz screen

Google has put more emphasis on the appearance of the screen on the Pixel 4 XL than on the Pixel 3 XL last year, which has a terrible notch that looks hideous. This time there is a large bezel at the top and a slimmer one at the bottom, which is not particularly modern, but acceptable. It is easy to forget as soon as you use the phone.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

The other problem that Google has solved is the brightness of the screen. I'm having trouble reading the Pixel 3 XL's screen in sunny conditions, but that's no longer the case with the Pixel 4 XL. Is it brighter or more bezel-less than the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus? No, but I still had no major problems here.

The resolution of 3,040 × 1,440 is sharp and black is beautifully deep, although the colors are not as saturated as on Samsung phones. The 6.3-inch screen size doesn't feel too big either, although I have big hands.

The large screen is ideal for watching movies and shows, especially thanks to the HDR10 support. Shows like Disenchanted and Peaky Blinders look crisp with vibrant colors that pop, though admittedly ultra-dark scenes aren't as easy to see as on the Galaxy Note 10 or iPhone 11 Pro.

The screen's spotlight feature is the 90 Hz refresh rate we saw on the OnePlus 7T, and it's fantastic. This means that you see 90 frames per second (FPS), which is more than the conventional 60 frames per second on most smartphones. However, the pixel is not always updated at 90 Hz. It is sometimes updated with the typical refresh rate of 60 Hz when the screen brightness is low. This strange fact undermines one of the outstanding features of the phone.

Since the smaller bezel is slimmer than its predecessor, the front-facing speaker has been moved to the bottom edge. It's a shame, but luckily audio still sounds good and can fill a small space without sounding too distorted at high volume. There is no headphone jack. So if you're in the wireless earbud market, you should consider Google's Pixel Buds 2.

Face unlock is great

It took me a day or two to get used to the loss of the fingerprint sensor on the back of the Pixel 4 XL. I used it not only to unlock the phone, but also to swipe to pull down the notification drawer. Although I miss this feature, I also appreciate Google's addition of Face Unlock. This is one of the reasons why the bezel at the top of the screen is so big: there are a variety of sensors, including Google's Soli technology, that the company has been working on for several years.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Soli uses radar to identify 3D objects, and the Pixel 4 detects when your hand is approaching the phone, so the Face Unlock camera can be activated to quickly unlock the phone or the volume of calls and alarms decrease when you have your hand approaching the phone. Practically! You can also use it for gestures to control some functions of the phone. However, we will come back soon.

Face Unlock is snappy and precise, and I think it's great that it goes straight to the home screen instead of swiping up. There are times when I have to tap the screen to make sure the camera is looking for my face. Otherwise, I had no problem accessing the phone.

Android has a new BiometricPrompt API that allows apps to support fingerprint sensors and facial recognition systems for Android 9 and Android 10 devices. It took developers some time to add support. At the start I complained that there are hardly any apps that support this. Nowadays most major apps do this, including banks like Citibank and American Express, Passwork Keeper like LastPass and 1Password, shopping apps like Dashlane and Venmo, and more. If you're curious, Android Central has a fairly extensive list.

Another problem with Face Unlock has been fixed recently: At launch, Face Unlock could be unlocked even when your eyes were closed. This is a security risk as someone can easily take your phone and point it at your face to unlock it even if you close your eyes to stop it. The April 2020 security update provides the option that the eyes must be open. With Face Unlocked, however, there is one peculiarity that still exists: there is no way to add an alternative face or look. You can do this on Apple's iPhone using Face ID. I know a colleague who uses Pixel 4 and it is difficult for her to identify her face after applying makeup.

Helpful gestures

I mentioned soli technology earlier – well, it's a sleeper hit. It's great to turn down the volume when I approach the ringing phone, be it during an alarm or a phone call, but I'm an even bigger fan of Motion Sense. With this new feature, you can move your hand left or right over the phone to turn off an alarm, mute a call, or even switch tracks while listening to music.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

At launch, Motion Sense was incredibly limited on the Pixel 4XL, although Google looked at other types of gestures it could integrate to add value. When I speak to other reviewers, I feel like a minority, but I find Motion Sense works well for me, and I used it to clear morning alarms by just waving my hand. I also love changing tracks with it while working and listening to music. I can do all of this without lifting the handset, and that's pretty good.

