Google launches the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G with Snapdragon 765G, 5G and ultrawide cameras
The Pixels have entered the 5G era – Google unveiled two new models that will take its in-house phone lineup in a different direction. These two will be among the first phones to run Android 11.
Google Pixel 5
The Pixel 5 will not get an XL-sized friend this year, though that role is somewhat filled by the second phone unveiled today. The 5 is the more premium device of the two, however – let’s have a look.
The biggest (and perhaps most controversial) change is the switch to a Snapdragon 765G chipset. You will no longer get top-of-the-line chipset with the top Pixel model, though previous models often came with under-clocked chipsets. Performance was never Google’s goal, especially since it has a custom chip doing all the camera magic.
The camera brings the second change that may raise eyebrows. The previous model had a telephoto cam, this one forgoes zooming in favor of a 16MP ultrawide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture and 1.0um pixel size.
Zooming will be done with the main 12.2 MP camera with 1.4um pixel size, as well as Google’s AI algorithms. This sensor doesn’t have particularly large pixels for night time shooting nor high resolution for lossless digital zoom, Google is betting it all on computational photography.
You do get OIS and a relatively bright f/1.7 lens, though. Also, despite this not being an 8-series Snapdragon, these are the first Pixels to support 4K recording at 60 fps (no 8K, of course, the sensor doesn’t have the resolution).
The display on the Pixel 5 has a 6.0” diagonal – the average of Pixel 4’s 5.7” and 4 XL’s 6.3” displays. The resolution is the same 1080p+, but this is a 90Hz display.
Google Pixel 5 in Just Black and the new Sorta Sage
The S765G chipset packs an X52 modem that enables 5G connectivity. Sub-6 is supported on all Pixel 5 versions, while in some countries it will also work on mmWave networks. You only get Wi-Fi 5 (aka 802.11ac) instead of Wi-Fi 6.
That is used to charge the 4,080 mAh battery at 18W. For comparison, the Pixel 4 XL had a 3,700 mAh battery, which proved average in terms of endurance. The extra capacity along with the S765G chip should help this phone last considerably longer though.
The body is IP68-certified for dust and water resistance. It is made out of recycled aluminum and is textured for better grip (and to hide fingerprints). Despite this, it somehow still manages to get wireless charging built-in, as well as reverse wireless charging. There is a new color this year, Sorta Sage, to go with the standard Just Black. Notice the rear-mounted fingerprint reader (the Pixel 4 generation relied on face recognition instead of fingerprints).
Pre-orders for the Google Pixel 5 start today ahead of availability in eight countries on October 15, and the US on October 29. The phone is priced at $700/€630/£599.
If you pre-order one between now and October 14, you'll be receiving a free pair of Bose QC 35 II wireless headphones. This offer is only valid in Germany, France, Ireland, and the UK, and only while stocks last.
The Pixels have entered the 5G era – Google unveiled two new models that will take its in-house phone lineup in a different direction. These two will be among the first phones to run Android 11.
Google Pixel 5
The Pixel 5 will not get an XL-sized friend this year, though that role is somewhat filled by the second phone unveiled today. The 5 is the more premium device of the two, however – let’s have a look.
The biggest (and perhaps most controversial) change is the switch to a Snapdragon 765G chipset. You will no longer get top-of-the-line chipset with the top Pixel model, though previous models often came with under-clocked chipsets. Performance was never Google’s goal, especially since it has a custom chip doing all the camera magic.
The camera brings the second change that may raise eyebrows. The previous model had a telephoto cam, this one forgoes zooming in favor of a 16MP ultrawide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture and 1.0um pixel size.
Zooming will be done with the main 12.2 MP camera with 1.4um pixel size, as well as Google’s AI algorithms. This sensor doesn’t have particularly large pixels for night time shooting nor high resolution for lossless digital zoom, Google is betting it all on computational photography.
You do get OIS and a relatively bright f/1.7 lens, though. Also, despite this not being an 8-series Snapdragon, these are the first Pixels to support 4K recording at 60 fps (no 8K, of course, the sensor doesn’t have the resolution).
The display on the Pixel 5 has a 6.0” diagonal – the average of Pixel 4’s 5.7” and 4 XL’s 6.3” displays. The resolution is the same 1080p+, but this is a 90Hz display.
Google Pixel 5 in Just Black and the new Sorta Sage
The S765G chipset packs an X52 modem that enables 5G connectivity. Sub-6 is supported on all Pixel 5 versions, while in some countries it will also work on mmWave networks. You only get Wi-Fi 5 (aka 802.11ac) instead of Wi-Fi 6.
That is used to charge the 4,080 mAh battery at 18W. For comparison, the Pixel 4 XL had a 3,700 mAh battery, which proved average in terms of endurance. The extra capacity along with the S765G chip should help this phone last considerably longer though.
The body is IP68-certified for dust and water resistance. It is made out of recycled aluminum and is textured for better grip (and to hide fingerprints). Despite this, it somehow still manages to get wireless charging built-in, as well as reverse wireless charging. There is a new color this year, Sorta Sage, to go with the standard Just Black. Notice the rear-mounted fingerprint reader (the Pixel 4 generation relied on face recognition instead of fingerprints).
Pre-orders for the Google Pixel 5 start today ahead of availability in eight countries on October 15, and the US on October 29. The phone is priced at $700/€630/£599.
If you pre-order one between now and October 14, you'll be receiving a free pair of Bose QC 35 II wireless headphones. This offer is only valid in Germany, France, Ireland, and the UK, and only while stocks last.
Alleged render of the Google Pixel 5 XL leaks with a unique triple-camera setup
In the last month or so, we’ve seen a couple (1 • 2) of leaks that revealed what we might expect from Google’s upcoming mid-range Pixel phone: the Pixel 4a. Although it seems far too early to be talking about the Google Pixel 5, welp… here we are.
We are getting a first look at what one of the Google Pixel 5 phones may look like. According to YouTuber Jon Prosser on his channel Front Page Tech, we are getting a look at the first alleged render of the upcoming Google Pixel 5 XL.
The report cited a CAD (Computer assisted drawing) that was imagined into a 3D render. Prior to reporting on his findings, Prosser wanted to be sure his sources were reliable before releasing a video. (Starts at 04:34)
Prosser mentions that this is one of three prototype renders – meaning the render you are seeing may or may not materialize as a Google Pixel 5. The other two prototypes, as per the report, both have a square camera setup, just like the current Pixel 4. The leak only shows us the back of the phone, which can still tell us a lot, so let’s take a look.
This render certainly has a unique-looking design. The phone is reported to keep the same texture finished on both the frames and the rear glass, both matte/soft touch. It would be a good idea to go with such a design since Apple and Samsung (Google’s biggest competitors) have square/rectangular camera setups.
As for the cameras themselves, there are three on the Pixel 5 render, and one of them (specifically the lower-middle one) is expected to be an ultrawide angle camera. One of the biggest criticisms of the Google Pixel 4 was launching the phone without an ultrawide camera despite all its major competitors including one (even the $699 iPhone 11).
We have no idea what the front of the phone looks like, but with Motion Sense expected to make a return, we hope Google contains the hardware into a smaller bezel and adds new features. Otherwise, it should just drop the feature altogether.
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