Google Pixel 4/Pixel 4 XL

[Awesomesince86]

Now that the Pixel is starting to settle, I'm getting about the same battery life as my s20 plus surprisingly. I think the s20 has less drain when actually using the device due to the bigger battery but the Pixel seems to suffer less from standby drain.

I am getting between 5.5 and 6 hrs SOT with the s20 and probably closer to 5 hrs SOT with the Pixel.

 

[TiggrToo]

All's seemingly not good in Googland over the apparent failure of the Pixel 4: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...-pixels-camera-lead-and-general-manager-quit/

 

[Awesomesince86]

One thing I've noticed about the pixel recently is that with the brightness really low, the display has terrible black crush. Like one of the worst cases I've ever seen. Just another sign of Google dropping the ball from a hardware standpoint.

 

[Fernandez21]

One thing I've noticed about the pixel recently is that with the brightness really low, the display has terrible black crush. Like one of the worst cases I've ever seen. Just another sign of Google dropping the ball from a hardware standpoint.

The lower brightness levels seem to come from the higher refresh rate, have that same issue with my S20. Ultimately, it should be fixable in software.

Not sure about the "black crush" though.

 

[Awesomesince86]

The lower brightness levels seem to come from the higher refresh rate, have that same issue with my S20. Ultimately, it should be fixable in software.

Not sure about the "black crush" though.

I think you misunderstood. What I'm saying is that when the phone is at low brightness (like bottom 10%), the black crush is extremely noticeable. Anything grey at all just turns black. It's especially noticeable with backgrounds that are mostly black but have some gradient and with videos.

 

[michael9891]

£170 off the 4 & 4XL again in the UK. Should be £270, I'm sure that would tempt lots more people.

 

[Swampbaby985]

I'm currently rocking the Pixel 3XL. With news of the departure of the people behind the camera it'll be curious to see what happens going forward. I'm sure the guys who left already had a hand in the development of the proposed 4a and as well as the 5, I wanna see what Google will come up with for the potential 5a and 6 before I reevaluate weather or not I'd stick with Google or switch back to iOS. (I hate bloatware from OEMs as well as carriers which is why I'm currently sticking with Pixel)

 

[Awesomesince86]

Well, looks like my constant switching between the s20 plus and Pixel 4 XL broke rcs chat in android messages. I would make sure to turn it off and then back on everytime I switched my SIM card and all of a sudden today it wouldn't connect on either phone. Now I can't even get to the connecting screen. All I get is the attempting to verify number but the verification text never comes through. I'm fear I'm about to get into a finger pointing support chat back and forth with Google and T-Mobile.

I'm guessing I did it too many times and broke something on one of their ends. Google thinks it's T-Mobile blocking the verification text but it'll be hell getting ahold of someone that knows what they're talking about at TMobile. So this is going to suck...

 

[jamezr]

Gotta say the more I use the P4XL the more it just grows on me. It is hard to point at just one thing it does that justifies that statement. But I used my 11 pro max and s20+ this weekend and the pixel has by far the best overall user experience.

 

[Fernandez21]

Gotta say the more I use the P4XL the more it just grows on me. It is hard to point at just one thing it does that justifies that statement. But I used my 11 pro max and s20+ this weekend and the pixel has by far the best overall user experience.

The best way I can describe it is that the Pixel 4 software experience makes the S20 feel like a beta version, not bad by any means, but it's just so polished and "finished" on the Pixel 4.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Gotta say the more I use the P4XL the more it just grows on me. It is hard to point at just one thing it does that justifies that statement. But I used my 11 pro max and s20+ this weekend and the pixel has by far the best overall user experience.

The best way I can describe it is that the Pixel 4 software experience makes the S20 feel like a beta version, not bad by any means, but it's just so polished and "finished" on the Pixel 4.

I definitely agree with what you guys are saying. But when I switch between it and my S20 the difference in hand is so noticeable. One feels much more premium. There's also times when using the Pixel that you can actually feel it being held back by the hardware.

 

[jamezr]

This article is right on target. The Pixel line excels are combining software and hardware to create a great user experience.
It is not just about specs. Specs just to fill out a spec sheet are useless.