In March, Google added the ability to pause and resume music. What Motion Sense needed – and still urgently needs – at this time is more gestures and actions. Can you use it to scroll photos after you've transferred them to a Chromecast-enabled TV, for example? Nah. There are many potential use cases for this, and I hope that Google will continue to improve functionality instead of simply abandoning it like many of its other projects. There is a game called "Headed South" that supports this feature. It would be cool if it were adopted in other apps when Google opened the API.

A story of two cameras

Google has long believed that only one camera was required to deliver great photos, building on its expertise in computer photography as other manufacturers continue to add multiple cameras for versatility. This is beginning to change as the 12.2-megapixel main lens of the Pixel 4 with an aperture of 1: 1.7 is now paired with a 16-megapixel telephoto lens (1: 2.4), which is a 2x offers optical zoom. Still, Google continues to show us that you don't need 48-megapixel cameras to take stunning photos. This is the goal of most Android manufacturers.

Nevertheless, Google should have followed Apple's path and added a triple camera system here, as I never had the feeling that the zoom functions on pixel phones are missing. Google introduced a feature called Super Res Zoom on the Pixel 3 that uses artificial intelligence to clean up digitally zoomed photos and deliver a quality that is surprisingly comparable to telephoto shots from other phones. It would have been really nice to combine this with an ultra wide angle camera for more varied shots. Ah great. I have to hope that the Pixel 5 comes with this type of setup. Rumor has it that it will.

The image sensor for the main lens is the same as that for last year's pixel, except that the aperture is a little wider, so better photos should be taken in low light and the dynamic range improved. The camera app also feels much faster than ever.

The telephoto lens ensures optimal quality for enlarged pictures, but we have seen telephoto lenses on cell phones for a long time – Google couldn't have at least opted for a 3 × optical zoom lens like the Huawei P30 Pro? As the smartphone market develops, this stands out as a sore point: the Huawei P40 Pro has a 5x optical zoom, which leaves the Pixel 4 XL in the dust. It's a shame.

Regardless, the quality looks good. Unlike some cell phones, Google's excellent night vision mode works with the telephoto lens. So you get good quality photos regardless of the time of day. As you can see below, it towers above the iPhone 11 Pro and the Samsung Note 10 Plus with 5x digital zoom, with slightly stronger details and more depth.

Pixel 4 xl 5x digital zoom "class =" m-carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-4-xl-5x-digital-zoom -640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEA Pixel 4 XL. Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

iphone 11 pro 5x digital zoom "class =" m carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone-11-pro-5x-digital-zoom - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEA iPhone 11 Pro. Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Samsung Note 10 plus 5x digital zoom "class =" m carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/samsung-note-10-plus-5x- digital- zoom-2-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAA Galaxy Note 10 Plus. Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

There's a certain type of look that Google's pixel phones capture – a lot of contrast, as well as cooler and darker tones. It's a style I've always enjoyed, but not for everyone. For example, you might prefer the brighter and warmer photos from iPhone 11 Pro. Still, I think the latest iPhone outperforms the Pixel 4 in general in terms of image quality and versatility (which helps extra ultra-wide angle lens), though that's not always the case. There are times when the Pixel 4 takes a much more appealing photo with better details, making it a fairly close competition.

However, there are some improvements that improve the camera experience. The first is Live HDR +, which allows you to see what the photo will look like after processing – before you even tap the shutter button. This is handy because I don't have to wait a few seconds to see the result and can frame the photo if necessary.

The new double exposure mode also offers more creative controls that let you adjust shadows and brightness before taking a photo. There's also a learning-based white balance that tries to identify the scene you're in and uses lifelike colors in all photo modes. However, dark scenes are still best in night vision mode.

