Google Pixel 4/Pixel 4 XL

[tbayrgs]

I don't get why some are so upset with the gestures, they're pretty damn good. Even the early form of Android gestures were better than buttons.

Agreed but I understand people have preferences and/or familiarity. I’m primarily an iPhone user and the latest version of Android gestures are basically identical to Apple’s implementation, so using the Pixel 4 XL requires no change in muscle memory. That an I really just prefer them. Conversely, I don’t believe @slitherjef has touched an iPhone since the X came out so switching from the traditional button layout would be quite jarring.

So been spending just a little time playing with my new 4 XL and it really has been Google’s iPhone—same FaceID, same gestures, very similar feel in hand and even a camera bump in the same size and shape.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I'm not a fan of the gesture based navigation. I've tried so hard to get used to it, bit just can't do it. Swiping to go back? LOL *** that it sucks. A dedicated back button is perfect.
Thank God for root, I installed the 2 button Pie navigation keys, and it's sooooo much better.

Plus I like the home button being back, it's nice to just tap it, and boom your instantly back to the home screen no matter where you are in the phone. The gesture way of having to swipe up to go home it's frigging ridiculous, and just takes a half second longer.

So for me, software nav keys all the way over the wonky bad gestures.

 

[tbayrgs]

I'm not a fan of the gesture based navigation. I've tried so hard to get used to it, bit just can't do it. Swiping to go back? LOL *** that it sucks. A dedicated back button is perfect.
Thank God for root, I installed the 2 button Pie navigation keys, and it's sooooo much better.

Plus I like the home button being back, it's nice to just tap it, and boom your instantly back to the home screen no matter where you are in the phone. The gesture way of having to swipe up to go home it's frigging ridiculous, and just takes a half second longer.

So for me, software nav keys all the way over the wonky bad gestures.

I completely get personal preferences but the gestures are far more forgiving since you don’t have to tap a very specific, small area of your display. I can swipe from anywhere on either side to go back or anywhere on the bottom to either go home or bring up the app switcher. In regards to going home, ‘it’s nice to must tap it, and boom your (sic) instantly back to the home screen no matter where you are in the phone.” What do you think happens when I swipe up on from anywhere on the bottom of the Pixel, no matter where I am in the phone?

Again, I get being more comfortable using what one’s used for a long time...

 

[N0ddie]

I too was skeptical about gestures when i got my iPhone X but quickly came to prefer it. Switched to a Note 10 in October last year to find that its gesture control is a bit halfarsed. Not as thought out as iPhone X gestures but better than the 3 software buttons.

My "new to me" Pixel 4XL arrives today so am keen to try out proper gesture control once again.

 

[michael9891]

Can the Pixel 4 gestures be configured to have a back swipe for apps/web browsers, either in settings or a 3rd party app? Forget now, been a while since I've had one.

 

[N0ddie]

Can the Pixel 4 gestures be configured to have a back swipe for apps/web browsers, either in settings or a 3rd party app? Forget now, been a while since I've had one.

Dont think my XL will be delivered today afterall but from a video I watched, if you swipe left over the right hand edge of the screen it takes you "back".

 

[tbayrgs]

Can the Pixel 4 gestures be configured to have a back swipe for apps/web browsers, either in settings or a 3rd party app? Forget now, been a while since I've had one.

Apologies if I’m misunderstanding, but do you mean different than the native back swipe gesture? When I use the native ‘back’ swipe on my Pixel 4 XL in any of the browsers on my phone (Chrome, Firefox, Brave), it takes me to the previous webpage I had navigated from. Same goes with other apps.

 

[michael9891]

Apologies if I’m misunderstanding, but do you mean different than the native back swipe gesture? When I use the native ‘back’ swipe on my Pixel 4 XL in any of the browsers on my phone (Chrome, Firefox, Brave), it takes me to the previous webpage I had navigated from. Same goes with other apps.

Yeah, that's what I mean. Just couldn't remember how it is on a Pixel.

 

[tbayrgs]

Yeah, that's what I mean. Just couldn't remember how it is on a Pixel.

It's a swipe in from either side edge.

 

[Awesomesince86]

I'm enjoying my S20 plus but I have to say, there's just something about the entire Pixel experience that I miss. Which just makes me more mad that Google refuses to pair that experience with better hardware. So I'll say exactly what I said after the Pixel 3, I hope the next Pixel is finally the one Google get right.

 

[slitherjef]

I'm enjoying my S20 plus but I have to say, there's just something about the entire Pixel experience that I miss. Which just makes me more mad that Google refuses to pair that experience with better hardware. So I'll say exactly what I said after the Pixel 3, I hope the next Pixel is finally the one Google get right.