Why software is infinitely more important than any other phone spec

Why software is infinitely more important than any other phone spec

There are a lot of factors that come into play when deciding to buy a new phone. Above all else, software stands out as the most important. Let me explain.

www.androidcentral.com

 

[Awesomesince86]

This article is right on target. The Pixel line excels are combining software and hardware to create a great user experience.
It is not just about specs. Specs just to fill out a spec sheet are useless.

Why software is infinitely more important than any other phone spec

Why software is infinitely more important than any other phone spec

There are a lot of factors that come into play when deciding to buy a new phone. Above all else, software stands out as the most important. Let me explain.

www.androidcentral.com

Oh I 100% agree. Im just saying I wish the gap between the two in hardware was a little closer. I love the look of the Pixel hardware. It fits software perfectly but its obviously less refined than the S20 hardware. I'm going to sell one of the S20 plus or Pixel 4 Xl soon, but I still havent decided which. Im leaning towards keeping the S20. It doesnt excel in software like the Pixel but it has no weak points.

 

[jamezr]

Oh I 100% agree. Im just saying I wish the gap between the two in hardware was a little closer. I love the look of the Pixel hardware. It fits software perfectly but its obviously less refined than the S20 hardware. I'm going to sell one of the S20 plus or Pixel 4 Xl soon, but I still havent decided which. Im leaning towards keeping the S20. It doesnt excel in software like the Pixel but it has no weak points.

I am in the same boat so to speak. Buy I am learning towards keeping the P4XL. It is just too smooth. Camera can't be touched IMHO. It takes motion shots without all the blur my S20+ has. Then the one thing we all do with our phones more than anything is unlock them. FaceUnlock is better than anything Samsung has right now. Heck it is better than FaceID IMHO.

 

[Awesomesince86]

I am in the same boat so to speak. Buy I am learning towards keeping the P4XL. It is just too smooth. Camera can't be touched IMHO. It takes motion shots without all the blur my S20+ has. Then the one thing we all do with our phones more than anything is unlock them. FaceUnlock is better than anything Samsung has right now. Heck it is better than FaceID IMHO.

I get it. Its definitely close. A lot closer than it should be when you look at the devices on paper but the software on the Pixel is just top notch.

That said, OneUI is really good. I get the criticism that its too complex and has too many features. But it really lets you tailor things to your needs. Plus, theres literally nothing left out.

It would be easier to get rid of the S20 if the screen wasnt so perfect. The display on the Pixel isnt bad by any means, but it doesnt touch the S20 display. Its brighter, better colors, and even the coating on the screen just feels better.

I am actually getting good shots with the S20 camera. It really only struggles with low light and a little shutter lag. I find that even though theres shutter lag, if the lighting is good I dont get blur. It doesnt touch the Pixel camera, but its better than any previous Samsung Ive used. And video quality blows the Pixel away.

When it comes to unlock, Pixel easily wins. Face unlock is great. Its the best biometric Ive used to date. I havent been bothered by the fingerprint sensor too much becasue at home I used smartlock so its just a swipe to unlock. But thats still one step more than the Pixel needs.

 

[jamezr]

I get it. Its definitely close. A lot closer than it should be when you look at the devices on paper but the software on the Pixel is just top notch.

That said, OneUI is really good. I get the criticism that its too complex and has too many features. But it really lets you tailor things to your needs. Plus, theres literally nothing left out.

It would be easier to get rid of the S20 if the screen wasnt so perfect. The display on the Pixel isnt bad by any means, but it doesnt touch the S20 display. Its brighter, better colors, and even the coating on the screen just feels better.

I am actually getting good shots with the S20 camera. It really only struggles with low light and a little shutter lag. I find that even though theres shutter lag, if the lighting is good I dont get blur. It doesnt touch the Pixel camera, but its better than any previous Samsung Ive used. And video quality blows the Pixel away.

When it comes to unlock, Pixel easily wins. Face unlock is great. Its the best biometric Ive used to date. I havent been bothered by the fingerprint sensor too much becasue at home I used smartlock so its just a swipe to unlock. But thats still one step more than the Pixel needs.