Speaking of which, night vision mode has some of the most notable improvements. Night Sight takes multiple pictures at different exposures and stacks them for a more detailed and brighter photo in low light. The colors are still somewhat saturated, but they continue to impress and deliver stunning photos from the darkest scenes. Even crazier, if you have a tripod, point the phone at the sky and night vision mode triggers “astrophotography mode”, which sets an exposure time that can take up to four and a half minutes.

You can take some stunning photos like the following taken by my colleague in Scotland. You can see my attempt in the gallery above that I took in New York City with its heavy light pollution, but it's still an amazing photo considering that the normal camera gives a spotty mess with no details.

Pixel_4_astrophotography_1 Simon Hill / Digital Trends

Portrait mode is also a little better now, and although the blur application for a subject has been improved over the performance of Pixel 3, there is still plenty of room to grow. You can notice some sections of hair around my dog and other people can look a little confused in some photos. So you should be aware of the background when taking portraits. The less happens in the background, the better.

These results are still among the best you can get with a smartphone and can compete with those captured on Apple's iPhone and Huawei phones.

Google's Pixel 4 XL has an 8 megapixel front camera with an aperture of 1: 2.0 and takes some excellent selfies, especially in portrait and night vision mode. Unlike the Pixel 3 with two cameras on the front that allow you to switch between a wide-angle lens and a normal lens, the Pixel 4 XL's only lens is a wide-angle lens, so you can still shoot a lot in the scene behind you. or take group selfies without trying to fit everyone.

1.
Pixel 4 XL night selfie
2nd
Pixel 4 XL Portrait Selfie
3rd
Pixel 4 XL selfie

The Pixel 4's camera has improved, perhaps not significantly compared to its predecessor, but in the right areas that make it one of the best camera phones currently available to buy. Note that Google can no longer save Google Photos in full resolution for free and indefinitely. You can still upload your photos in high resolution for free, but not in the original resolution.

The latest software: machine learning FTW

The next best part of owning a Pixel phone is software. Of course, the latest version of Android 10 runs on the phone with current security. This is a huge advantage as Pixel phones are among the first to get updates when developing Android from Google. This means new functions and improved security. Google promises this type of support on the phone for three years, which is more the case than almost all Android phones.

If you're the way beta software installs, one advantage of a Google-made gadget is the ability to install the latest Android developer build – currently it's the first beta of Android 11. No, it's not going to be fun make names like Jellybean or Gingerbread, but it will bring new features. We'll find out more at Google I / O shortly. At the moment the existing operating system is fine.

Android 10 offers great features like a system-wide dark theme, an improved gesture navigation system and more transparency about which apps access your location data and other sensors on the phone. You can check out the best features of Android 10 by looking for more details.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

What makes me come back to pixel phones outside of the camera are some of the helpful features supported by machine learning. Now the playback is still available so that the phone can show you the name of the tracks played in your area (even without an internet connection). Then there is a call screen that checks potential robocalls so you don't have to speak to a telemarketer. The motion sense gestures also fall into this category of helpful functions that have only a minor impact on my daily use of the phone.

A new app called Personal Safety gives you security and allows the phone to alert your preset emergency contacts in an emergency, and the Pixel 4 can even detect car accidents using sensors on the phone. It can then make calls to emergency services and send your location if you are unable to work. Helpful indeed, although I can't test it closely to see how well it all works.

My favorite new addition is the recorder app, which can be used to transcribe interviews in real time. It uses machine learning on the device so no data is sent to Google and you don't need an internet connection for this to work. The transcription is not perfect, but it is pretty good and excellent for people like me who do a lot of interviews and hate the manual transcription process afterwards. This app found its way to the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a and Pixel 2 cell phones in December.

Live Caption is another one of those additions that I never thought would be necessary. Subtitles are automatically generated for each video with audio, and all of this happens on the device. I used it when I was on the subway and didn't want to put on my earphones but wanted to understand what was going on in a video. Live Caption's mostly accurate subtitles saved the day.

