Google Pixel 4 Review

Introduction

A pair of Android smartphones from Google that are a part of the Google Pixel product line are the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. They act as the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL's combined successors. They were released in the US on October 24, 2019, after being first introduced on October 15, 2019, at the Made by Google event. They were replaced on September 30, 2020, by the Pixel 5.

Google Pixel 4 Review

Key Specifications

Network

TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
2G BandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
CDMA 800 / 1900
3G BandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 /
2100
CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G Bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26,
28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19,
20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46,
48, 66, 71 - USA
Speed1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19,
20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46,
48, 66, 71 - USA

Launch

Announced2019, October 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2019, October 22

Body

Dimensions147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm (5.79 x 2.71 x 0.32 in)
Weight162 g (5.71 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), Glass back
(Gorilla Glass 5), aluminium frame
SIMNano-SIM and eSIM
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display

TypeP-OLED, 90Hz, HDR
Size5.7 inches, 80.7 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~444 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5 Always-on display
Google Pixel 4 Review

Platform

OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
GPUAdreno 640

Memory

Card SlotNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM UFS 2.1

Main Camera

Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4�m, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0�m, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
FeaturesDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)

Selfie Camera

Single8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22�m, no AF TOF 3D (depth/biometrics sensor)
FeaturesAuto-HDR
Video1080p@30fps

Sound

LoudspeakerYes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm JackNo

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, apt-X HD
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFCYes
RadioNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1

Features

SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
MessagingSMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
BrowserHTML5

Design, Display, and Durability

Google's Pixel series has never been referred to be sleek; it may be odd or functional, but not sleek. But that all changes with the Pixel 4 range, which undoubtedly has a sharp enough appearance to draw attention.

The phone resembles previous versions from the front, but that is the only place where the similarities end. When you flip it over, you can choose between a white, black, or orange glossy glass panel. The textured surface and fingerprint sensor from the Pixel 3 have been replaced by a new square camera stack in the top left corner. A textured black aluminium frame that is nearly undetectable on the black version of the gadget and beautifully contrastive on the orange and white versions holds the display and backplate together.

Battery Life

The tiny 2,800mAh battery capacity of the Pixel 4 was one of the main concerns about its overall performance as a smartphone. By comparison, the Galaxy S10e and Xperia 5 both had batteries with capacities of around 3,100mAh.

Various tests revealed that the concerns were justified. The Pixel 4 only lasted a little over 11 hours of looping films and could not reach the 10-hour mark with web browsing. The Xperia adds even more minutes, while the S10e can go for an additional hour and a half online and 4 hours longer.

However, the Pixel 4 could also make 3G voice calls for about 21 hours - the same amount of time as the S10e, 3 hours longer than the iPhone, and around 8 hours less than the Xperia. With the standby draw factored in, the calculations concluded that a dismal overall Endurance rating for the Google Pixel 4 of 62 hours is far from impressive.

It took 1:27 hours to fully charge the Pixel 4's battery with the provided 18W USB Power Delivery charger, with 49% remaining at the halfway point. It is not the best of outcomes, especially considering the limited capacity and relatively poor endurance you would get from the 49% that a 30-minute charging session will give you.

Google Pixel 4 Review

Audio Quality

We will now evaluate the Google Pixel 4's audio output via its jack. Its lack of a dedicated 3.5mm jack required the usage of a USB-C to 3.5mm converter for the test. The official adapter that the manufacturer sells was used because Google does not even include one in the retail packaging. Fair warning: Your results may vary if you use a different adaptor.

The Pixel 4 fell short of the expectations for a 2019 smartphone, let alone a flagship, when connected to an active external amplifier. Its stereo separation, overall volume level, and signal-to-noise ratio exceeded expectations. When you start as low as the Pixel 4, a minor increase in stereo crosstalk and intermodulation distortion from headphones is not a significant concern. Still, it results in a bad overall score.

Pros and Cons of using Google Pixel 4:

ProsCons
  • Google's demonstration of what Android should feel and look like.
  • 90Hz display compared to 60Hz rivals.
  • Telephoto cameras are available, whereas others only have ultra-wide cameras.
  • Overall, the photo quality and portraits are excellent, with acceptable selfies.
  • Video stabilization is fantastic.
  • Without a fingerprint, certain apps do not support biometric authorization; instead, they use flashy radar-based motions.
  • There are strange restrictions on the behaviour of a 90Hz display.
  • In the class, battery life is at the bottom of the rankings.
  • There is a low end of the spectrum for hardware benchmark performance.
  • No adaptor or cable-tied earbuds are included.

Summary

The Google Pixel 4 smartphone was unveiled on October 15, 2019. A 5.70-inch touchscreen with a 19:9 aspect ratio, a resolution of 1080x2280 pixels, and a pixel density of 444 PPI is featured on the phone. Gorilla Glass protects the display for security. An octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor powers the Google Pixel 4. There are 6GB of installed RAM. The Google Pixel 4 runs Android 10 and has a 2800mAh non-removable battery. The Google Pixel 4 has a unique quick charging system.

A 12.2-megapixel (f/1.7, 1.4-micron) camera and a 16-megapixel (f/2.4, 1.0-micron) primary camera are found on the back of the Google Pixel 4. The setup of the back camera is capable of phase detection autofocus. The 64GB Google Pixel 4 runs Android 10 and has built-in storage. The Google Pixel 4 is a dual-SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and eSIM cards. The Google Pixel 4 measures 147.10 x 68.80 x 8.20mm (width x height x thickness) and weighs 162 grams. The colours Clearly White, Just Black, and Oh So Orange were released for it. Glass makes up its glass body.

The connectivity choices for the Google Pixel 4 include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS, Bluetooth v5.0, NFC, USB Type-C, 3G, and 4G with active 4G on both SIM cards. The phone has a proximity sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, compass/magnetometer, and ambient light sensor. The Google Pixel 4 supports face unlock. As of July 9, 2023, the Google Pixel 4 has a starting price of Rs. 17,999 in India.