Pixel 4 is Google’s new mobile phone and the world’s first radar phone. Announced in October, the smartphone also features a dual camera and a more advanced screen than its predecessor Pixel 3, with a 90 Hz refresh rate. The software comes with Android 10 and Google Wizard faster to grasp users’ commands. There have also been improvements in the internal hardware, with a more powerful processor and increased RAM.
With no forecast of launching in other countries, the device is a purchase option for those who have scheduled a trip to the United States. The price starts from US$799 for the regular version and US$ 899 for the Pixel 4 XL. In this post, you will understand everything that has changed from Pixel 3 to Pixel 4.
Pixel Datasheet
| Pixel 3 | Pixel 3 XL | Pixel 4 | Pixel 4 XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | October 2018 | October 2018 | October 2019 | October 2019 |
| Launch Price | $799 | $899 | $799 | $899 |
| Current price | $499 | $599 | $799 | $899 |
| Screen | 5.5 inches | 6.3 inches | 5.7 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 1920 x 2160 pixels (Full HD +) | 1440 x 2960 pixels (Quad HD +) | 1080 x 2280 pixels (Full HD +) | 1440 x 3040 pixels (Quad HD +) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 845 | Snapdragon 845 | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 855 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage | 64 or 128 GB | 64 or 128 GB | 64 or 128 GB | 64 or 128 GB |
| Memory card | Not | Not | Not | Not |
| Main camera | 12.2 megapixels | 12.2 megapixels | Dual, 12.2 and 16 megapixels | Dual, 12.2 and 16 megapixels |
| Front camera | Dual 8 megapixel | Dual 8 megapixel | 8 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Battery | 2915 mAh | 3,430 mAh | 2,800 mAh | 3,700 mAh |
| Dimensions and weight | 146.6 x 68.2 x 7.9 mm; 148g | 158 x 76.7 x 7.9mm; 184g | 147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm; 162 g | 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm; 193g |
| Colors | White, black and pink | White, black and pink | White, black and orange | White, black and orange |
Screen and design
Pixel 4 has as one of the main novelties, the 5.7-inch OLED screen with the 19:9 format and 90 Hz refresh rate. The expectation is that the phone will offer more fluid animations, bringing more agility to daily life when interacting with applications. According to Google, activities such as video playback will be performed at a conventional 60 Hz rate, the same rate offered by Pixel 3. The old model also has a smaller display, 5.5 inches, and an 18:9 ratio. The resolution is practically the same on both smartphones, in Full HD+ standard.
In Pixel 4 XL, the main change is in the absence of the notch present in Pixel 3 XL. Otherwise, a few changes: both have a 6.3-inch OLED panel and Quad HD+ resolution. The difference between the newer version and the old one is the 90 Hz rate and slightly longer format.
The new versions also bring design changes. For the first time, Pixel phones do not feature a glossy glass detail atop the back, leaving the entire area with the same material: frosted glass in orange and white, or polished glass in black. Also at the back, the new cameras are now housed in a square module that has a visual reminiscent of the iPhone 11. The sides remain made of aluminum, but are always in black, regardless of the model.
Cameras
Acknowledged for its quality cameras, the Pixel line has a double camera for the first time. The main sensor replicates the Pixel 3’s 12.2-megapixel resolution and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) but has a slightly larger lens aperture: f/1.7 versus f/1.8. The second camera features a telephoto lens, a 16-megapixel sensor, and OIS, in addition to the hybrid zoom assist task. The camera also features special capture modes, such as starry sky photography.
The new version also features several software enhancements. These include Auto-HDR, a feature that processes HDR in real-time to display, before clicking, how the picture will look. Google says Night Vision is also enhanced and promises higher quality photos in low-light or dark environments. Also new is exposure adjustment in different areas of the scene to capture good photos even when the person is in the backlight.
In the front camera, Pixel 4 has discontinued the ultra-wide lens secondary sensor present in Pixel 3. The latest release comes with just one selfies camera, with 8 megapixels and f/2 aperture.
Performance and Storage
The Pixel 4 hardware contains the octa-core processor Snapdragon 855, more powerful than the Snapdragon 845 in Pixel 3. The release also features more RAM: 6 GB versus 4 GB from its predecessor. The improvement in specifications tends to increase the performance of the device in multitasking and when playing games with higher graphics requirements. The storage remains 64 GB and 128 GB, with no option of expansion through microSD card.
Battery
The Pixel battery has been reduced from 2,915 mAh to 2,800 mAh capacity in the regular version. The difference in the 90 Hz display and the new radar can influence the battery’s autonomy. The XL variant, on the other hand, comes with a heavier load compared to its predecessor: from 3,430 mAh, it now has 3,700 mAh. The charger that comes continues with 18 W of power.
Android Version and Additional Features
Pixel 4 comes with Android 10, the same version available for Pixel 3, but with differences. One of them is in Google Wizard, which is redesigned and integrates with the installed applications to execute more advanced commands. For example, you can, search for photos taken on the last trip, share them with a friend, write a message and create a reminder, all in sequence, just using your voice.
With the help of the radar located in front of the device, you can also use gestures to pass music, silence alarms or reject calls. The feature can also be felt when the user approaches the phone to reduce the ringtone volume automatically or to activate the facial recognition lasers and speed up the unlock.
The mechanism is the only form of biometrics present in the latest device, which leaves aside the digital reader available on Pixel 3 and is more secure than other Android phones.
Price
Pixel 4 arrived in the United States with a price of US$ 799 in the 64 GB version and US$ 899 with 128 GB of storage. The Pixel 4 XL starts at US$ 899 with 64 GB and reaches US$ 999 in the variant with 128 GB. One year after the release, Pixel 3 can be found in the U.S. for prices ranging from $ 499 to $ 599, depending on the version.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.