In a "Pixel Feature Drop" in December, Google improved some of the Pixel 4 XL's best features, including the call screen with A.I. support, background blur in photos, and duo video calls. It's nice to see these features continue to improve.

Google Assistant continues to hide

Also impressive is the new Google Assistant, which used to be run with algorithms that required more than 100 GB of storage space and have now shrunk to less than 500 MB. That means it's faster, works more often on the device, and some tasks like opening an app or setting a timer don't require an internet connection.

The user interface not only looks much better and takes up less screen space, but the best addition is the continued conversation. This feature is available on Google Nest devices and allows you to continue speaking to the wizard without having to constantly trigger it. After running a query, the bottom of the phone lights up with the colors of the wizard. This indicates that the phone is still listening if you want to ask something else. It's excellent and makes me use the wizard more often, especially with Active Edge, the "press the phone to trigger the wizard" feature, which is still available on Pixel 4.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

The wizard has improved in many other ways. For example, if you're in an app like Google Maps, you can just press the phone and ask the assistant to search for nearby restaurants. The query is carried out automatically via Maps instead of Assistant. Do you see a photo you like? You can ask the assistant to send it to someone in your contacts, and you can even reply to incoming text by triggering the assistant and saying "Reply to John" before dictating your answer.

I'm using Google Assistant a lot more now. I am sure that Google will be happy if more data about me is retrieved. However, there are more robust options that allow you to control how much of your data is stored. But in the end, I use Assistant because it's really helpful, and that's more than I can say about most other language assistants.

Snappy performance

The Pixel 4 XL has 6 GB of RAM and is powered by the same chip in most 2019 Android flagship phones: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. In December, Qualcomm introduced the next generation 865 chip that you can find in the OnePlus 8, the Galaxy S20 series and some Chinese phones from Xiaomi and Oppo. If you're looking for the latest and greatest, this isn't the case right now – but it doesn't matter. The phone had no problems handling the apps I normally use and opened them quickly. Switching between apps and even multitasking is a biting affair.

Here are some benchmark results:

AnTuTu 3DBench: 362.158
Geekbench 5 CPU: 606 single core; 2,056 multi-core
3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 4,007 (volcano); 4,564 (OpenGL)

For comparison, here are some numbers from the Galaxy S20:

Geekbench 5: 905 single core; 2,753 multi-core
3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 5,198 (volcano)

The Pixel 4 XL's results don't differ much from those of other phones that use the same processor as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and it remains at the top level of the powerful smartphones. However, the more modern chip is significantly faster (and of course much more expensive). Oh, and the iPhone 11 Pro still has a considerable head start.

Games like PUBG: Mobile, Altos Odyssey, Pako: Forever everyone without problems. You have no problems with the performance of this phone.

I am not a fan of the storage capacity that you get for the basic pixel 4 XL: 64 GB. That's far too little for a $ 900 phone, especially if $ 350 phones like the Nokia 7.2 offer the same amount. Google, you need to expand storage options and make 128 GB the default.

A missing battery

All of the amazing features of this phone are overshadowed by the battery that Google packed into the phone. At a time when most Android manufacturers use batteries with more than 4,000 mAh, Google's use of a 3,700 mAh cell is a joke. It can get you through a medium to heavy duty workday, but I often hit 30% around 5:30 p.m., sometimes even less. It's not bad for light to medium users, but not as good for power users.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

If I wanted to extend my night and go to a restaurant or bar, my phone would die around 9:30 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. if I didn't have a portable battery with me. I'm not sure why Google can't determine the battery life of its Pixel phones, as this is a problem for every single Pixel phone I've ever checked. Throw in a bigger battery, Google! Do what Apple did this year and make your phone fatter. It is not difficult. Thanks to the amazing battery life, I reached 20% on the iPhone 11 Pro Max around midnight, and I wish the Google phone could do the same.

