Google Pixel 5 & 4a(5G)

Google is Google(ing) around with its next iteration

It is that time of the year when new product launches happen and this time we have Google Pixel 5. It is supposed to be the next flagship device form Google, but this time around the company has taken a different approach. Lets see how.

This time, things are a little different. Instead of going with a small-sized flagship and an XL variant of the same, Google is mixing things up a little. For 2020, Google is launching its small-sized flagship, Google Pixel 5, but without the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC.

Google Pixel 5: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 5
Build	IP68 rating for water and dust resistanceMade from 100% recycled aluminum
Dimensions & Weight	144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm151g
Display	6″ flat OLED19.5:9 aspect ratio 2340 x 1080 resolution HDR 90Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Hole-punch display
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G:1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz7nm EUV processAdreno 620
RAM & Storage	8GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1 Non-expandable storage
Battery & Charging	4,000 mAh 18W fast charging via USB Power Delivery Wireless Charging support Reverse wireless charging support
Rear Camera	Primary: 12.2MP Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixel size, Dual Pixel AF, Fused Video Stabilization (OIS + EIS), 77° FoV Secondary: 16MP Sony IMX481, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size, 107° FoVSpectral and flicker sensorDual LED flash Video:4K @ 30/60 fps1080p @ 30/60/120/240 fps
Front Camera	8MP Sony IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size, fixed focus, 83° FoV
Ports	USB 3.1 Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers 3 microphones
Security	Pixel Imprint (capacitive rear fingerprint scanner) Titan M hardware security module
Connectivity	Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modemSingle nanoSIM card slot + integrated eSIM for 5G + 4G or 4G + 4G DSDS (dual SIM, dual standby)Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0 NFC GNSS: GPS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou
Sensors	Proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer
Android Version	Android 11 3 years of Android OS upgrades 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates

Google Pixel 5 here is the star and company’s next flagship. Although it feels weird to say its a flagship as Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra cost twice as much as Pixel 5 does.

[Related: Samsung Note 20 Ultra]

Design

The Google Pixel 5 features a 100% recycled all-aluminum unibody shell with a grainy matte texture on it. The power button is no longer differently colored, but only has a shiny finish to it in the same color. The camera island witnesses the flash module changing positions, but the shape is largely the same overall. What is new is the fingerprint scanner—you now get one on the rear, much like you would on Google’s earlier Pixels like the Pixel 3.

Display

The front is dominated by the 6″ FHD+ 90Hz display. The display has a hole-punch cutout for the camera, but thankfully, it is also flat and not curved. The bezels are also within tolerable limits, and overall, the Pixel 5 looks right at home, at least on the front. One might feel the lack of 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution, but Google’s hardware has consistently been behind the top of the line in the spec race.

[Related: Pixel 4 vs Pixel 4a]

Hardware

What the Google Pixel 5 also lacks is the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC, forgoing the top of the line SoC for the upper mid-range Snapdragon 765G. This might not be a bad move, though. While you do get a hit in overall performance, relatively speaking, you still get one of the better 5G SoCs from Qualcomm. Most consumers are unlikely to notice this change, and opting for a premium mid-range SoC with the integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem allows the phone to avoid all the financial and hardware costs related to 5G integration on the top tier Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC.

Battery

It packs a decent 4000 mAh battery on board, along with 18W wired charging through the USB PD standard, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, but none of these can be considered “fast” by today’s standards.

Camera(s)

Primary

Where other OEMs are chasing for the highest number of megapixels. Google is sticking with what it knows best: the 12MP Sony IMX363 as the primary sensor, which the company has been using since the Pixel 3. The previous Pixels have been widely considered as one of the best smartphones for photography, and Google is not trying to fix what isn’t broken. The competition has continued to push forward through the years though, so it remains to be seen what software magic Google brings this year to maintain its pole position

Secondary

For the second wide-angle camera, we get a 16MP Sony IMX481. Although it does feel weird seeing a “flagship” smartphone with just two rear cameras, but I think it’s better getting a well-rounded package instead of useless sensors. The front camera is an 8MP Sony IMX355, retaining the humility in the package.

The Google Pixel 5 launches with Android 11 out of the box.

Pricing and Availability

The Google Pixel 5 is priced as follows for its singular 8GB + 128GB variant and will be available in these regions in Black and Green colors:

• Australia
• Canada
• Europe: €629
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan: ¥74,800
• Taiwan
• UK
• USA: $699

You can pre-order the phone now on the Google Store. The device will be generally available on October 15th.

Google Pixel 4a 5G

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is the bigger, yet more modest, smartphone of the duo. Instead of launching an “XL” version, Google is marketing the Pixel 4a 5G as the 5G upgrade over the Pixel 4a.

[Related: Google Pixel 4a]

While the Pixel 4a 5G retains the same SoC and camera setup as the Pixel 5, it has a polycarbonate unibody shell, a larger display but a smaller battery, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You also lose out on features like wireless charging and IP68 certification. You do get the different colored power button as a consolation.

Google Pixel 4a 5G: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 4a 5G
Build	Polycarbonate
Dimensions & Weight	153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm168g
Display	6.2″ flat OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio 2340 x 1080 resolution HDR 60Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Hole-punch display
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G:1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz7nm EUV processAdreno 620
RAM & Storage	6GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1
Battery & Charging	3,885 mAh 18W fast charging via USB Power Delivery
Rear Camera	Primary: 12.2MP Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixel size, Dual Pixel AF Secondary: 16MP Sony IMX481, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size, 107° FoV Video:4K @ 30/60 fps1080p @ 30/60/120/240 fps
Front Camera	8MP Sony IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size
Ports	USB 3.1 Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers 2 microphones 3.5mm headphone jack (still here..!!)
Security	Pixel Imprint (capacitive rear fingerprint scanner) Titan M hardware security module
Connectivity	Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem Single nano SIM card slot + integrated eSIM for 5G + 4G or 4G + 4G DSDS (dual SIM, dual standby)Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)Bluetooth 5.0NFCGNSS:GPSGLONASSGalileoQZSSBeiDou
Sensors	Proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer
Android Version	Android 11 3 years of Android OS upgrades 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates

Thanks for reading.