But for all of the hardware prowess the S20 has...those specs do not translate to performance even with what twice the ram.
The software blend WITH the hardware is what makes the Pixel line up excel.
From call screening to notifications to auto fill and then all the Google services tightly integrated into the mix.
Imho FPS is a legacy feature that does not work all that well. Then I look at when will the S20 get Android 11?
Samsung has been great with monthly security updates but OS and deserve praise for that. But it is a little different for Android versions.

Anyway...can't go wrong with either phone to be honest.

 

[Awesomesince86]

But for all of the hardware prowess the S20 has...those specs do not translate to performance even with what twice the ram.
The software blend WITH the hardware is what makes the Pixel line up excel.
From call screening to notifications to auto fill and then all the Google services tightly integrated into the mix.
Imho FPS is a legacy feature that does not work all that well. Then I look at when will the S20 get Android 11?
Samsung has been great with monthly security updates but OS and deserve praise for that. But it is a little different for Android versions.

Anyway...can't go wrong with either phone to be honest.

Have you add performance issues with the S20? Mine flies. Its definitely faster than the Pixel. However I will say of the transitions and animations dont feel as smooth as the Pixel. Its almost like the hardware is moving things too fast for the software. Now with that said, Ive noticed slowdowns on the Pixel is certain areas like when multitasking that is clearly hardware limiting performance. So I guess theres bad in both. Its clear Samsung needs more impressive hardware to power all the features and some bloat that comes with OneUI. It would really struggle with Pixels hardware. Thats why Pixels dont need crazy specs, but 8GB of RAM and 128 GB of fast storage should be standard.

As for updates, Im very happy with where Samsung are currently at in that regard. I dont need to be at the bleeding edge, I just dont want to run months behind. If Samsung are coming out with major updated less than 2 months after Pixels, Im more than happy with that.

 

[jamezr]

Have you add performance issues with the S20? Mine flies. Its definitely faster than the Pixel. However I will say of the transitions and animations dont feel as smooth as the Pixel. Its almost like the hardware is moving things too fast for the software. Now with that said, Ive noticed slowdowns on the Pixel is certain areas like when multitasking that is clearly hardware limiting performance. So I guess theres bad in both. Its clear Samsung needs more impressive hardware to power all the features and some bloat that comes with OneUI. It would really struggle with Pixels hardware. Thats why Pixels dont need crazy specs, but 8GB of RAM and 128 GB of fast storage should be standard.

As for updates, Im very happy with where Samsung are currently at in that regard. I dont need to be at the bleeding edge, I just dont want to run months behind. If Samsung are coming out with major updated less than 2 months after Pixels, Im more than happy with that.

For all the hardware specs the S20 is not faster than the Pixel. Google is in the same unique position as Apple. They are in the position to blend the hardware with the software to create a great user experience.
That is something Samsung can't do so they throw hardware at it.

 

[Awesomesince86]

For all the hardware specs the S20 is not faster than the Pixel. Google is in the same unique position as Apple. They are in the position to blend the hardware with the software to create a great user experience.
That is something Samsung can't do so they throw hardware at it.

Well, not quite. Apple are in their own league with blending hardware and software because they make their own SOC. So they can tailor it specifically to iOS and their specific hardware. Google is still using 3rd party SOC. They are definitely trying to go the Apple route but have a long way to go.

Personally I find the S20 faster but its brute force fast and not polished fast like the Pixel if that makes sense. I dont have much stutter on either device but it definitely happens more often on my Pixel. For example, go into the multitasking window and scroll around. Buttery smooth on the S20 and some jitters on the Pixel.

Agree with the point though that Samsungs software requires great specs to run well. Pixel not as much.

 

[jamezr]

Well, not quite. Apple are in their own league with blending hardware and software because they make their own SOC. So they can tailor it specifically to iOS and their specific hardware. Google is still using 3rd party SOC. They are definitely trying to go the Apple route but have a long way to go.