Fortunately, using a Qi charger on your desk while at work or a portable battery can fix the problem. However, it's not great that you have to stick to these lengths.

In our standard video playback test, in which we play a 1080p YouTube video with maximum brightness via WiFi, the Pixel 4 XL lasted 9 hours and 31 minutes. This is respectable, but falls behind competitors like the iPhone 11 Pro with 12 hours and 30 minutes and the OnePlus 7T Pro with 12 hours and 19 minutes.

On the iPhone 11 Pro Max, I reached 20% of the battery around midnight. I wish the Google phone could do the same.

It's a shame that Google didn't choose to upgrade its fast-charging technology either. The Power Delivery 2.0 standard continues to be used instead of the newer PD 3.0. You can fully charge the Pixel 4 XL from zero to 100% in about an hour and a half, but you won't get the juice burst when you first connect it to the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, which is helpful in an emergency.

Price, availability and warranty information

The MSRP for the Pixel 4 XL is $ 900, but if you want the smaller Pixel 4, it costs $ 800 less. Both phones have been available from all major U.S. providers and several retailers since October 24, 2019.

However, the phones are currently on sale. The Pixel 4XL costs $ 600 and the Pixel 4 $ 500. This doesn't necessarily make them a better deal than when they were released, as their hardware is a bit dated compared to other phones. Nevertheless, the price cut lowers these phones in the mid-range market.

Google offers a standard limited warranty that protects the phone from manufacturing defects one year from the date of purchase.

Our opinion

Do you want the hottest, the fastest, the newest? There's always something better, and today the Pixel 4 XL isn't one of those things. That said, it could still be the phone for you. Als das Pixel 4 XL herauskam, gab es kein Android-Handy, das ich lieber verwenden würde als das Pixel 4 XL, da es eine hilfreiche, intelligente Software und eine Killer-Kamera bietet. Auch der 90-Hz-Bildschirm hilft. Dies bedeutet jedoch, die ganztägige Akkulaufzeit der Wettbewerber zu opfern – und an einen tragbaren Akku gebunden zu sein.

Das heißt, die schnellsten, neuesten und heißesten sind oft auch die teuersten. Die Galaxy-Linie startet bei 1.000 US-Dollar und steigt beispielsweise von dort aus an. Das Pixel war ursprünglich bei 899 US-Dollar gelistet, aber Google hat den Preis auf 799 US-Dollar gesenkt. Dank einer Vielzahl von Pixel-Smartphone-Angeboten können Sie es heute für rund 500 US-Dollar finden – ein hervorragender Wert für ein immer noch sehr beeindruckendes Gerät.

Gibt es eine bessere Alternative?

Ja. Sie sollten auf jeden Fall das OnePlus 8 in Betracht ziehen, das dem OnePlus 7T in jeder Hinsicht überlegen ist. Es hat einen Rockstar-Akku mit 4.510 mAh, eine Warp-Geschwindigkeit, wird schnell aktualisiert und verfügt über eine anpassbarere Software. Und bei 700 US-Dollar ist es ein echtes Schnäppchen – obwohl es einen kleineren Bildschirm hat.

Darüber hinaus hat das iPhone 11 Pro Max bedeutende Vorteile, wie eine noch bessere Leistung, eine vielseitige Kamera und eine beeindruckende Akkulaufzeit, aber es kostet wesentlich mehr. Wenn Sie sich nicht besonders für die Kamera eines Telefons interessieren, werden die Samsung Galaxy Note 10 und Note 10 Plus in jeder Hinsicht zufriedenstellen und dennoch solide, abwechslungsreiche Aufnahmen liefern – wenn Sie eine zu einem Schnäppchenpreis finden. Weitere Informationen finden Sie in unserem Leitfaden zu den besten Smartphones.

How long it will take?

Der Pixel 4 XL hält zwei bis drei Jahre, wenn nicht sogar ein wenig länger, bevor der Akku abnimmt. Es hat eine IP68-Wasserdichtigkeit, sodass Sie sich keine Gedanken über Einbrüche im Pool machen müssen, aber es ist in Glas eingewickelt, sodass Sie immer noch einen Koffer schnappen möchten.