The absurd prices don't help these things either. Yeah I'm not much of a Sammy fan but at least things seem to be built a bit more to their pricing scheme.

 

[jamezr]

I'm enjoying my S20 plus but I have to say, there's just something about the entire Pixel experience that I miss. Which just makes me more mad that Google refuses to pair that experience with better hardware. So I'll say exactly what I said after the Pixel 3, I hope the next Pixel is finally the one Google get right.

when released...but right now they are $599/$699 and are quite a good deal.

 

[michael9891]

Does anyone actually think they might add a wide angle this year? Not fussed about mega zoom or crazy amount of pixels. But what is often regarded as the best smartphone camera, hard to believe they won't add one at some point.

 

[co.ag.2005]

Does anyone actually think they might add a wide angle this year? Not fussed about mega zoom or crazy amount of pixels. But what is often regarded as the best smartphone camera, hard to believe they won't add one at some point.

I hope they do! While I have made use of the telephoto lens a few times on my P4XL, if I had to choose, I'd rather have a wide angle lens.

 

[michael9891]

I hope they do! While I have made use of the telephoto lens a few times on my P4XL, if I had to choose, I'd rather have a wide angle lens.

I know they stuck with one lens for a very long time, but it just makes sense to add one.

 

[Awesomesince86]

when released...but right now they are $599/$699 and are quite a good deal.

Agree, this is why they should've been priced all along. But if I was buying a phone right now, would I go with the Pixel 4 xl or a mint S20 plus for only $100 more? Hard to say. I would have stuck with the Pixel despite it's downfalls if battery was better. I just love the Pixel software.

 

[GoldfishRT]

I’ve been really eyeing a Pixel 4 or 3a as my next phone, wish they were slightly smaller however.

 

[N0ddie]

So my new Pixel showed up today and so far I'm really enjoying the experience, though I do wish I could get rid of the Google bar on the homepage ?.

Gonna give the astrophotography a go tonight as I'm keen to the results for myself (last night's sky was perfect for it to).

Pairing of my Galaxy Watch 2 was a breeze and it nice to have Google Pay on my phone and Samsung Pay on my watch.

The 3 things/apps it's missing though are a good file manager app, gallery app and music app. I have downloaded Google's file manager app (strange it doesn't come with it by default).

I use Rocket Player for my music (I use iSyncr to sync my iTunes library/playlists from my PC and this suggests this music app) and so far it's been good.

And trying the free version of Simple Gallery to see how it goes before buying the Pro (paid for) version.

 

[Aneres11]

Someone is selling a brand new Pixel 4 on Facebook market place for £380. 64gb.
I don't need it lol, but is it too good a deal to pass up do you think?

Checked this today and the guy is still selling his Pixel 4 - now it’s just £320. Lol. I’m trying to be good...

How cheeky would it be to ask if he will let it go for £300? ?

 

[michael9891]

So my new Pixel showed up today and so far I'm really enjoying the experience, though I do wish I could get rid of the Google bar on the homepage ?.

Gonna give the astrophotography a go tonight as I'm keen to the results for myself (last night's sky was perfect for it to).

Pairing of my Galaxy Watch 2 was a breeze and it nice to have Google Pay on my phone and Samsung Pay on my watch.

The 3 things/apps it's missing though are a good file manager app, gallery app and music app. I have downloaded Google's file manager app (strange it doesn't come with it by default).

I use Rocket Player for my music (I use iSyncr to sync my iTunes library/playlists from my PC and this suggests this music app) and so far it's been good.

And trying the free version of Simple Gallery to see how it goes before buying the Pro (paid for) version.

You can easily get rid of the Google bar. Something like long pressing it gives you the option. Those on here who own one will know better.

 

[N0ddie]

You can easily get rid of the Google bar. Something like long pressing it gives you the option. Those on here who own one will know better.

This works on my Samsung Note but not Pixel ?

 

[Aneres11]

No you can’t remove the Search bar or the at a glance widget. Unfortunately.

 

[slitherjef]

This works on my Samsung Note but not Pixel ?

Yup, just gives you the option to show the animations. ?

I tried astrophotography mode last night but must've taken the que from the rest of my gear... Only seen the astrophotography mode blip up for just a second. Couldn't find a button or slider or double tap to bring the mode up even in night sight. Guess my trash skies are too bright ?

 

[Pillar]

You can easily get rid of the Google bar. Something like long pressing it gives you the option. Those on here who own one will know better.

You can, but using Nova launcher or the other ones, I don't recall the names.

 

[slitherjef]

Can you actually use Nova launcher on the 4? I thought, like it did on the 3, acted wonky and just overlayed on top of the stock launcher. Maybe that was before they allowed button navigation. Guess I have to try and hopefully not bork something lol

Edit: bye-bye stock launcher, hello Nova again! ?