Personally I find the S20 faster but its brute force fast and not polished fast like the Pixel if that makes sense. I dont have much stutter on either device but it definitely happens more often on my Pixel. For example, go into the multitasking window and scroll around. Buttery smooth on the S20 and some jitters on the Pixel.

Agree with the point though that Samsungs software requires great specs to run well. Pixel not as much.

see I have hesitations on the S20+ especially in notifications and the camera app. Then the the S20 FPS only works part of the time and the facial recognition software is worlds behind Google and Apple.
While Google doesn't design the SOC they use...they have the distinct advantage of being able to design the software to use with it.

Then this is the Pixel thread and I just stated I prefer it over the S20 +and 11 rpo max.
My comments weren't meant to start a pissing contest it seems to have turned into. You don't have to defend the S20+ so much. It is a great phone.....

 

[Awesomesince86]

see I have hesitations on the S20+ especially in notifications and the camera app. Then the the S20 FPS only works part of the time and the facial recognition software is worlds behind Google and Apple.
While Google doesn't design the SOC they use...they have the distinct advantage of being able to design the software to use with it.

Then this is the Pixel thread and I just stated I prefer it over the S20 +and 11 rpo max.
My comments weren't meant to start a pissing contest it seems to have turned into. You don't have to defend the S20+ so much. It is a great phone.....

Whoa, relax there chief. I'm not turning anything into a pissing contest. I think you're projecting a little. I'm just comparing the two because I know we both have both devices. I love the Pixel and am still considering keeping it over the S20, I'm just objectively comparing the pros and cons to both.

 

[jamezr]

Lol...not projecting at all. I'm here in the Pixel thread extolling it's virtues is all. I'm not in the S20 thread saying how I prefer the Pixel.
I think you're being a little defensive and maybe trying to justify your choices.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Lol...not projecting at all. I'm here in the Pixel thread extolling it's virtues is all. I'm not in the S20 thread saying how I prefer the Pixel.
I think you're being a little defensive and maybe trying to justify your choices.

Lol so you think because I like the S20 (as well as the Pixel) I should only discuss its merits in its own thread? So no talking positively about any other phone in other phone's thread? C'mon man, thats ridiculous. You act like I'm here bashing the Pixel when Ive already stated I like it as much as any phone Ive used this year.

And to be clear, I've praised the Pixel here and also discussed its negatives. And Ive used the S20 to make comparisons as its also an android flagship. Which is perfectly reasonable.

Either way, I'm done with this back and forth. Its ran its course I think.

 

[jamezr]

Lol so you think because I like the S20 (as well as the Pixel) I should only discuss its merits in its own thread? So no talking positively about any other phone in other phone's thread? C'mon man, thats ridiculous. You act like I'm here bashing the Pixel when Ive already stated I like it as much as any phone Ive used this year.

And to be clear, I've praised the Pixel here and also discussed its negatives. And Ive used the S20 to make comparisons as its also an android flagship. Which is perfectly reasonable.

Either way, I'm done with this back and forth. Its ran its course I think.

naw dude.....read back to my first post that stated this whole back and forth with you. Then you started being defensive about the S20.... You don't have justify choosing the S20 over the Pixel. Its all good...they are both great phones

Like I said...I will sell my S20 this week sometime. But I'm not going to go into the the S20 thread and state all the reasons why...... I don't need to justify my choices or clog up that thread with negatives.

 

[Awesomesince86]

naw dude.....read back to my first post that stated this whole back and forth with you. Then you started being defensive about the S20.... You don't have justify choosing the S20 over the Pixel. Its all good...they are both great phones

Like I said...I will sell my S20 this week sometime. But I'm not going to go into the the S20 thread and state all the reasons why...... I don't need to justify my choices or clog up that thread with negatives.

Go back and read it again. I stated pros and cons of both phones pretty clearly. I dont need to justify anything I do with people here.

The back and forth was completely normal until out of nowhere you claimed I turned it into a pissing contest. Which for one, doesnt even fit that definition. And two, I didn't even take a side. You were clearly on the Pixel side and I said I was torn between two great phones. But anyway, have a good one.