Should you buy it

Ja. Das Pixel 4 XL ist vielleicht nicht das beste Android-Handy des Jahres 2020, es fühlt sich etwas veraltet an und wird durch seine unterdurchschnittliche Akkulaufzeit behindert. Es ist eine gute Wahl für Android-Fans, die ein großartiges Handy ohne Flaggschiff-Preisschild suchen.

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28 Apr

Blog

Google Pixel Buds 2 Review: New Design, Better Sound

April 28, 2020
Posted by Samson

Google Pixel Buds 2 is currently under review: new design, better sound

"Google's latest Pixel Buds significantly improve audio quality."

Optimized setup
Attractive look
Excellent language integration
Useful functions

Average battery life
No noise cancellation technology

This is an ongoing review. We'll update this review after spending a few days with Google's new Pixel Buds.

It was only a matter of time before Google brought its first real competitor into the real wireless earphone arena. To be honest, I'm surprised it took so long.

Google today launched its second-generation Pixel Buds, a pair of earphones for $ 179 that scraps the wire that holds the originals together and adds new design elements and countless features. I didn't have enough time with the Pixel Buds for a full review, but I listened long enough to have some thoughts.

Out of the box

The packaging for the Pixel Buds – technically the Pixel Buds 2, for which I will use the official name of Google in this test – is tiny, white and decorated with various pictures of the buds themselves. Inside are the buds, which are in a wireless charging case, as well as additional earplugs, a USB-C charging cable and the corresponding documentation.

Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

I usually unpack everything, take a quick look at the product, and then check the quick start guide to see if there are any setup quirks that I need to stick to. But I never opened the brochure with the Pixel Buds.

When I pulled the first bud out of the shell, a notification appeared on my Pixel 2 smartphone asking me to pair with the buds. A second prompt followed, instructing me to download the associated app and starting the rest of the setup process from there.

All thanks to the "Fast Pair on Android" function from Google, which allows you to pair your Pixel or Android 6.0+ device with the earphones immediately. I'm the first to admit that most earphone setups are fairly simple, but this was as simple and rational as possible, and more closely matches how Apple's AirPods work.

The original buds, which were $ 20 cheaper when they first released, had a fair amount of connectivity issues. It's a small sample size, but I haven't seen any of these issues in my time with the new Pixel Buds that have Bluetooth 5 technology.

design

The Pixel Buds aren't the smallest earbuds in the game (at 5.3 grams, they outweigh Apple AirPods by over a gram each), but they're not the heaviest either – both the Samsung Galaxy Buds + and Amazon Echo Buds weigh more . You are right in the wheelhouse, which is all we can ask of most earphones these days.

Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

However, it is the actual design of the Pixel Buds that fascinates me the most. In our view, the original pixel buds were loose-fitting, and although they never fell out, they didn't create the seal in your ear canal that is important for noise isolation. Google has listened and created a pair that is almost flush with your ears and offers a much safer feeling. I managed to do a five-mile run in my first few hours with the buds and had no problem moving it around during transportation.

The Pixel Buds will only be available in the cute color "Clear White" at launch, but then with the options "Fast Black", "All Mint" and "Oh So Orange". The charging case is more like an egg than the pill-shaped carriers that Samsung and others have adopted. It's also heavier than any case except the Echo Buds, but still pocket-friendly.

properties

At first glance, the functions of the Pixel Buds remind me of a classic baseball power hit. You will meet some doubles and homers if you can tolerate a hint here and there.

Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

Double: A weatherproof IPX4 degree of protection that protects you from splashes and sweat. You won't want to submerge them, but the Pixel Buds should be strong enough for training.

Home run: The Pixel Buds are the first Hotword-enabled earphones from Google Assistant. So you just have to say "Hey Google" or "OK Google" to have your own voice assistant at your disposal. This is of course not new to the industry as Amazon and Apple are ahead in this regard. But Google made it effortless to use, to the point where I preferred to ask Google to change a title or increase the volume using the built-in gesture commands on the bud. These are easy to use, but the hands-free function of the buds is more attractive.

Swing and a miss: The Pixel Buds have a battery life of five hours on a single charge. Which, to be fair, is on par with the Apple AirPods and Amazon Echo Buds. But five hours is not much anymore, not when the Samsung Galaxy Buds + sets standards with 11 hours of playback time. With the included charging case, which is QI certified and can be charged wirelessly with any compatible charger, the Pixel Buds have a remarkable total life of 24 hours.

Double: The return of Google Translate via the conversation mode with Google Assistant or the Google Translate app. The feature was a highlight of the first generation Pixel Buds and remains an entertaining tool to translate the words you or others speak into different languages. It is an advantage that not everyone will use, but which can be used again and again when needed. The same applies to the possibility to ask Google directly how to get anywhere, or to read out notifications from practically every app on your device. Not absolutely necessary, but neat.

Look dismayed: Google has decided against adding noise cancellation technology to the second generation buds, and I think this is a missed opportunity. Sure, the fit is much better this time, which allows passive noise reduction. And yes, Apple's second-generation AirPods don't offer this feature at $ 20 more. But the Amazon Echo Buds did it, and they sell for $ 50 less than the Pixel Buds. It's not a drawback that the Pixel Buds don't have noise reduction, but if they really wanted to make a current move in the real wireless earbud category, this would have been the way to go.

Audio quality

When I started hearing the Pixel Buds, I wanted to be sure of what I was hearing. So I passed it on to my partner, played the track that Brothers Osborne had just auditioned (Love the Lonely Out of You) and asked her for a description of the sound.

Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

She took the word I was thinking of – crisp. The Pixel Buds have custom 12mm dynamic speaker drivers and a design Google has called "hybrid acoustic design", designed to seal the outside of the earbuds, but with spatial vents to reduce the feeling of a clogged ear. The result is music for your ears.

It will take me a couple of hours before I can justify the comparison with one of the top competitors I mentioned. And they are definitely not comparable to something like the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 2, but who is it? That being said, I can definitely say that the Pixel Buds have improved by leaps and bounds compared to the sound of the first version, which, as we put it, was "okay". The lower end is there, but not overbearing, the vocals are as clear as a day and the middle section is well balanced.

Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

There is no equalizer in the Pixel Buds app, but I probably wouldn't use it even if there was one. Songs like The Wood Brothers & # 39; Luckiest Man were a pleasure and made me feel like I could hear the strings behind every single note. Google also suggested listening to 8D content on YouTube that re-produced existing songs to sound as if they were moving in the listener. It's not music that is specific to the Pixel Buds, but it does help when solid-sounding buds recreate Freddie Mercury's legendary vocals that dance back and forth over your head.

The few calls I made were clear, and those at the other end of the conversation noticed that I sounded better than trying other buds. The Pixel Buds have a pair of beam-shaping microphones that are designed to focus on your voice for listening in louder conditions or on the go. It's been a limited experience so far, but so good so far.

I would be very happy if I didn't mention the Adaptive Sound function in the Pixel Buds. In the same way that you can have your phone automatically adjust the brightness depending on the environment, Google gives you the ability to adjust the volume of the Pixel Buds depending on your location. It's subtle, but it should be, and I thought it was good if I walked outside on a busy street.

Conclusion

The pixel buds are filled to the brim with functions. However, in order to access the best ones, you have to be at least partially invested in the Google / Android ecosystem. They have significantly improved the design and audio quality of the originals, but have given the latest version an average battery life and lacked the ability to suppress noise.

I will repeat this assessment again after spending more time with these buds. Currently, Google’s Pixel Buds have made some important adjustments. Because of this, they may be the best Android earbuds you can get right now. But they left room to grow. There may be too much space in today's fast paced real wireless world.